Treatment #1- Day 1

Once again: I am not a doctor. This is simply my account.
Treatment of my right leg begin on Tuesday, July 21st. I arrived at the doctor's office 30 minutes before the procedure was scheduled to begin. The nurse administered 20 mg of Valium and .1 mg of Clonidine. Clonidine is used for high blood pressure and is supposed to help the Valium work faster. I was advised to put on the gown and remove my underwear. What!?! Since my leg had to be cleaned it was suggested that I may not want my underwear to get soaked. I sat in the changing room for 30 minutes waiting for the Valium to kick in fuming the whole time that I was without my underwear.

I was taken back to the procedure room at 2:45. The nurses were as sweet as can be and helped protect my modestly as they draped blue sterile paper under right leg. My leg was scrubbed clean from my foot up to my hip. My legs rested on a warming pillow to help with blood circulation. The room was set at 68 degrees so a blanket was placed over my arms. I still didn't feel "high" from the Valium, but I was relaxed.

The bed was tilted with my legs down when the doctor arrived. I could not see what was going on, so I apologize that I not have the account of all the details. I'll try to pay better attention next time. The doctor began with the sclerosant (known as cpt 36471 to the insurance company). The goal was to "dry" up the blood in the smaller superficial veins first. The next step was to insert the laser. The doctor watched on the portable ultrasound machine to ensure that the laser reached all the way though. He tell me that he has a semi-difficult time since many of veins were twisted around.

I think at this point the bed was tilted allowing the blood to rush to my head. It was time to inject the lidocaine. The lidocaine, like Novocaine at the dentist, numbed my leg so I didn't feel the laser procedure. The lidocaine injections were not what I would call a pleasant experience. I would feel a pick and then a machine would turn on to inject the lidocaine. The process was repeated numerous times going from my ankle to my groin. I had to ask if a needle was still sticking in my leg around my knee because it felt so uncomfortable. All I could think was "why would anyone do acupuncture?" The injections in the groin area were brutal. I practiced the deep breathing that helped my deliver 2 babies without epidurals, but I still had tears coming down my face.

After the lidocaine was in the large bad vein, the laser process began. I could see on the ultrasound where the laser heated the vein causing it to bubble and collapse. I don't fully understand this point, but the heat was released into my lungs. I was given a mint for the old charcoal burnt taste. I could stop coughing when I left the office. The lidocaine/laser process was repeated 3 more times on much smaller veins. The doctor accurately warned me that the injection near my calf would feel like a charlie house. Man, was he right. A few times during the procedure I asked if it was normal that I didn't think I could move my leg. I was successfully able to wiggle my toes and peace was restored. I also asked on more than one occasion if I could have extra Valium next time.

The nurse put band-aids over what I believe were the laser injections sites. Gauze pads were placed along the large vein to absorb some of the fluids that could leak out. They had injected the max dosage of 600 mL lidocaine and 8 cc sclerosant. The nurse put on my new $90 30-40mmHg thigh stockings. I was excited that I had upgraded to the toeless type. I could still wear flip-flops and jeans.

I was escorted back to the changing room where my husband waited for me. It was 4:30 by the time we left.

Total cost: Just over $4,000. Yippy, I have meet my insurance deductible for the year.

Myth: Pain level for procedure is a 1-2
Fact: I could not have tears over pain of 1-2.
Myth:"You will feel very little if any pain"
Fact: Then why did I have tears coming down my face?
Myth: You only have to wear the compression stockings for 3 days after the procedure
Fact: After 3 days, I can remove stockings to shower and sleep. I have to continue wearing then during the days for 2 more weeks