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'Boiling my blood cured my painful varicose veins'
By Isla Whitcroft
February 2009
Millions of Britons suffer from varicose veins. Conventional laser treatment can be painful and cause major bruising, but Mark Lewis, 31, a writer from London, was one of the first to have a new improved procedure. He tells ISLA WHITCROFT his story and his surgeon explains what was involved.
THE PATIENT
Five years ago when I was teaching English abroad, I was on my feet for several hours a day.
One day, as I was getting dressed, I spotted a prominent vein about two inches long down the front of my thigh. I was pretty certain it hadn't been there before.
Over the next few months the vein increased in length. It also began to throb when I was standing up or exerting myself, such as when I was out running. As soon as I sat down and put my feet up, the pain would stop.
Relief: Mark Lewis tried the 'wonderful' new technique for curing varicose veins
Two years later, veins started to appear on the back of my calf. By this time I was pretty certain I had varicose veins because my father had suffered from them, too.
I was aware that my veins would probably get worse and at some point I would have to deal with them, but didn't want to think about that while abroad.
When I came back to the UK in 2006, my veins were quite noticeable and would throb until I put my feet up. I'd also become self-conscious about them if I was swimming or wearing shorts.
By last year, my veins were impingeing on my daily life. I love to go walking and play golf, but doing so would cause the veins to get hot and achy. I would have to stop what I was doing and put my feet up just to get some relief.
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