Superficial blood clots, what do I need to know?

Hi @jennvs with your history of varicose veins and clotting, this may be out of the experience level of your primary care physician. Seeing a vein specialist would be a good idea. Two that come to mind would be an Interventional Cardiologist or a Diagnostic Radiologist.

Some of the superficial veins can often be easily removed or closed off so that there aren’t peripheral, unnecessary veins. These specialists can do a mapping of your veins to assess where there might be trouble spots. My doctor is a Diagnostic Radiologist who performed Sclerotherapy on both legs. It was painless and helped with large superficial varicose veins.

In the meantime, keep up with exercise, rest and elevate your legs periodically, use some calf sleeves if you’re standing or sitting for long periods of time and drink plenty of water. Before you go on an aspirin regimen, make sure you discuss that with your physician first…or the specialist who treats you.
In your case, since you have repeat history with clotting, has your doctor run any blood tests to check for clotting time or an elevated red blood cell or platelet level?

I believe you need to see a Vascular Surgeon. He is in a good position to tell you whether you can just have vein therapy or whether you need vein removal. Are you wearing compression socks. My son was in a car accident and left with severe vein disfunction. Once he started compression, the swelling was greatly improved and he had much less pain.
Gina5009

Don't forget to ask the doctor about whether simple measures could help. We dealt with DVTs along our journey with Multiple Myeloma. In addition to taking medication as directed we asked about other simple steps we could take, like wearing compression stockings and carefully monitoring and maintaining hydration levels. The doctors we dealt with were happy to tell us of many simple steps on our part that could limit the symptoms, and we were motivated to make the most of every avenue that could lead to relief.