The condition is more commonly associated with older people – especially women over 65.
But for keen runner and cyclist Dom Martin the bulging veins in his left leg were very real – even though he himself admits: “I thought it was something your grandma or granddad would have.”
The 41-year-old, from Slough, Berks, says passing comments made him feel very self-conscious and he started to run in the evening to avoid attention.
His young son even asked him: “What’s that wiggly worm on your leg?”
But after years of suffering in silence he decided to get the issue treated at the Veincentre clinic in Reading, and says it has been “life changing”.
“It has given me so much more confidence,” he said. “Looking back, I realise how many things I have missed out on.”
The national account manager first noticed unusual veins in 2015 after a month spent doing charity work in Nepal.
He explained: “I did lots of hiking in the foothills of Everest and around Kathmandu. When I got back, I looked at a photo and spotted something on the back of my leg. It was a position that you wouldn’t really notice on your own body.
“It got worse but they were still quite small. I knew it was varicose veins so I got it treated locally.”
Six years later they came back, and this time much worse. Dom says the varicose veins were uncomfortable and unsightly.
“I know that might sound vain to some people, but I was so aware of it I didn’t want to wear shorts,” he added.
“I was 39 at the time and there would be comments that made me self conscious. They were mostly innocent, from concerned friends asking if everything was okay.
“I would always wear trousers and dreaded invitations to summer barbecues because I was really conscious about my leg.”
His hobbies suffered, with the throbbing veins and appearance inhibiting his ability to continue with his favourite sports.
He said: “Running and cycling are two of my passions and it was really difficult to accept that this problem with my veins was preventing my enjoyment doing things I love.
“I started to skip some runs or only run in the evening because it made me feel uncomfortable.”
Going on holiday was also tricky as he didn’t want to walk around by the pool in shorts. On one trip, a close friend thought the lumpy appearance might be a deep vein thrombosis.
“Those kinds of things play on your mind,” said Dom.
After becoming frustrated with treatment options and delays on the NHS, he decided to seek private medical advice and chose Veincentre, which has 37 clinics across the UK.
Dom had a combination of Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) – which fixes the underlying issue of faulty valves inside the veins that allow the blood to flow in the wrong direction – and foam sclerotherapy to change the appearance.
“After the treatments I took it easy for 24 hours and then was encouraged to get active,” he said. “I was doing my 10,000 to 15,000 steps a day and was also able to run and ride my bike whilst wearing a compression stocking.
“Within two weeks I really noticed the difference. I had the treatment in September last year and in April I ran my second London Parks half marathon.
“I used to have to wear knee-length running socks but this time I didn’t and I felt so much more confident and comfortable on the start line.”
After such a transformative experience, Dom is urging others who are suffering with varicose veins to address the issue and improve their lives.
He said: “It’s integral not to suffer in silence – a lot of people do.
“There is a stigma about varicose veins, many think they are not something younger people should get.
“But, thankfully, that is starting to change. People are more open to stuff these days and I don’t think you can put a price on your health and wellness.”
Dr Suzie Anthony, Consultant Interventional Radiologist and Deputy Medical Director at Veincentre, said: “It is great to hear the huge difference the treatments have made to Dom, especially allowing him to pursue his hobbies and healthy lifestyle.
“We often hear from people who don’t realise varicose veins can affect all ages, and are instead linked to genetics.
“The fact that someone like Dom, who is young and fit, has experienced the condition shows that varicose veins are not just for the elderly and if you suffer you should seek treatment.”
