Home When to Go
DecidingWhen Should You See a Vein Doctor?
See a vein doctor when leg pain, swelling, heaviness, skin color changes or bulging veins keep coming back, or when a vein bothers you enough that you keep thinking about it.
Signs FCCI lists as reasons to get checked
FCCI's Vein Clinic groups venous symptoms into three types. Any of these is a fair reason to call.
- Deep: pain when standing that eases when you raise your legs, leg ulcers, unexplained swelling, lower pelvic pain in women, large varicose veins on the back of the thighs, veins across the belly or pelvis, varicose veins in the vaginal area, pain during sex, or a past or current deep vein thrombosis (including an IVC stent).
- Superficial: itching, red or brown skin color changes, leg weakness, an aching feeling, spider or reticular veins.
- Cosmetic: blue, green or purple veins you can see through the skin, or veins that are twisted and bulging.
You do not need all of them. One that keeps showing up is enough to ask.
When it cannot wait
Some leg problems are emergencies. Call 911 or go to the ER for sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood, or a leg that is suddenly very swollen, hot, red and painful. FCCI notes a deep vein clot can cause a fatal pulmonary embolism if it breaks loose and travels to the lung.
For everything else, call 904.493.3333 during office hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. FCCI asks that both urgent and non-urgent questions come in during those hours.
Waiting has a cost
FCCI notes that untreated chronic venous insufficiency can cause leg pain, swelling, skin changes and ulcers. Catching it early usually means simpler choices. A 20-minute ultrasound screening is a low-effort way to find out where you stand.
Are varicose veins always a medical problem?
Not always. Some are cosmetic. A vascular ultrasound shows whether valves are leaking or veins are blocked, which helps you and your doctor decide.
Do I need a referral?
Call 904.493.3333 and the team can tell you what your plan needs.
What if my symptoms are not from my veins?
FCCI says that when vein disease is not found, its cardiovascular, sleep medicine, wound care and pulmonary specialists can look for the cause under the same roof.
