Anxiety and dilation of veins

[robbrooks]

I have recently gone through a separation which has hit me really hard and my anxiety levels are really high still after 7 months, symptoms are churning stomach loss of interest but the one that is really getting me is my veins in my arms and legs really pump up and get quite uncomfortable and it coincides with my feeling of anxiety. The thing that makes it worse in I have suffered with varicose veins in my legs which I have had treated but they seem to be coming back very quickly and I’m sure the dilation of my leg veins is accelerating this. If I am calm and feeling good I get no pain in my legs and feet but if I’m worked up I get pains in the arch of my foot and inside of my ankle below the bone, I also get a sensation in my feet of having things in my shoe mildly pressing in to my foot. I guess the fear of getting/worsening varicose veins again is also fuelling my anxiety.

[lonewolf07]

I don't blame you.  It sounds like the "leg version" of a root canal".

[robbrooks]

They tied them and pulled them out, not nice and leaves a lot of bruising, not something i want to rush back too!

[lonewolf07]

Have you tried elevating your feet and legs?  I've noticed than when I'm anxious my feet turn red.  It's like my skin knows how I feel better than my head does.  Anxiety can cause the body to react in numerous different ways - I call it sympathy anxiety.

I'm curious - how did they treat your varicose veins?  A lot of my family members have them.

lonewolf

[Pum]

Is the weather warming up too? Your veins get way more noticeable in warm weather and if you've lost some weight with all that stress, you will notice them even more.
You could be getting some ankle/feet swelling from your varicose veins due to the warm weather.

Anxiety will take any normal physical sensation and pick away at it, until that is all you can feel. Everyone can feel their veins in hot weather if they concentrate, I reckon.

Good luck.