I don’t know how long I’ve had reflux in my veins, but I wonder two things: did it/can it cause blood clots, and did the recent blood clot make the condition worse?

I’m wondering these things because prior to the last clot, I had virtually no swelling in my feet. But since the clot – particularly in the last month – I’ve had swelling almost every day. To the point where The Mr. and I have both said that my feet look like sausages. Stretching my feet out has caused some pain, though shortlived.

I can find no pattern to when and how bad the swelling is. Yesterday the swelling was particularly bad. I was in the office until 2 p.m., drove home to pick up the kids after school, then worked from home for the rest of the day. Sitting at a desk for most of the day. Which is what I do every day. I didn’t notice how bad the swelling was until I was sitting at the kids’ Aikido class. I sat for two hours. Again, nothing out of the ordinary, really. When we got home, my feet hurt. Actually, it was more like an ache. I made dinner for the kids and then had to lie down. Didn’t even change out of my work clothes. No. 2 cleaned up for me, and then put a blanket over me and kissed my forehead.

The Mr. said I should be wearing compression stockings, which I’m really not willing to do since the top is terribly uncomfortable and digs into my skin. I reminded him of the out-patient surgery that I could do and he looked at me as if to say “Well what are you waiting for?”

Even though the significant swelling and need to lie down after work isn’t an every day thing, I’m wondering if I should take care of this now before it *does* impact my life to that point. The vascular surgeon said the ultrasound numbers show the reflux is bad, but since it’s not debilitating we should wait until I feel it’s necessary.

I’m starting to think it’s necessary. Ugh. One more freaking thing.