Can I get vein treatment if I’m on blood thinners or chronic pain medication?

Yes, it is possible to be treated for venous issues when taking either blood thinners or chronic pain medications. In fact, for people who take these types of medications, treating their veins is not only possible, but can even be advantageous.

Blood thinners should not be an issue for someone receiving vein treatment, although those patients may be more prone to post-op bruising. However, blood thinners can be a relative contraindication – reason to withhold a certain medical treatment due to possible harm – in some cases. Your board-certified vein specialist should discuss with you if that is a potential issue.

As for chronic pain medications, this should have no bearing at all on vein procedures. In many cases, patients who are prescribed pain medication for leg pain are able to discontinue taking their chronic pain medications after their venous issues have been resolved.

The standard protocol at the VeinHealthcare Center is to offer patients a muscle relaxant before treatment – not because the procedure itself is painful, but because the time spent lying on the exam table may cause a strain on their neck or back. Every patient is different in this regard, and we offer pillows, bolts, blankets and hot packs to make the experience as comfortable as possible, whether the patient opts for pain medication or not.

Of course, patients should always tell their physician and care team about any medications that he or she is taking, no matter what the medical treatment, including vein treatment.