Well, you can ask for a mild anti-anxiety med like ativan. Vicodin should not be needed. Sclerotherapy is really not that painful and the treating team can use PainEase, which is a spray-on freezing liquid that numbs the skin. Be sure you only receive Sotradecol or Asclera for the sclerotherapy. Both are FDA approved and cause no discomfort. Never accept saline or compounded formulas.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

I believe that you might be able to take acetaminophen or ibuprofen prior to sclerotherapy. Xanax or vicodin are not usually recommended.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

I have never had to do that. There is a topical anesthetic cream can be applied that works well but my patients have not needed it for five years and we do sclerotherapy daily. Some offices use a chilling device that blows cold air over the skin.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

In my practice, we offer a topical anesthetic. For most people, that's enough. If you're really nervous, I will allow a little valium, as long as you have a driver.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Neither will help very much. Most people find sclerotherapy uncomfortable but get through it without difficulty, even with a low pain tolerance.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Patients having sclerotherapy typically do not get medication. However, pain or anxiety medications may be prescribed to facilitate the procedure.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

You won't need any drugs. The needles are very small and the drugs used now do not sting.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

For that very occasional patient who requires medication before sclerotherapy, I prescribe 1 mg ativan orally. If someone requires more than this, then they really should not be doing sclerotherapy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

No, it is not painful other than a tiny poke.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Generally not. Ask your provider.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Generally not, but that may be an option.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

I will admit that sclerotherapy is not the most comfortable procedure to have done. Despite this fact, I rarely prescribe xanax and have never prescribed vicodin. Pain meds like vicodin are great for chronic pain. However, sclerotherapy is acute pain which means that Vicodin will have less of an effect in pain control. Xanax, however may be more appropriate given your fears and tolerance. You would need a driver afterwards though.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

We have treated many people with low pain tolerance and needle phobias. Mostly they are fine with the treatments such as distraction, cold packs, music and squeeze balls. On rare occasions we will recommend a mild sedative but the patient must have a driver. We can use topical numbing but this can also shrink the veins making them more difficult to treat. Actually, it is not very effective, especially in the ankle areas. Find someone with a lot of experience.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Managing pain would be entirely up to your treating physician.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

If you have a low pain threshold, taking a pain killer like vicodin or ibuprofen 2-3 hours before the procedure is a good idea. Xanax helps to reduce the anxiety associated with these procedures. There are several other medicines available with similar efficacy so talk to your doctor about the choice of medicines for your procedure.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

There is SO little pain associated with the tiny, tiny needles we use for injections, that we would never suggest any sort of pain medication for this. Make sure the operator you are working with is using a 30-gauge needle and you likely won't feel much of anything. Hope this helps.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Many physicians will write a prescription for "needle phobic" patients, but you have to inform the doctor prior to the day of the appointment. You will need to take the meds about two hours prior to the appointment and have a driver take you to and from the appointment. The needle used is about the size of an eyelash, but nevertheless, some patients just need something to help with their anxiety.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

There is very little pain associated with sclerotherapy. The doctor uses the smallest needle I have ever seen. None of our patients have ever required anything for pain during or after sclerotherapy. I would suggest going into the office and talking with someone about your concerns, they should be able to alleviate your fears.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

That is up to the physician performing the procedure. Typically we do not give any medications prior to sclerotherapy. At most, we may give some valium.

Published on Jul 11, 2012