From 15 Years of Leg Pain to Pain-Free: Thomas’ Story

Thomas Mayhall, 75, of Jackson, Louisiana, was hauling freight in his 18-wheeler when his driving days came to a sudden halt. His feet had swollen “like balloons,” and the discomfort was impossible to ignore.

Over the years, that discomfort worsened. Blue, bulging varicose veins snaked down both legs, discoloration spread, and hard, rope-like veins formed on his thighs.

By the time Thomas sought help at Cardiovascular Institute of the South in Zachary, he knew something was seriously wrong. There, he met Dr. Abdullah Munir, interventional cardiologist, who performed ultrasounds that confirmed the diagnosis: chronic venous insufficiency, also known as vein disease.

Vein disease happens when the veins in the legs don’t properly return blood back to the heart, often because the valves inside the veins become damaged or weak. These valves normally act like one-way gates, keeping blood flowing upward. When they become leaky, blood pools in the legs – causing veins to swell, discolor, and ache.

“They explained everything well, and I had confidence in Dr. Munir from the start,” Thomas said.

Dr. Munir treated Thomas with radiofrequency ablation, a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat from a thin catheter to close off diseased veins. The treatment was done in stages – half a leg at a time – using ultrasound guidance.

“I was never in pain, and my life was back to normal the same day,” Thomas recalled. After one appointment, he even stopped at Home Depot to run errands.

Today, Thomas is pain-free and active again. “The varicose veins are completely gone, and I don’t feel any pain,” he said. Bulging veins, spider veins, varicose veins, leg pain, swelling, or discoloration could be signs of vein disease. A quick, painless ultrasound at CIS can determine if treatment could help. Make an appointment below at a CIS location near you.