How To Sleep with May-Thurner Syndrome

If you’re wondering how to sleep with May-Thurner syndrome, exploring effective strategies can help you find comfort and minimize discomfort during the night. Everyone wants to enjoy good health and a long life. Your doctor has been able to make sense of your concerning symptoms and diagnose May-Thurner Syndrome, but you’re confused about what this means for your everyday life and future.

Are there treatments for May-Thurner Syndrome? Will the disease progress into something worse? Can you make lifestyle changes to improve May-Thurner Syndrome? Let’s explore these questions together.

What is May-Thurner Syndrome (MTS) or Iliac Vein Compression Syndrome?

May-Thurner Syndrome occurs when the right iliac artery presses on the left iliac vein. As a result, blood flow is restricted in the legs. Many people with May-Thurner Syndrome will remain asymptomatic and never know they have it.

When people develop symptoms, a doctor will use a physical exam and imaging technology, such as intravascular ultrasound, to visualize blood flow in blood vessels like the left iliac vein. While the symptoms of May-Thurner Syndrome are not dangerous themselves there are several complications. This is why you should take these warning signs seriously if you show any symptoms of May-Thurner Syndrome.

Symptoms of May-Thurner Syndrome

While many people with May-Thurner Syndrome will not experience symptoms, some do. When symptoms appear it is important to seek medical guidance as the symptoms of May-Thurner Syndrome also mimic symptoms of other diseases of the pelvic veins such as Pelvic Congestion Syndrome. These symptoms are not life-threatening themselves, but should still be taken seriously.

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are veins close to the skin that are swollen and enlarged. They appear purple or blue. They result from a weak or damaged valve in the blood vessel that carries blood in the right direction.

Chronic Pelvic Pain

The pelvic pain in May-Thurner Syndrome is often the result of the pressure the right iliac artery places on the left iliac vein. This pelvic pain may present as lower back pain shooting to the groin area.

Leg Pain and Swelling

When these valves weaken, it can lead to blood pooling in veins, making the legs ache, swell, and feel heavy. The affected leg is usually the left leg because the left iliac vein is the one being compressed.

Skin Discoloration

In May-Thurner Syndrome, the skin may have purple or red spots. The discoloration often appears on the upper part of the left leg or right leg.

How to Treat May-Thurner Syndrome

Once you have May-Thurner Syndrome diagnosed, you can focus on treatments. The treatments for May-Thurner Syndrome revolve around preventing blood clots, treating them, and helping relieve symptoms. This prevents more serious complications and improves the quality of life for the patient. Treatments for May-Thurner Syndrome are all minimally invasive procedures.

Wear Compression Stockings

Since May-Thurner Syndrome can restrict blood flow in the left iliac vein, a common treatment is focusing on improving blood flow. Your vascular specialist might have you start wearing compression stockings which prevents blood pooling in the legs and keeps it flowing toward the heart. This helps prevent clot formation.

Blood Thinners And Thrombolytic Drugs

Blood thinners help prevent blood clots from forming and can help break up an already existing blood clot. For an existing clot, your doctor might also use a clot-dissolving drug called a thrombolytic. In more severe cases, the thrombolytic can be put on the end of a catheter and delivered directly to the blood clot.

Left Iliac Vein Stenting

A stent may be used to treat May-Thurner Syndrome. A wire mesh tube is fed into the left iliac vein and used to hold the vein open and improve blood flow.

Tissue Sling

While many treatments for May-Thurner Syndrome focus on the iliac veins, a tissue sling also addresses the right iliac artery. It is a more invasive therapy performed when other options fail. The sling adds a cushion between the blood vessels to relieve the iliac vein compression syndrome.

Severe Complications Of May-Thurner Syndrome

While the symptoms of May-Thurner Syndrome aren’t life-threatening several of the complications can be. All of the conditions below are serious medical issues that need to be addressed immediately.

Blood Clots

A blood clot forms when a mass of cells stick together. In May-Thurner Syndrome, because the left iliac vein compression does impede blood flow, the risk for blood clots is higher. While there is a risk for clots in both lower extremities, the risk is higher in the left leg as that is the location of the narrowed vein. The symptoms of a blood clot are:

• Swelling
• Pain
• Warmth
• A red or purple hard area

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a type of blood clot that forms in the deep veins. In May-Thurner Syndrome, DVT occurs in the blood vessels of the leg. This can also occur in either the left leg or the right leg with a greater chance in the left leg. This type of clot is highly dangerous because it can break free and travel to the lungs causing a pulmonary embolism.

If the patient can not take medication, sometimes a vascular surgeon will place a vena cava filter inside the inferior vena cava to catch any blood clots that break free before they can travel to the lungs. Another potential risk associated with DVT is post-thrombotic syndrome, a chronic condition that can cause pain and swelling in the legs.

Pulmonary Embolism

A pulmonary embolism occurs when a clot travels and lodges in a lung artery. This condition needs immediate treatment or it can be fatal. Some of the symptoms of a pulmonary embolism are:

• Chest pain
• Feeling dizzy
• Sudden shortness of breath

How To Sleep With May-Thurner Syndrome

One of the most frequently asked questions is: “How can I sleep with May-Thurner Syndrome?” During sleep, you are inactive for long periods but still want to keep oxygen-rich blood flowing in the blood vessels and oxygen-poor blood flowing out of your legs. Besides wearing compression stockings you can also:

• Elevate your legs to make sure blood flows from your swollen legs up to your heart.
• Sleep on your left side to help relieve pressure on your hips and iliac veins.

How To Reduce Certain Risk Factors With May-Thurner Syndrome

There are non-medical steps you can take to reduce your risk factors for the more dangerous complications from May-Thurner Syndrome. Living a healthy lifestyle that prioritizes normal blood flow can improve long-term outcomes in May-Thurner Syndrome. Below is a list of simple actions that require no medical intervention or medication.

• Avoid prolonged sitting
• Quit smoking
• Stay hydrated
• Maintain a healthy weight

Conclusion

For those who develop May-Thurner Syndrome, there is hope of living a normal life. Truthfully, many people are unaware they even have the condition. However, some patients may experience symptoms like varicose veins and pelvic or lower back pain.

When troubling symptoms appear, seek the help of a medical professional to reach a definite diagnosis. This is a crucial step in avoiding some of the more serious complications from MTS like blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis.

Take steps to reduce your risk factors for developing MTS like avoiding prolonged periods of inactivity and losing excess pounds. Talk with your doctor to see if they recommend blood thinners or other treatments to put you on a path of relief.