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Which are the differences between the UK, US and France?

Why is 'heavy legs' condition recognised in France but not in UK?

  • Three weeks ago I asked if there were any creams available for 'heavy legs' in UK. Thanks to those who referred me to remedies - which I'll try. The retired GP, whose answer was chosen as best, doesn't accept email - so I'll give him feedback here. He advised me to go to my GP for diagnosis. In fact, a consultant at a top London teaching hospital had already diagnosed that I had 'heavy legs' and advised me to get 'one of those creams for heavy legs that you can buy over the counter from Boots', advice that they repeated in their follow-up letter to my GP. A Boots pharmacist told me that there are no creams for poor circulation (one of the main causes of heavy legs) only flight socks. The consultant in question is from abroad, although not from France, but maybe they have worked in France. The NHS scientist who also answered my previous question, tells me there are many remedies for heavy legs available in France but he has never heard of a diagnosis of heavy legs in UK. In other words, heavy legs is a recognised condition in France but not in UK. Although my consultant in the UK recognises this condition but is unaware that there are no pharmaceutical remedies available here. This is all somewhat puzzling. Can anyone enlighten me, please?

  • Answer:

    I think that the French and the English have very, very different attitudes to mild health issues. Here is an excellent, and amusing article on the BBC website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7779126.stm But you are right, I don't think anyone in the UK has ever heard of 'heavy leg' syndrome. If our legs ache we rest for a bit or maybe rub an over-the-counter cream into our legs.

Anastasi... at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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Sorry that I cannot accept email, but quite frankly I would be overwhelmed by it's volume. The pharmacist it seems to me is the one with correct answer, in the UK we have no such diagnosis as heavy legs. Irrespective of that no topically applied creams have any effect at all on circulation. It is also generally accepted in the UK that oral medication has no effect on circulation either, though there are 2 or 3 very old drugs that still carry licences that suggest they are of benefit. To be honest these should really be withdrawn as all the current work suggests they are pretty worthless. I am sure if they came on the market now they would be able to make any claims that they work. ( They include inositol nicotinate and Naftidrofuryl oxalate, though there is some evidence that intravenous Naftidrofuryl oxalate does have an effect, it's oral form is pretty useless.) Surprisingly there is generally a fairly good consensus of opinion internationally with regard to diagnoses and management of most medical conditions. However the odd quirk does exist, the pill for hypotension that was used in Germany for many years within conventional medicine is an example that comes to mind. No other countries really considered the problem pathology let alone prescribed for it. It has now dropped out of favour even in Germany.

Dr Frank

I have never heard of this. If it's caused by water retention then creams won't help, unless it's the massaging action that's supposed to help. The flight socks are not what you need - you need class 2 or 3 compression hosiery. Your GP can prescribe it for you or you can buy from the pharmacy. You'll need to ask the dispenser or pharmacist as they will have to measure you.

Polly P

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