Avoidable DVT death of my husband.

I was treated very badly in A&E and asked what was I doing there. I had quite literally frozen with pain in my calf while out shopping and was unable to move. Fortunately my daughter was able to come and get me. It was a very frightening experience and not helped by rude doctors. I'm sorry to hear you've had 3 DVT's Alison.

Thankyou Alison for the info on the Facebook group. Re. your treatment in A/E, it seems that clinicians have to SEE the signs of DVT before doing anything about it. By which time, it could be too late. If they would only listen to what a patient is telling them, lives could be saved. In all the research that I have done, there seems to be more emphasis put on treatment for a DVT, than preventing it in the first place. My husbands pain was ignored by the plaster technician 2 days before he died, so we thought it was normal, due to the injury. The big mistake that we made, was putting our trust in them. What are they doing now for your pain and swelling? If you have ANY questions, ask them.! Also get every visit documented. Keep your own records of dates, names etc .We have to protect ourselves and not assume that they will.

My reply to Alison is also relevent to you. They obviously couldn`t SEE what the problem was, so assumed there wasn`t one. I have emailed Sir Bruce Keogh, Medical Director for England with all the information about my husband, but as I speak to you both, it is apparent that the issues of DVT go a lot further than I thought. My husbands shortness of breath..... we put down to struggling with the crutches. I was an emotional wreck, when weeks after his death, I discovered that it was a major symptom. As no warnings were ever given, how were we supposed to know? I know now.....and intend to tell anyone who is prepared to listen.

You are right, more effort needs to be put into identifying those at risk, through genetics, and understanding the signs of a DVT.  Mine start in my abdomen so the swelling is particulalry difficult to diagnose.  

So glad it was discovered. This Forum can`t change the events of the past, but it really is good to talk. Take care of yourself and I hope they can sort out the problems that you still have.

Hello Titanium, I'm pleased that Alison has given you another line to pursue which, I hope, will help you. 

Thankyou janish49. What are they doing about the current pain in your leg?

Nothing at the moment, couldn't get an appointment with GP!!!!  Will try again on Monday .... NOT going to A&E!

Please don`t leave it that long.Do you have a walk in centre nearby?

Thanks for your concern.  Yes, there is a walk in centre nearby.  If bad tomorrow will go.  It's actually better than yesterday and I was told by GP last time I went with calf pain that I had post thrombotic syndrome, so I think it's something that will flare up from time to time. I'm on 4mg of warfarin a day so I don't think there's anything else I could do. Like my knees, I have been told by consultant that I have pseudo gout and when it flares up I just have to take painkillers and put up with it!

This is an extra worry for you, on top of fighting for your mum. Take care and please keep me posted.

Thanks will do.

I am so very, very sorry to hear about your sister. I fully understand the shock, disbelief and anger you must be feeling. The DVT reduces the oxygen in the blood which causes the breathing difficulties, this was obviously missed by the hospital in the " care " of your sister.

Arm yourself with as much information as you can find as they will try to sweep this under the carpet. Contact the Clinical Commisioning Group with your situation, to complain about the negligence.

I have never been given the opportunity to speak face to face with hospital staff, as nobody seems to care , if the person who died was an outpatient.

Justice for our loved ones would maybe help to mend our broken hearts. My thoughts are with you, please keep in touch. x

I'm also very sorry to hear about your sister. Do try to get answers, too often hospitals hope bereaved families won't question what happened and this needs to be stopped. My daughters partners Dad passed away yesterday after an awful year. He does have a lot of health issues and was expecting to have to go on dialysis soon. But last year he had an operation on a stomach ulcer and the stockings he had on were tucked up under his knee and CAUSED a DVT. He never really recovered and developed more problems. He went into hospital about a month ago and was told he was "depressed" however, it was eventually confirmed he had an incurable progressive brain infection. By this time he was under sedation and ventilated. Had investigations started earlier, rather than the diagnosis of depression, his family may have been able to talk to him and, as hard as it would have been, said goodbye. His wife, 3 sons and their partners (including my daughter who is still grieving after losing her grandmother, my Mum, with the first anniversary next week) and all his family and friends are devastated. I hold the hospital culpable, but it's not for me to suggest the family make a complaint. But, maybe in time, they will feel like it. He was a lovely man, had become a grandad in June and was only 58. Sorry for the ramble, but hospital negligence is causing too much unhappiness to families and they can't keep getting away with it.

Oh Janis, I have just read your post. The pain and grief our hospitals are causing is too much to bear. For them to hold their hands up and admit when they get it wrong, would be a start.

That poor man. You rant away, if it helps,

When you feel up to it, let me know how things are going for you, re. your health and your mum.

Lyn. x