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diagnosed with dvt this week . Am on blood thinners

Posted , 5 users are following.

john69167
john69167

My calf and foot are swollen (the foot is the worst). I am just wondering what the chances are of this going down eventually or is it going to be like this for rest of my life?

1 like, 17 replies

17 Replies

  • sheila91262
    sheila91262 john69167

    Posted

    Hi John.

    Have you had blood tests to check why you developed a DVT?

    Have you been given a professionally measured, your practice nurse will do it, compression stocking on prescription? This needs to be put on in the morning to reduce swelling as the day goes on, left off at night. Put cream on your skin to stay moisturised and to make the stocking easier to put on.

    You should exercise the foot, swimming or walking is ideal. Put your foot up when you sit down to aid circulation. Do not worry about more DVTs as that's what the blood thinners are for. You body will heal the clot and reduce the blockage and the swelling. You should get follow up appointments to check the healing. Have they said if it is in a minor or major vein? It may take some time to go down but it should improve little by little.

    Good luck to you.

  • john69167
    john69167

    Posted

    Hi Sheila they haven't told me why I got it and nor have they said which vein is blocked. I am going back to the hospital on Tuesday and hope to get the compression stockings then. It is basically my calf and foot (especially ankles). It is so depressing and worrying. I just hope the swelling goes down. John
    • sheila91262
      sheila91262 john69167

      Posted

      Hi John,

      It is a steep learning curve but there is a lot of info out there on the internet. The swelling will go down over time. The problem may rise in you developing Post Thrombotic syndrome(PTS). Hopefully you won't, a lot depends on the size and spread of the DVT. Do ask questions about the extent of the DVT and ask for a scan if you havent had one so far. Get as much info as you can but if they are not very forthcoming ask if you can be referred to a more upto date and agressive vascular dept in a hosp eg Guy's and St Thomas in London. They treat DVTs to avoid longterm damage to the vein.

      Be informed, that is the key. We have learned alot from the poor care my son received at his local gen hosp when he went to A&E with a post surgical DVT. He is now having therapy as his major leg vein is damaged after developing PTS.

      Good luck, Sheila

    • john69167
      john69167 sheila91262

      Posted

      Hi Sheila I had another ultrasound scan of my legs and they said there was a definite improvement. Before the clot which was very big (from the knee to the groin apparently) totally occluded or blocked blood flow but it no longer does so. In their words there are now large recannalising channels of blood flow within it. Apparently that is a definite improvement and means the clot is breaking up and letting the blood flow. The swelling has reduced a bit also. I am carrying on with the blood thinners and making sure I get a bit of walking done most days. I feel a bit more optimistic now about my recovery. I still have not been given compression stocking. Neither the Doctor in charge of the Anti-coagulant unit nor my GP seem to think they are necessary. That is a bit confusing but I am cheered that things  are improving. Now I will have to see what the next scan shows. How is your son? John
    • supercargo
      supercargo john69167

      Posted

      Good optimistic reply John, hope you get continual improvement.
    • sheila91262
      sheila91262 john69167

      Posted

      Hi John, Glad to hear you are improving, your body is doing it's job, absorbing the clot and opening up collaterals to help the blood flow. Look at the Guy's and St Thomas DVT leaflet online, it explains all you need to know. The stockings are recommended to help reduce the daily swelling that occurs as you are moving around. The blood pools because of gravity reducing your blood flow back towards the heart. My son is 20 months in and they still help, 1cm swelling with stocking, 3cm ish without. You can insist on a prescription for stockings, quote G&StT as they are top vascular hosp in country. As Mr Black says they don't stop PTS happening but they do reduce symptoms.

      My son won a big tennis tournament with a partner, mens doubles, final was brilliant, leg not too bad, he coped, leg was fine next day. Life is sweet!

      Onwards and Upwards. Stay safe.

       

    • sheila91262
      sheila91262 john69167

      Posted

      Hi John, we went to St thomas on Tuesday and my son wil have 3 stents inserted into his leg, groin and abdomen to open up his damaged veins to increase blood flow. Feeling good about it, really optimistic for good result.

      His Consultant is only doing this surgery now as there is a lot of people with PTS and this is the only hosp treating it. Will let everyone know how it goes. I know there are people out there who would lke treatment.

      Sheila.

    • john69167
      john69167 sheila91262

      Posted

      Hi Sheila that is great news. My treatment is from Croydon University Hospital and I don't know if I can get referred to St. Thomas's but I will ask. In the meantime best of luck to your son. Please keep us all updated. John
    • sheila91262
      sheila91262 john69167

      Posted

      Hi John, I will keep everyone informed as this is still new treatment and NOWHERE else is treating PTS. Anyone can ask for a referral from GP to a hospital and as this is a  specialism there is no point going anywhere else than St Thomas  Hospital. It may well be that your hospital havent even heard of venous stenting. Mr Black is getting excellent results.

      Good luck to you.

  • supercargo
    supercargo john69167

    Posted

    Hi John

    After some swelling on left calf from knee to ankle a month ago went to my GP. He sent me to DVT clinic at local Hospital. Diagnosed with DVT using ultrasound.

    Had 3 daily injections of Clexane, and Warfarin to maintain INR 2.5 to 3.0

    Been on Warfarin 2 or 3mg daily and INR is stable. Wearing compression stocking.

    Swelling still there but not all the time, depends on how much walking I do.

    I am still at work so no adverse effect on lifestyle.

    No one sure how long I'll be on Warfarin, different opinions of DVT nurses from 3 to 6 months. Apparently I will be given an appointment with DVT Consultant who will decide.

    I hope it's sooner rather than later as I had to cancell Hip Replacement surgey due to DVT/Warfarin.

    • john69167
      john69167 supercargo

      Posted

      Hi Supercargo it sounds like your treatment is on track. I just had another ultrasound and it showed that the clot is breaking up and letting the blood flow whereas before it was blocked or as they say occluded. Anyway they said in the report that there was a "definite improvement" since the last scan on the 3/09/2015 so touch wood it seems like grounds for cautious optimism. I am feeling a lot more positive about the whole business. I am under the Ant-Coagulant clinic and on blood thinners (Rivaroxaban) for at least a couple of months. It sounds like you are managing well at work etc. All the best. I think like you that it is best to try and carry on as normal. John
    • supercargo
      supercargo john69167

      Posted

      Thanks John.

      I have my next INR check at my GP this Friday, I only had the one ultrasound check when first diagnosed, and wasn't told what type of DVT I had - will have to ask. I am still on Warfarin and wear a support stocking.

    • supercargo
      supercargo

      Posted

      During INR check on Monday 5th October, the GP indicated that the DVT may have been caused due Prostate Cancer and subsequent treatment. Differing opinions give the cause as due to either Cancer causing blood thickening, Hormone Therapy, or Radio Therapy.
    • alison50557
      alison50557 supercargo

      Posted

      Sorry to hear you had to miss your hip surgery, couldn't they bridge you to clexane or tinzapin?  That's what they did for my 5 recent surgeries.
    • supercargo
      supercargo alison50557

      Posted

      Hi Alison

      ​I asked about Clexane and Tinzapin, but consultant adamant I should remain on Warfarin for 6 months. 

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