DVT and Pain

Thrombolytics (clot busting drugs) are really dangerous - they can cause Intracranial Haemorrhage.

There main use is for treating ischaemic strokes, occasionally they're used in PE - I've never seen them given for DVT.

This will get better - but it will take a long time.

How old are you? Do you smoke? Are you on the OCP? Any long term medical conditions?

Which blood thinners have you been on?

 

I had a massive dvt two years ago, back of knee, through groin and across abdomen. I had an anjiojet to wash out the clot with clot busting drugs and a stent fitted at the same time at Stoke mandeville hospital. It saved my leg and within weeks the swelling has  subsided and I was out walking.  I have no PTS that most people get, I walk three miles every day and don’t need any support stockings. I won’t say my leg is back to what it was but it’s 90% back. 

The hospital may well not have a machine, Stoke Mandeville was of course involved with the Jimmy Saville scandal and has had money thrown at it, I think it was the first time they had used it and it was only used on me believe or it not because a student nurse mentioned it!  I dont know if you can go to SM to have it done but I believe it has to be done within days of the clot forming.  Blood thinners dont do anything to get rid of the clot is my understanding, it prevents you getting another, you have to wait for your natural body defences to break down the clot and absorb it.   Look up anjiojet, they use them a lot in the states but its all private there. I cant believe they dont have more of them here, its quite shocking when you know what a difference they make.  

I had a ankle to abdomen DVT last year. I had the throbolysis but i think I would have lost my leg without it then again if I was you I would get a second opinion asap. They have a two week window to do the procedure but I've heard of people having it after longer, from what I understand your leg has a much better chance of recovering with the throbolysis. It is a risky procedure & not suitable for everyone.

Your body can dissolve the clot but it doesn't always & blood thinners don't always dissolve it, they stop it getting bigger.

Your leg will start feeling better it takes time. Even with he thrombolysis my leg hurt in various places for a good few months & even now it gets achy sometimes.

Wishing you all the best, it's a very scary time. But you'll get there!

The response to DVTs, even very large ones, varies from hospital to hospital and is very frustrating. My son was told that if he had gone earlier to st Thomas' Hospital London with his large DVT, from ankle to groin, he would have been treated aggressively and the clot removed. He was not offered clot removal at his local hospital or was it even mentioned. They said the window for treatment is very short, around 2 weeks. I would try and contact them and ask if you are suitable for clot removal.

My son suffered pain and swelling in his left leg which reduced his mobility. He was advised to walk and swim to encourage collateral veins to increase his circulation and wear medically measured compression stockings. This improved his symptoms over the next 6 months. I have written on here about his post thrombotic syndrome and May Thurner Syndrome due to his DVT. He was stented by Mr Stephen Black at st Thomas' Hospital and he is much better now. Good luck, hope you get some answers. sheila.

 

Hi brubub

I was diagnosed with dvt & PE a couple of moths ago. My dvt went from ankle to groing into lower abdomen , Aparently this type of dvt they dont these 'miraculous' injections for etc because of the potential dangerous complications. Nor do the do the Venous mesh surgeries till a little later down the road. Basically they just doscans etc and ultrasounds about 2 or 3 months later to follow up and see how thkngs are on the anticoagulants...After which they will discuss possible surgeries etc. Most research is only what Ive managed to get by myself, it's almost like the medical system treats sufferers quite poorly - whereas if I'd had a heartattack it'd be different.

The leg swelling, pain, lathargy, fatigue etc is one of the post thrombotic side effects and can come go, decrease & increase over a period of days weeks year and in some cases not resolve. We are in the dark most of the time in this regard.

Personally if I go a ten min (very short slow) walk i am completely fatigued, swelling get so sever, pain & fatigue completely wipes me out...

No one is able to give Any concrete advice as bout treatments etc. Also the support stockings can be helpful but you should wear half ones if you have a full leg dvt And your dvt should be more stablised too. All the information is rather vague.

Its Actually quite traumatising (not wanting to be a drama queen) but there's no Real Medical support or acknowledement either - Hope you feel better soon