1. Community
  2. Blood & Immune System
  3. Deep Vein Thrombosis

DVT help!

Posted , 3 users are following.

annette65260
annette65260

I had a operation some 9 weeks ago now and had followed everything that I was told to do to aid my recovery, keeping hydrated, going for short walks and then increasing these over the weeks, gentle cycling and swimming and resting.  8 weeks down the line I developed pain in my left leg but thought that I probably had overdone the exercise and so ignored it and just carried on! 2 days later I couldn't put my foot to the ground - I recognised this symptom from some years before when I had a DVT following a long haul flight - so booked myself an urgent appointment with my GP.  My GP agreed with me and put me onto Apixaban immediately and did an initial blood test.  Later that day it was confirmed to be a significantly high reading.  I've attended hospital where I was scanned, blood tested again etc., resulting in a definite diagnosis and am now to continue on Apixaban for the next 3 months when the hospital will see me again.

I have been told to rest until my leg stops hurting and the swelling goes down but no-where can I find out what, if any, exercise I can or cannot do. Also, by hurting does this mean if the painkillers are working? 

I had, until all of this happened been a reasonably active person walking, jogging, cycling, swimming and going to the gym so I am finding all this sitting around somewhat frustrating.

Sorry to go on but any input would be greatly appreciated 😊

Annette 

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • GazzaD57
    GazzaD57 annette65260

    Posted

    Hi Annette, your story is very similar to mine except my DVT and subsequent PE clots only took 5days to form. That was 7 months ago and the DVT clot still hasn't fully dissolved yet. I was told not to strenuously exercise for about 3 months and then not to overdo it until the clot clears. Another consideration is bleeding or bruising because your taking anti coagulants. I never had any pain, just swelling which continued for about 5 months. I'm also still taking Apixaban.
    • annette65260
      annette65260 GazzaD57

      Posted

      Thanks for your response.  So, I'm guessing gentle strolls as and when the pain stops and swelling goes down! This is all so frustrating!  Can I ask did you take time off of work and how long?  
    • GazzaD57
      GazzaD57 annette65260

      Posted

      I was off work for nearly 3 months, but i was also recovering from the knee operation. Gentle strolls to beibg and then some light jogging after a month or two. Hopefully your clot clears a lot quicker than mine, altho my last scan showed the vein was no flowing blood so hopefully the remaining clot will dissolve quicker noe.
  • sheila91262
    sheila91262 annette65260

    Posted

    Hi, you are unlucky to get a DVT so long after the op. Did they do blood tests to check for any underlying cause such as a blood factor? They should as they shouldn't assume it was post operative esp as you had a previous one.

    Are you wearing a compression stocking? My son who I  have written about on here at length had a massive DVT and suffered post DVT problems and was diagnosed with Post Thrombotic Syndrome and May Thurner Syndrome. This has lead to swelling and pain in his left leg which has been treated. He saw a Vascular Consultant at Guy's & St Thomas in London where they treat DVT aggressively and the clot can be removed in hosp but rarely happens. He has had 3 stents in his vein to open up and support where the clot damaged the vein. You hopefully wont develop PTS and MTS and your leg should heal and return to normal. At G&StT they advise exercise after DVT especially with a stocking as that reduces the swelling. GP prescribes a properly measured stocking.He was told to build up exercise and dont worry about pain as it doesnt do any harm. He took pain killers. The body opens up minor veins to help the leg veins with the DVT to help the blood flow. My son exercised more over time as his body healed and put his leg up over night to let the swelling go down. The Consultant said that the body continues to heal for about 2 years.

    My son's DVT was post operative, 28 days after major abdominal surgery, and they still did blood tests and found no underlying blood problem.He is now 2years and 3 months post DVT and able to exercise and run and go to the gym as before and we are so grateful to the team at Guys as they made this possible.

    I wish you luck.

    Sheila.

  • sheila91262
    sheila91262 annette65260

    Posted

    Hi, you are unlucky to get a DVT so long after the op. Did they do blood tests to check for any underlying cause such as a blood factor? They should as they shouldn't assume it was post operative esp as you had a previous one.

    Are you wearing a compression stocking? My son who I  have written about on here at length had a massive DVT and suffered post DVT problems and was diagnosed with Post Thrombotic Syndrome and May Thurner Syndrome. This has lead to swelling and pain in his left leg which has been treated. He saw a Vascular Consultant at Guy's & St Thomas in London where they treat DVT aggressively and the clot can be removed in hosp but rarely happens. He has had 3 stents in his vein to open up and support where the clot damaged the vein. You hopefully wont develop PTS and MTS and your leg should heal and return to normal. At G&StT they advise exercise after DVT especially with a stocking as that reduces the swelling. GP prescribes a properly measured stocking.He was told to build up exercise and dont worry about pain as it doesnt do any harm. He took pain killers. The body opens up minor veins to help the leg veins with the DVT to help the blood flow. My son exercised more over time as his body healed and put his leg up over night to let the swelling go down. The Consultant said that the body continues to heal for about 2 years.

    My son's DVT was post operative, 28 days after major abdominal surgery, and they still did blood tests and found no underlying blood problem.He is now 2years and 3 months post DVT and able to exercise and run and go to the gym as before and we are so grateful to the team at Guys as they made this possible.

    I wish you luck.

    Sheila.

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.