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DVT - how much longer??

Posted , 3 users are following.

sarah61698
sarah61698

I don't do ill. Don't get flu etc. But the last 3+ weeks have consisted of back pain/leg pain, severe anxiety attack and when I thought I was better and good to go my legged swelled massively.

Went to docs who referred me to hospital as he believed I had DVT and gave me an injection in my stomach.

Next day go for ultrasound and get a load of tests but they have no space for ultrasound so had to go back yesterday. Another injection in stomach and sent home.

Scan yesterday found clot and I am now on blood thinners for next 21 days then go onto a different dose for foreseeable.

Pain is horrible. I am limping everywhere. I don't do suck and it's bringing me to tears. When will I start to feel a difference in my Leg? A small reduction in swelling? I just don't know what to do or even why this has happened so the joys of more tests are still to come.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Vivi3nne
    Vivi3nne sarah61698

    Posted

    I am so sorry Sarah to read this.  I am afraid it is a long road to recovery.  Has your doctor prescribed a stocking?  A stocking greatly helps with reducing the swelling, wear it all the time as soon as you are advised to.    You need to concentrate now on doing everything possible to allay post thrombotic syndrome, take the doctors advice.    They never knew what caused mine so I am on blood thinners for life.  
  • army183
    army183 sarah61698

    Posted

    Hi Sarah

    Great sympathy from me. 

    Viv’s response is a good one. It’s early days for you yet and while we all hope you’ll make a quick recovery, you’ll need to take care of yourself. I’m surprised you haven’t been put on to support stockings these are usually the first actions to do. Depending where the clot(s) is(are) they might keep you on anticoagulants for some time. You’ve gotta keep the circulation going to avoid long-term complications like PTS (as Viv indicated). Some people progress to PTS anyway over about 10 years so it’s best to do absolutely everything to keep your leg/foot in good condition.  PTS usually caused by continued poor circulation and/or damage to inside of vein and/or nerve damage in foot. 

    Don’t know your personal situation but it might be that this DVT is “provoked” eg it is caused by something. In my case it was having regular long drives of up to 4-5hr. One day I came home after a 3hr drive and went straight to sleep in a chair, with my legs crossed. That was all it took! Remove the provocations in your lifestyle (what ever they are) and things will be much better for you. 

    Don’t be too upset if you have to wear support stockings and maybe take blood thinner drugs for some time. They’ll discourage long flights for you as well; but you might be OK if you have the Heparin injection in your abdomen area just before you take off. They’ll advise you; don’t worry. 

    Keep safe

    Big D 

  • sarah61698
    sarah61698

    Posted

    The doctor today (needed a Drs line) thinks it's been the pill.

    I work in a call centre so long periods of sitting.

    Thanks for your responses. I am just angry and fed up and it's only been a few days. I am sore, tired and it's draining me. My housework is behind and I feel like I am letting a lot of people down.

    • army183
      army183 sarah61698

      Posted

      Oh dear - but at least you now know it is a provoked DVT and the provocation was the pill. The quick and easy way to resolve this and to ensure you have a very low risk (or no risk) of future occurrences is to stop/change the pill I guess. But, that has many other major implications of course. 

      ?Your GP should refer you to the local hospital coagulation service or thrombus specialists. If you're not happy with the speed of all this, your GP can refer you to a consultant (vascular surgeon or similar) and you can have a private consultation (about £200). That will put you mind at rest quickly and also mean that you can progress along the NHS route for any treatment. I did this and it saved a lot of time and I thought that was worth it. Also, the consultation was very good and much better than a "rushed" session in a hospital clinic.

      ?Good luck

      Big D

       

  • sarah61698
    sarah61698

    Posted

    I am about to buy compression socks online. My clot was in my inner thigh so do I want above knee or below knee??

    Pain not as bad 6 days on from diagnosis but still unable to do very much - I am desperate to get out even if it's a 5 minute walk.

    Also not sure if it's because I am unable to do as much but getting pain in my Achilles tendon now and then and found out my uncle had DVT 2 years ago so appears to be some history in family too.

    Sock tips appreciated - sure I will be the talk of the office when I go back and rock them out!!

  • Vivi3nne
    Vivi3nne sarah61698

    Posted

    Don’t  buy them online, you have to be properly measured for them or you can do more harm than good, they measure your leg at different points to get the correct size. Also it may be that you are not ready to wear them yet, you need to see the doctor. You will need a thigh high one, youn will also need a suspender.
  • army183
    army183 sarah61698

    Posted

    I agree with Viv. You must get measured for your first set of support stockings. Once you’ve done that your GP will order them in for you or supply them direct from stock. Class II are the usual type to have. Ask your practice nurse or pharmacist (or whoever does your measuring) for a copy of the details and then you can buy a couple of pairs (email me on this site if you want to know where from) for yourself. Daily use weakens the compression (prob be 18-24mm Hg pressure or similar) so you need some spares! They’re about £20 and you can get them easily - I think even from Amazon, but they MUST be your size and pressure!!!

    Cheers

    Big D

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