Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Support Group

I had just found this site and my first post was last night around 1 am. I was over-tired and probably should have waited until today to look more thoroughly through it. Some of my questions were already answered.

A little about me: I'm 51 years old, a registered nurse, and overweight. I had leg trauma when I was a kid and always thought I'd have trouble with my leg - more with arthritis. As stupid as it sounds, I didn't really consider a DVT. I have had leg swelling for months. Even years. It was especially worse with New England humidity. In the last 4 months I have done a lot of travelling. I flew from Boston to Vancouver twice to deal with the health issues of my mother. The last trip ended with my mother passing away. That last trip also included two 8 hour car trips to and from my mother's funeral. Even prior to those trips, I experienced right leg pain. I guess it's true what they say...nurses look after everyone but themselves. I just assumed that with my weight and prior leg trauma, the pain and swelling was just something to be endured.

I finally went to my doctor last Wednesday when the pain and swelling got to be too much. I had the vascular studies done and ended up in the emergency room for 5 hours. Luckily I didn't get admitted. I was sent home on Lovenox twice a day and started on Coumadin the next day. The clots are throughout my entire lower right leg and include the femoral and saphenous veins. That, to me, says that I've had these clots more than just recently. One thing that annoyed the heck out of me in the ER...doctors just assume too much. I asked the ER doc if I should go back to work the next day. He said "oh yes....you don't want to lie around..that's what got you into this mess" Now granted...I don't run marathons, but I'm no slug either. I really wish I had said that to him but when you're in the ER, you're scared, vulnerable and not really in the mood for witty quips. And the fact that I'm a nurse helps a bit, but it's completely different when you're on the other side of the situation.

Anyway, my personal doctor said absolutely no to going back to work right away. I couldn't have anyway...the pain and burning in my leg was too painful. I couldn't imagine working 12 hours with it. So now I'm a week with the DVT diagnosis. My first INR after starting Coumadin was 3.5, so too high right now. I have spent these days with my leg elevated and applying heat almost continuously. I have to say - the reduction in swelling has amazed me. I can see and feel my ankle and shin on that right leg! I am now sick and tired of lying on the couch but I don't know how much activity I can safely do. We have friends arriving from Phoenix today. We had an action-packed week planned that I fear will now have to be scaled down. We wanted to take them to Cape Cod...all the way to the end...Provincetown. It's about a 2 1/2 hour trip by car. Is this advisable - with a few pit stops to get out, stretch and walk around? Mostly what you do in P-town is walk. Initially my doctor said long car rides are not advisable, but it's a week later and my INR is high. What is the general consenus?

Sorry for taking up so much space with this post. I would appreciate any input.
Posted on 09/15/09, 10:09 am