What is Deep Vein Thrombosis DVT
Deep-vein thrombosis, also known as deep-venous thrombosis or DVT, is the formation of a blood clot ("thrombus") in a deep vein. It commonly affects the leg veins, such as the femo...
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Is this just all in my head?
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Last week, the hematologist told me my knee pain and hospitalization in August were separate from my DVT. At that time, I had severe swelling and excruciating pain in my leg. It started in my knee, so the hospital was looking for a septic joint. The worst pain was from the back of my thigh, behind the knee and in my calf. I was crying in x-ray from the pain when the tech bent my leg and could barely walk when my husband took me to the ER. I was discharged with a diagnosis of "Chondromalachia Patella" (or "rough knee cap"). I have had arthritis for 20 years and never experienced such pain. When I saw my PCP and I told him about my symptoms, he ordered a doppler and I was diagnosed with an "extensive DVT above and below the knee" on September 16 and hospitalized.
My PCP sent me for an doppler yesterday and to a surgeon (general surgeon but with additional training in vascular surgery) today. Yesterday's doppler showed no signs of DVT which shocked the surgeon who said he has never seen an extensive DVT disappear in 5 weeks. Thinking I may have had the DVT before September, I told him about my symptoms and hospitalization in August and was told, that couldn't have been a DVT because I was diagnosed with "Chondromalachia Patella" (no tests were run at that time except blood cultures and knee fluid cultures). He wants me to come back in 6 weeks to have a doppler in his office and to check for varicose veins. Today's appointment lasted 5 minutes (really). Just long enough for him to dismiss my concerns. I am beginning to think I just need to live with my symptoms and stop seeing doctors. Both the hospitalist and my PCP think there is something going on between the DVT and all my other symptoms & diagnoses (they both mentioned Lupus and other autoimmune problems as possibilities). I don't know whether it would be worth it to travel to Pittsburgh for another opinion or just to go back to ignoring my symptoms. This is a rural area and all the doctors are part of the small local hospital. On the plus side, Coumadin doesn't bother me at all ;-). Sorry to whine, I am just so tired of blood tests, body scans, and 5 minute doctor visits where nothing is resolved, except I get to pay my co-pay. I figured many of you would understand. Posted on 11/04/09, 06:11 pm |
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I was fortunate to have a local provider who worked well with me...and listened to me...when I awoke with my pain and my husband asked if he should call the rescue squad (and I said "yes!"), he said my first comments were "Either I have a blood clot or my cyatic (splg) nerve has gone crazy!". WHy or how I thought that I will never know....no family history, previous symptoms, etc. Nonetheless, the craziness of my comments in pain helped to focus what the doctors looked for, so the diagnosis was easy......however, bodies do crazy things, so don't doubt yourself..listen to your body....my local provider quickly got me to a vascular specialist who confirmed his suspicions...."keep seeking" is my suggestion!! 
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