Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Support Group
Deep-vein thrombosis, also known as deep-venous thrombosis or DVT, is the formation of a blood clot ("thrombus") in a deep vein. It can be caused by something preventing blood from circulating or clotting normally. Join the support group if you are coping with DVT and find others who are going through the same challenges.
Hi all,
Just had my 6-month doppler done. The report says "chronic clot extending from the popliteal vein to the eternal iliac vein." The technician told me she saw 15% of the clot remaining.
I also had an x-ray of the left knee done as I still can't fully extend it and the top of the knee cap hurts and it came back clear.
My GP doesn't want to do anything about the Warfarin until I've seen a hematologist, which I'm still waiting on for an appointment (he sent in the referral in March!). I'm willing to pay for an private MRI if there's any point (I'm in Canada and a public one would take months to get).
Any thoughts, about the remaining clot, Warfarin or the knee? Would the knee problem be considered PTS? My physio seems to think it was from the immobility and the leg protecting itself when I did start walking; I'm just tired of not being about to go down stairs without gnashing my teeth.
Just had my 6-month doppler done. The report says "chronic clot extending from the popliteal vein to the eternal iliac vein." The technician told me she saw 15% of the clot remaining.
I also had an x-ray of the left knee done as I still can't fully extend it and the top of the knee cap hurts and it came back clear.
My GP doesn't want to do anything about the Warfarin until I've seen a hematologist, which I'm still waiting on for an appointment (he sent in the referral in March!). I'm willing to pay for an private MRI if there's any point (I'm in Canada and a public one would take months to get).
Any thoughts, about the remaining clot, Warfarin or the knee? Would the knee problem be considered PTS? My physio seems to think it was from the immobility and the leg protecting itself when I did start walking; I'm just tired of not being about to go down stairs without gnashing my teeth.
From my perspective, I still saw marked improvement in my leg up until two years out, and that was with way more chronic clot than you have. You still have plenty of time to keep improving, so I don't know that I'd go for all the expensive tests just yet, but again, you really have to decide what you're comfortable with. But, that knee and the other pain you have might start to clear up in another few months.
Also, in terms of chronic clot, it doesn't necessarily mean that it'll be there forever. I had my first DVT in 2005. I had a second one in 2009 and the first clot was still there ... I figured I'd have it forever. However, sometime last year I had another ultrasound and my clot was gone. A little residual scarring--they could tell where it was--but otherwise gone. So, just having residual clot at six months doesn't necessarily mean you'll have it forever.
You might follow up on the referral, if you can. Maybe call and make sure the doctor's office actually got it ... or however it works in Canada. I realize you can't do much, but it seems ridiculous that you haven't heard anything.
Also, they usually don't diagnose PTS until well past six months, since you're still recovering at six months. It could be that you're walking funny from the clot and it is putting stress on your knee. It could be PTS, I supposed, although I really do think it is too early to tell for sure.
If you are getting the MRI to check out your knee I might consider paying for it. But if it is to look at your veins I'm not sure you will get much useful information at this point.
Having Chronic Clots does not mean that you will have PTS. I had/have Chronic Clots in both legs. My left was completely occluded in the iliac so I had surgery to remove it and I was stented. I do have mild PTS in that leg, but not surprising since my iliac was occluded for a year. While my right leg has Chronic Clots it feels and looks normal. 85% open sounds like your body has cleared a lot of your clot.
And it doesn't hurt to stay on the warfarin a bit longer. Some recent studies have indicated that two years of anticoagulation therapy significantly reduces the chances of another clot.
Yeah, I'm thinking of doing the MRI for the knee (not veins) in case something has gone screwy there. I didn't have any problems with it before the clot but maybe the compression bandaging or funny walking or something put something in there out of whack.
At this point I don't really have other PTS symptoms (knock on wood!): minimal swelling, some discolouration when standing without the stocking and transient cramping/tightness. What study/studies have you read that suggested staying on anticoagulants for 2 years, Aicirtapj? I've been told 6 months to a year.