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.
Hey everyone. I am new to this group, I had a PE and they think it came from a clot in my leg, but it was never diagnosed. So for the past week my left leg had been feeling achy. This was the leg that I had the undiagnosed DVT in. So on wednesday, the ache became more pronounced behind my left knee and it looked swollen. I called my doc and he told me to meet him in the ER and he would have an ultrasound done. He didn't sound convinced...I think he was just doing it for my benefit. I had the ultrasound done and it came back negative. He also did my INR and it was 1.8, he said a little on the low side, but not horrible. So after the ER, for the rest of the day I was having throbbing pain in one little spot on my left calf. It is sore to push on it only in that spot. Am I going insane? I know they can miss things on the ultra sound, but it was never my calf that was bothering me. It was my calf the first time around when the DVT was undiagnosed. I just don't know what to think. Now my anxiety s flaring up and i'm dealing with the SOB and chest pains...onto the PE support group. Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated.
Also, how long ago was your clot? I had aches and pains in my DVT leg up until two years following diagnosis. If you've been pushing things hard this week, or spending more time outdoors in the heat, or sitting in a weird position at work ... all those things can aggravate a leg that is healing from a clot and you'll get pain and swelling like what you are describing.
Also, it is great that your doc didn't blow you off. You got a repeat ultrasound and he tested your INR. (Remember, 1.8 is still way more anticoagulated than a normal person ... normal folks are usually around 1.0.) He's checked you out pretty thoroughly. I mean, no one can tell you that you are or aren't clotting with 100% accuracy, but at this point the odds are really, really, really against it.
Just because part/all of the clot broke and moved to your lungs doesn't mean you don't still have some residual clot in your leg or that your leg doesn't have to heal from being flooded with and/or deprived of blood and oxygen. You might have scar tissue too.
It could be the anxiety flaring up. I've totally had that happen! Take a deep breath and give yourself some down time. Elevate your leg (even while you're sleeping) and maybe put some ice or heat on it (whatever feels good or whatever your doc recommends). Watch some good movies and give yourself a break from worrying about it. Really, really baby your leg for a couple days and see if that helps.
I mean, if it doesn't, you'll just check back in with the doc on Monday, right? Hang in there!
did they do a second ultra sound to diagnose another dvt the 2nd time around?
have you thought it could be something else such a muscle strain or tendon problem?
Anxiety can make you feel a lot of things. I know because I deal with it constantly. It can make you SOB and cause chest pressure. Its been 2 years since I had a huge blood clot in my right leg. My right leg still does not feel right,even after getting a negative Ultrasound. I noticed my right ankle is always a little bit bigger than my left. I still get discomfort in that leg, like it never regained strength. They told me my clot was huge and encompassed my whole leg. I never got a PE. It was scary when they told me I had to have had it for quite awhile before my leg just blew up like a balloon with horrible pain that took me to the ER. I am very careful about constantly moving the leg as much as possible,especially when I am somewhere that requires a lot of sitting. I woud just be aware of any odd feelings in the leg, and then get it rechecked for your own peace of mind.