Your sonographer is uneducated on anticoagulants. They don't dissolve clots; they prevent new clots from forming and existing clots from growing.

Techs should really zip it when performing a scan.

Damn thats what I feared! I'm only 2 weeks into learning about DVTs and feel that I learnt that on about day 2.
I was asking heaps of questions about the scan as we were going along but nothing about treatments.

RMB any thoughts about exercise? My physio wants me to 'take it easy' and doesn't even want me to do calf raises. If the clot is stable and not going anywhere when do they recommend activity? Increased blood flow is needed to help form new collateral veins. I read that from one month post dx people who exercise have lower rates of long term complications... or is it just that people without complications are able to exercise! Ha! Damn correlations! I'd just love to be allowed to ride my bike again!

I had a PE with my DVT and so I was in the hospital for 7 days being treated, and my doc at the hospital insisted I start walking up and down the hospital hallway on day 4 after diagnosis. Then when I was discharged he said light exercise was fine, like walking, swimming, stationary bike, to start slow. He strongly encouraged exercise. If the doctor who diagnosed your dvt or your doctor managing your care now says exercise is ok, do it.

I had a PE with my DVT too. I was only in the hospital for two days. No hint as to what I could do or not do. I waited about three days and was out very slowly feeding the horses on this farm. I mean very slowly. I changed some things I usually did to make feeding easier for me. The bad part of that was it happened right after a big ice storm and I had so much damage to the trees. When I had the energy I was out picking up limbs. Whatever you choose to do start at it very slowly.

Thanks rmb and trisha, I actually have no idea how long I have had the clot (so far only one in my leg). I had surgery back on October and have been slowly improving the whole time - pushing my exercise levels up but something was holding me back. I have no idea which symptoms are from the DVT and which are from the surgery!
I've had pretty minimal information provided by doctors and certainly it is not as serious as PE. The first doctor put me on aspirin, compression socks and said it was fine to "do housework" yay! ha! My physio has told me I should stop riding my bike, no calf raises, but reluctantly lets me walk because, well I have to be able to get around. Walked a bit too far at lunchtime today. I wish I properly understood what was going on and the risks of moving around. I know someone who had artery entrapment and they were told they had to walk until the nasty feelings started and then keep walking for at least 20mins after that to stimulate the formation of collateral blood flow. But I don't know if the same applies for veins. Oh well, so much to learn!

Is your physio speaking to the surgery or to the clot? Because if he/she is talking about how you shouldn't be active because of your clot, I'd seriously question how much sense that makes, at this point. If my doctor told me to start walking while I was still in the hospital, after I had been moved from ICU into the cardiac unit, surely you can start walking. I cannot stress enough how adamant my doctor was about me walking when I got home from the hospital, even briefly, because that's literally all I could do was a short walk around my yard. But i did that several times a day until I had enough stamina and the pain was more manageable to start increasing my distance. I mean, i was back at the gym like 3 weeks after discharge, not doing anything crazy, but using the stationary bike and some other equipment.

Talk to your doctor about activity and risks specific to your clot. Based on your scan results deeming the clot stable, so I'm not sure why activity would be an issue.

Hi rmb, my physio was talking about the clot. Prior to clot dx, he was happy for me to keep increasing my riding distance (slowly) and I was doing many calf raises each day...now not so much. But I am walking quite a bit as going to work each day involves movement just to get there (eg today I did 5,000 steps). Unfortunately the steps are concentrated 3 walks (getting from car/bus to work, lunchtime and work to car/bus) and would obviously be better if it was 10 smaller walks. Even walking to the physio is around 2,500 steps return!
I went to my usual doctor (not the couple I've seen urgently at the same practice) and she was very surprised I was only on aspirin - has now moved me to Xarelto in the hopes it will assist somewhat to clear up the clot (no idea if that is true).
I think I'm just super frustrated with all the recovery from the two operations and (almost) wishing I'd never done them. Before the surgery I was doing more like 15,000 "fit bit steps" a few days each week (most of which were on the bike). Now I'm not even meant to be on my bike! At least the doc today said I should realistically plan for 3 months more like this - at least I have some sort of guide :)

I get why your frustrated. And I'm glad you are on xarelto now. I know there is debate on how to treat the type of clot you had but I know if it were me, aspirin therapy would not make me feel confident. It seems like your usual doctor is capable and has a handle on things. I think by clear up the clot she may mean the xarelto will prevent it from growing. I would defer to her from now on about your activity, with respect to the clot, not the physio. I remember getting what ended up being not good info from the likes of ultrasound techs, physician assistants, and the like after I was diagnosed. It really stressed me out. So I kind of just made a decision to rely on the advice of one doctor I felt made the most sense, and everything else, I just dismissed.

Thanks rmb. Clots are scary enough without inconsistent information. I'm glad I know to expect another 3 months of this now - here's to hoping it's a short three months rather than a long 3 months ;)

Hey sarahdd, did your clotting happen because of surgery. it does take time i guess somewhere minimum 6 months and maximum is i believe 2 years. RMB can correct me if i am wrong since he is more knowledgable on the subject matter. Also some people have the residual clot for long time and hence the long term impacts. but it definitely does get better with time. Like for me the ultrasound results have shown very good improvement 8 months post surgery and DVT but still i am taking Xarelto as doc said it might need couple of more months.
Wish you a speedy recovery both from surgery and the clotting..

Hi Shahid,
Yeah they think my clot formed from surgery, though they didn't find it until 6 weeks afterwards.

At 11 months, my clot is now down to 6cm, but it certainly is sticking around!

My leg still hurts a lot these days, but I'm having trouble knowing if any of the symptoms are from the DVT anyway. They could be because my leg surgery didn't solve my blood flow problems (I have popliteal artery and vein entrapment (PAES) ) and now they are thinking I need a bypass. Certainly the symptoms of PAES and a blood clot overlap!

My surgeon reckons my clot should hurt much, or cause mant issues, but I feel a bit better at least taking aspirin for now.

How's the pain from rage blood clot, where about is yours?

Hi Sarah,
My clot and blockage was also in popliteal vein in the knee because of the knee surgery. And didn't have to wait longer unless i already got PE and blacked out completely on 9th day of surgery. So ER and ICU and the story began. In my latest doppler, there was good recovery but still i believe long way to go since they found something like anti-lupus anti coagulant positive in my blood and may be i will need a bit longer treatment with Xarelto. But the more scary part is the physical symptoms of leg and i pray and wish they disappear soon as they interfere with one's daily life and routines. but luckily physical activity relieves my symptoms and i tend to be more active these days.

good luck with your recovery and treatment. i believe you are also on Xarelto as you mentioned above and this is a good medicine. It will keep your blood from further clots unless your clot alrady there resolves completely or to maximum extent. It surely does take time longer than we expect which sometimes is a bit frustrating but don't worry, keep spirits high and like the good times, bad times also definitely dont last forever. i hope your leg doesnt have much physical symptoms and if it does, try doing more walk and cycling and you will feel better. I hope you don't need another surgery etc for anything. Also ask your doctor recommeding the surgery whether it will be of much benefit as i have heard that the vascular radiology or surgery to treat clots is only beneficial in first few weeks and not afterwards. Because later the clots are more firm and stick to the venal walls etc.
Wish you good health, all the best and nice weekend. it definitely feels better to talk to people facing similar stuff and trying to encourage each other. Hope we all stay safe in future always.