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.

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Bruising/Swelling Questions

nycjane
nycjane
I am about 12 weeks post DVT and a couple things came up recently that I wanted to check in about.

I have been measuring my DVT leg regularly and it has been decreasing....but super slowly. In the last few days, it seems to have gone up about 1/4-1/2 inch. Is it normal to do that? It hasn't gotten any larger than that. Or am I just obsessing too much?

Second thing is I have had a couple random bruises and I haven't been too worried but today I notied one on the side of my foot that I know I could not have done. Should I check in on this? Or an they just appear even if I don't think I did anything?

Thanks :)

Jane
TossNTurn
TossNTurn
I get random bruises all the time. Dots on my arms and legs. One last year that looked like I got nailed by a golf ball, but that never happened. That kind of thing definitely tends to happen when you're on warfarin.

Of course, the opposite is also true. I can whack my arm on something and totally expect a massive bruise ... and nothing happens. It's all very mysterious.

As for the leg measuring, I wouldn't spend too much time obsessing over that. I mean, altitude, weather, exercise, more/less time on your feet, and a bazillion other things could affect that. Me, I know my DVT leg is about an inch around bigger than the other one and if I'm having weird pains I can't explain I'll measure to be sure it is still in that general vicinity but that happens pretty rarely. I mean, if you're really worried, check in with your doc, but I can't imagine it really means anything significant if a leg with a known clot is larger than usual.
nycjane
nycjane
Thank you. I will relax about it. I was thinking I was obsessing a wee bit too much :) SOP for me!
ShilosMommy
ShilosMommy
My leg swelling goes up and down all the time. My bad DVT leg is always bigger, but even at that it changes size all the time, just like Toss said, depending on what else is going on in my life.

I also get completely random bruising. I realized a couple weeks ago that the bottom of my foot was really hurting, and I looked at the bottom of it and had this huge purple patch. I'm sure I just stepped on one of my kids' toys, but I didn't remember doing it. Crazy bruise from it, though.
TossNTurn
TossNTurn
I just got out of the shower. Found bruises on both knees while I was shaving plus a weird little purple patch on the side of one leg. I'm just one big colorful quilt!
Aquapuppy
Aquapuppy
Again, I really thank God for this site!

This evening, I felt some pain on my foot and noticed a bruise. It was kind of in an odd place, and I was starting to stress about it. Then I come on this site, and there's a post about exactly what I'm worried about!!!

I feel much better!!!!! I'm sure it's nothing, but it feels so good to be reassured. Thanks again, DS!!!!
nycjane
nycjane
I have a couple more small bruises, but ignoring them. Can I ask one more question. I am freezing all the time!!!!! I think I read somewhere this is another gift from Coumadin, the gift that keeps on giving. Is that right?