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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dvtgirl 12/01/2012

Hi:

I am three months out and had a follow up at the hematology clinic. The Hemotology doctor that did see me in the hospital is no longer with the organization.

I had a very thourough exam. She pretty much concurred with my primary physician on my treatment. Since I have Antiphosifild antibodies, I would be on Warafin for life.

The doc in Intervention Radiology prescribed Open toe Thigh High Compression stockings for two years while I was in the hospital.

This is procedure I had done when I was diagnosed. I didn't have the stent , just the Roto Roter part.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO9CIaMzOzk

The hematologist recommended that I might try the knee high compression stockings. My clot was in the thigh and I questioned if knee high's were O.K. with clots in the thigh. There was a
Fellow there (This is a teaching & Research Hospital & Clinic) he also questioned this too. Before trying this I would run this by my Primary/Rheumatologist first.

What kind of compression stocking to folks wear who have had DVT's in the thigh? I still have residual and I am O.K. with the thigh High. It annoys me that it bunches up in the back of the knee sometimes but I have also heard about people having problems with the knee highs bunching up.

The hematologist did recomend if I decided to go with the knee high get measured for it first.

ShilosMommy 12/01/2012

I think you might get any number of answers on this. I had clots throughout the entire length of my leg, and I'll only wear thigh high or pantyhose type stockings. I know some people who've had clots high in their leg and will wear only knee highs because they don't like the thigh ones and they figure it's better to wear something than it is to wear nothing. Personally I don't agree with that, although of course so much just depend on each person's experience with it. My grandmother had tried wearing knee highs when her clotting was higher, and all that ended up happening was that her thigh swelled up and her doctor told her that she was better off wearing nothing than wearing just a knee high. For me, I have chronic clotting behind my knee, so I'd be uncomfortable wearing knee high stockings since they have that elastic band right at the knee and I'd be afraid of what that might do to my leg.

One thing you might consider if you have trouble with the thigh highs bunching at the knee, you might possibly not have the correct size. I've only had a lot of trouble with that when I had stockings which were a little too big for me. I mean, it's normal for them to work their way down a little when you wear them the whole day, but if they're properly fitted they really shouldn't be bunching up.

Margr 12/02/2012

I spent several uncomfortable months in the knee-high, and asked for a switch to thigh-high. Yes, they too can bunch up in the back of the knee, but the remedy suggested to me was to pull the excess down toward the mid calf, and that has always helped me. My clots were ankle to groin, with "roto rooter" in the thigh (via back of knee). The thigh-highs helped better with thigh discomfort. I was measured for mine, and given a demonstration of how to get them on, and got the special gloves and a special silky starter footy (for use with toe-less thigh-highs, which I prefer).

deleted_user 12/03/2012

Initially, I was never told to wear thigh-high compression hose. I wore knee highs with limited impact to swelling and discomfort. I changed to thigh-highs after additional reparative surgeries. I am three years out and need to wear the thigh-highs periodically. It is worth the expense to get well-fitting thigh highs to experiment as to whether they will make a difference. My DVT was ankle to abdomen...a May-Thurner diagnosis...good luck!

CrashTestDummy 12/03/2012

I started with thigh high. The deep veins in my thighs remain partially occluded after having over a year to heal from my last episode. I am fortunate in that I can get away with wearing knee high most of the time. From time to time I might throw on the thigh high if I feel my knees are swelling but it has not happened much in the last few months.

I also sleep with two pillows at the foot of my bed so I can keep my lower legs elevated most of the night. Not an easy task as I also suffer from gurd so I have to keep my upper torso and head raised as well.

I think I should just sleep in a hammock...

deleted_user 02/13/2013

My dvt was thigh high...so I prefer up to that area. I recently purchased from foryoulegs.com and chose Sigvaris Sheer stockings with lace because they don't bunch up in the back. Take Care!

deleted_user 02/13/2013

I wore a knee high stocking for 8 years and finally after finding someone who knew what they were talking about have a full length one! I was worried as to how they would fit but basically its just like a pair of tights but one side is a compression one and the other is cut off to a pair of shorts. Very comfortable finally!!!!

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