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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DVT and Lower Body Weight Lifting

tondalea
tondalea

Hi,



I didnt see anything recent on this and no one seems to know the answer. Prior to my DVT and PE on 5/10, I was lifting weights a 3-4 times a week. This included, deadlifts, squats, lunges.  I actually lifted the morning before being admitted to the hospital. The doctor has always said to resume normal activities which for me includes weight training. I actually felt awful about 2 weeks after and I'm just feeling good enough to where I feel that I can lift. I had a follow up ultrasound on Friday and the DVT is regressing, but still there. I've put in a message to my hematologist and will probably call my primary as well, but I'm just curious to know what everyone else has been told.  Weight lifting was my therapy prior to all of this and I was so excited about my progress. I hate cardio, but have been walking and biking to keep active in the mean time. 

moolar
moolar
If the doctor has not given you any restrictions, then think it depends on the person as to what you can/want to do after this. My doctor told me after my DVT/PE to wait about a month before working out again, so I did & went back to the gym after that time, & slowly built myself up again (cardio & weights). I really had to listen to what my body was telling me & not ignore it as I tend to do, & be diligent on knowing how far to push it. Sometimes I overdid it & paid the price, so learned my lesson & cut back. I'm stubborn & wanted my life back, so I was focused on getting my usual routines back as soon as I could, & that meant being back in the gym.
rmb
rmb
It's not unusual for there to still be some clot present. Is that your concern, that you are lifting while the clot is still present?

By return to normal activity, I think what they mean is that you are out of danger. But that doesn't necessarily mean you will be able to physically jump back in to your former routine. Usually depending on your clot situation they will tell you to resume activies but start slow, listen to your body, etc. I had a PE too and my doc said start with walking, stationary bike, etc. Within a few weeks to a month my stamina improved. I still had leg pain to deal with and that vastly improved but never fully went away. There are some things that just remained uncomfortable. It just depends on the person.
tondalea
tondalea
I specifically asked about working out and lifting weights In the hospital and called the hematologist again last week (7 weeks after) and they said working out including weights were fine. So I guess I'm okay. I had pain after my release so didn't do anything, but walk. Been pain free for a few weeks and I feel pretty normal physically.
JEB2007
JEB2007
It took me a while after my first event, but I eventually built up to half-marathons. I had a quicker recovery after my second event, but I also caught the clot sooner. Don't overstress your body, but do what you can. Good luck with your recovery!
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