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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/ Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Support Group

How safe am I?

Toddo
Toddo
Hi everyone. I hope you've been well. I have two questions for you:

First history: long, immobile plane ride: 2008, DVT, double PE, warfarin for 9 months then free & clear. Since then, checked for leg pain many times. Maybe 7 ultrasounds. No positives...until today. Lotsa clotting. Not sure why (no genetic factors).

How safe am I? They found the clots this morning and I'm now on 80mg of lovonox 2x/day until the warfarin gets therapeutic. I've never been in this position before....sitting at home with a lot of leg pain, clear clots, but no PE (last time, everything already embolized before I knew anything). I'm not in the hospital. I want to go to work tomorrow but am concerned that my clots could break off. The pain is really bad. Doctor says I'm safe now that i've had lovonox. Do you agree? If not, should I be in a hospital? How long until I feel the pain start to subside?

Also, what's the likelihood that this was caused by a 2 hour car ride 1.5 weeks ago?

Thanks for any help!
Toddo
Toddo
Just noticed a few threads about duration of pain. I'll check those out but any more info would be welcome!

Thanks,
T.
ShilosMommy
ShilosMommy
My guess (but it is only a guess so take it at that) is that if the doctors didn't put restrictions on you in terms of movement that it means the clots are already old enough to be stable within the vein. Or it could possibly mean that the clots are low enough in the leg that they aren't too concerned about it embolizing (calf clots and especially certain veins in the calf run a very low risk). Best thing if you want some guidelines is just to call your doctor and ask.

Regarding whether it could have been the car ride - you know, I don't consider 2 hours in the car to be an extremely long ride, but depending on your position (if you couldn't stretch out your leg) it's not impossible it could have been a factor. I think it's just a maybe it did or maybe it didn't contribute kind of thing. You'll probably never know.

Hope your pain subsides soon!
rmb
rmb
I agree with ShilosMommy but its a guess as well since Im not an expert or doctor. I think lovenox prevents the clot from growing as soon as you start taking it. And I suspect that your doc reviewed the radiology report to determine the extent of the clot, and that may be what framed his decision in giving you no restrictions.

Also, check out the link Tom provided in this discussion he posted the yesterday. That brochure, may put your mind at ease, specifically info in the Q/A part: .
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Deep_Vein_Thrombosis_DVT/forum/15306135-new-dvtpe-patient-brochure
TossNTurn
TossNTurn
My first DVT, I was only in the hospital overnight but followed that up with a week on the couch keeping my leg elevated. My second DVT I had no hospital stay AND I wasn't even given Lovenox right away because they wanted to get bloodwork done first for clotting disorders. I gave myself the shot about 4-5 hours after being diagnosed and missed no work at all.

I think it really depends on the clot (every clot is different) and your doctor and your tolerance for pain. If you go to work, can you keep your leg elevated?

As for how long the pain will last, that depends largely on the clot and how fast your body works to dissolve it. My first DVT took about two years to feel 100% better. The second one took about a week. Really, it can be impossible to make an estimate on "how long."

Me, I'd think you were probably OK going back to work since you're on the Lovenox. But, if you're nervous about it, hang out at home another day or so and baby your leg.
Mgould
Mgould
When my son had his first DVT the clot went from below his knee to 1/2 inch from his heart. He was in ICU for a week and when he was discharged from the hospital 80% of the clot had dissolved - but he still had 20% left - next to his heart. He was told he could return immediately to school. (He was 14.) MD's wanted him up and moving around as much as possible. First week he went for half a day because it was exhausting.

Second clot (DVT over a foot long) was discovered the evening before we were to leave on vacation to Wisconsin Dells. MD gave us a prescription of lovanox and his private cell number - no "real" restrictions.

Likelihood of the car ride?? I think it was likely a contributing factor. My son was told a lawn mower accident (hitting a root then hitting his abdomen into the lawnmower) that occurred 2 months before was probably the beginning of the clot. They could tell that parts of the clot were significantly older than other parts.

Good luck
deleted_user
deleted_user
Sounds like my story I've had three DVT'S in 3 1/2 years every time they took me off warfrin I would get a dvt in about 4-6 months after the third one they tested me for aps tested positive now I have lupus also and on warfrin for life
deleted_user
deleted_user
I agree with the others. 2 yrs ago I was hospitalized for 2 wks with one of the largest clots the staff had ever seen. Upon my release, I was told no restrictions because the clot was organized. My dvt started forming 2yrs prior due to foot surgery and traveling long flights as well as long distant driving. Good luck to you!
dero
dero
Do we have to dig out old posts?
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