Hummmm, MTS without DVT is called something else, I think...
That would be like having DVT without a clot.

Then again, I could be wrong...

Guess I'm confused too. The symptom of MTS is blood clots, so not sure you could have it without having DVTs.

If you do go see a doc on this, try to go in with an open mind and don't self-diagnose yourself before hand.

Also, if the trouble is in your right leg or in both legs, it probably isn't MTS. Because of the structure of the body, MTS usually only presents with clots in the left leg.

I would think you can have MTS without an actual DVT. MTS puts you at a high risk for getting a DVT. Most people don't know that they have MTS until they have a clot, but I'm sure it could be diagnosed without a clot, if they suspect it, no? Maybe I'm wrong.

rmb, you're right. I'm in contact with a group who are active in getting the info out, and I've done a lot of research on it. Usually the DVT is what precipitates getting the diagnosis of MTS but it's the MTS in the first place that creates a greater possibility of getting DVT.

http://www.may-thurnersyndrome.org/

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/vascular_abnormalities/vs_may-thurner_syndrome.aspx

There is a subset of people with enough symptoms to warrant being evaluated and ultimately diagnosed with MTS who do not have DVT.

It's my left leg and it's been progressing for years. Multiplying veins showing up in my left thigh, aching and pain and swelling and warmth in the left leg, knee and foot, E T C. Ugh.

What they said.

I was hospitalized with my DVT and multiple bilateral PEs shortly after Christmas and will hit my 6 months on coumadin around the end of June. Then they're supposed to take me off of it for two weeks and give me a repeat chest x-ray and ultrasound to see how the clots are doing.

That's when I'll be evaluated for MTS. In my case, it's a real possibility because I had a massive left leg clot and had no other risk factors.

We'll see, I guess.

Just to clarify this thread...
After reading in the previous post
*Quote from deerua*
"As you already had a previous DVT that could be a sign too. "

I keep reading your two post and nowhere can I find where you say you have had a "previous DVT".

???

I think that may have been a typo or just a misread. The overall point is what Narey said- You do not have to current have a DVT to have MTS.

OK, I stand corrected...
I'll be the first one to admit when I'm wrong...
I was wrong.

The blood coming from the legs flows through the deep veins of the legs and the pelvis into the big abdominal vein and then to the heart (figure below). The normal anatomy is that the artery which runs to the right leg (= right common iliac artery) lies on top of the vein coming from the left leg (= left common iliac vein). This close proximity leads, in some people, to pressure of the artery onto the vein and to varying degrees of narrowing of the vein. This is referred to as "May Thurner syndrome". It is not a disease but a congenital anatomic variant. Mild and moderate degrees of narrowing are typically asymptomatic. More severe degrees can lead to obstruction of blood flow from the leg and thus to leg swelling and pain. The narrowed vein can also clot, resulting in left leg DVT.

http://www.fvleiden.org/ask/71.html
for the full article from Dr. Stephan Moll

Hey! Learn something new every day!

Yup... :)

Hey, I don't need to be right all the time :)

Just MOST of the time... ;)

Hahahaha.

Nope, I haven't had a DVT, and I am hoping I won't GET one, and that I don't actually have one now... it's gotten progressively worse, especially lately, so I am uneasy.

Thanks, deerua; Diane's group is the one I am on.. .just joined this week. It's helpful (sorta! kinda scaring me, too) to see what the experiences of others has been.

Thanks for that link to the great description of May-Thurner! I'm printing it out. It's very helpful!

Narey, I have been diagnosed with MTS and did not have a blood clot.