With my first DVT, no way I would have been able to do anything you mention at only three weeks out. I was still limping around and barely able to stand more than a few minutes without getting light-headed because of all the blood backing up in my leg.

Are you wearing compression stockings? That can be helpful with keeping your leg from tightening up.

This kind of thing does get easier. I saw improvement up to two years out. You're only three weeks out which is really just a drop in the bucket in terms of clot recovery. When they say "exercise as tolerated," it doesn't sound like you're quite up to "tolerating" your pre-clot walking pace. Maybe take it a little easier for a while and then start amping it up a bit at a time. You might just be doing too much, too soon. Trying to go right back to your old pace sounds like it is too much right now.

I used to stop dead in the street years after being diagnosed with my first DVT.
Having said that, I think you might be doing too much too soon.
I had my first DVT in Sept. of 2002. Nine months later I would stop in mid stride as my leg would just not move.
I had my second clot in November, 2012 and it was much more localized and so I did not experience the leg freezing up.
After the second clot I tried to go back on my exercise bike and I developed chest pain. I got smart, jumped off the bike for a few weeks and now I am back to doing 10 plus miles a day.
Take it slowly.

After my first clot, I wasn't even allowed to walk on my leg for three months. I wouldn't have been able to walk 10 steps at 3 weeks. Take it easy, if it is too painful, use crutches or a scooter.

After each of my 2 later clots, I was able to get around better after about one week, but they were much smaller clots.

Take your time, wear your stockings and let your body tell you when you are ready for more.

Thanks everyone :)

I think I am getting a little ahead of myself as I'm just desperate to be the old me again. It makes sense though i'm going way too fast for myself, i guess i need to be more self-disciplined! TossNTurn yes I'm wearing stockings, they gave me fitted ones whilst I was in hospital. Have to say I'm getting to like them more as my leg feels so much better with the support. Still are ugly as hell but who cares if they're helping, right?!

It's so inspiring when I come to this board and read everyone's stories. Some of you have had it a million times worse than me and have still managed to come to terms with it all! I hope one day my outlook on post DVT will be as bright. Until then I shall stay as an impatient worrying wreck!

Thanks again :)

My doc required that I walk as much as possible a few days after diagnosis. So as long as your doc have given you the ok to do it, then do it. My approach to exercise after my DVT was too push a little bit, but also to rest. I think there are benefits to pushing yourself. But then you have to balance that with knowing when to stop. It's hard to figure that out at first. .

I think it's great that you are just out there trying to regain some normalcy. It helps with your overall physical and emotional recovery.

It DOES get easier.

Wow, EAJ fair play to you walking that much- I'm four weeks out and walking around the house but havent braved outside yet. I was in a wheelchair for the first while but had physio yesterday and she said to use my crutches until the pain is gone so I can push my muscles without putting a ton of weight on it, perhaps using one crutch on longer walks would help? I have met another patient who is walking miles with his crutches this way 6 weeks out.

My first clot was back in '97 when I was 19 years old. It was an extensive one, ankle to groin, and I spent two weeks in ICU having procedures done to bust it up. When I got out, I was first on a walker and then crutches. It was also the first week of my sophomore year in college, and there was no way I could walk a million miles across campus to each of my classes. The doc helped get me a temporary handicap parking tag, and it helped so much. I still had to do a lot of walking, but I was able to park closer to the buildings. That might be something you want to consider. Also, the crutches did help me move faster, while allowing me to put a little weight on the leg at a time.

Thanks again everyone. This last week since writing the post, I've been a lot more mobile and it does seem to be getting slightly easier if I don't go too fast. That's got to be the way round it, like you say rmb - push yourself but then rest a bit! I've just had a letter from my hospital too to say I need to go back for a check up. Think this must be something to do with having the thrombolysis treatment, so will mention all my problems then!! Sure they'll be wanting to take headache pills once I've finished bleating on!

Cyced, did you have thrombolysis? I was told afterwards mine had failed but I could 'stagger about' more or less a day or two after so not sure it did fail really. I've heard that the treatment is like a miracle if it goes to plan. Maybe it's not too late for your doctors to do this for you?

Luckymommy, crutches would've helped me loads! I was never offered them in the hospital but this is most likely because I was trying to prove to them I could walk properly to get myself signed off and out of there. As I've got a bit better this week, I'll see how I go and if it goes back to how it was I'll get straight on at asking for some!!!

:)

Hi EAJ1984,

I had a DVT last October and was in a tremendous amount of pain and immobility. At one point I could not walk without crutches. However, similar to you, I started trying to walk at my own pace immediately after the hospital. Personally, I saw huge improvements within weeks and they have continued since. Keep at it. Don't push yourself too much but being mobile early was helpful in my recovery.

Even though I am not back to 100% just yet, my mobility is not a serious issue. I can run and jog and do 45 min of cardio daily. I actually feel great. It is really motivating making gains and improvements.

PS: Do not worry about people watching you. My gym is very busy and I literally limped at a snails pace on treadmill at first.

Hi jasdeepc

Thanks, it's so good to read experiences like yours and how much a person can start to recover from something as debilitating as a blood clot. I'm nearly 4 months into my recovery now and I have to say, it's been a rollercoaster but I'm now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. In the last month or so I've dramatically seen a change in my leg. I don't have to stop dead in the street anymore and I'm now managing even steep hills (though not very quickly)! Yes it still aches and tightens, swells at the end of the day but it's getting better :) i have to say also i'm so glad I listened to the wise words of people on here because it really got me through the hard times. I hope anyone reading this who is at the very beginning of being diagnosed can see some light too :)