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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Should I be worried?

eml16
eml16
Hi, newbie here -- perhaps. To keep a long story shortish, three years ago I had a badly swollen leg. Checks showed "varicose veins" but no clot, no suspicion of one. After wearing pressure stockings for a month or two it cleared up, no problems. In November 2010 same thing happened -- swollen leg, a little achy pain. Since I thought it was the same harmless thing didn't see doc for a week, had bloodtest, told clot unlikely. Two weeks later had ultrasound. Have been wearing pressure stockings since but no change. Yesterday went back to doc and told that it was now "suspected" that I'd had DVTs these two times. He says I have to live with the swollen leg and prevent any more clots, but didn't see need to put me on warfarin though he said I should have a heparin shot before flying. What's going on here? I'm very very confused. FYI I live in Japan and it's sometimes hard to find good doctors, am searching around for second opinion. Thanks for any help/advice, which is badly needed.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I've had 2 DVTs and have a genetic predisposition but I haven't had to go on warfarin. I take the heparin shots before flights longer than 3 hours and move around, all the stuff you're supposed to do. I heard that in Japan they use Nattokinase as an anticoagulant and I considered it but read mixed reviews online. I'm sorry you've gotten the run around for so long. Best of luck to you!
eml16
eml16
Thanks. This is just all so confusing -- would have been nice to know about these "suspected" DVTs earlier, the impression I was given was that if the scan didn't show them I was completely okay. Of course, I've been told that's not the case. Sigh. There's a few other things going on at the same time that might be complicating things so it's hard to know what the story really is.
RetiredNavy02
RetiredNavy02
No countries, including Japan, use Nattokinase as a treatment. There is absolutely no "factual" scientific proof the supplements works other then the supplement manufacturer claims and those mail order doctors who sell it on-line.

Before it sound like I condemn Natto I should note, Dr. Sumi who discovered Nattokinase did have a single succesful study where the substance in a liquid form was added Invitro directly to an artificial clots in a petri dish and had it dissolve. This form of Natto (liquid not pill) was not an anticoagulant but rather and thrombolytic. Tests in the pill form were not as successful. Most of the literature you will find regarding studies were performed by the supplment manufacturer who makes the product and the testing perimeters were not unbiased.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Sounds a little familiar. When my problems first started, just after Christmas, I had a badly swollen leg (which went down in the morning), I had achy pain and slight discoloration of my left leg. Anyway, I went to a local urgent care and, after a brief exam and some x-rays, I was told I probably just had a bruise, that I was "at only a very slight risk for a blood clot", but to go to the ER "if I was still concerned". Based on that, I decided to wait. Just a day later I ended up going to the ER and found I had a massive clot plus PEs in both lungs. I was told then that if I waited even a day or two more, I could have died.

What you're describing sounds very much like DVT and I wish you the best of luck in finding yourself a decent doctor.
eml16
eml16
The natto thing was interesting, especially since I know it as a fermented soybean food more than anything! I agree that I don't think anybody in Japan takes it seriously as a treatment option, the doctor I spoke with mentioned warfarin. As for the other stuff, still trying to figure out what's going on. Since this is one of the better hospitals in japan it's quite annoying that nobody raised the DVT possibility before this. Argh.