If you are on blood thinners and your INR level is therapeutic it may not be a DVT. But if you are that worried about it get to the ER an insist they check for a DVT. Remember you be in control it is your life.

Good luck and I hope it is not a DVT. You are definitely NOT alone, there is a lot of support here. Let us know how you make out.

I had symptoms similar to yours this past weekend. My DVT was diagnosed 2 months ago and the pain had subsided only to come back with a vengeance. Even though my INR was therapeutic I was still worried. I had an ultrasound done on Monday and found no new clots and my existing one had decreased in size. The pain is still there but not the anxiety. It may be worth peace of mind to get checked.

I also had a calf muscle injury in October that turned into a blood clot. On the way home from the hosptial, where I'd gone for a doppler and then a shot of heparin, a piece of clot broke off and went to my lungs.

Two weeks ago, I went off Warafin. My six months was up. Then last week, I got numb on one side of my body and my leg behind the knee (leg where blood clot was) began to hurt. So they gave me another doppler and found a clot behind my knee.

The Pharmacist in charge of my coumadin clinic called the radiologist to see if the clot was old or new. And wanted to know how it could be new since I had been on warafin for six months. I'm awaiting the reply.

Anyway, I'm back on Warafin for six more months and I've been assured that if you are on blood thinners, it's very difficult to form another clot as long as your INR levels are theurapetic. Mine is 2. 15 right now.

Anyway, the biggest change I made is I put back on the compression stocking they gave me in the hospital. It's one that goes on the entire leg. I hope you are wearing one everyday and even at night as long as you have pain. This does 2 things. It supports the veins and it relieves pain and with it, anxiety.

If you don't have a compression stocking call your doctor and get a prescription. You want a good quality one, not one you buy at the drugstore.

I wouldn't worry about the pain too much. There is bound to be pain with any muscles injury of vein issues. You can take tylenol to relieve the pain. At least that's what I was told.

Keep taking your blood thinner and having your levels checked. Wear the compression stocking at all times until the pain goes away and even after that, at least wear it during the day. I wore mine for about 4 months.
And if you haven't had a doppler on your leg, I would demand one to see what's going on.
Take care!

One more thing. Since you've already had a PE as a result of a DVT, why isn't your doctor taking this more seriously?

And why haven't you had a doppler? If you can, find a new doctor. One who undertstands the seriousness of this situation.

I remind you we are not DRs but if you are theraputic level then there should be very little concern about a new DVT. The pain is very common several months out even in some cases a year or so. It sounds like anxiety is getting the best of you. We all have suffered there, but dont let the anxiety go un treated. Medicate if needed, find a friend who knows how to talk you through, see a counselor, go to church. For me my faith was my biggest help but that might not be for you. The warifin is a great medical tool even thought it is a difficult med. also a good trusting relationship with your primary DR is essential if you dont have one find one. Wish you the best. It does get better!!!!

I sort of agree with your doctor. Even if you have a another blood clot (which is pretty unlikely), what will change? I suppose they could up your therapeutic range.

That said, however, anxiety can be really problematic and can make everything hard to deal with. If you don't have one, I would get a compression stocking for that leg. I've only ever used one I picked up at Walgreens, but it makes my leg feel so much better during long drives.

Also, during your drive, make sure you stay hydrated and get out and walk every so often. I know it hurts, but it'll keep blood from pooling.

If you are feeling absolutely handicapped by worrying about this, then definitely go to the hospital. Tell them you have a history of DVT and PE and you're having new leg pain and you want a doppler. Most ERs should bump you to the front of the line with that history.

Best of luck!

From someone who has clotted several times, they don't do anything except up your therapeutic levels and up your Coumadin dosage. At least that's what they did for me especially since they have no clue where my clots originate. However you do need to take a few precautions on your own. For one if you taking a long drive stop every hour or hour and a half and get out and walk around a bit say for at least 5-10 minutes. The inactivity is what helps develop clots. That's why you hear these horror stories about someone who took a 6-8 hout flight got up walked out the terminal and dropped dead from a clot. The human body was not meant to just sit for that long. Even when I was home recovering from my recent knee surgery I got up at least every hour and walked or hobbled to the kitchen and bathroom. I went back to work 5 weeks post surgery as a unit secretary and did get out of the chair often and scooted myself in my office chair all around the nurses station so I was at least moving.
Good luck to you and I hope your not having another DVT.
Hugs
Ferr

I too had some pain and swelling behind my knee, in the same leg as the DVT. I fretted about it, even though I'm on Coumadin. I mentioned it to my (wonderful) doctor, and she immediately identified it as a baker's cyst, caused by arthritis in my knee. I never thought I'd be so relieved to know that I have arthritis!

Get it checked out. And I agree with the others, if you're not happy with your doctor get a second opinion.

Thank you so much, everybody. I just don't know what I would do without this forum! As I am out of town on holiday I went to A & E. The doctor thought it was very unlikely to be another DVT but they did do a venous vein test on my leg (they don't do D Dimer tests here). That test came back negative for DVT which was good. However, they did say it isn't 100% reliable. They didn't think it was worth doing a scan and have sent me home. I know anxiety is such a problem with this condition. It makes me think it would be so better if, as soon as you are diagnosed, they treated you for anxiety!

PS - I have talked to the doctor about compression stockings and exercise but he didn't think I should worry about it...I wish there was some guidance on post DVT and PE recovery. Any information I have is research from the Internet which obviously isn't tailer made for me. I do have an extra reason for anxiety. My dad had PE and DVT. He didn't respond very well to the meds and still kept collapsing with clots. He died last year after collapsing, permanently damaging his spine so bad that he was quadraplegic and then getting pneumonia. I suppose I am terrified of the same thing happening to me.

If it makes you feel better, you can purchase stockings yourself at a drug store. That may give you more confidence. But I'm sure what your dad went through weighs heavily on your mind, not only the loss, but in terms of your future. But the thing is that no one knows what's going to happen in the future. You're here today, alive and well. You're dad probably wouldn't want you so worried all the time about the future. Take the best care of yourself that you can. That's all any of us can do.

Hi there,
The guidance they give in the UK is to wear compression stockings for two years after a (leg) DVT. This is both to help prevent a re-occurance, and also to minimise the risk of developing PTS.
Some people choose not to wear them for whatever reason. For me, there was no question - I wore mine religiously (including on my wedding day !). If you are in the UK, you are entitled to regular (three-monthly, I think) prescriptions for your stockings.
If you are in the States, I think you can go buy your own, online or in a pharmacy. Just make sure you get the measurements right and probably start with class II stockings.

As for the anxiety - I've had it, too, and it sucks! Sending you big hugs xxx