Pulmonary Embolism Support Group

By far the most common form of pulmonary embolism is a thromboembolism, which occurs when a blood clot, generally a venous thrombus, becomes dislodged from its site of formation and embolizes to the arterial blood supply of one of the lungs. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, pain during breathing, and more rarely circulatory instability and death.

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arm cramps

philid1973
philid1973
Ok, so I had a bilateral PE last month, and 2 clots in my legs. A few weeks before going to the ER, I had these annoying cramps in my calves. I ignored it and, well, most likely it was the clot.

My INR was tested Thursday and its 2.6. I forgot to take my Coumadin Friday night, and so I took it this am., instead.

Earlier today, I started having cramps in my left forearm, that feels like the annoying pain I had in my calves. I don't want to overreact, but its annoying, uncomfortable,and well, I can't help but think I have one in my arm. I have never heard one of being in arms, but is it possible? even with my INR of 2.6 just a few days ago?
deleted_user
deleted_user
It is possible to have them in your arms. But your INR seems at a good level. If it feels serious to you go to ER.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Sometimes when the PEs travel they will find their way into the upper arm veins. I have several on my right arm that look varicose and I asked about that. And I did have pain in that arm for whiile.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I had/have one in my left arm. Now that I'm 7 months out, I feel more PTS in my arm than I do in my leg.
TossNTurn
TossNTurn
I could be wrong about anatomy ... but I'm almost certain the clots can't travel from your lungs to other parts of the body. Generally, the lungs act as a filter and that is why the clots get stuck there. Clots travel from your appendages (legs AND arms) to your lungs ... not the other way round.

There are several people on the DVT group who have had blood clots in their arms. You might consider posting there with this question, or just searching for previous threads.
rmb
rmb
Clots can travel FROM your arms, to your lungs, but I believe statistically, arm clots aren't as likely to break off from your arms and travel to your lungs, like a leg DVT.

I've had an arm clot. It wasn't red or swollen; it just hurt, and the pain wouldn't go away. I would be inclined to think you were ok with your INR therapeutic, but if it continues, gets worse, pain starts crawling up your arm, you may want to call your doc and have it looked at.

Also, remember to stay well hydrated. Lack of fluids can cause all kinds of muscle and cramping in both our legs and arms.
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