I was not. I got them prescribed about 18 months later after being diagnosed with PTS from my DVT

I don't think it's a prerequisite that everyone be prescribed stockings. I think it depends on the extent of the DVT and what your doc's focus us. I suspect for me, the DVT was sort of an after thought, because the PE was the bigger concern.

I'd discuss the stockings with your doc and see what his take is for you.

Thanks rmb! I was not prescribed them and wondered if it would help my swollen akle.

It could. I'd just check with your doc at this stage in your recovery so you know what may work best for you, what compression, knee high, thigh high, etc

Did they help you?

Yeah, they did, but for me, while I had swelling in my ankle and knee at that point, they really helped me more with the heavy, achy feeling I had more than the swelling. I don't wear them all the time anymore,just when my PTS symptoms flare up.

You know what helped me a lot was riding a stationary bike and my road bike. That seemed to really helped with the leg swelling a lot. But that was just my experience.

One thing... swelling is a normal part having a DVT and I found that as the pain started to lessen after diagnosis the more mobile I became and which meant I was up and around more. That lead to a lot of ankle and foot swelling. I found elevating my leg whenever I could to be really helpful with that swelling

Good info rmb......I am going to start exercise on a stationary bike tomorrow and hope for the same Results as what you saw. The Pulmonologist just prescribed the stockings yesterday. I am going to get them and wear them......he thinks it will help the ankle swelling.

1 other comment was I thought it strange my family Dr who was primary on my hospital stay did not prescribe them upon dismissal.....And Pulmonologist only did so upon me asking about them

I hope the bike works for you. I think the stationary bike is a good way to start some activity after a PE because you can kind of take it easy if needed, and it was low impact on my DVT leg. The treadmill really bothered my leg. But a lot of it is just finding what's comfortable for you. Your doc ok'd you for exercise, right?

Yes, exercise and activity as tolerated is what he said.......lol......that is real clear huh? LoL

Dr did a d-dimer today and it came back at 584. It was 3900 upon diagnosis. Wore the stocking but ankle and foot still swelled up. Hopefully that resolves soon!

Did you have a burning feeling in your chest as the clots dissolved? Just curious.....

If the stockings don't fit quite right, I think they can make swelling and pain worse. Just saying if they really aren't helping after a while, they may not be right for you.

I had tPA administered in the ER which busts up the clots straight away so I didn't experience that time kind of thing . I did start experiencing pain about a month post PE. I think any general discomfort in your chest post diagnosis is not uncommon. Recovery is a strange journey. You survived the clot but then you have to survive getting you body and mind back up to speed.

Hello, just a thought on the stockings. I bought one pair just off the shelf, and they really didn't fit right or feel right. I then went to a pharmacy and had the professional fit me. I think they really help me with swelling and leg pain. I wear them almost everywhere. They have some really good colors now that don't look too bad.
I, too, have the burning/pain feeling in my chest. I am 4 1/2 months out and still have it at some point everyday. rmb, you are so right...this is a strange journey!

By the Way, I had to ask my primary care dr. if I needed them. No one at the hospital mentioned them or told me where to get them.

Thank you for your info........I think the journey is strange because it comes with no map......no 2 routes back to health seem to be alike....that's why I like coming here to ask for guidance! (-:

Jennis - I'm curious re: your comment about your d-dimer results as I'm somewhat in the same boat as you and have a question. I've had a couple of recent d-dimer tests and they were a .42 and a .56 respectively. At my age results above 600 indicates a positive result.These are DDU lab results. This past week I had another d-dimer and it was 1200, which is a FEU result. To convert from a DDU to a FEU I was instructed to divide by 1,000 and then multiply by 2. This would make my d-dimer results a 2.4 (and yours a 7.8.). I was taken off of coumadin because it caused stomach bleeding and I'm wondering just how bad is the increased risk that I.m under. Did your doctor give you any indication regarding risk> Thanks.