I've had both an upper and a lower extremity DVT so yes they do occur

Actually my brother also had an upper extremity DVT.

I find this interesting...my acupunturist asked me to have ultrasounds on my arms before going off warfarin (based on my symptoms).

When you say, based on symptoms...what are your symptoms?

rmb---- that's interesting that both you and your brother had upper ext. DVTs.

Did a doctor suggest that it might be thoracic outlet syndrome which 'might' be an anatomic abnormality?
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/462166-overview
It doesn't have to mean that, but I found it curious.


"Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) has been an important clinical entity for more than a century. In 1821, Sir Astley Cooper first described axillarysubclavian artery symptoms due to compression from a cervical rib. In 1875, James Paget described the clinical symptoms resulting from subclavian vein thrombosis (eg, arm swelling, pain).

In 1884, von Schroetter correctly attributed these upper extremity venous symptoms to thrombosis or compression of the subclavian vein at the thoracic outlet. Consequently, venous thrombosis at the thoracic outlet is known as venous TOS or Paget-Schroetter syndrome."

Bee------ that was a savvy acupuncturist you had!

I think I remember reading that a massage therapist developed it because of her position (bending over a patient). Maybe I ought to be checked out, come to think of it---- I was a dental hygienist for 17 years and you know how they sit (and apply pressure) 8 hours a day!

I had all my clotting episodes before my brother (both my DVTs and my PEs). I don't have any genetic clotting factors. But I have ulcerative colitis, which can make some people more prone to clotting. We don't know the specific cause for my clots, but that is my one risk factor.

My brother's clot occurred after surgery on his shoulder. His doc thinks that the strap they used to mobilize his arm may have been too tight. But when my brother mentioned my history, his doc thought it may be a genetic component despite all my genetic testing coming back normal. He's on warfarin. As most hematologists say, there may be genetic clotting issues that scientists aren't even aware of, or for which there is no test. So there could be an unknown genetic component I'm sure.
But I do doubt either of us has TOS.

My brother had cancer in his early 20s, and also has a specific chromosomal syndrome which can make him prone to clots, I just read, and with me having ulcerative colitis, well, we both are sort of genetic misfits, so who knows. For me, at this point, it doesn't matter why I clot, as I'm multi clotter and therefore, on the warfarin train for life.

I don't know that I believe only 1%-2% of DVT clots are in the arm, but maybe that's true. But I do know that arm DVTs are less than leg DVTs to break off and travel to the lungs. Not saying it doesn't happen. Just saying the percentage is lower for that happening.

rmb-----thank you for your detailed answer. (I thrive on details!)

You said:
***I don't know that I believe only 1%-2% of DVT clots are in the arm****

I don't either----- If something isn't looked for it isn't found. (grin) Like Lyme disease is a 'rare' disease. Snort!!! Poppycock!!!

Symptoms: Numbness in my arms and hands every night. I usually wake up 2 times/night with numbness.

Woops...and pain in my shoulder and elbow

I am annoying myself with how terrible I am at posting today. Sorry all...also my acupuncturist is a registered nurse. I guess it is just one opinion, in the deluge of many, though.

I had a DVT in my subclavian a little over two weeks ago. My clot developed most likely because I had a pacemaker replaced. I think Upper extremity DVT's are becoming more common because of lines from pacemakers as well as lines for chemotherapy.

My symptoms was pain in my arm and chest for about a week, then my arm started getting pain and tingling, what finally made me go the ER, was my arm turning a red/purple color, and extreme pain.

My arm DVT symptoms were nothing like my leg DVT symptoms. My arm DVT was just persistent pain in my inner elbow area that started to move up my arm and my skin had kind of a pulling sensation. There was no swelling, redness or tingling.

If anyone thinks they have a DVT in their arm, or anywhere for that matter, you aught to get it confirmed via an ultrasound, rather than just speculate. My 2 cents.