to go to urgent care?

[RandomLurker121]

Hi,

Long time lurker but only second post, hopefully someone can tell me I'm being ridiculous and that I don't need to access medical help

I've had pain on the outside of my calf for a while now but it's worsened quite a lot this evening. I'm not in agony or anything but it's a sort of tingly burning pain which is constant.

I don't think my leg is swollen but maybe a tiny bit puffy. However I do (unfortunately) fit a lot of the risk factors for clots. Laying down and pointing my toes towards me worsens the pain which, according to the Internet, can be a sign of a blood clot in the calf.

Is this an urgent thing or is my leg hurting because I'm a lazy bitch and need to do more exercise?!

Hopefully I'm just being a complete hypochondriac

See your gp. If condition gets worse overnight ring 111.

I know very little about blood clots.

I would call 111 and ask them for advice. They're going to have a better idea of whether you need to seek medical attention right now or not.

Thanks for the replies, think I've probably wound myself up a bit. Will see how it goes over the next hour or so and phone 111 if it gets a lot worse or swells.

Thank you!

Id circle the redness, if it starts to move outwards while the pain increases you might be advised to attend an A & E, see how you get along over night.

Hope you feel better.

Actually I think you should call them now. That's what they're there for. To assess you and decide whether you should go to a GP or A&E.
Btw, my GP sent me to A&E with those same symptoms. Luckily no blood clot though.

Hope this doesn't constitute a dripfeed but I do find it really difficult to access medical care due to extreme panic attacks. I do worry about my health a lot so there's a good chance I'm overthinking it. Luckily, I've only been to Urgent Care once (after a car accident) so it's not like I'm up there all the time but I do tend to get myself worked up about anything health related!

But the fact that I'm considering trying to get to the Urgent Care Centre makes me think it must be quite out of the ordinary (for me).

Good idea about circling it Ciao, there isn't really any redness but I might circle where the pain is to see if it moves? Close to the pain, one of my veins is more prominent (only about an inch long and more visible than the rest but not bulging or anything.

I've also managed to give myself a headache stressing out about it

A bit hesitant to phone 111 as I think they'll probably have to advise me to go in.

Totally get the hesitation and anxiety but tbh I'd be going in. If you think 111 will see it as that serious then you need to go in.

DVT can escalate quickly, go in, get checked and I'm sure all will be fine

Please call NHS direct now they will assess you over the phone and give you a recommendation. If it is a clot you can get the treatment quickly it is always to be cautious about this. Don't wait and see x

I get the impression that 111 have to go by the book and burning pain, tightness and numbness + high risk factors are probably going to result in them having to tell me to go in, I think?

Tbf, numbness isn't uncommon for me as I have some nerve damage so I'm not sure if that's relevant.

Really don't want to waste their time (and look like a complete tit as well). It's a sort of tightness and burning (feels like burning on the inside, rather than burning hot to touch).

Does this ring any bells with anyone?! Desperately trying to remember knocking it or something but can't think of anything.

Call 111 and see what they say. There is no point worrying yourself silly.

I have had 2 DVT's. I'm not an expert but I think DVT occurs in the deep veins so I don't think you would be able to see it. Perhaps you have developed a varicose vein - they can be quite painful and achy.

Thanks all, apparently there is such a thing as a superficial clot which occurs in a more minor vein so could be that, rather than DVT.

Or it could just be a sore leg and an extreme case of hypochondria

LOL it's OK I am a hyporchondriac too! My advice is to STOP googling and ring 111.

Go in, even the chance of a clot needs investigating, especially if you are high risk. They can do a quick d dimer test and you can know within 10 minutes, it is not a waste of time.

notangelina how did you know? Google is the devil when it comes to things like this!

I really think you should call 111 now.

You're clearly worried about this.

If it is a DVT or something else serious, best it's seen to quickly.

If it turns out to be something minor, then surely getting your mind put at rest about that - by a medical professional, rather than randoms on mumsnet - is also the best thing?

Ring 111 if you are worried. It's what they are there for.

Try not to panic though, pain on lying down and pulling your toes up is a symptom of a calf sprain as is slight puffiness. I've seen a couple of DVTs clinically and they have been hot, solid and very painful.

First time was 3 weeks after having a baby - my leg went purple, hurt like hell and was very swollen so I knew what is was. Second time my leg ached a lot - like severe cramp.

Seriously, just ring up 111 - if they ask you to go in they will examine your leg and do a blood test and if they think it needs further investigation they will go from there. There is no point stressing about it till you find out.

Sorry, posted in wrong message. Anyone know how I can get it deleted?! So sorry

I think it's worth going into A and E with a suspected blood clot rather than waiting... A friend of mine did and she did have a blood clot, but was fobbed off by the GP. It's a potentially life threatening thing if left untreated so nothing to lose by being cautious.

Hi all,

Just a quick update, I did end up going in as the pain got worse and I was having trouble walking. They did some tests and confirmed that it's damage to the leg, rather than a clot.

However, they didn't make me feel stupid for going in at all so thank you all for the reassurance and encouragement!!