DVT - Terrified!

[TheWorminLabyrinth]

Hi all,

I started a thread in December, I don't know how to link - it was in Chat, asking about possibility of DVT in the shin.

Anyway...I went to A&E last night after it just wouldn't resolve and I panicked myself into a total state - lo and behold I almost certainly have a DVT. Started on apixaban straightaway and back today for an ultrasound to confirm. D-Dimer was raised and doc says 'yes you have a clot'. I'm TERRIFIED. Could hardly sleep last night. Feel scared to move, walk, anything. Feel like any second now it will decide to break off and i'll be on the floor dead. Talk me down PLEASE

I've been there, two in my thigh.. it's terrifying, but you're in the right place, on medication and you will be fine. Mine was 4 years ago, j take one blood thinner per day, have blood tests yearly for that, and feel no different to how i did before. I was a snivelling wreck in the hospital and I never really cry at anything. It's OK to be scared and to let it out, but it will be OK.

Oh thank you for replying. Glad to hear you are doing OK now.

I was a wreck in A&E last night. Half 3 in the morning, alone, terrified. Spent 20 minutes lieing in bed this morning too afraid to move.

I bet. The early hours of the morning are the worst for worry. I was lucky in that I went in mid morning after the gp sent me right there, and my partner took me. I've never appreciated having a gobby northerner so much, I felt I needed someone to advocate for me as I was a mess. Do you have anyone you can call? I was in for 3 days so be prepared for that and you'll probably need some things brought in.

I'm told i'll be treated as an outpatient, just have to go back for this ultrasound to confirm and then continue the apixaban once confirmed. I was panicking last night as i'm the sole carer for my disabled husband and I was telling the doctor oh you can't admit me! He said, oh this is usually an outpatient thing. Does that sound right?

Presumably as it was only one, and in your shin, that can be done. The medication can break it down by itself. They needed to check mine to see if they needed to use another method (luckily not, the tablets would do it) but it sounds like yours is quite small, which is good news! They know what they're doing. Did they say to raise the leg when you.sleep? I bought a inflatable cushion from amazon for that, shaped like a ramp, surprisingly comfy.

All will be well.

It's 3 letters that immediately make you think the worst and catastrophise, but eminently fixable.

My SIL has had two, but both times treated as an outpatient. She's absolutely fine. I think if it happens once more she'll be on meds for life to prevent them.

I just wanted to respond to say thank you to those that replied, and to update!

I went for the ultrasound on Thursday afternoon and it came back completely clear. The only thing the technician mentioned was some 'pooling' in my shin, whatever that means. Saw the doctor afterwards and he said no clot, stop taking blood thinners! I am to wait for A&E to write to my GP and then make an appointment to investigate. They suspect a potential stress fracture in my shin which could have explained the d-dimer blood result - although that was "only" 506 and could be down to the stress i've been under the last 18 months. All in all, inconclusive but no clot, so yay!

Brilliant news! So pleased for you, and get the potential stress fracture checked out, but result!

Aw thank you murasaki!

I developed shin splints in September/October, when I went on a mad health kick and was walking miles and miles each day, but I thought they had resolved. I did mention that to the amazingly fantastic A&E doctor and he said, "well, there's your answer my dear!". It has also pushed me to seek help for my constant anxiety and I am hoping to turn things around xx

Good idea re the anxiety, but actually it was useful in this case in that it pushed you to find out. I left it a bit long thinking it would go away, stupid of me . So pleased for you!

Oh I have left mine a long time too...20 plus years. Panicking myself into A&E was a new low!

I have had DVTs in both legs and one lung. If your DVT is being treated why are you terrified?

It turned out not to be a DVT, in the end. However, I don't think it is unreasonable to be terrified!

It wasn't until my right leg was jokingly called the big leg at home that I went. Actually 13 cm more than the left as measured by the docs who phoned straight through to the hospital, and this was in lockdown, so initial video call.. Should have gone earlier. I'm a lot more careful these days! Lessons learned.

I'm so glad it's all worked out for you, bit do pursue answers.

Also, great news re not having to take blood thinners. They are fine in themselves, but I have an aggressive cat. It's not pretty as I spurt like a fountain when he is displeased. The kitchen towel bill is definitely up 🤣🤣

The big leg! I am laughing, is that terrible! Only in a black humour sort of way.

I'm really glad you got sorted, and you've been fab to me here in my panicking x

Oh my god, they gave me apixaban and said "be careful when you brush your teeth". I remember thinking, eh? Until I brushed my teeth and it was a blood bath. I guess the stuff really works!

Oh we still joke about the big leg...

It really does. Accidental potato peeler mishap? Lòoks like the Shining. Mishap opening tinned stuff? The Somme with less mud. be glad.you don't need them!

And more than happy to see you through it as I felt very alone in mine, so it was nice to see something i could help with.

😂

It appears to be out of my system now but my god! No wonder they give you a little card to carry around in case you get injured! Quite literally, as you say, the lift doors opening in the shining 😁

Starting the sertraline tomorrow. Exciting times 😅

Dp has been on that for ages, it's good. So best of luck.

I'm hearing lots about increased anxiety and vivid dreams. We'll see I suppose.