Doctor visit at midnight to give injection.

[BananasAndApples]

Brief background, I think I had Covid in March and was moderately ill, left with sore/tight chest and ribs and getting out of breath when walking up hill. Last week this has been getting worse so out of breath a lot more. Husband nagged me to go to the doctor.

After being triaged I was asked to go straight in and have bloods taken, quite a few samples taken one of which was to check for blood clots. I expected the results the next day or day after.

Anyway just before midnight I was woken by the doorbell ringing frantically. (Sent husband to check the door). It was a doctor (in a taxi) in scrubs, apron, mask and gloves saying my blood test results had come back and I needed an injection to prevent blood clots. He gave me the injection in my stomach and then left, must have been here less than 1/2 and hour. All very strange/surreal.

Now waiting for either my doctors or the hospital to call and see what happens from here, the doctor last night said I would probably need to go in today for a chest scan.

Anyone experienced similar? Waiting and not knowing what is happening is making me a bit nervous!

My husband was in a similar situation, discharged from hospital and received a phone call at 7pm asking him to go in for an injection due to PE. He was on rivaroxiban and had awful joint pains, apparently a side effect, but worth bearing in mind if you start with them.

Yes OP Rivaroxaban can make you feel really tired, but lots of people find that wears off after a while . Are you taking with food ? This is important .

Thank you @girlofthenorth, that is good to know. I have been taking for a week now and feeling a lot less tired today. So fingers crossed it was a starting effect.

Yes I am taking with food, though occasionally I have forgotten at tea time and then had to have a bedtime snack so I can take the tablet.

ok but make sure you take with a decent amount of food not just a snack . I'm really surprised the scan isn't until the beginning of September.

Well had my CT scan today so now just have to wait for the results. I had to have the iodine contrast dye which was a bit odd, I was warned that it might make you feel you weed yourself and it really did. Very odd feeling!

Hi OP what was the result of the scan ?

I agree - really nice to hear a positive story about the NHS!

Got the results of the CT scan, all clear! I don’t need to take the blood thinners any more either.

Really relieved, it has been a very odd few weeks.

Fantastic news @BananasAndApples

You can only take the new drugs if you would have had a target INR of 2.5 on warfarin and have normal renal function. That still leaves a number of people needing heparin or warfarin.
Unfortunately the situation in the nhs regarding anticoagulation services has been shambolic and based on cost most of the time.

Agree, its really bad advice to say 'nobody should be on warfarin', there are plenty of reasons why warfarin might be the best choice. I had an unprovoked DVT at 32 and for various reasons Warfarin was the best option for me. I was absolutely terrified because I'd only heard people say how awful warfarin is. Trialled a couple of the 'new' drugs and it went badly as well as lots of side effects. Eventually went on the warfarin and not only did I not have any side effects but my clot resolved - just wish I'd gone on it sooner and not been scared of it. I'm currently on daily fragmin injections and cannot wait to return to Warfarin once life returns to normal.