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Original poster

Have to have a scan on my leg tomorrow for ?deep vein thrombosis :-(

66 replies

sparkler1 · 12/07/2006 21:05

I've had a pain in my right calf muscle for nearly two weeks now. I went to the GP a week and a half ago and he told me that as it had only been a few days to go home and take Ibuprofen and paracetamol. If these didn't help I was to go back and see him.
I went back to the GP this afternoon as the pain was still there. They ended up sending me to the local hospital to the DVT (deep vein thrombosis) clinic as a precaution.
I had to have a blood test taken (this was at 4.30pm) and was told to go back at 6pm for the results. They thought it was unlikely that it would be a clot as I didn't have any other symptoms.
Went back at 6pm and was told that the results were slightly abnormal and that they would like to do a scan tomorrow (if an appointment is available). I had to have an injection in my stomach to stop my blood clotting. They are going to phone me tomorrow to let me know if there is a scan appointment available. If there isn't then I will have to go back in tomorrow for another injection in my stomach in the hope that they will get me in for a scan on Friday.
I am so worried. I can't believe all this has happened so quickly today.
It's been a bad, bad day today. DD1 was off school having been sick three times this morning. Washing machine packed up. I have a swollen left eye due to a sty which doctor has given me eye drops for. [sad}
Sat here munching on a box of roses which I bought myself for being brave with the injection.

OP posts:
Original poster
sparkler1 · 13/07/2006 09:38

Hospital have phoned to say that they have booked me a scan date for Tuesday next week. FFS! So much for it being today.
Pain has eased slightly thankfully but still there.
I need to have an injection of Clexane into my stomach every day until Tuesday.
Misunderstanding with dh. I spoke to him on the phone to tell him I was sad that he hadn't offered to come with me, even though I probably would have said not to as there's nothing he can do. He told me that he was planning on coming and meant that he wanted to me to let him know what the hospital said about the time of scan. Crossed wires - but were okay now.
Feeling very tearful now.

OP posts:
chjlly · 13/07/2006 09:50

{{{{{{{HUGE HUGS}}}}}}}}

I'll bunk off work and come for a coffee!

puff · 13/07/2006 09:53

((((((((((hug)))))))))))

Original poster
sparkler1 · 13/07/2006 10:10

Thanks guys. Just need to pluck up the courage to go and get today's injection done now.
Need to stop crying too. My eye looks bad enough without red blotchy patches.

OP posts:
milward · 13/07/2006 13:07

Best wishes sparkler xxx

Original poster
sparkler1 · 13/07/2006 13:51

That's todays done. Was okay. Ended up with two needles - they used two smaller packs.
Going to look like blackberry by the time they've finished.

OP posts:
Overrun · 13/07/2006 16:56

Hi Sparkler,

I haven't had a DVT, but have always been thought to be at a higher risk of getting one, hence daily precautionary injections of heparin during pregnancy.
The only thing that hasn't been mentioned, is anti embolism stockings. It may be that there are a precationary measure and no good if you might actually have DVT (hope not)> I wondered whether the hospital offered them to you or not. If you wanted to buy some (Boots do flight socks, not whole stockings). YOu can get them on the internet, which of course might take too much time.
Sorry this has rambled a bit, as I say it's just a thought. They do tend to be very uncomfortable in esp in the heat, but then you might want the added reassurance of them if you are feeling anxious.

LittleMerlin · 13/07/2006 16:58

Hi Sparkler - sorry to hear you have to wait until next week for the scan. And well done for being brave today with the injections. How's your eye doing? Are you putting anything on it?

Original poster
sparkler1 · 13/07/2006 18:02

Thanks overun. Think I'll hold off the stockings for now. My leg pain has eased quite a bit today. I haven't done a lot of walking though and that tends to make it worse when I do.
Merlin - eye is very swollen today. I am using eyedrops which the GP prescribed for me.
My stomach is actually hurting more than my leg at the moment. Very bruised and I keep forgetting about it and leaning on things (washing up, on the steering wheel when getting in the car). Perhaps that's why they gave me the injections - to help me forget about the leg pain.

OP posts:
Original poster
sparkler1 · 13/07/2006 18:03

Shoot me now

OP posts:
SoMuchToBits · 13/07/2006 18:12

My best friend has just got a dvt. After having the scan, she had a few heparin injections, and is now on warfarin tablets, and wearing a sexy compression stocking! she will probably be able to dispense withthe stocking when the swelling goes down completely (its much better already), and be on the warfarin for about 6 months. But she is very cheerful, and feeling well. I'm sure that even if it IS a dvt, it can easily be treated, as in my friend's case. Wishing you all the best anyway.

Original poster
sparkler1 · 13/07/2006 19:14

SoMuchToBits -how old is your friend?

OP posts:
SpaceCadet · 14/07/2006 16:15

sorry for brief post but am ill in bed so posting on my mobile.
sparkler, i have had, 2 dvts and a pulmonary embolism.
the blood test that you had done, checks for raised d dimer levels in your blood which can indicate that your blood may be clotting abnormally...however, a positive result does not neccassirily indicate a blood clot as certain other conditions such as recent childbirth can cause raised d dimer levels.
the hospital will treat you as though you have a clot in the interimm, so dont be alarmed about not having the scan until tuesday.
the usual course of action is to give clexane for about the first few days, then, if your scan shows a clot, they will usually continue treating you with wartfaRIN at home.
they dont as a rule hospitilise you for dvt, it is treatable at home.
if a clot is found, they will give you advice regarding how you should look after yourself while on warfarin and you will have regular checks with the dvt nurse.
you will be advised to wear compression stockings if flying in future and to have a preventative jab of clexane if you need an operation.
hth

SpaceCadet · 14/07/2006 16:15

btw im 33

SpaceCadet · 14/07/2006 16:17

apologies for bad spelling btw..have a temp

yomellamoHelly · 14/07/2006 17:01

Sparkler1 - Been through this 3 times and it's horrible (so my sympathies), but at least you've done something about it.

Haemotologist told me it's very rare to get a positive D-dimer without a clot (pregnancy or no). Whichever way if it is confirmed the treatment isn't any different to what you're receiving now. Right leg'd be quite rare though.

Once it's confirmed, in this area anyway, you get the heparin (Clexane in your case) for 7 days from when you report it. The usual protocol is for them to stop treating you after that and the theory is your body'll break down the clot naturally and the greatest dangert of you getting a PE has passed.

If you don't have a clot they obviously stop giving you the drugs as soon as you've had the scan.

If it is a clot they may well test you to see if you have a genetic pre-disposition to it. (I assume you're younger than 50.) That test takes about 6 weeks to give you a result but it'll affect how you're treated if you're ever unlucky enough to get a 2nd. (After my 2nd I was put on warfarin for ever - though currently on Clexane once a day since pg again!)

Whichever way each time I've found it takes around 6 weeks to recover and the more help dh can give you the better you'll feel. (I always sleep loads.)

If it is a clot I'd seriously consider compression tights too. You're meant to wear them for a couple of years after a clot and yes they're hideous, but I've developed post-thrombotic syndrome and would try and avoid it if I were you. I've also found exercise really helps.

Anyway the scan's easy - like one of those when you're pg - just a bit uncomfortable when they press on your sore bits (where you think the clot is) to check out blood flow. Would be surprised if they kept you in given the amount of time that's passed since you first noticed the pain.

Good luck Tuesday

SpaceCadet · 14/07/2006 18:24

helly.
it is entirely possible to have raised d dimer lwevels, even if a clot isnt present, having recently given birth can also cause raised d dimers.
they weigh up the blood test against other given risk factors, even a positive pleth test doesnt def indicate a clot(although makes it more likely).
ive had 2 pos d dimer tests when on that occassion i was not found to have a clot.

sparklerswollenbruisedandfedup · 15/07/2006 17:09

Thanks for the info and it's always good to hear from those of you that have had similar experiences.

I'm 34. Leg pain had eased considerably whilst walking up until today - went into town have been walking around loads. Feeling a bit sore again now. Again it's not at rest only when actively walking around - going down steps is the worst bit.
My eye is slowly on the mend, itching like mad! Went back to GP yesterday and he confirmed an eye infection. Put me on Penicllin and given me Sofradex eye drops. The eye drops I was given a few days ago are not good so told to dispose of them. FGS - yeh just chuck away £6+ of prescription that I didn't need.
Feeling better emotionally too. Went for today's injection and begged them to put it on the left hand side of my stomach - have a huge swollen bruise on the right.
Two more injections left to go before the scan.

sparklerswollenbruisedandfedup · 15/07/2006 21:24

Was anyone told the result of the scan straight away? I'm assuming this will be the case - if there is sign of a clot they will need to continue treating me for it won't they?

Helennn · 15/07/2006 21:48

Sparkler - I had to inject myself with Clexane for 6 weeks when pregnant both times. I don't know if your dose is different or any other reason but I was told to inject into my leg, (alternating each day). I did find my left leg actually hurt a bit more but very rarely bruised. Are you happy that the nurse injecting you is very experienced, as I didn't actually find it that bad and that was doing it myself?
Hope you're not still munching the choccies[shock}

sparklerswollenbruisedandfedup · 15/07/2006 21:53

I am very happy with the nurses doing them - have had three different ones so far. Guess the stomach area is softer than the leg so prone to bruising. I have a whopper of a bruise on the right hand side.
I finished that box - started another one now. Chjlly - very kindly bought me another box to cheer me up.

psychomum5 · 15/07/2006 22:00

oooh, sparkler....sounds horrid

hugs(gentle ones tho that don't hurt tummy or leg!)

sounds like we do indeed to sort out a night out....???

yomellamoHelly · 15/07/2006 22:48

Got told the results of the scan straight away each time. Here, they then fill in a form whilst you wait outside confirming their findings.
If it's positive , here, you hang around for the dvt nurse to then turn up and mediate what'll happen to you next (always seems to be lots of different doctors involved here) and she's the most clued up of them all. If it's negative they let you go home there and then.

SpaceCadet · 15/07/2006 23:07

horriod injections arent they sparkler..they sting..ouch..{{big hugs}}, they will tell you the results of the scan straight away, in my case the radiologist told me as he was scanning me.

sparklerswollenbruisedandfedup · 16/07/2006 20:51

yep they sting - seem to sting more each time I have them. One left to go (hopefully) tomorrow. Scan Tuesday afternoon. Leg has eased loads - so that's good news. The swelling on my eye has gone right down too - don't look or feel so much like a freak now. Seriously I feel so much better today - was really low a few days ago.