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DVT fears - am I being stupid?

8 replies

Listofsymptoms · 02/01/2019 06:09

I’m in my 50s, overweight by about 3 or 4 stones and have been experiencing some pain and discomfort in my left leg.

It first started after I did some long stints at my laptop sitting at my kitchen table. I spent very long bouts just sitting on a hard chair and started to experience a dull nagging pain just above my knee at the back of my leg where the chair dug in. I started putting a cushion down and at first this helped. It’s been a few weeks since I had these long laptop sessions (went on for about 5/6 weeks) but I am still experiencing a sense of what I can only describe as a ‘blockage’. I’ve been ill over Xmas with the virus that is going around where your whole body aches like a bad cold/flu but minus the snot - crashing fatigue etc.. I feel a bit better but the sensation in my leg is still there and yesterday I noticed that this leg looks a bit swollen in the knee and immediately behind the knee a bit up my thigh at the back. I keep feeling the leg and want to massage it away but can’t find a specific point as it feels too deep within my leg. My other half confirms that it looks like I have water retention around the area as it’s bigger but it’s not hard or red like I’ve seen DVT described. I’m also thinking that a clot wouldn’t just hang around for weeks? I should add that I suffer from high blood pressure and take 2 medications for it. I’m also currently waiting for a gallbladder removal.

I have a brother in his 60s who had a bad stroke and another brother a bit younger who’s just had a TIA from a clot that they think originated within his heart.

I’m awake in the small hours fretting and am wondering whether I would be completely wasting everyone’s time by going along to A&E? Might it just be a trapped nerve? I’m not in agony and can walk fine enough (though a bit more slowly than normal because I’m so knackered still.)

Anyone care to advise?!

OP posts:
calamitycake · 02/01/2019 06:32

I have no experience but I would advise that you go as you are clearly worried and have a family history.

Good luck.

Snoz · 02/01/2019 06:36

As far as I know, DVT is extremely painful and you'd know about it if you had it. I stand to be corrected on that, as I'm basing that purely on the basis of having had a pulmonary embolism (blood clot on lung), which was excruciatingly painful with sudden onset.

cakebaker39 · 02/01/2019 06:47

I would definitely get it checked. I had a DVT in my calf and even the GP who saw me sent me to have a blood test at A&E as he couldn't be sure, so I don't think it right to say you would just know. Mine felt like the worst cramp ever. Please go and be tested, no one will think you are wasting time.

ItsClemFandangoCanYouHearMe · 02/01/2019 07:23

I wouldn't automatically think DVT but with your history I would get it checked out. Especially as it can become a PE. I've had one of those and they really aren't something to mess around with.

Listofsymptoms · 03/01/2019 11:01

I haven’t gone to A&E. I went on a long walk yesterday and think it might be related to my back and possible menopausal aches but I am going to discuss with my GP next week (unless it gets worse of course) My calf muscles are generally achey and very tight. I have to hold tight onto bannisters when I walk down stairs and have been getting lots of cramps. As it’s in both legs I doubt it’s anything like a DVT. Thanks to all of you who replied to my panicky post and shared your experiences. If I get a definitive diagnosis I’ll be sure to report back.

OP posts:
PookieDo · 03/01/2019 18:38

I just came to post about DVT as I have a suspected one and I don’t know what to do with myself!

My knee area at the back became bruised and swollen. It doesn’t look like a DVT and it’s not hot but I had the blood test yesterday just in case and it came back flagged as out of range and I now have to self inject blood thinners for 5 days and have a scan on Monday

Partly I am glad I didn’t leave it but I don’t know how active to be and basically feeling stressed and anxious

I would advise having the d-dimer year just in case...

Listofsymptoms · 03/01/2019 19:26

Thanks PookieDo That sounds scary but you are getting it seen to thankfully! Do you know if anything set it off, did you bump it or have you been on a long haul flight? The area that I feel the most sensation in is just at the back of my thigh above the knee - just at the point that the edge of a hard chair or a toilet seat presses on. I hope you get it all sorted but it must be a shock to be suddenly having to inject yourself?! Sending healing vibes and it would be good if you could report back but entirely understand if you do t want to!

OP posts:
PookieDo · 03/01/2019 19:46

Mine is just below there, on the top of the calf and i don’t remember specifically hurting it

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