Pain/tender back of calf after a hospital admission. What to do?

[Kukumbr]

I was in hospital last week for an asthma flare, basically bed ridden the whole time and the majority of the time since. I was there 3 nights and had 2 heparin anti coagulation injections whilst there as per protocol. Last night and this morning I’ve noticed a pain in the back of my calf, getting heavier and more tender, almost like a cramp. Just one leg. It’s not sore to just touch, only to squeeze. I’m trying to leave it alone so as not to aggravate it further and let it settle. Is it possible I could have a DVT? If so what am I supposed to do about it? Thank you for your help!

You need to be seen by a doctor asap.
Get a tape measure and measure your calves at the same level and compare.
Is there any difference in the appearance of the superficial veins in your feet?

Yes, see a dr. My mum has one and it was horrendously painful for her although thankfully dissolved.

Dr should refer you for an ultrasound

Do you just see a normal GP? Do they refer you urgently? The cramp is really sore. I’ll go look for a tape measure

can’t see any obvious swollen veins

Call the hospital ward where you were ASAP, if you can't get through to them then call your GP or out of hours, you need to be seen this evening

To add - they should have given you a leaflet about DVT when you were discharged if they did then check that as there should be instructions on what to do

My Dad has just had exactly this happen, he’s fit and healthy and was only a day case surgery but he has just had a DVT diagnosed. Started exactly the same way, escalated quickly. Ring 111.
Hope you are ok, but you really need to check it checked.

Thank you all, I haven’t had a DVT leaflet that I’ve seen. I’m only 26 so it’s probably more on the unlikely side but I am starting to worry. There’s about a cm difference in size between legs atm. My son just knocked the sore leg and it really hurt! Hoping I’ve just pulled a muscle

@junipergins sorry to hear about your dad, is he ok? What happened exactly if you don’t mind me asking?

He realised what it was and went to A&E, they confirmed it and gave him an injection. The next day he went back to properly diagnose and they did a scan, finding a DVT and a few smaller clots. The pain hugely reduced in that 24 hours but it’s taken 1-2 weeks for walking to really be comfortable (though made worse by the op being in his foot so may have been worse?). He’s in long term tablets for about 4-6 months but has no symptoms. —stupidly going on a long haul flight soon—

@junipergins sounds a bit scary. Was it extremely painful? Did it come on gradually?

I don’t live with him, but I think it was a dayish of tender then it suddenly ramped up

Though he was treated and it’s a long term no one seemed panicked over it, went home promptly, seen in minors- wasn’t scary, more a bit of dragged out uncomfortable

That to me sounds like it’s not altogether as urgent as I’ve heard. If I’m still suffering in the morning I might try and ring the GP surgery. I’m off sick this week anyway due to still being quite poorly from the admission last week so it’d be nice to get everything sorted whilst I have ‘time off’

You could be dead by the morning.

No..., he was fine and panic wasn’t big because he had the injection and treatment started. You haven’t, you need to check

Also when he first when in for checking they were confident about placement and other factors... you haven’t been checked so it can be riskier

Also- the GP won’t be able to help much, it’s a hospital thing. Confirm with 111 where is most suitable in your area

I am generally of the ‘wait till morning’ approach but I would definitely be phoning the ward right now at the very least, and if you would rather sit around and do nothing then please do measure and assess again in a couple of hours. On a scale of 1-10 where 10 is the worst pain you can imagine how painful is it right now not touching it, and right now when you prod it?

Please don’t wait. My uncle died because he waited. Just call. Go in. Check. It isn’t worth it

I was in hospital and mostly immobile for five days. Had weird leg pain a couple of days later. Phoned 111 who sent me to A&E - I was hoping they'd say it was fine. It was weekend so they gave me Fragmin until the Monday when I could have a scan. Wasn't DVT in the end, just a sore leg, but I was better safe than sorry. You should be seen tonight.

You need to be seen. The clots can travel to your lungs and cause embolism or brain and cause stroke. Either way not nice ways to die at 26! Get treatment!

You need to ring 111 now for advice. A DVT is something to be taken seriously - you need assessment ASAP.

GO IN!!!

I had a DVT after my c-section when I was 24 years old.

You could die.

GO IN!!!!

And mine hardly hurt at all. I got a slight twinge across the back of my calf and I just mentioned it because I have health anxiety.

They gave me an ultrasound and there it was.

Please go in.

GO IN