I'm so fed up.
Ever since a calf DVT about 12 years ago I've had clots in the same calf area in the superficial veins. I left the DVT for weeks thinking I'd sprained it or something until I was in agony and couldn't walk and I think it must have caused at least some damage in the area.
It happens at least once a year.
My last one was in October/November last year and I've just been for a scan today to rule out DVT and there's another.
This is what happens every time...
Pain in calf. No outward signs, minimal swelling. Worst pain in morning when getting up from lying down or resting for a while. Extremely painful for the first steps putting any weight on it. I often have to hop to get painkillers but after moving it a while, it's much better.
I leave it a few days.... Sometimes it goes away.
If it continues for 6/7 days or more, I start worrying and end up going to doctor who sends me to A and E who do D Dimer.
D dimer is always positive so they then put me on blood thinners until they arrange a scan.
No DVT but superficial clots/thrombophlebitis us found.
Usually, the blood thinners are stopped at this point and no further treatment ( as was today) but last time they put me on 6 weeks heparin.
I'm really fed up of having to go through this process on a regular basis.
I ask them how I can know the difference so I don't have to get it checked and they just tell me I should always get it checked.
Is there any solution or any treatment for this?
I thought it would die down after a few years but its coming back more frequently.
I've not seen any vein specialist and only briefly saw a haemo when I had my DVT.
Is this something I just have to live with?