Anyone had Phlebitis? A bit worried

[B17Westie]

Hi all

A week ago, I noticed a sore red mark on the side of my lower left leg. This moved to just above my foot. I was concerned, so I did an E-Consult and was given an appt with the Nurse Practicioner. She Looked at my leg and said it looked like phlebitis and prescribed some Anitbiotics. She measure both calves and there wasn't any swelling.
I've not picked up the prescription yet, as I was a bit baffled as to why she would treat Phlebitis as an infection??

Anyway, Today I have been experiencing similar pain on the inside of my thigh, down inner side of my knee. Feels Tender but cannot see any redness.
So automatically I am worried it could be a DVT.
But I don't have the typical symptoms of a dvt...like cramping, swelling etc.

It just hurts when i bend my knee or extend my leg.
The original site hurts still, but not as bad as yesterday, where i struggled to walk.

I know coming on here won't get me a diagnosis, but has anyone had the same as me? The pain at the side of the calf and appearing at the side of the thigh/knee?
Was wondering if it could possibly be nerve pain?

If it isn't better by monday, I'll try and get a docs appt. I am treating it by elevating, heat and walking about.

I'm new here by the way. Oh and just to add I do have some risk factors for dvt, such as birth control and obesity...plus pcos ... but I am trying to make lifestyle changes and lose weight

I am a bit concerned though...so although i Would like some replies, please don't scare me! thanku

My DH had a DVT. He had a cramp-like pain in his calf that wasn't going away, and was seen by the GP. The GP said he couldn't see any swelling, but did an on-the-spot blood test anyway. I don't know precisely what the blood test was looking for, but it was positive for DVT and he was sent to the hospital for urgent assessment and treatment.

So if you're concerned I would ring your GP and ask if you can have the blood test to check for a DVT.

DH was treated with blood thinners is now absolutely fine. But it did need taking seriously, and it's worth going back to your GP if you're worried something isn't right.

If you think you may have a DVt,you need to get medical advice sooner rather than later. However I am puzzled as to why you have not used your prescription - you don't explain.

I've not heard of an on the spot blood test for dvt. My leg doesn't feel like a cramp...maybe a bit like the skins too tight when I bend my knee.
I know it could be from the way I've been walking, or the funny angle I've been sitting when resting and elevating my leg. A bit like it's a little over stretched.

Because I read that antibiotics are routinely prescribed for phlebitis, but it isn't an infection, it's inflammation.

When I had a DVT it didn't hurt exactly. What it felt like was extreme discomfort. Like I had been sitting on an uncomfortable chair. It's hard to describe. I kept having to move then the numb ache would start again.

If there is any chance you could have a DVT you need urgent treatment.

What is worrying you about seeking treatment?

I have found the DVT team at my hospital to be really friendly. After the DVT was diagnosed I had to have a large number of tests to try and work out the cause. I am massively overweight and that hardly flickered a mention.

Turns out I have an excitable immune system!

I'm not worried about getting treatment. I am worried that I will be taken off the pill, if it was a dvt. I went on it for extreme anxiety and depression. It was the one thing that gave me my life back. I feel like kicking myself for not making an effort to lose weight and be in a safe zone for taking the pill. I was just complacent.

Think I need to calm down a bit...I am sure I would be in a lot of pain if I had a dvt. Just over a year ago, I had a ruptured bakers cyst, and I read the pain is very similar to that of a dvt. So I think I would know if I had that.

Is the area hot at all? I had recurring cellulitis for years, first time I was told it was phlebitis or thrombophlebitis. Second time, different doctor was told cellulitis. I was told the difference is how you feel. With cellulitis it’s like flu, at least for me. High temp, no energy, etc, the doc described major constitutional upset, which described the way I felt, I ended up hospitalised, several times.
i would suggest you take the antibiotics, you do not want a substantial infection on the weekend. If it is hot, draw round the area with a sharpie, if the red grows, seek help. I recognise the feeling of skin too tight, and pain when walking :(

It's not hot at all. Or red on side of my thigh/knee. I didn't pick up the prescription and the chemist it's been sent to is closed tomorrow and Sunday

If you have pain and tightness, you really should ring 111. It may take hrs on a Friday night but it’s better than nothing. And yes if you had a suspected dvt there is a blood test.
if you start to struggle with your breathing you need A and E

Looking on patient access...the nurse reported in the consultation....no swelling seen on either leg, tender over superficial veins of right calf, no tenderness on deep palpation of calf.

the d-dimer blood test is useful for ruling out DVTs, but not ruling them in. As well as DVTs, the other causes of a raised d-dimer include infection/inflammation (eg. caused by phlebitis) so if those are likely alternative diagnoses the test is pretty useless. If there were a real clinical suspicion of a DVT then treating for it and booking a scan would be the usual plan. If it is an infective problem it's not going to get any better without taking the antibiotics.

UPDATE: went back to the docs and saw a nurse again. What is wrong is I've got shin splints, caused by my flat feet (which is affecting the ligaments and tendons), this is really pulling my calf. It's very painful to walk. I think the phlebitis is just a flare up from all of this. It's got better on my lower Leg, but I have a patch on my inner thigh. My shin is really tender and hurts during the night. I've been applying heat, but when I've sat down for ages, my calf is really really tight. Waiting for an appt with orthotics...but it'll be a long wait.

Did you ever find out if it was definitely phlebitis? GP diagnosed me with it and it’s no better after a week. Very sore and tender, just a bit worried about it