Worried about a blood clot

[Sellingsunsets]

I've been having weird pain in my lower leg since yesterday, like a dull ache, the pain is in the back of my calf but nearer the bottom of my leg if that makes sense. No swelling or redness or heat. It doesn't seem to I be worse when walking I standing, it's just "there" if that makes sense. I do have had health anxiety but I've convinced myself I have a blood clot in my leg and it's going to travel. My son's dad won't look after him so I can't go to a and e tonight and I'm worried they will think I'm wasting their time anyway. I don't know what to do but I'm freaking out.

If you won't go tonight then I agree an aspirin, and please do go tomorrow. I have no side effects from my blood thinners.

I don't know why I've got myself in such a panic about them. I had blood thinners for six months when I was pregnant with DS. I'm regretting not going but nothing i can do now.

OK, well try to stop worrying for tonight, take an aspirin, have something to eat and go for the scan tomorrow. You'll be OK.

Thanks very much, I appreciate that. The worst thing is I'm so worried something might happen to me and I'm alone with my DS and what will happen to him. I've convinced myself I cant breathe properly, like I can't get enough air and I feel dizzy but I'm sure it's because I'm getting myself worked up

I know, I cried when they showed me the ct scans. It was all too big to take. But I was ok and so will you be. Let the docs do their thing.

Can you ring 111 and explain the history and how you’re feeling now?

When I had a clot, my GP called me around 7pm with the result of the D-dimmer test and got me to go to my local pharmacy to pick up the blood thinners. I then went up to hospital the next morning.

I had a raised d dimer and had no clot. Muscle strain/sprain can also cause a d dimer test to be raised.

I second phoning 111 and see what they advise. If they actually advise going to A&E just take your son. A night in A+E might be hellish for him and everyone else if he's noisy and struggling, but if something bad happens to you life will be much more difficult for a long time.

I called them and they said basically just await th scan tomorrow and in the meantime just watch out for signs of a PE.

Can't say how anxious I am right now.

This is helpful thank you. I'm certain it's not a sprain or strain though.

Weirdly I had this just last week. I ended up in A&E where a blood test ruled out DVT. Doctor said she reckoned it was something called a Bakers cyst (I had never heard of it) which had now burst. She said to expect the pain to last a few more days. I'm still on strong painkillers as it really is v v painful - mainly in my calf, but also up in my thigh. It's been keeping me awake at night and I'm limping painfully in the day.

I'm not saying this is your problem, obviously, just illustrating that there are many possible causes for this kind of pain.

I should have said that going by the symptoms my GP thought it could well be DVT and it was she who sent me straight to A&E, after talking to the consultant there.

That's exactly what happened to me, they were expecting me when I got to
the hospital.

Good luck OP.

Yes they were expecting me when I got there too. They said at first they thought it was unlikely to be a blood clot but I have a family history of DVT in my sister and my mum as well as her mum. Only when the D dimer came back elevated have they said there is a high chance it is a blood clot.

I've just started my period and I'm wondering if that could raise d dimer level? I also have gallstones and have be having some pain coming from that so I'm also wondering if this could be causing some inflammation to raise the level too.

No idea, sorry, but just get some sleep and go tomorrow. You'll be in the right place and better to check than not.

I'll not b sleeping a wink. I'm.terrified if I've got one it'll dislodge and I'll not wake up

Inflammation could cause the raised d dimer I think. I had four blood clots in my lower leg six weeks after giving birth, I thought I’d strained my leg muscles after walking with the pram too much- but for me the main signs were that the pain grew increasingly worse over the course of four days, my leg calf measured two cm bigger than then other calf (although no redness or heat) but it did feel rock hard. I also got to the point where I couldn’t place my heel onto the ground- I had to tiptoe, as i was physically incapable of pushing the heel down to walk normally, it was excruciating. Try not to worry about not having the thinners overnight- just don’t massage the area and take things easy before the scan.

Did you take any aspirin? Please try not to worry. They would have called you in and been insistent if it were an immediate crisis. I guess I was lucky in that from me finally caving and phoning the doc, it all took place in a day to get me in bed in the hospital, so no overnight stress in the same way. I'll be thinking of you anyway, it is not fun.

The Dr did ask me if I had any pain in my heel or foot which I don't. It's mostly my calf, knee and it's spreading to my thigh, my whole led just feels heavy and dull achey. No hardness but it is 3 cm bigger than the other.

No no aspirin as I don't have any and my little corner shop near me does not sell it. It's a bit far for me to walk in such pain to go anywhere further a field. I've literally no one to help me

You will be ok until tomorrow, please believe me. I'm wishing you some sleep at least.

It won't travel to anywhere else by tomorrow. Wait for the scan. I have had multiple blood clots including a PE and with that I had clear pain in my back (that's where you feel it because of the position of your lungs). A raised D Dimer doesn't definitely mean a clot but it's the first phase of diagnosis followed by the scan. Things you can do now to help:

• drink plenty of water
• raise your feet and legs to make blood flow easier
• rest but get up and move at intervals

Treatment is very good now. Don't fret about side effects, the major thing is sorting the clot out.

Yes, definitely try to sleep with your feet propped up. I ended up buying a weird inflatable cushion from amazon that worked well when I got let out, but normal cushions would have done.

I’ve had a dvt, the first thing they will do is measure your calves to see if one is significantly bigger. Then ultrasound, blood thinners etc.
See if your painful leg is bigger. Call 111. Worth having it checked if you have a feeling something is off.