Does anyone know anything about infections in veins? or blood clots?

[mummytopebs]

I am 37 weeks pregnant and got admitted to hospital with a really bad pain in top of leg and a funny looking vein. Was given bllod thinner in case of a clot. Had scan on leg 12 hours later and no sign of clot (could there have been a clot and the blood thinner have got rid of it?)

Anyway was let home yesterday as sharp pain had gone and doctor said he thinks i have an infection in vein in leg, it has raised itself to the surface but is still smooth and ranges from light red to deep red, it was about 8 cm long but has now spread a bit up and down my leg, it is just above knee going towards pelvis. Anyway doc said just keep an eye on it and if still painful in couple of days to go back for antibiotics. Has anyone else had this? And is it dangerous?

Did you have a blood test for d-dimers? that would confirm if there had been a clot or not.

Apart from that I don't know about your leg, I hope it gets better soon.

The scanning man mentioned if i had had blood tests but wasent given one, he said that might be because i was pregnant so they know the risk is high anyway!!

I wouldn't have thought a clot would disperse in 12 hours, although it's good you were given blood thinners just in case. The clot I had was very painful and took a month or so to disperse properly.

I don't know about infections in veins though - sorry! Hope you are feeling better soon.

hi....some experience of infections in veins with my son earlier this year.

is the redness tracking up and down the line of the vein...i.e. a well defined straightish line.

where was the original redness.

is it warmer than normal to the touch and is it painful.

If it looks as though it is tracking to your pelvis i would suggest that you make an emergency appt at your docs today. If it is and infection you will need some flucloxacillin asap.

please dont leave it til tomorrow

Alypaly it does track the vein and is red to be honest i thought it was a stretch mark. It is the same redness as yesterday when they discharged me from hospital and they said to wait a couple of days to see if pain went. It is no more painful than any other part of my legs cos they are quite swollen cos have got water retention as 37 weeks pregnant. Do you think i should go to gp today, as hospital discharged yesterday?

2nd oppinion wouldn't hurt, better to err on the safe side

has the tracking increased in size either up or down. Is it anywhere near your pelvis or is it creeping that way

have you been bitten by an insect or pierced the skin with anything?

do you have a temperature

No temp no bite or pierced. It has gone up a little bit towards pelvis but has gone down as well, misses out my knee then continues down just under knee for a couple of contimetres. They fully checked it yesterday for clots and it was clear, it doesnt hurt like it did just feels more tender and achy not the piercing pain it was

if it looks as thouigh it is tracking upwards or getting worse,i would personally go and see gp...in case you have a mild form of cellulitis. If it does track more towards the pelvis and is an infection it can become quite seroius and could need iv antibiotics. You havent been scratched by a cat or got a tiny piercing from cats claws have you

as flucloxacillin is relatively safe to use during pregnancy doc may well put you on these as a precaution. Please go and get another opinion as you are pregnant.
the other possiblity is superficial thrombophlebitis. Hope this helps,but try not to worry,just have another opinion

sounds like superficial thromoplebitis as alypaly has said

i have had it several times and it is very painful and presnts in a very similar way to a clot

it is treated with antibiotics and sometimes thinners

Thank you Alypaly that is what they said it might be cellulitis but couldnt remember what they said so will google that now x

I have just fell asleep with dd and woke up with pains in calfs in both legs so think will def go to gp tomorrow

if its in both calves,my guess is that it is more likely to be the superficial thrombophlebitis.It would be very unusual to get an infection in both legs simultaneously unless you were unfortunate enough to get thrombop in both legs.

With mild thrombophlebitis there is sometimes a mild infection.Have they said to keep up with the anticoagulants.I would go to docs as it is possible you made need clexane injections for a while after baby is born.Mention problems to midwife and obstetrician

what has happened mummytopebs?

Saw consultant today who has confirmed superficial thrombophlebitis (who needs doctors when you have mumsnet lol). He hasent given any treatment as my section is in 12 days so just said paracetemol and codene for pain, if gets worse get in touch with gp. He said it usually goes after birth if not they will treat then

Glad you saw the consultant! Hope you are feeling better soon.

hi mummy...glad you got a diagnosis....did he say anything about anti coagulants post birth....ie clexane injections for a little time afterwards,or has he just said ,wait and see.

He didnt say much really just said what he thought it was x Think i will go to my own gp on monday cos he is good at explaining things and see what he recomends for now and after birth x I know after a section you have blood thinning injections for a week or so anyway are these anti coagulants?

yes they are. Its normally a clexane injection into the tummy but they may need to up the dosage with the thrombo p