blood clot in leg

[katmam]

Last week I was diagnosed with a blood clot in my left leg. I'm 11 weeks pregnant and now have to inject myself with blood-thinning drugs every day until approx. 6 weeks after the baby's born. My leg is now quite painful (it wasn't to start with) but the doctors can't say how long this pain will last for - I've got a 19 month old dd to look after which makes sitting with my leg up all day rather difficult! I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this and how things worked out for them.

Katmum, poor you, you really must look after yourself and do as you are told or the consequences could be disastrous. I know of someone who died when a blood clot that she was completely unaware of moved around her system, she'd only been married 3 months and the whole think was totally unexpected.

I know that your case is completely different (hers was due to a broken leg a year or so earlier) and if you continue with your treatment you will probably have no further problems. I really don't want to frighten or upset you but just wanted to let you know how important it is to follow advice. Keep us posted.

katmam - I really feel for you. Have had a DVT in my right leg but before I was pregnant. You will get used to the injections quickly and the pain should go pretty quickly too along with any swelling. I'm not a medical expert but this was what happened with me.

Had to inject through first pregnancy and again during this one (twins!! - goodee, increases the risks).

A bit of advice for you to use or throw away! Inject last thing at night as this is obviously when you are least active. If you get quite a bit of pain at night, shove a pillow under your mattress to raise it and therefore your leg up a bit. Keep moving during the day if you don't have your leg up - so try not to stand still for any length of time. Don't let anyone sit on your lap for the time being - awful I know with a 19 month old, so maybe side by side reading and hugging, and never cross your legs. Forget massages - or if you are tempted then do not get that leg done.

I was on treatment for 6 months with the clot but it was a massive one and I have a genetic condition which predisposes me to clots which they check for in a test called a thrombophilia scan - once you've had the baby. You may also have to have a bone scan at some stage as prolonged use of heparin/similar drugs (are you on clexane?) can cause probs here.

Another thing that they may/may not have told you is that they will not give you an epidural (if you want one that is) if it is too soon after your last injection; I can't remember the exact gaps etc so it may be worth talking to your doctor nearer the time if this is something you are considering...I am, again!!

oops, clicked send before I was ready!

Can't think of anything else right now, but if there is anything you can think of that I might be able to help you with then let me know.

Good luck.

Tinkerbell, thanks very much for that - it's very useful. I am trying to get up and around but it is painful to walk on, so I've not been doing very much! I'm on Tinzaparin which they've told me will do no harm to the baby, but no-one has mentioned any side-effects on myself! They don't want me to go back to hospital for any follow-up treatment (before or after the baby's born), so I'm taking that as a good sign. I will be on Tinzaparin until approx 6 weeks after the baby's born - which takes me up to mid-February I think. Thanks again for your advice. If I think of anything else, I know who to ask!

I'm a bit concerned that you may not be getting any follow up treatment. How did they diagnose the clot in the first place? And, now more importantly, how will they check that it has in fact cleared?

You are not alone Katman. I have had two clots (pre pregnancy) and had to inject myself till 6 weeks after my baby.

I can only repeat what Tinkerbell said - just keep taking your treatment an you should be fine.

It's a pain but much better this way with treatment than not knowing about it and (well let's be honest)dying. You will get sort of used to the injections like cleaning the loo - an unpleasant chore but you have to just get on with it. I injected a night too.

Unlike Tinkerbell, I don't have any genetic condition, it was just one of those things. I didn't have any follow up either, I stopped injecting when I was supposed to and nothing bad happened so I guess they got the treatment right.

Hang in there.

Thanks guys for all your words of wisdom. It's good to know that I am not the only one, although sometimes you do feel quite alone! I am now getting used to the injections - like you say, not something I enjoy doing, but knowing it's for the greater good makes it OK. Tinkerbell, I too have been thinking about aftercare (or lack of it) and have decided to take it up with my doctor. I haven't been given any exact dates as to when to stop injecting and I too have been wondering how they are going to know it's cleared up if they don't check me over? I feel a bit disappointed that I wasn't given any information about what to expect - my leg has been very painful this last week, which no-one told me about as I wasn't in any pain when this all started. I don't know how long I have to wear the stockings for, how long the swelling will take to go down etc etc. I will let you know how things are going - I just can't wait to get back to normal and being able to walk around again!

Hi

I wore the stockings for the entire time the clot was there but if the Summer ever comes and it gets too hot then you should certainly always wear them at night. I remember going for wedding dress fittings with the gorgeous things on and feeling so unbelievably unsexy !!!

Re follow up, my GP booked me in for the thrombophilia scan with the blood specialist at the hospital. If you have health insurance, this will be covered by them and you can get to see someone privately - the wait can be HOURS in the blood unit and with a new born baby this is no fun, trust me!

Hi

Seems like I'm on the road to recovery now - there's no pain in my leg any more, it just gets a bit uncomfortable if I use it too much! I have made an appointment with my doctor to see where things go from here.

I wear the stockings all day (the hospital said I didn't need to wear them at night). Much as I hate to admit it, they are actually very comfortable to wear! Not really sure how long I need to wear them for - another thing to check out with the doc. I'm getting on fine with the injections - the thought of doing them is actually worse than the act itself! Thanks again for all your advice and help. Hope all is well with you all. (PS: Ishbel - are you Scottish by any chance?)