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Post by SweetieBugs on Oct 13, 2017 0:28:49 GMT
Should I be worried? This has been going on for a few months and hasn't killed me yet so I'm not sure if I need to do anything.
About two months ago the back of my leg just under the knee started feeling strange, the skin felt like it had been burned and whenever my pants brushed against the skin, it had that strange "burned" feeling and sometimes felt numb. This went on for a few weeks and then I noticed that the same area on my leg was bothering me when I sit in my TV chair. I just thought that the chair (which is only about 6 months old) didn't fit my body very well and the seat bottom was putting too much pressure on the back of my leg in that area. I didn't correlate these two issues together at first.
Then I started thinking about it and realized something must be wrong. It hit me that it may be a blood clot. I flew internationally in late June and early July--horrible long trips that lasted about 20 to 24 hours each way. Then just 3 weeks later, we did a 10 hour each way car trip.
So, I'm thinking maybe a blood clot. I have surgery scheduled in a month that took me 7 months to coordinate with my work schedule (a temp has already been hired to work while I'm gone) so I don't want anything to mess up that schedule.
Do I need to be worried about the blood clot? If it is a blood clot, how would it be diagnosed and what is the treatment? Will it delay my surgery (I need a hysterectomy and a bladder and rectum lift--oh joy).
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Post by pondrunner on Oct 13, 2017 0:33:55 GMT
Go to your doctor or call for a referral to imaging. They will ultrasound your leg to diagnose a clot.
Treatment can be clot busting drugs, or blood thinners. Blood thinners don't dissolve clots, they keep them from accumulating while your body dissolves the clot naturally. This takes weeks to months. Expect 3-6 months of blood thinner therapy. If this is the case it will likely delay surgery but you really want to take care of this first because the last thing you want is a pulmonary embolism while you recover from abdominal surgery.
Without pain or swelling I wouldn't think it's a clot, but better to get it looked at sooner than later. If you say you had plane travel and now your leg doesn't feel right that is reason enough to investigate.
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smcast
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Post by smcast on Oct 13, 2017 0:38:22 GMT
They would confirm with a doppler ultrasound. You need to check it out. Pieces could break off, if it is a clot, and travel to other areas like the lungs.
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Post by cindyupnorth on Oct 13, 2017 0:55:01 GMT
Homan test and US. I'm point of care. So I would do the homan test, and then refer it on to the MD You could try this at home and see If you have the symptoms, but being what you have reported, I would go get it checked out.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw7JNeZNgjA |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Oct 13, 2017 0:58:38 GMT
Yeah, blood clots are nothing to mess around with, they can travel to your lung or your brain. My niece got one shortly after she had her son via c-section and she didn’t realize it. It went into her lung and she almost died, so it’s definitely something I would have looked at sooner than later.
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PaperAngel
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Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on Oct 13, 2017 1:05:05 GMT
Although not a physician, please see your doctor immediately. Untreated blood clots can move to the lungs, brain, heart, etc & may be fatal.
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azredhead
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Post by azredhead on Oct 13, 2017 1:06:51 GMT
Do you have DVT? where your veins get dark and large? There are also compressions that you can wear if this is the case to help the clots if you're diagnosed.The peas give good advice this stuff ya don't want mess with or wait to long. it's best to have the testing done if you haven't already. Hope you get some good results/treatment. It's no fun!
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Post by ShesaRenegade on Oct 13, 2017 1:20:26 GMT
I went to a funeral today for a friend who had a clot break loose and kill him via pulmonary embolism. He was fine on Sunday, dead on Monday.
PLEASE go see your doctor now!
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Post by megop on Oct 13, 2017 1:22:08 GMT
No matter what it may be, your best option to protect your health and ability to stay on surgery schedule is to get it checked out right away.
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Post by scrapmaven on Oct 13, 2017 1:25:08 GMT
They will do an ultrasound and try to view the clot. Also, they'll run labs. I've had upper dvt's in both of my arms and both times the arm was very painful and the pain radiated upwards. The area of skin around the clot was swollen and my veins were very pronounced around one of the clots. Always see your doctor when you suspect a clot. Don't wait any longer.
The first clot was not concerning, so they just kept an eye on it. However, the 2nd clot was big. I was admitted to the hospital for a few days and then sent home on one month of blood thinners. Now I see my hematologist once per year.
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georgiapea
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Post by georgiapea on Oct 13, 2017 1:35:01 GMT
My DVT showed as a noticeably swollen and hot feeling leg from foot to groin. An ultrasound confirmed this and I spent nearly 4 months confined to bed with new ultrasounds every 2 weeks.
Please get it checked.
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Post by kimpossible on Oct 13, 2017 21:49:57 GMT
My Mom started having what she described as a "charlie horse" in her calf. She kept rubbing it trying to get it to feel better, had her granddaughter massage it and and the pain just got worse. Finally (I was not local so couldn't physically go pick her up) we convinced her to go do the doctor after 3 weeks! Turns out she had a blood clot from her knee down to her ankle.
The doctor thought it was one by his exam, but had a ultrasound to verify it.
She actually had to have surgery for hers....later on had complications (we won't need to go on about that) But now that I know that is a symptom, I definitely perk my ears up if I hear people have had a "charlie horse" type pain for a while.
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Post by SockMonkey on Oct 15, 2017 1:04:26 GMT
My Mom started having what she described as a "charlie horse" in her calf. She kept rubbing it trying to get it to feel better, had her granddaughter massage it and and the pain just got worse. Finally (I was not local so couldn't physically go pick her up) we convinced her to go do the doctor after 3 weeks! Turns out she had a blood clot from her knee down to her ankle. The doctor thought it was one by his exam, but had a ultrasound to verify it. She actually had to have surgery for hers....later on had complications (we won't need to go on about that) But now that I know that is a symptom, I definitely perk my ears up if I hear people have had a "charlie horse" type pain for a while. This was just a storyline on Grey's Anatomy, too! 24" clot. Go get it checked; blood clots are nothing to mess around with. |
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Oct 15, 2017 1:48:56 GMT
I had a very specific ultra sound to check after a surgery.
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Post by pjaye on Oct 15, 2017 2:06:05 GMT
As everyone else has already said, best to get it checked by a real doctor and let them work out if it is a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or not.
However it's also possible for it to be a Baker's cyst which is common and causes pain & swelling behind the knee and it can cause very similar symptoms to a DVT especially if the cyst has ruptured.
However you still need a doctors visit and probably an ultrasound to determine which condition you have.
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perumbula
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Post by perumbula on Oct 15, 2017 3:03:40 GMT
You said if started with a chair that didn't quite for your body correctly. That made me think of a pinched nerve. I had a spot on my arm early this year that was like you are describing. Hot spot, sensitive to touch, etc.
Either needs to be seen by a doctor, though, so get that leg examined!
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PrettyInPeank
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Post by PrettyInPeank on Oct 15, 2017 3:21:35 GMT
I agree with the post above that it sounds like a pinched nerve. The hot and numb exasperated by sitting makes me think in that direction. BUT I'm not a doctor, and the vast majority of peas are not, either, so I'd get a professional's opinion to be sure.
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Post by phoenixcov on Oct 15, 2017 9:12:10 GMT
Whatever it turns out to be I hope you can get it fixed and still carry on with the elective surgery you need.
Good luck and best wishes for a fast recovery.
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Post by 2peafaithful on Oct 15, 2017 10:50:55 GMT
First you post here.  Then you read the replies and get worried it could be something. 2006 or 2007 I did the same thing. Only I didn't even use the word blood clot because I just knew I had a warm, sore place on my leg and had no idea why. I went to my PC, he sent me for a sonogram and sure enough it was a blood clot. He had me do labs (just to be on the safe side) and I ended up having a genetic blood disorder. I had just started the birth control pill like 2-3 weeks before this happened too. Take care and hope you have some answers soon. |
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Post by dewryce on Oct 15, 2017 11:34:25 GMT
My Mom started having what she described as a "charlie horse" in her calf. She kept rubbing it trying to get it to feel better, had her granddaughter massage it and and the pain just got worse. Finally (I was not local so couldn't physically go pick her up) we convinced her to go do the doctor after 3 weeks! Turns out she had a blood clot from her knee down to her ankle. The doctor thought it was one by his exam, but had a ultrasound to verify it. She actually had to have surgery for hers....later on had complications (we won't need to go on about that) But now that I know that is a symptom, I definitely perk my ears up if I hear people have had a "charlie horse" type pain for a while. This was just a storyline on Grey's Anatomy, too! 24" clot. Go get it checked; blood clots are nothing to mess around with. My 6'5" husband had a clot that was the length of his entire right leg, but didn't know it until he got pain, swelling and redness in his calf. I have no idea how it was able to grow that big without him noticing! 2 or 3 days later part of it broke off and went to his lung (pulmonary embolism), he was lucky and only had to spend several days in the hospital. All this to say, better safe than sorry! It could be one of many things, but the sooner you get it checked out the better. |
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Post by melrose on Oct 15, 2017 15:09:49 GMT
SweetieBugs Update please? Have you gone to the doctor? Decided not to?
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Post by SweetieBugs on Oct 15, 2017 16:26:07 GMT
I called my doctors office Friday morning at 10 and explained the situation. They said, "oh, we need to see you, let me see if I can get you in at 1:30" (they only work a half day on Friday). After probably almost 5 minutes on hold she comes back and says, "I'm so sorry but we can't get you in today". She then goes on to say, "this is an emergency and you will need to go to the ER". I'm thinking, this is an emergency, I've been a patient for 10 years and you couldn't get one staff person to stay for one extra appointment? So I said thank you and hung up.
My DH is on the other side of the country on a "boys weekend" and happens to be with his best friend who is a trauma specialist doctor so I called my DH and gave him the details on what was going on. He spoke to his friend and then called me back and said I should be okay to wait until Monday to go to the doctor's office and he (my DH) thought it would be a huge waste of time to go to the ER. My DH saying this didn't surprise me at all because he is a 100% rosy glasses person (and never sees the negative side to any situation). I had a ton of work that was required to be finished before 3 p.m. that day so I decided to just wait. I was torn by my decision but felt like I had gone this long with it that most likely I would be fine.
I am glad to read in the posts above mentions of a pinched nerve as well as mention of a cyst. At least there are other alternatives to what may be going on. I've had a variety of pinched nerve symptoms like strange "electrical" pains in my left arm and hand off and on as well as neck pain. I sure hope this can be diagnosed quickly and does not disrupt my surgery schedule.
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Post by annabella on Oct 15, 2017 17:09:10 GMT
I've been watching this thread because my mother may have the same issue but didn't know which doctor to call to deal with this. In your case I wouldn't be upset that they can't see you, doctors have schedules after work too and are probably always being asked to make an exception so they have to firm for work life balance. They probably don't have the equipment in their office to do the scan anyway so it's just an initial consult and referral. Go to the hospital and get it checked.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Oct 15, 2017 19:44:15 GMT
Do you have an urgent care clinic you could go to without an appointment? That’s what my DH did when he thought he had one, and they were able to schedule the ultrasound that same day from there and get him treated. Might be a less expensive compromise than going to the ER. Good luck!
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Oct 15, 2017 20:14:15 GMT
Thanks for posting. I have been having some pain in my calf as well, but I would describe mine as a heavy, almost throbbing type of pain. It isn't constant. I first noticed it when I was driving long distances. But Now I notice it when walking. It is primarily in my right leg but sometimes the left as well. I called the doctor and asked about it and she said she thought it sounded like varicose veins. Any thoughts about that?
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peaname
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Post by peaname on Oct 15, 2017 20:26:54 GMT
Is there someone at home with you who can try this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Aph5Uyr-VE&t=319sIt's not a medical diagnosis, but I would say if you experience any pain when attempting this, that you should go immediately to the ER. You should have anyway, but... I wouldn't do this. It won't give you a definitive answer and it could possible dislodge the clot and cause a pulmonary embolism. If you think you have a clot you should just go to the ER. |
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Post by SockMonkey on Oct 16, 2017 2:39:05 GMT
Is there someone at home with you who can try this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Aph5Uyr-VE&t=319sIt's not a medical diagnosis, but I would say if you experience any pain when attempting this, that you should go immediately to the ER. You should have anyway, but... I wouldn't do this. It won't give you a definitive answer and it could possible dislodge the clot and cause a pulmonary embolism. If you think you have a clot you should just go to the ER. Good to know. Deleted my post. |
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Post by kimpossible on Oct 16, 2017 15:00:51 GMT
My Mom started having what she described as a "charlie horse" in her calf. She kept rubbing it trying to get it to feel better, had her granddaughter massage it and and the pain just got worse. Finally (I was not local so couldn't physically go pick her up) we convinced her to go do the doctor after 3 weeks! Turns out she had a blood clot from her knee down to her ankle. The doctor thought it was one by his exam, but had a ultrasound to verify it. She actually had to have surgery for hers....later on had complications (we won't need to go on about that) But now that I know that is a symptom, I definitely perk my ears up if I hear people have had a "charlie horse" type pain for a while. This was just a storyline on Grey's Anatomy, too! 24" clot. Go get it checked; blood clots are nothing to mess around with. I didn't know that! Probably because I stopped watching Grey's 3 years ago! |
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Post by SweetieBugs on Oct 16, 2017 16:03:50 GMT
I called my DR office this morning to get an appointment and they still won't take me for an appointment. Their answer was that I need to go to the ER where they will be able to diagnoses and treat it quicker. They said they called my provider and that is what they said. So, I am begrudgingly going to the ER now but looking forward to a resolution one way or another so I can "mentally" put this behind me.
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peppermintpatty
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Post by peppermintpatty on Oct 16, 2017 16:15:41 GMT
Unless your primary is a vascular surgeon, they will not be able to help you. You should go to the ER unless you can get your primary to send you to a vascular surgeon who will be able to fit you in today. I would call them and reinforce that you don't think it is a clot and see if they will see you to rule other things out. They need to do a doppler test on you to see if you have a clot (my dad is a cardio/thoracic surgeon so I know about this stuff plus I had 2 clots after knee surgery 2 years ago). What you are describing does not sound like a clot.
I agree that the ER can treat it quicker but I would be pissed if I had to pay the copay for an ER visit if a trip to the vascular office would do the same thing.
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