OT: Blood clot in leg

[LeslieG]

I know this is kind of an odd question for the budget board, but I know if anyone can help, it will be my disboard friends.

I found out I had a blood clot in my calf on Tuesday. Doctor started me on Coumadin and Lovenox. But it's not gotten any better, in fact now I have some swelling I didn't have before. My doctor isn't in today of course, and I hate to have her paged if it's not really an emergency.

If anyone has had a clot like this before, can you share your experience? Did it take awhile before it started to feel better?

 

[safetymom]

I would have someone look at your leg. When I had one they did blood tests quite frequently to make sure that the level in your system is correct.

I had a very large one and had swelling in my leg. Swelling is not good.

It does take time to dissolve. Please call someone and have it looked at.

Blood clots are nothing to mess around with.

 

[disney1990]

When I had a blood clot in my leg, they sent me straight to the hospital. Total bedrest & coumadin. I was there for 10 days.

 

[LeslieG]

Thanks, safetymom. I actually had blood work yesterday, and my level is not quite up to where it needs to be, so I need to test again Monday.

I guess I assumed once I started the medication it would get better pretty quickly, but maybe it's not been long enough yet. But it hurts!

 

[LeslieG]

When I had a blood clot in my leg, they sent me straight to the hospital. Total bedrest & coumadin. I was there for 10 days.[/QUOTE

Oh, wow. Was yours above your knee? They told me they wouldn't have let me leave the hospital if it would have been above the knee.

 

[tinkamom]

Call your Dr! Clots in the legs can be serious so please don't take a chance. Its better to err on the side of caution.

 

[mom2my3kids]

My father in law had a HUGE one in the same spot, he was in the hospital for a few days and was on the same medicine for a long time. They told him it could take up to 6 months to dissolve.

 

[cdrn1]

Better to be safe. Blood clots are serious. Call the doc.

 

[JacobsMommy11002]

A blood clot in a HUGE deal. If it as changed, call you doc. If you can't get her, go to the ER.

 

[Starburst]

I would call your doctor just to be safe.

Coumadin takes 3-5 days to work (you need to make sure your INR is b/t 2-3), which is why you are taking Lovenox (which is low molecular weight heparin) since it works immediately and once you stop it (after you are theraputic on the Coumadin), it will be out of your system in under 12 hours.

Leg swelling is often a symptom of a DVT (clot in your leg), but there is no substitution in my opinion for your own peace of mind which is why I would call your doctor. That's what they are there for.

 

[momamy]

According to the websites for both drugs it says to call the Doc if there is swelling!

I would call! Better safe then sorry!

 

[LeslieG]

Well, I called the doctor. The only thing I found out for sure is that I need to get a new doctor. She seemed annoyed with my call and acted miffed about a conversation I had with her nurse yesterday double checking the dosage of medication I should be on. She offered me no advice really except that if I was concerned I should go to the ER, she couldn't examine me over the phone. I understand that of course, but her tone was out of line.

 

[gonemousin']

Well, I called the doctor. The only thing I found out for sure is that I need to get a new doctor. She seemed annoyed with my call and acted miffed about a conversation I had with her nurse yesterday double checking the dosage of medication I should be on. She offered me no advice really except that if I was concerned I should go to the ER, she couldn't examine me over the phone. I understand that of course, but her tone was out of line.

Oh wow - that's awful! I'm so sorry she treated you that way. I would definitely look for a new provider. And head to the ER...it can't hurt to find out you're fine...but if it is something needing to be re-examined, you'll count your lucky stars you trusted your gut instinct. You're your only advocate...if your gut feeling is that something's not right, by all means, go with it. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[safetymom]

I agree about going to the ER. When I had mine I tried putting heat on it for a few days. I thought I had strained a muscle. I woke up one morning and my leg looked like a phone pole.

I would be looking for a new doctor.

 

[llori7]

I have had 2 blood clots in my legs over a span of 5 years. The first one the dr treated at a pinched nerve b/c I had a shooting pain going down my leg. Once I found out it was a blood clot, it went from my ankle to my belly button. Parts of it also broke off and went to my lungs. They said if I didn't go the Er when I did, it would have been too later. I was in the hospital for a week. Then another week for them to try to remove it, but it didn't work. I was on coumadin for 6 months after that.

Then 5 years later I had another blood clot. I got it after I had a c-section. I was in the hospital again for 5 days. That blood clot was in my upper thigh. I will be on coumadin forever.

After the 1st blood clot, they did lots of tests and found out I have Factor V Leiden. So I am prone to blood clots. It is really common, they tell me! I have to get out of the car and walk if we are going on a trip. I cannot take birth control. There are many things I have to be careful of.

If I were you: I would get a new doctor. Blood clots are very serious!! You should go to the er or an urgent care and ask for a Doppler ultrasound. They will be able to see the blood clot and give you more instructions. I would not wait till Monday, I would go now. It is better to be safe than sorry. You don't want a piece to break off and make it to your lungs.

I wish you all the best. Keep us posted!!

 

[lovinpoohbear]

I would go to the ER right away. Blood clots are serious, I would have a doctor look at it ASAP!

 

[LeslieG]

I can't remember how I exactly stated my original post, but I had the doppler ultrasound on Tuesday, started the Coumadin and Lovenox that night, had a blood test for levels on Friday. Level was at 1.8, and it needs to be at least 2.

I was just concerned because my leg really didn't have any swelling until last night. Maybe I was under the false impression that the medication was going to make it better farily soon, but it sounds like it really doesn't do anything for the existing clot, just makes it not get bigger or have you develop new ones.

Sounds like I may have pain and swelling for quite a while until my body dissolves the clot on its own? I'm so upset with my doctor. I just sat and cried after I talked to her. I couldn't believe this was the same person who seemed so nice when I saw her in the office.

 

[CindyD]

Sounds like I may have pain and swelling for quite a while until my body dissolves the clot on its own? I'm so upset with my doctor. I just sat and cried after I talked to her. I couldn't believe this was the same person who seemed so nice when I saw her in the office.

You are correct about the body having to dissolve it on its own. The Lovenox is just to keep your blood "thin" until the Coumadin reaches a therapeutic level with an INR of between 2-3. Neither of these two drugs will dissolve a blood clot. They just prevent growth (extension) of the clot and any new clots from developing. The biggest risk is that a piece of the clot will break off, travel to your lungs and put your life at risk.

HOWEVER.....the pain and swelling sounds like a change in previous condition, so I would definetly get it checked ASAP. A DVT is nothing to fool around with.......

 

[mickeyfan2]

A blood clot in the leg is a dangerous thing. If a piece breaks off it will go to the lung and result in a pulminary embolism. Swelling is also a sign that things are getting worse. Page the Dr. or got to the ER.

 

[ajh88]

I cannot ethically give you medical advice, but I will try to offer some hopefully helpful general advice and information.

1. Both Lovenox and Coumadin are blood thinners (I will assume either your doctor or pharmacist discussed this with you). I don't think either will dissolve the clot immediately (it just isn't how they work), and the indications I found for Lovenox are that it should be used for 5 to 17 days in cooperation with Coumadin for DVT therapy - I would assume it would take at least that long for them to really start working (probably depending on the size and location of the clot). I don't know enough about their mechanisms of action to tell you how long it will take for your clot to be gone though.

2. If you got no satisfaction from talking to your doctor, try calling your pharmacist. They can't diagnose you, but they will be able to tell you how your medicine should be working, how long it may take to work, and what side effects are serious enough to warrant a trip to the ER. If you get a pharmacist who tells you to call your doctor (a lot of older ones will), find another one - keep calling until you find one who will help (hopefully it will be the first one you talk to)! I did see that edema (swelling) is a fairly common side effect of Lovenox, but I don't know how serious it is.

OK - maybe if nothing else, talking to another healthcare professional (nurse, pharmacist, etc.) will help ease your mind. Do take care of yourself and best wishes for a speedy recovery!