Leg Pain

[mousetravel]

Can anyone give me some advice? For about a week, I've been having this really bad, buring pain in the thigh area. I do sit at a desk for 7 hours a day, but I get up & stretch at least every hour. It won't go away, even if I lay down or prop my leg up.

 

[ckay87]

If it has gone on for a week I would definitely see a doctor. We desk-sitters need to think about blood clots. Note...I am NOT a doctor, that's just my first thought

 

[princess momma]

I'd see a doctor ASAP. You can't be too careful.

 

[luvmy3]

See your doc. I know someone who had leg pain and thought he just strained his muscles and it ended up being DVT.

 

[monkey68]

Is it red and swollen? My dad had a couple DVT's at once, and his leg was all red and swollen and extremely tender to touch, wearing pants hurt because the fabric would touch his leg. For something that's been going on for a week, not getting better, I would see a doctor.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Burning pain needs to be seen. My sister had a DVT, from surgery, however your symptoms do not sound good.

See a doctor today.

 

[dismom2]

Can anyone give me some advice? For about a week, I've been having this really bad, buring pain in the thigh area. I do sit at a desk for 7 hours a day, but I get up & stretch at least every hour. It won't go away, even if I lay down or prop my leg up.

I'm not a doctor, either, but it sounds like a pinched nerve. I get that feeling, too. If you also feel it in your rear end, it might be your sciatic nerve. I've been told to take Ibuprofin, use heat/ice, exercise, rest.... it just takes time to go away, but I would have your doctor check it out because, like others have said, you never know if it's something more serious. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[mousetravel]

I will definately call the doctor, but I'm wondering if it is DVT, what are the treatments? Medication?

 

[POOHDRMR]

I have vericose veins and have gotten 2 superficial thrombosis-it is a blood clot but more on the surface of the leg not deep in the leg that causes the dvt.I get bad burning in my thigh from the vericose veins-I have been sick in bed for the last 2 days and my leg is killing me from being down too long.If it is hot to the touch in that area or you have a fever call your doc immediatly.I would still call and just tell them your symptoms,in the meantime take asprin(anti inflamatory)and try a heating pad.When you elevate your leg get it higher than your heart.If it is vericose veins try wearing mild compression stockings-you can get them from CVS,Walgreens and such for like 15-20 dollars and they really do help.Hope you feel better.

 

[monkey68]

I will definately call the doctor, but I'm wondering if it is DVT, what are the treatments? Medication?

If it is a DVT, usually they start you heparin and warfarin. My dad was actually hospitalized for a few days because he had multiple clots and they were in an area that had a higher likelihood of moving into the lungs. And there is also a family history of clots, so they were being cautious. I can't remember how long he was on heparin, maybe a week or 2? The warfarin was 6 months. But remember, nobody could give you a diagnosis over the internet. It could be a lot of things, sciatica, muscle strain, cellulitis, just to name a few.

 

[JessicaR]

I will definately call the doctor, but I'm wondering if it is DVT, what are the treatments? Medication?

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000156.htm#Symptoms

Symptoms

Leg pain in one leg
Leg tenderness in one leg
Swelling (edema) of one leg
Increased warmth in one leg
Changes in skin color (redness) in one leg

The following tests may be done:
X-rays to show veins in the legs (leg venography)
Doppler ultrasound exam of a limb
Plethysmography of the legs
D-dimer blood test

Blood tests may be done to check for increased blood clotting. Such tests include:
Antithrombin III
Genetic testing to look for mutations that make you more likely to develop blood clots, including factor V Leiden and prothrombing 20210a
DIC screening
Lupus anticoagulant

Treatment

For years, the standard treatment has been a medication called heparin, which stops blood clots from forming. This type of medicine is called an anticoagulant.

If heparin is given continuously through a vein (IV), you must stay in the hospital. However, newer forms of heparin that can be given by injection once or twice a day can sometimes be used. Usually, it's a drug called enoxaparin. You may not need to stay in the hospital as long, or at all, if you are prescribed this newer form of heparin.

The drug warfarin may be prescribed in combination with heparin. Warfarin is taken by mouth. It usually takes several days to fully work. Heparin is continued until the warfarin has been fully effective for at least 24 hours. People will take warfarin for about 6 months, depending on their risk for another clot.

You will need frequent lab tests when you first start taking warfarin to check the thickness of your blood, so your health care provider can properly adjust your dose.

In rare cases, surgery may be needed if medicines do not work. Surgery may involve:

Removal of a large blood clot from the vein or injection of clot-busting medicines
Placement of a screen in the body's largest vein to prevent blood clots from traveling to the lungs


Hope you feel better.

 

[mousetravel]

UPDATE: I left from work at lunch & went to the doctor. She observed my leg and pressed on it in various places to check the painful places. She said she didn't "think" it is a blood clot, but is sending me for ultrasound on it tomorrow.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

UPDATE: I left from work at lunch & went to the doctor. She observed my leg and pressed on it in various places to check the painful places. She said she didn't "think" it is a blood clot, but is sending me for ultrasound on it tomorrow.

It's always better to be safe. Blood clots aren't something to mess around with. I had to have an ultrasound on my knee/calf two days after my ACL reconstruction - if I wouldn't have been in so much pain, it would have been really interesting. If they squeeze your calf, you hear a "whoooshing" sound. If you can, you may want to wear shorts.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.