Suspected dvt - anxious

florabelle

Hello folks again

has anyone had a dvt ? I have RA, knees are especially affected, 3 days ago my right leg started to swell up. Last fortnight or so my right calf has been odd- just thought it was a slight muscle strain or something.

Am currently on Leflunomide & Diclofenac.

I am going for an ultrasound tomorrow hopefully to confirm one way or the other. Was at hospital last night to be examined and had the D-dimer blood test which came back 'high.'

Now I have read on the Internet that having RA can be a risk factor in dvt's.

I am sure it will get better, also v relieved I phoned NHS24 yesterday and have been seen by a doctor. It does leave me feeling worried though and somewhat peeved- I am eating healthily, I go to a couple of exercise classes a week, am running around after my two children, I don't smoke, drink moderately (thanks Leflunomide for that!)- why me ? :sad:

On the plus side, the trapped wind thingy that I had a few months ago has gone (I posted on here then- thanks for the advice, guys !)

valval

not had that but they can give you injections for it i think (mother in law had it) i hope all goes well will be sending positive thoughts your way val

frogmorton

Hi Florabelle

you must be worried, but the hospital aren't too worried or they wouldn't let you home l am sure

How great were NHS direct then?! I have a lot of faith in them too.

I dont think this is your fault - it can happen. I'm sure you will keep on eating healthily and doing your exercise - tis really all we can do as individuals, but maybe if you are at risk they might give you something to keep your blood 'thinner'? longer term???

Do let us know how you get on won't you? I will worry otherwise :oops:

Love

Toni xxx

stickywicket

I agree with everything Frogmorton has said, Florabelle. You have done all the right things. If the doc had been worried he'd have sent you to hospital.

I've never heard that RA can make you more prone to DVT. That doesn't mean to say that what you read was wrong but the internet is a scarey place. I think what you need to do now is relax, as much as the situation and you children will allow, until the scan tomorrow. Hopefully you have just twisted or pulled something. Please let us know how you get on.

muffy

I have had a couple of DVT's so I know how anxious you are, as post's above had said if the hopital was worried they would have admitted you straight away. If it is a DVT they usually start you Heparin, either injection or drip then put you on Anti-Co-Agulant tablets. If you have got one you will have regular blood tests and it is very important you take the medication as prescribed. I hope it all goes well for you.

tillytop

Hello

Sorry to hear this and I understand why you are worried. Hopefully though you can take some comfort from the fact that you are being well looked after. In terms of the D-dimer test - I had one a couple of weeks ago in A&E and mine came back positive. But the A&E doc told me that this test is not conclusive in itself and a positive test just means they can't definitely rule out a blood clot. Apparently it's one of those tests that can be inconclusive and he said that RA itself can result in a positive D-dimer. I had no symptoms immediately suggestive of DVT so your situation is somewhat different but just thought that information might just help to make you a bit less worried while you are waiting for the scan.

Good luck with the scan, and please do keep us posted.

Tillyxxx

florabelle

Many thanks everyone for your lovely support and info- Tilly- sorry you had to go through the same, how are you now ? Very interesting to hear that the d-dimer test comes up positive when you have RA. Muffy- blimey, you've had two ! I hope all's well with you now. not a nice experience at all.
Sticky- I hope you are right, that I have just pulled something rather than developed a dvt. Toni- you are so sweet! thank you for your concern, i will let you know what happens today, fingers crossed I get a scan today and no more waiting.NHS Direct were good, i know they have come under a lot of criticism, my experience was a good one.The chap I spoke to even said his feeling was that it could be a dvt.Val- I've now had two injections of Heparin (Clexane) so I guess that is the anti-coagulant stuff.

My leg is far less elephantine than it has been, a bit less tender too.

I am away to make the call to radiology to see when I can get a scan appt.

Will be back later to give you kind folks an update,
thanks so much again, i really appreciate it

Flora

lindalegs

Hi Flora,

I had a suspected DVT in 2000 just before my knees were replaced. My left foot swelled up and my doc sent me to the hospital. I had to have a Veinogram which is a dye injected into your foot and then an x-ray. Mine was never confirmed but I was given a five day course of Heparin injections which Mr Legs did for me at home. I was then put on Warfarin for some months. They put mine down to less mobility due to my wrecked knees.

Hope this helps.

Let us know what happens.

Luv,

barbara12

Hi
Just a point, my OH has OA of the knee, and last year he had awful swelling and terrible pain in his leg,
They treated him for a DVT till he could have an ultrasound, and it turned out he had a bakers cyst behind his knee.
It had burst and was draining into his calf, so he was on painkillers for a couple of weeks till it resolved itself.
I do wish you well with it all, and please let us know how you get on.x

frogmorton

Any news yet Florabelle???

Hoping all has gone well for you

Love

Toni xxx

florabelle

Hello

I have a Baker's cyst !

it is such a relief, I can tell you. Off to see my gp tomorrow or whenever they can fit me in, then coincidentally I have a rheumy appt next Thur so will be grilling her about it.

I really am heartened by the kindness and concern shown- thank you again for your messages and encouragement.

Nice tea, warm bath, early bedtime.

Flora x

barbara12

Flora I am so pleased for you, I should imagine they will try and drain the cyst...it was to late for my OH his burst, he didn't know he had it, but he was fine after a week or so.
I do wish you well with everything xx