DVT (deep vein thrombosis) prevention and treatment

Please let us know how your appointment went. I know you're frightened by all of this, but in future if your doctor recommends a test or treatment, do it. Better to be inconvenienced by a long drive than not knowing what you're dealing with, and possibly risking your health. I went to my GP with a sore leg, and just a bit of swelling, and was sent immediately to emergency, where they diagnosed DVT and pulmonary embolism. Being proactive saved my life.

Since then, I've been diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome, which is an uncommon blood disorder that makes my blood clot too easily. I'm on blood thinners to avoid future episodes, but there are no guarantees. Still, I know what I'm up against, and what symptoms to watch for. Knowledge is important - you owe it to your kids to be as well-informed as possible about what's going on with your body.

Take good care, and all the best.

@rebecca58 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

Wow, that sounds like a big clot to be worried about! I would definitely think about getting a second opinion on your case. If you have underlying health conditions, a second view may give you more answers and thoughts to consider.

Are you getting any exercise in? Was that part of what the doctor may have prescribed for you? Here is a link to an existing discussion from our forum, in Heart Health:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/dvt-treatment-for-age-70/
You'll see some good information there.
Ginger

@brenda1231, I hope you saw @carriebythesea's helpful response to your very good question: "How will one know the clots in the lung has dissolved?"

I found this article is also helpful in explaining:
- How Do Blood Clots Dissolve? https://www.webmd.com/dvt/dissolve-blood-clot

A couple of key points from the article:
- Blood thinners don’t dissolve the clot, but they can stop it from getting bigger and keep new ones from forming. That gives your body time to break up the clot.
- Thrombolytics. These clot-busting drugs are used for serious conditions, like a pulmonary embolism. Unlike blood thinners, they do break down the clot. They work by turning on plasmin, which jump-starts your body’s natural process for clearing things out.
- A DVT or pulmonary embolism can take weeks or months to totally dissolve. Even a surface clot, which is a very minor issue, can take weeks to go away.
- If you have a DVT or pulmonary embolism, you typically get more and more relief as the clot gets smaller. The pain and swelling from a DVT usually start to get better within days of treatment.
- Symptoms from a pulmonary embolism, like shortness of breath or mild pain or pressure in your chest, can linger 6 weeks or more. You might notice them when you’re active or even when you take a deep breath. Exercise can help with this.

Brenda, can you share more about you? Are you taking medication to resolve a blood clot? What symptoms are you experiencing?

Hi @cynthiasf. Welcome to Mayo Connect. You’re wondering what surgery can be performed to clear a deep vein thrombosis. The procedure is called a Thrombectomy. This is an area out of my experience so I’ve done the liberty of providing a link about the procedure from Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22897-thrombectomy

I remember my mom having a DVT after a lengthy illness years ago. It took months for that to clear out while she was on blood thinners. It was really uncomfortable for a long time,. I’m sorry you’re having these prolonged symptoms.

There are several members in the forum who also have experience with Deep Vein Thrombosis and have shared their stories in the discussion link below. I’d like to introduce you to @theswede1387, @casey1329 and @mom23boys @carriebythesea @mjvaca

DVT (deep vein thrombosis) prevention and treatment
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/dvt-treatment-for-age-70/
Two more informational articles that might be helpful for you.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352557
https://surgery.ucsf.edu/conditions--procedures/deep-vein-thrombosis.aspx
Are you currently taking blood thinners?

Welcome @kelcie21, I had calf pain in my right leg back in 2023 and my primary care ran a D-dimer blood test and then sent me to the ER in Rochester where they treated me for a DVT after 5 or so hours in the ER pumping blood thinners through me. Sent me home late that night and I had chest pains in the middle of the night and went back to the ER where I was diagnosed with a blood clot in the lungs. I stayed in the hospital for 2 days and was put on 5 mg Eliquis twice daily for a few months and now on 2.5 mg Eliquis twice daily. The first year I met with the Rochester Mayo cardiologist twice for a follow up and now I just meet with her once a year to see how I'm doing. I do remember some fatigue but don't remember it being extreme or having any light headedness.

Prior to having the blood clots and did have a short period of time with quite a bit of fatigue and my primary care ran some blood tests which showed I had a really low iron level. I ended up having a few iron IVs which brought me back to normal levels. Have you discussed the fatigue and light headedness with your primary care doctor?

April 1, 2026 I was diagnosed with a large blood clot DVT in my left leg. A few small clots have been found in both lungs. I am on Warfrin. I was hospitalized for 4 days and given Heprin drips and Warfrin. I am seeing an Internist through Heath Partners in Maple Grove, MN. I have two questiions. Do most DVT patients see a Hemotologist, or Pulmonary Doctor in addition to your regular doctor? Do DVT patients commonly have extreme fatigue and light headedness the first part of each day? My blood pressures varies each day for I am on a new blood pressure medicine as well.

Hello, my husband has had a deep vein thrombosis for about 4 years, from which the pain and ulcerations in his feet are getting worse. to the point that movement is very difficult. They treat him with Rivaroxaban, but there are no improvements in sight

Yes, I tested positive years ago when my sister had a problem. Until recently I had no problems but have been diagnosed with DVT recently. I am on apixaban (generic for Eliquis) which has been approved in Canada. Very reasonable cost.

Sorry to hear about your blood clots, but this happens frequently following surgery. Usually compression socks are recommended for this problem, but this is a good question to ask your doctor. Eliquis is a pretty good blood thinner. I had to stop because it caused too much thinning and I developed a nose bleed. I was also on Warfarin for a period of time, but this was too much checking and visits to the clinic to have blood tested. I have been on baby aspirin for about 10 years now. I had an embolism following knee surgery. I was told to eat green vegetables in moderation because of the Vitamin K . You should avoid sitting for long periods of time. Get out of the car frequently, and if you travel by plane get up and walk the aisle frequently. Good luck, life is good and you will be just fine.
Gina5009

I recently was diagnosed July 28 with a long blood clot in my femoral artery from groin to foot in all my 4 pop lien veins
Baylor scott and white kept me 3 days with lovanox shots in my stomach and a heparin drip they sent me home with Eliquis blood thinners and said it would have to absorb 3 to 6 months.
It happened from a tibia plateau fracture I had in July. The clot is in my left leg and doctor in hospital said there are a lot of complications to go in and remove it. But everyone is telling me this is a death sentence but my doctor said it’s a very dangerous surgery so I’m just confused and don’t know if I should go to a vein doctor specialist. The hospital said if it’s still there in 6 months they will send me then to a specialist. What should I do.