DVT (deep vein thrombosis) prevention and treatment

How are you doing, @kbrowne?

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.

This morning the swelling wasn’t so bad or pain. I have an appointment already scheduled for Friday so I think I can wait but ahead and called my doctor. He wanted me to go and have ultrasound done. I told her it had went down some, if I could get it done the day of my appointment because it’s 3hours from me. I promised to call if any thing changed.
It’s been bad all evening and still bad. I don’t want to keep scaring my kids. I’ve had 11brain surgeries and alot of scares since for the last 22 years. I’m sorry for texting so much. I just don’t know what to do anymore!!

I hope you went to the hospital? Please let us know?

I was diagnosed with dvt/pe in both lungs in November in 2021. I was in the hospital for almost 2weeks on I’ve medication. I was released on elequis 5mg. The keep sending or calling an ambulance because of chest pain. It’s because of the chest wall pain damage from dvt/pe.
I woke up this morning with with my right knee swollen and hurting and in my right calf also. It started starting stinging up the side of my leg this evening.
I’m scared and don’t know what to do

I have been on it now for 5 or 6 years. It helps i didn't get my refills right away so 2 weeks went by and i ended up with Covid after recovering from that i ended up with blood clots on my left leg.

Magnoliamimi and anyone else with Factor V Leiden, You might appreciate these related discussions:
Anybody else have Factor V Leiden? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anybody-else-have-factor-2-and-factor-v-leiden/
- Factor V Leiden and MTHFR mutations-Blood clots in femoral artery https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/factor-v-leiden-and-mthfr-mutations-blood-clots-in-femoral-artery/

@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?

Has anyone on here been diagnosed with Factor V Leiden? I am on Eliquis and was told I would have to be on a medication indefinitely due to this. Eliquis is expensive but I have not had another dvt or PE since taking it since 2017.

I was recently diagnosed with DVT and PE. Started Eliquis immediately and notice a significant difference in the selling (ankle looked like a plum). 2 tablets 2x day for first seven days and then 1 tablet 2x day ongoing. After moving to 1 tablet, I see swelling still. Will share with Dr. to understand this better- concern or expected. Treatment for 6 months for treatment and prevention. Will see what Dr. recommends after the 6 months. I am 59. Good luck. I has caused me to be anxious as I now question what is DVT/PE and what is normal stuff going on.