DVT?

Have any of you ever had a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?

Can anyone describe what the symptoms are?

Never had it, but here are the symptoms according to a dvt website...

Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Approximately one-half of those with a DVT never have recognized symptoms.

When symptoms are present, the most common is leg pain and tenderness in the calf muscles, or one may observe swelling or a change in color of one leg to purple or blue. These signs and symptoms may appear suddenly or may steadily develop over a short time. If you observe these signs or symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately.

Symptoms are quite different if the clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE). The symptoms of PE include chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid pulse, or a cough. There may also be a feeling of apprehension, sweating, or fainting. Such symptoms are not specific to a PE, and can occur with pneumonia, heart attack, and other medical conditions.

These are always critical symptoms that demand immediate medical attention.

"When a clot forms, it can either partially or totally block the blood flow in that vein. Symptoms of a DVT can include:

swelling of the leg
warmth and redness of the leg
pain that is noticeable, or worse when standing or walking
These are not always a sign of a DVT, but anyone who experiences them should contact a doctor immediately.

Symptoms of pulmonary embolism
These include shortness of breath; chest pain which may be worsened by deep breaths; and coughing up phlegm, possibly flecked with blood.

Anyone with these symptoms should seek emergency medical treatment"

Also:

http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23068982/

Also:

http://health.yahoo.com/ency/healthwise/aa68134

Are you worried about anyone in particular OP?  I did know of someone who developed it and her major symptom was feeling shortness of breath and feeling lightheaded- there was NO localised swelling in her leg- and she survived by getting medical attention immediately.

PS) it was 2 days after a long haul flight btw.

I've had an operation, and was given those compression stockings to wear, as well as some medication that i have to inject. (cant remember what it is just now...)

But i stopped wearing the stockings after 3 days cos they were sooooo tight that they were really painful. 
Ever since i stopped wearing the stockings, my right leg has been totally numb from the knee up.  It's not painful, it's not gone any funny colours... it's just numb.  Although the more i touch and feel it, the more im thinking it *might* be swollen, or *might* be warm.
I dont know if im just freaking myself out or not.....

I've had an operation, and was given those compression stockings to wear, as well as some medication that i have to inject. (cant remember what it is just now...)

But i stopped wearing the stockings after 3 days cos they were sooooo tight that they were really painful. 
Ever since i stopped wearing the stockings, my right leg has been totally numb from the knee up.  It's not painful, it's not gone any funny colours... it's just numb.  Although the more i touch and feel it, the more im thinking it *might* be swollen, or *might* be warm.
I dont know if im just freaking myself out or not.....

Ring NHS24 asap. 

I had to wear the stockings for 3 weeks after a ligament reconstruction in my knee.  They were uncomfortable b/c they were hot, but not painful. 

The injection may be an anti-inflammatory. 

no,  the injection is an anti-embolic thingy, i just cant remember the name of it.  Its up the stair, i should go and get it if im going to call NHS 24.

I've had an operation, and was given those compression stockings to wear, as well as some medication that i have to inject. (cant remember what it is just now...)

But i stopped wearing the stockings after 3 days cos they were sooooo tight that they were really painful. 
Ever since i stopped wearing the stockings, my right leg has been totally numb from the knee up.  It's not painful, it's not gone any funny colours... it's just numb.  Although the more i touch and feel it, the more im thinking it *might* be swollen, or *might* be warm.
I dont know if im just freaking myself out or not.....

Any numbness needs to be addressed regardless of any of any absence of pain etc.  Please call NHS direct ASAP, better to be safe than sorry.

It could be trapped nerve endings, dvt, anything, please call......

I just went through exactly the same thing after my knee op about 7 weeks ago and I am still having some numbness- but I didn't hesitate to speak to my surgeon or NHS direct and I am still on medication.

Please call, if it's nothing, so be it.

and please let me know cos I'll be worried!

I had numbness after all my knee ops, but they were in the lower leg and around hte incision area. 

Let us know what you find out!

I had to wear those stockings after Sclerotherapy...they were not comfortable.

I think in your case Otter - they have given them to you in order for you to have increased circulation in your legs - due to the area of your surgery.  Take advice about calling the NHS for the numbness.

In the meantime - you can increase the circulation in your legs by lying down on the floor - scoot your bum up close to the wall and place your legs up the wall.  Then just lie back and relax.  No need to stretch into the legs, just let them relax against the wall.

When coming up from this - bend your knees with your feet on the wall and then carefully roll to the right hand side - then use your ARMS to lift yourself up. It doesn't have to be glamourous coming out of this position and you shouldn't use any other muscles to lift yourself up.

If you aren't comfortable with your legs up the wall, you can do the same thing with a chair. Place your lower legs -knees to feet on the flat part of the chair and your upper body is on the floor.  Again relax - no need to stretch into the legs. Your thighs should be at a right angle with your body.  Coming out of this is the same as above - roll gently to the side and use your arms to raise yourself up.

If you want any further advice on increasing the circulation in your legs without effecting your surgery site...send me a PM. 

Called NHS 24, and i've got to go to the out of hours GP at midnight.
Hopefully it will all be ok and they'll tell me to stop being so silly.

Fingers crossed....

Called NHS 24, and i've got to go to the out of hours GP at midnight.
Hopefully it will all be ok and they'll tell me to stop being so silly.

Never silly, but I know what you mean -- I always feel like I am bothering the professionals- but I do know numbness and swelling are not things to be messed with.

good luck, I hope all is well.....

Icicle- would you be good enough to PM me with any more tips? I am having to do the legs against the wall thing still and I didn't know the correct way you described to pull yourself back up again (hurt my back doing it!)

Husband is also here with a surgery from Friday, so I am hyper-aware of swelling etc right now and it's taken days and much Tramadone to get him semi-comfortable.

Sorry to go slightly O/T here Otterpop, but I think this information is very good to have here~ hope you don't mind.

i dont have any of the symptoms listed here, but this numbness is worrying me...

thanks for the advice on the exercises, Icicle... even if they tell me this is nothing, im still going to try those!
And thanks for all the replies, guys.