First ever phlebitis diagnosis...a few questions

[BFlying]

6 days ago, I had a tenderness to the side of my right calf. This has got better, but I have a different red patch, which is very tender, and you can see a line going round from the patch (which is just above my inner ankle) to the top of my foot. It's very painful to walk. So I got an urgent appt today, but I saw a nurse practiconer. She said it's probably phlebitis...no signs of it being a dvt...and she's prescribed fluoxicillin.

Now I don't get why she would prescribe an antibiotic, when it's inflammation...not bacterial. I am reluctant to take them, due to past experience.

And I don't know what has caused this. I am overweight and I am on birth control...but nothing has changed in recent times.

Coincidentally, I started a cold the day after this started. Could there be a link?

I'm currently heeding advice I've read online...taken ibuprofen, elevated my leg and applying heat. Hoping this will soon get better

Any thoughts on my situation or advice, would be most welcome

[Seraphine2021]

I had a presentation very similar to yours 10 years ago in the UK - even GP was saying probably phlebitis (interesting that the French word for a blood clot is Phlebite). This was in the July and I was sent away with cream to put on it but no tests or checks. I moved job and house in the October and during the move itself I am fairly certain I had a PE (I have had three since so know the symptoms). Long story short - had no local GP at the time but a surgery agreed to see me and handled it perfectly from there. However, I only ever got to see a nurse at the hospital who did an ultrasound and told me I had a clot stretching from my groin to my knee and I was put on Heparin injections which I was allowed to administer myself at home as I had done this before after surgery in the past. I was on birth control at the time as well and this is one of the possible triggers for DVTs I was also overweight - another significant factor. You have all the hallmarks of a DVT - get a second opinion! You should at least see a doctor and preferably someone at the hospital. Don’t be fobbed off - I am not trying to frighten you but a PE can kill you so at least rule out properly a DVT. I now live in France and here you are taken into hospital and have all tests and scans - this is how I found out I had had PEs - in the UK I would say the way it is handled is quite shameful these days and I worked for the NHS for more than 20 years. Do get more help and don’t just accept what they are fobbing you off with. Phlebitis is inflammation which causes a blood clot in a vein so it should be ringing alarm bells with any decent health professional at least to do further tests.

[BFlying in reply to Seraphine2021]

Thanks for the reply. I am scared about it. I went on birth control for awful awful anxiety...debilitating. I have pcos as well. My weight has been an issue for a long time. I'm just terrified about being taken off the pill, as I don't want to go back to how I was 10 years ago. I am trying to do something about my weight. The nurse measured my calves and there was no swelling.

She felt where the tender spots were and how far up it hurt.

I'm sure I would be in agony if I had a dvt.

My neighbour had one and was in a lot of pain...plus my late grandad had one...also in a lot of pain.

The only thing I worry about, is if it gets better...does it mean it is better or does it mean the clot has gone somewhere else?

[Seraphine2021 in reply to BFlying]

Anxiety is horrible I know but lots of other ways to try to help it. Hormones definitely affect clotting. A second opinion and at least an ultrasound would put your mind at rest better. My ‘Phlebitis’ didn’t have pain to start with either and went up and down but eventually 3 months later ended up getting worse big time. Even a blood test for Fibrin levels (D-Dymer test) will indicate whether your body is fighting a clot. The most recent Pulmonary embolism I had in 2021, I had few physical symptoms other than feeling faint a few times - showed up in the D-Dymer test - normal result under 400 - I scored 4500! I was sent down to Accident and Emergency immediately - still with few symptoms. I had a bi-lateral pulmonary embolism. I was admitted and not allowed to move until I had had treatment for two days as they said the only place the clot had to go now was into my brain. I had no idea I was so ill - I felt a bit off but nothing too concerning. I am not trying to worry you but sometimes you need to push to make sure you find out definitely that you are OK or not and with clots it is not worth taking a risk.

[BFlying in reply to Seraphine2021]

Now that I've been up and about, the pain isn't too bad in my lower leg. Still tender to touch, but not as red and I could walk easier today. Last night, I applied heat for about 3 hours. Maybe that helped.

Today though, I have some pain on the inside of my thigh. I don't know what it is, I know I've sat funny with my leg up, there's no redness...the back of my knee feels like it's pulling...but that's nothing new.

If it is an extension of phlebitis...I don't know how it finally goes.

Gonna be a stressful weekend. I probably won't get in to see a doctor til Monday now

[Bloodredroses in reply to Seraphine2021]

100 -% agree with this . I had a clot E P in lung. Little breathless only . Coughed up watery blood, I thought from coughing . G P said immediately go to A and E . It was a clot ( E P) in lung . I did not feel ill. Because coughed up tiny bit of watery blood G P KNEW ( small clot) never second guess or wait .

[Bloodredroses in reply to Seraphine2021]

I was diagnosed perfectly by G P , she got me express treatment entry at the A and E . I did a series of tests in a few hours thrn diagnosed . It was outstanding . Admittedly large London Hospital . Please don’t write entire NHS and country off. It’s still amazing for many many people .

[Seraphine2021 in reply to Bloodredroses]

I am so glad that your experience was good and I do think that it being a big London hospital made a difference. As I said, I worked for the NHS for over 20 years so I do know that service differs from area to area which is why people need to know what to ask for as in some places it may not be as efficient as your experience. I think everyone here has agreed that blood clots can be life threatening and prompt investigation essential. I haven’t ‘written off’ the whole of the NHS by any means but it is those who live in the less efficient areas who are at risk and need to be prepared to ask for what may be given as standard elsewhere.

[Seraphine2021]

Try not to worry too much over the weekend - it is still early days - you’ll be getting advise soon enough.

[BFlying in reply to Seraphine2021]

Thankyou. Hopefully things will be better by monday. It is a very worrying time. I was even thinking of stopping the pill for the next few days. But i don't know if that's a good idea or not. I need to talk to a doctor who knows what they're doing. Not a nurse.

I don't know how quickly things can progress, It might not even be that at the top of my leg. Shame I didn't contact the docs again today. Or wish the top of my leg had felt like it does yesterday. Unless it's referred pain from phlebtitis? Like through a nerve??

Clutching at straws i know, but this has been a big wake up call. I want to lose weight and live a healthier life. But I can't exercise properly until this has cleared up.

Great start to the year hey!

[Seraphine2021 in reply to BFlying]

Bon courage as we say here in France - at least you know what you need to ask about now and whilst losing weight is hard, if you are really motivated to do so, you will get the help you need to do it! Good luck!

[Suebo2 Moderator]

morning. It sounds as if she has done the correct thing from what you say. Inflammation potentially caused by a bug - keep an eye on the red area and make sure that it doesn’t extend. Circle it with a marker pen

Do as you have suggested, ibruprofen and leg elevation. I would also add in some gentle massage - encouraging venous return

If no improvement please return to the GP - urgently

Just a quick question- many people in the forum are anticoagulated for AF- are you?

It’s hard to give advice without the whole picture

Good luck.

[BFlying in reply to Suebo2]

HI. The redness has gone now, but I have pain in my inner ankle, tenderness along my shin, a pain in my thigh and my calf is tight. No swelling or redness anywhere. Just waiting to hear back from the doctors at moment. I don't have AF, but I thought this forum would be able to help me

[Suebo2 Moderator in reply to BFlying]

It sounds different today. Its been 2 hours since you gave us an update - I would take yourself to the ED as soon as you can, just to be safe, and they can also review your inflammatory markers. Better to be safe than sorry.

Where do you live? (not your address but area)

Take care.

[Bloodredroses in reply to BFlying]

This forum is helping you by telling you to get to A and E quickly, they have blood tests to diagnose this . They treat hundreds of these and are very good at it . (Within 24 hours) It is not the N P’s speciality .

[Bloodredroses in reply to Suebo2]

Heat does not strike as good, cool packs would be better , no?

[Bloodredroses]

I would go to Aand E not trust the N P only. It could be E P . Hurry. Is ice not better than heat?

[Suebo2 Moderator]

please let us know how you are getting on? I think that we are all concerned for you. 😘🤣