What does a leg blood clot feel like? Going to docs shortly-

[rooser1]

Hi, 33F with very controlled Behcets, never had a DVT-

Left calf has been cramped since thursday. Been good about water, magnesium, walking, changing shoes.

This morning I woke up with more left leg cramps, a dull but consistent one, and had trouble walking (leg kept giving out on me).

I am very physically active but cant think of anything specific besides that I do jump rope that would make this as prolonged.

Decided to go to the docs after work because now pain is traveling up side/ front quad.

doesnt feel warm, if anything my toes are on the colder side, but thats a normal for both feet.

I have been eating aspirin since Thursday as thats my go to anti inflammatory, as its been hurting since then. Today I took 750mg Aleve q AM.

Any advice is helpful.

[Star13]

You need to go to A&E and get a D-Dimmer done!

[rooser1 in reply to Star13]

im in america, but yes, I had one of those done before.

thank you

[swanseakev in reply to rooser1]

Hi rooser1,

I'm on my tenth dvt and can only give you what my symptoms and experiences dealing with it was

Deep throbbing pain in calf, like cramp but continuous, you can become very very thirsty i was actually eating ice cubes as i couldn't quench thirst

The affected area can become very warm and red ,but the leg below where you may have clot becomes very pale and cold to touch

I would urge you to get it checked out immediately as the quicker you are diagnosed and if needed start blood thinners (ie ) warfarin the better

As star 13 said a simple D dimmer test and ultrasound scan usually enough to rule out or confirm

Good luck

Kev

[rooser1 in reply to swanseakev]

thank you for the details, i am going today. it feels like my leg is being squeezed pretty continuous and seems to be intermittently moving up the leg. today is mid quad. i am going today to the dr's.

[swanseakev in reply to rooser1]

Glad to hear you are going to get it looked at , I had 3 at once and landed up in ICU, dangerous to ignore or leave to long before seeking medical help

Good luck

Kev

[Legomum]

Hi rooser1, I do hope that your pain has gone now and the doctors were able to help you. Hoping it was not DVT and there is reassuring news. I am very curious to know what happened as our daughter with Behçet’s suffers with that deep throbbing pain you describe which she calls cramps.

We’ve never worked out the cause (keeps well hydrated and magnesium levels ok) but instead treat with hot water bottles/ heated wheatpacks, deep muscle massage (she will punch her calves hard to get a moment’s relief from the pain!) and Paracetamol or ibuprofen if the first things do not help.

I cannot believe it could be “growing pains” after all these years, but calf pain does seem worse around the time of her Behcet’s mouth ulcers flaring. I guess that does not fit with your Behcet’s which is well controlled. We thought joint hypermobility may explain it but the pain is not always worse after exercise / new gymnastics moves. I wondered about teeny micro clots as Behcet’s is a vasculitis but not investigated further as it’s usually better after a day or so. Would be really helpful to hear what tests you had and how things are if you are able to share. Really hoping it was good news and not the scary DVTs. Thankyou

[rooser1 in reply to Legomum]

Hi, I didnt end up going to the drs bc it ended up subsiding a little bit. I think its inflammation related to exercise. Normally my inflammation is pretty controlled, i have been pretty lax on the carbs in addition to some pretty heavy work stress. the stress will always be the ultimate kill for me.

Im currently back on a keto protocol and using ice packs and its def helping. I too am a pretty avid exerciser, heavy lifting, jump rope and now muay thai... i think its just extra inflmmation from the high impact ( you said gymnastics, for me the jump rope). i will say aleve works better for me than anything else. I also was sure to take over a weeks worth of rest from the gym and I slept this entire past wkd away.

i started supplementing with NAC again as well to help with residual inflammation, I will say, my leg has overall gotten better, but its not gone. also did some golden milk tea with the turmeric, fresh ginger, coconut lately too and staying on top of magnesium.

Bottom line, get the overall inflammation out. Cut refined carbs for the time being, up the anti inflammatory herbs, omega 3's, get all the sleep, and try aleve.

[Legomum]

Thanks rooser1 and so pleased it was not DVT! Sounds like you really needed that sleep and hope the work stress is settling.

I had to look up some of the names recommended: I think Aleve is the American version of ibuprofen (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug)? Have not tried the NAC (a supplement form of cysteine) but I guess that is having an anti-oxidant effect?

At the moment she has a daily multivitamin with omega 3, liquid iron and a vitamin D supplement. Sadly she’s not a fan of ginger or coconut but I have never tried turmeric so that could be an option for reducing inflammation. How much do you use and in what form?

I wonder how much cartwheels could contribute to the calf pain as they don’t seem like “high impact”gymnastics to me when you compare with other children doing aerials and landing from a height. Asking a child to rest is tricky so been signing up to craft courses to keep her busy: sewing last weekend and making mosaics next!

Hope you’re feeling back to normal soon.

[rooser1 in reply to Legomum]

aleve is naproxen here, advil is ibuprofen. but yes, both NSAIDS. NAC works wonders for me, still taking it and will probably keep it back in my daily at a lower dose. Im like 95% recovered, I feel confident about doing a 2 hour muay thai tonight. i ended up with some lung inflammation (bronchitis) but also got that to settle down within 5 days.

as for turmeric, ive done it in rice and in the golden tea recipe, but they also have capsules available too.

after gymnastics, be sure to use ice (they say ice or hear...ice works best for me) ive been doing that after my muay thai to help exercised induced inflammation.