Possible clot in leg

[guest2927216]

I ha have had cramping in my right calf for almost 5 days now and I don't have insurance right now and im not sure what to do. I just found out last week that my dad has a history of blood clots and im scared and don't know what to do. Any advice? ?

[KellyInTexas Administrator]

Hello,

* in which country are you located? (?that helps with understanding insurance issue.)

* do you have a diagnosis of APS/Hughes Syndrome? It is of interest that you have a family history. As APS specialist world wide note, there is a definite connection.

*no one on this forum are medical experts, especially our administrators, and make sure to tell you so up front. It is important that if you feel you have a clot, it is urgent you seek medical help right away. In the states you cannot be refused medical care. You will always be worked with financially so it's never a problem.

Google london Lupus Centre associated with the London Bridge hospital for informative information on the three blood tests you would need to have drawn to test for APS/ Hughes Syndrome. It's a good website because it's formatted in an easy way for explaination of these antibody tests. I would show your doctor, explain about your grandfathers clotting history, and quickly get to the bottom of this, one way or the other.

All the best to you. Please get help right away, and if you do have this syndrome, know we are here for you! Lots of resources to help you with!

Go, go, go get seen!

[KellyInTexas Administrator in reply to KellyInTexas]

Also, can you reply back and let us know how you are?

[guest2927216 in reply to KellyInTexas]

Thanks so much I honestly don't know much about my family history on either side which worries me. Im in ohio and I don't know what aps is but I've never been diagnosed with it

[lupus-support1 Administrator in reply to guest2927216]

Antiphospholipid Antibody (Hughes) Syndrome is sometimes called "Sticky blood" which means not enough oxygen is getting through to areas of your body. The treatment is to thin the blood.

There is no suggestion that you have this condition and we are not making any diagnosis, but it is sensible to find out your father's condition and get yourself tested.

Ros

[lupus-support1 Administrator]

You need to go to hospital (A & E) immediately and get a diagnosis. I am assuming you are in the US because you don't need insurance to go to any NHS hospital.

It may be nothing, but if your father has a history of blood clots, you also need to be tested.

I am assuming you are not in the UK because you don't need insurance for NHS hospitals.

Have you contacted any family to help you?

I would also advise you to get yourself tested to see if you have the same condition as your father.

I am sorry I cannot be of any help. HU does not provide medical services and certainly not emergency services. You need to see a doctor as soon as possible.

With good wishes,

Ros

[KellyInTexas Administrator]

Ah. The initials stand for Anti Phospho Lipid Syndrome. It's an auto immune pro thrombotic clotting disorder that makes our blood prone to clotting. Usually it needs to be treated with blood thinners.

Have a look at the web site I suggested- it will explain it all very well. I'm sure an administrator will come along shortly to give you many more details ( such a detailed labs to have drawn regarding vitamin B, D, and iron and FULL thyroid panels) to check should your tests come back positive for APS.

You do need to get this leg checked immediately. It's important to tell doctor to run an APS panel, and other blood clotting and other pro thrombotic genetic conditions tests . ( Leiden V, etc.)

You will need a Doppler scan of that leg right away.

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi you need to seek medical help, and the blood tests required are these listed here:

londonlupuscentre.co.uk/hug...

in families often there is a history of clots, and other autoimmune diseases in family members past and present, also miscarriages, and heart attacks and strokes at a young age, some also have thyroid problems. MaryF

[KellyInTexas Administrator in reply to MaryF]

Yes! There's the exact link! Thank you Mary!

[MaryF Administrator]

Sometimes low magnesium can cause cramps and twitches. MaryF

[Kerlampert]

I had similar symptoms many years ago, and after an ultrasound found I had a clot in my thigh. It resulted in a 3 week stay in the hospital to treat it. Meanwhile, blood testing that was performed showed that I had several of the antibodies known to diagnose my lupus/APS condition.

Kerstin from Hawaii

[GinaD]

I had serious blood clots, (DVTs) in the run up to my APLS diagnosis. And yes, the clots were serious.

And every summer I get leg cramps due to summer sweat induced electrolyte imbalance. My experience has taught me that the pains do feel different. muscle cramps can usually be stopped by activating the opposite set of muscles from the ones cramping. For example, if your calf is cramping, try straightening your knee and point your toes toward your own forehead. this counter move will usually -but not always!- ease the cramp. If however the pain is caused by a leg clot, then moving your toe to point to your forehead while keeping the knee still will likely result in a feeling that the pain is somehow moving.

again, there are my ascessments, but are not diagnostic criteria applicable to others, Clots are serious. Electrolyte crwamps are usually not. But when in doubt--get thee to a doctor!

[KellyInTexas Administrator in reply to GinaD]

Good summer time advice. ( I always remember this story about your dad... those boots make me never complain about my feet being tired at the end of the day and from now on- for the rest of my life he will rank right up there with my own father ( WWII ) when Memorial Day services are honored. )

[Puska]

All DVT's are serious. But thankfully not all symptoms of DVT's prove to be diagnosed as one but other less significant things.

[peterm]

Go straight to Accident and emergency. Explain what is happening and ask for an ultrasound, if you do have a clot and it moves then big trouble. Better safe than sorry.

Good luck.