Cause of thrombophlebitis

I got home from work and as I stepped out of the car, all of a sudden an excruciating pain ran down from behind my left knee to my calve. I thought I must have pulled a muscle so rested it for 3 days but the pain did not want to subside, therefore i visited the NHS and they took measurements of both my calves and found out that my left calve was 1cm bigger then the right. They did some blood tests and an ultra sound to check the main vein but there was no clot. They sent me home advising me to keep the leg elevated whenever possible and it should be ok in a week or so. After about 4 days I started noticing the varicose veins (which I have on the left leg below the knee,) turning blue'ish and the pain got worse whenever I was standing, i went to my GP they said I had thrombophlebitis and booked me in for another blood test and a scan at the NHS. Again the main vein was clear but i had a clot in the superficial veins. They prescribed me with a six week daily fragmin self injection kit of about 18000ui according to my weight. I have finished the course but my varicose veins are still blue'ish in colour, there is no more pain is this normal? Also I assume i developed thrombophlebitis due to my job which involves sitting for 10 hours a day for 5-6 days a week. I also used to drink alot of fizzy drinks, could the sugar to blood content have played a part in thrombophlebitis? Sorry for the long story. Thanks.

[KellyInTexas Administrator]

I replied to edgewater100 about two days ago- she posted something very similar to you.

Do you mind looking up her recent post? I think you will find it very informative .

I hope you are feeling better , by the way. ( and yes, my superficial clots can cause a lot of bruising.)

[jetjetjet in reply to KellyInTexas]

Kel - did you get shooting pain like a pulled hamstring OR was it a constant pounding pain ?

Same question to you Jigs ?? they are looking into that with me - i am in therapy for hips now but i have same therapist so we talk - also micro clotting there also a question on hand there .thoughts on that guys??

[KellyInTexas Administrator in reply to jetjetjet]

Constant, but pounding might be a bit extreme

[Hidden in reply to jetjetjet]

I had constant pain, but wouldn't say pounding, it was worse whenever i was standing. Hope this helps.

[Lure2]

Hi,

I just wonder if you have got APS as we all have this autoimmun illness on this site?

You joined just recently (June was it?)

You talk about sitting in your job but nothing of a diagnose of Antiphospholipidsyndrom. Some of us have microclots with this illness.

Best wishes to you

[Hidden in reply to Lure2]

Hello, sorry for the late reply but i don't have APS, I believe the cause for Thrombophlebitis came about due to my job involving me sitting all day. I could feel the clots in my veins, especially in my varicose veins moving sometimes whilst i was on the anticoagulant. I have now finished the course and there is no blood clots in my leg, but sometimes i do now and then feel a little tightness around my veins. Thank you and all the best to you as well.

[Lure2 in reply to Hidden]

So you were on anticoagulation. Did they find a clot or DVT? You can read about our illness and have it in mind if you feel worse later on. Have they looked for the three antibodies as you say you do not have APS?

Anyway it is always good not sitting too long.

Beautiful bird by the way!

[Hidden in reply to Lure2]

Thank you, there was a clot in the superficial vein, i don't know if they looked for the three antibodies as you say, maybe I should get another blood test done to find out, thanks again for the info.

[Lure2 in reply to Hidden]

I think I would do that if I were you. Have you tried a low dose of Aspirin (75-100 mg) to see if that helps?

[MaryF Administrator]

If there is a history of autoimmune disease including Thyroid Disease in your family, past and present family members, then I would get tested, the tests are listed on our charity website: ghic.world/ MaryF