Blood clot

[MusicalFurbaby]

Hi everyone, hope you are all managing these days. I had an ultrasound on my hand today and they found a small, superficial blood clot. No idea how I got it—but I do have lupus, APS and I’m on the pill. All the risk factors. Yay!

I’ve had pain and bruising in my hand for a week, located near the wrist, running down my thumb and partway up my arm. The pain is throbbing and sometimes burning. Ice is the only thing that seems to help.

I won’t be able to speak to my doctor till Monday, so…any ideas for treating this? Should I start taking aspirin, or wait to consult the doc? Never had a clot before, even though I’ve had APS for years! Has anyone else dealt with a clot?

[Bobbydoodle]

If you have APS are you not taking warfarin? I have APS and I was told the only safe medication for this condition is warfarin so that is what I was prescribed.

The other thing I was told is that if I get any symptoms at all I should go straight to A&E so my advice would be to go back to A&E with your hand. You definitely need medical direction on this I know it can seem dramatic to go A&E but better safe than sorry honestly. Or ring 111 and tell them you have a clot and was not prescribed any medication and you have APS.

Let us know how you get on.

[MusicalFurbaby in reply to Bobbydoodle]

Thank you, no I’m not on warfarin (though I might be after this) and it’s probably because I’ve never actually had a clot before. I spoke to the technician yesterday who did the ultrasound and she said there was no need to go to hospital, but that she would flag the report so the doctor would hopefully see it sooner. But that was last thing on a Fri afternoon so…

Worst case, I’m ringing the doctor first thing Monday morning.

[baba in reply to MusicalFurbaby]

The technician is hardly an APS specialist.. Don't wait until Monday

[MusicalFurbaby in reply to baba]

I’ve had this for 10 days now, so I’m nervous but not too worried. The plan is to ring the doctor tomorrow.

[Spotty-ewe]

Hi MF, If you have APS I’m surprised you aren’t on a blood thinner already. I have APS and am on daily aspirin. I agree with Bobbydoodle and think speaking to somebody on 111 would be a good place to start. Good luck.

[MusicalFurbaby in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Thank you, I’m in Australia so I’m not sure what 111 is, but I’ll ring my doctor tomorrow and see what they say.

[Spotty-ewe in reply to MusicalFurbaby]

111 is our NHS 24 health helpline. But being in Australia you won’t have that. Good luck with your doctor.

[MusicalFurbaby in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Thank you! The 111 is a good idea, wish Australia had something like that.

[Cal66]

HiMusicalFurbaby

I hope that sinces you wrote this you have now been able to see a doctor and been given treatment. I also have lupus and have had a blood clot. I had a blood clot in my eye and was immediately told to stop taking the pill and not to ever take it again or Hrt. The consultant was unable to say if it was down to me having lupus or the pill. I hope that will be feeling better soon.

[MusicalFurbaby in reply to Cal66]

Thank you, yes I saw the doc and have started a regime of anti-inflammatories and anti-reflux meds as I’m at increased risk of gastric ulcers. I’m getting the clot reviewed in 2 weeks to make sure it hasn’t got any bigger. Here’s hoping! Like you, I’m on the pill too, but the doc said at this stage the benefits of staying on the pill outweigh the risks. I’m relieved—I am not a sane or well person without the pill!