Swollen leg

[Mary]

I've recently developed a very painful and swollen right lower leg which all the clinicians were convinced was a DVT until the ultrasound showed no evidence of a clot. Besides being very painful it is also very debilitating and stops me doing absolutely everything. Has anyone else experienced anything like this.

[lyndhurst]

hello Mary,

you dont say whay surgery you may ahve ahd or how long ago. have yo called the ovacome nurses to discuss this?

jo

[SandyL]

Hi Mary,

I was diagnosed with Stage 1V Ovarian cancer 12.1/2 years ago. At the time I was also diagnosed with massive pulmonary embolisms and prescribed Coumadin.

While I was taking Coumadin and having INR blood tests every 2 days, I developed similar symptoms as you describe. I could barely walk on my left leg, it was swollen and extremely painful. My Dr immediately suspected a blood clot and so she measured both my ankles which confirmed that the left ankle was larger than the right one. However, we didn't have an ultra-sound machine in the small town where I live (in Canada), so we did the hour plus drive to the nearest hospital where there was an ultrasound machine and technician.

In light of the fact that I was already being treated for pulmonary embolisms, there was a suspicion that I had thrown another blood clot, but the technician had a heck of a time finding it and actually called in the Doctor to have a look as well. Between the two of them they eventually found it behind my kneecap area. I'm sure, if I wasn't already being treated for the pulmonary embolisms, they wouldn't have been as persistent in their search. I was prescribed daily injections of Fragmin to break up the clot.

When I was first diagnosed with OvCa, along with the embolisms, I was told I'd be taking Coumadin for the rest of my life. I suspect the Dr thought my life was going to be a short one, because after I'd finished my last chemo I asked him, "What about the Coumadin, should I continue taking it?" He said I could stop taking it. My family Dr was a bit uncomfortable with that cold-turkey-stop so she advised me to take an Aspirin a day (325mg) - which I continue to do today. Next month I'll be celebrating 12 years in remission.

I'd like to say this: If you're uncomfortable with the results of the ultra-sound, and the pain and swelling continue, I'd ask for another ultra-sound. Some technicians do a better job than others. I know this because my daughter-in-law is an Ultra-Sound Technician - she's told me a couple of horror stories.

The pain from a DVT is unmistakable. In my whole cancer journey, it was the worst pain I experienced. If that little voice inside yourself tells you there is something wrong with the test results - then ask for another test with another technician. I hope this helps you. Good luck!

Sandy.

[Hidden in reply to SandyL]

Hi Sandy,

Huge congratulations on 12 years of remission from stage4 ov.ca.!!

Any tips for us 'rookies' some 10 years (in my case) behind you??

Isadora. xx

[bosue]

I had the same symptoms (nothing to do with cancer) rushed into hospital who thought it was dvt, but turned out to be cellulitus had strong antibiotics and and a two day stay in hospital

[carrie]

Hi. I had a swollen leg and ankle - swelled up like a balloon. This was when I was having chemo. It transpired that I had unwittingly had too many steroids. An experienced doctor in St Thomas A and E was the person who spotted it, by listening carefully to me and by examining the leg. This was after I had had the leg xrayed etc. Once the steroids were stopped my leg returned to its former state. This may not be the case with you but it might be worth looking into.

Best wishes

Carrie