Deep-vein thrombosis, also known as deep-venous thrombosis or DVT, is the formation of a blood clot ("thrombus") in a deep vein. It commonly affects the leg veins, such as the femo...
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Permanently big legs
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Hi everyone! I have a question for you guys. I was diagnosed with DVT about 6 weeks ago, and I've been on coumadin...But my legs hurt worse now than they did when they first diagnosed me. And my legs are still huge. I'm a female, and it's summertime, and I feel so self-conscious wearing any of my skirts that even show a little bit of calf. So I was wondering for you guys that have had DVT longer and got better, did the the DVT do permanent damage to your legs? Am I going to have larger legs forever now?
I know in the whole scheme of things, I'm just lucky to be alive. I try not to think too much about having my body permanently so much stockier like this, because dealing with the DVT has been emotionally challenging enough. But at this point in time, should my legs still being feeling worse? Should I see another doctor maybe? I'm afraid of a vein exploding in my leg and leaving a permanent scar too...I just didn't know when I was diagnosed that it would take this much time to get some sort of healing. And the healing hasn't come yet. Posted on 06/28/08, 10:06 pm |
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Erin, after almost a year since I have been diagnosed with DVT, my right leg still swells up and still hurts( mind you, not as much as it was last year)but this varies from person to person.It actually took me about 4 months before I really noticed a big difference in swelling/pain in my leg.
I know, it's not what you wanted to hear, it's never what we want to hear, but that is our reality,as survivor of DVT. 
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I have to echo what dero said. I'm 7 months past my DVT diagnosis. My DVT leg is a bit larger than the other one. I notice it, but don't really think others do. I too still experience some pain, though no where near what it used to be, and I am learning to not panic with every twinge! As much as we hate to admit it, this diagnosis does bring life changes, but you adjust and go on. Good luck to you. :)
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Thank you guys! Patience is a virtue, I guess. I just would like to have my normal legs back. Thank you for letting me know how long this will probably take for the swelling to go down.
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hey Erin,
I had my clot when i was 19 yrs old. I was told right from the very beginning that my calf will never be the same. I'm almost 25 yrs old and my one calf is still a bit larger then the other. once you are off the medication, just keep an eye out for returning symptoms. Since I had the previous clot and Im now pregnant, I have to give myself daily injections of fragmin to avoid developing another one. Im not sure of your or if you have any children already. but just to give you the heads up if you do not have children, as soon as you find out you are pregnant let your doctor know right away so you can start the medication
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I thought I'd piggy back what others have said. I am almost 3 months post DVT. I wear a thigh high compression sock on my left leg. Where I live, we get 100 degree weather so I still wear shorts. I feel self-conscience about it, but pants are just too much with this heat. Everyone else swears they don't really notice, but I have a hard time believing that. lol
As for swelling and pain, I am just now starting to feel somewhat normal. I still have days that I am pretty useless, but I am getting my energy and endurance back. I still have days that my leg swells quite a bit, but most days it is not very noticeable. This is a slow journey. Good luck to you.
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I'm 15 months post DVT and can happily tell you that my right calf (leg affected) is only a quarter-inch more in circumference than my left one. It didn't go back to normal until 6 months or so afterwards, and I still have the occasional bad day. And it hurt something awful for the first month or two. But it DOES get better!
The thing I've found to be the best remedy is to go walking. I'm not talking about speedwalking or running. Just go walking around your block, or maybe a 2-3 mph on a treadmill (no incline). It gets the blood going back up and makes the swelling lessen. May not work for you, but I hope it does!
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The swelling will eventually go down, not all the way. Mine DVT was in one leg so one leg is about 1/2 inch bigger than my other leg. It's not even noticeable to anyone but me. Now when I exercise, it blows up but goes right back down.
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