Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Support Group

Hello,

I had a dvt at the beginning of June along with a small pulmonary embolism from it. I am 48 and also very active and have never smoked or drank, hadn't even had a cold in over 5 years before the dvt so I can relate to how you feel.

As far as how long it takes to get back to strenuous activity, that varies with everyone. You will have to play it by ear based on what your body is telling you. In my case, I never had much pain from the dvt more just calf swelling and tightness.

As soon as I got home from the hospital (6/4), I started walking on it quite a bit; I used the treadmill. I also started rowing lightly since that bothers it less without as much gravity effect. I gradually ramped it up until within a month I was doing pretty much my regular workouts including running, rowing, weights, jumping rope, etc. I go at it pretty hard too - run on the treadmill at speeds up to 12 mph. I also participate in track and have trained with my discus throwing since the dvt and enjoy hiking in the mountains (more day hikes as opposed to what you do).

I still feel the leg somewhat; it will be a little tighter and probably gets a little larger during exercise but no real after effects. I do wear a compression sock at pretty much all times for now at least on the bad leg. That really helps to minimize any swelling and allows you to do a lot more physically. When I first tried running early on before the compression sock, I couldn't really do it because the calf got way too tight. Just putting on the sock made a huge difference; I would highly recommend them. You can get athletic compression socks, etc. with coolmax and everything. They can also help to prevent some long term vein damage at least while in the recovery stage.

Long periods on your feet.may result in some amount of swelling. In my case with the sock on, it is still mild. I was on a 6 hour hike in the Cascades in early August and really didn't even notice the leg other than I knew it got a little larger with the prolonged exertion and time on my feet. I find that even with long amounts of time on my feet, it is better if I am moving around like hiking as opposed to something like sightseeing where you aren't as active.

As for Nepal, you will have to see how you are feeling; you will be about 2 months out from the dvt which is the general time frame they throw out for the clot being stable by that time and not a real risk for throwing a clot. Your biggest problem in that kind of situation will likely be the day after day long exertion where your leg doesn't get as much rest. I would guess you may notice some tightness and swelling, but it may be that it only gets to a mild state and stabilizes there during the day, gets better with rest at night and repeats itself the next day. It may not bother you that much. I would strongly recommend with that kind of prolonged exertion that you wear at least a knee length compression sock on the affected leg. It will help a great deal to minimize any potential calf swelling and discomfort. You can always put another sock over it in your boot if the compression sock alone doesn't work well for your trekking.

Good luck

I'm sure you can imagine that I have experienced many of the same thoughts as you, only I'm 23, active, non smoker or drinker! I have not really wrestled with the thoughts of "why me" because I don't believe anything is random. This is what it is and nothing can change that. I think its best to grow from the situation.

I have quickly learned that the experience with DVT is different for everyone. I was diagnosed with a DVT in June, a week later they found one in my lung; a month after that I developed a clot in my arm. I feel much better than a lot of people on here despite having more clots than the average individual. I seldom have sharp pains, instead mine are dull and consistent. I struggle with swelling but have accepted it as something not worth avoiding (compression socks are amazing!). Fatigue is my biggest problem, and thats only b/c of the warfarin. I have learned to cope (and quickly learned that working out helps with this!)

At first I was extremely cautious with any kind of exercise. I wasn't going out -- not even to the grocery store. It was a pain but eventually I hated what my life had become. I started swimming (no side effects from that, which is wonderful) started shopping (I'm a sucker for new clothes) and started actually doing stuff. I work out often, although things like running are still pretty tough on my leg. I quickly learned what will work for me and what is worth avoiding. Coping was easy.

As far as doctors are concerned, if you don't like who youre with, LEAVE THEM! Its not worth it! Your time and money can be spent better places. I'm going to suggest a vascular doctor if you have one close, although a hematologist is a great idea too. I absolutely adore my doctor (and trust me, it took 1 horrible doctor and one okay doctor to get here). I suggest the vascular doctor b/c it was easier for me to get an appointment than with a hematologist -- this may just be my experience though. Both are extremely knowledgable and have much more experience with DVTs (which is suppose is obvious).

So suggestions: if you feel up to your trip, go for it! Youre going to know your body better than any doctor. Just once you're there, don't push yourself beyond your limits...do understand that it takes time to build back up your stamina.

Daily strength is a wonderful website where you can get some much needed support. People are friendly and quick to answer questions and respond to concerns.

Hi there,

Sport minded people, hey that was me!!!
Well at least before I was diagnosed with DVT.
Part one,of that two part question.

Generally speaking, most doctors that know what they are talking of when talking of DVT, will say around 2 months before starting to push yourself and the reasoning is behind this way of thinking, is that it takes roughly two months for a clot to REALLY attach itself to the interior of the vein it is in.
If you push yourself too much, too soon, there ar chances that you MAY dislodge the clot and it MAY travell to your lungs(Pulmonary Embolism) which CAN be deadly if not detected at the right time. Plus I would hate to discoveure that I have a PE in the middle of the Pyrennees.

Part two...

Hey after a year, I'm still asking the same question. Why did I get a blood clot, I was fit.
Just a bit of background...
Been Mountain biking seariously for at least 10 years, I never competed but have some friends that are/were olympic competitors in MTB and I rode with then all the time and I was on their rear tire...
So yes, I was in great shape and BANG, last year I was diagnosed with DVT, been out of the saddle since then (my choice).

Let me paint a scenario...

You go out trekking you push yourself to the max and more, yes we do see 125% and more during an outing, your blood is flowing like crazy,then maybe you are 3, 4 hours away from home, so you sit in your car and you really want to get home so you do it w/o stopping and guess what your blood suddently has nothing to pump it back up your leg, it pools and that is how a clot forms itself(hyper condensed version) and that is one way how a super fit person gets a clot.
Many other scenario...

I use to go to Vermount every year to this place called "Kingdom Trails" many friends would meet up there spend the week end ridding and this place is simply awsome as a trail circuit. For me that was a 7 hour drive from my place to get there, I live near Ottawa Ont.
This place is very demanding, when we talk of cross country riding, leave at 9AM and ride until 3PM have diner and sit at the camp fire at the campground. Wake up the following day repeat another hardious ride,sit with your legs cross at the camp fire until 10 11PM.
The final day,go for a short ride before heading home (4 hrs ride) pack everything in the car and drive home, you get in the car and drive for 7, 8 hrs get home sit around because you are wiped.

Now looking back at these weekends, with the info I have re:. DVT, how many times do you think I could have had a clot?
ONCE a day and on the final day, twice.

No matter your age, your level of fitness, how much stretching you do after your outing or where you are sitting, in a car, a plane, a train or even behind a computer.
YOU ARE AT RISK.

Ways to pevent DVT after these days, wear compressions socks, constantly do toe pointing, which will promote proper bloodflow. In a train,car,plane, drink LOTS of water, stay away from coffee and alcool, sure they are liquids, but they DEHYDRATE you. Water is the nectar of the "sports gods" plus the more you drink the more you will have to go to the washroom, meaning you have to get up, walk and promote more proper blood flow.

I look at all of these weekends and I am amazed I did not get a blood clot before last year and this is as "FIT PERSON" not a 70 year old person.

So, many of us have to make decisions regarding our new lifestyles, mine was to stay out of the saddle until the day I get off anticoagulants.

Your choice to do what you want or have to do with YOUR LIFE, is all I can tell you.

It's YOUR CHOICE.

hi guys.thank you all so much for replying.i think daily strenght is fab-im so happy i found it this morning.i think you have answered my questions.dero-that could be exactly how i got DVT.i regularly drive up to scotland-15mile plus hike in the mountains,sleep in my car,15mile plus hike next day then 8hr drive home.sound familiar?!!also compression stockings sound great.where can i get them from?and how do i make an appointment with a haematologist and what exactly will they do?im really grateful to you guys.ive felt so alone,like i had suddenly become an old woman.but now i realise it can happen for no reason and to anyone.thanks again for your support

Hey....
the biggest prroblem might be around the flight and travel insurance but physically you will be so much better by then, you're best placed to know physically how much you can attempt etc etc but having a goal is no bad thing to build up your stamina again.
The haematologist referral will be down to your GP the difficulty being that a lot of the tests can't be done (with accuracy) whilst you are on warfarin so referral if any is usually at the end but push for referral if it isn't suggested to you. The experience with GP's varies a lot from our friends in US - for one thing changing Drs is usually problematic - I moved because I changed address just after my DVT PE and my records were missing for 6 weeks and I only moved 6 miles!!!! Best advise is be informed - be aware and I'm sure that you'll be good to go again soon. I won't dare advise you on the sporting front (I'd be a fraud) but there are plenty around who can - you take care - speedy recovery Sue

As far as getting compression socks, you may be able to find something in stores near you - typically in the pharmacy/health area if they have them. Or you may be able to order them through a pharmacy if they don't actually stock them. If you do find them, you may or may not find exactly what you are looking for.

I have had the best luck with online sources if you are comfortable shopping that way. You can search on compression socks or surgical socks/stockings or something similar and come up with lots of options. There are several major brands (Jobst, Sigvaris, Juno, Mediven, etc.) in a variety of styles and compressions (8-15, 15-20, 20-30, etc.). I have used the 15-20 compression socks with good success; you can always go to a higher compression level if needed.

Knee length ones are probably the most effective since they control the entire calf area which is usually the problem. I have found crew length to be helpful but don't provide as much relief and the knee length aren't much more noticeable in terms of wearing them. I have gotten the athletic socks with moisture control fabrics, etc. since I don't have much need for dress socks at this point. The higher compression socks will be increasingly more expensive.