Hello I’m sorry for posting here and if my post is not approved I understand, but I need some help. I notice this circle like discoloration spot on my left calf, I’m worried that it could be a clot, as of right now I don’t have any pain or itching I do feel a little bump in that area. Should be concern? Any help would be greatly appreciated it!
First of all sorry if my story is too long but I just want to be as detailed as possible in the hope to get suggestions on what I can expect and what I can do. It’s unexpected and scary. My views towards life won’t be the same anymore, like I could give up anything just to have another day with my kids and family.
I’m 35F, subclinical hashimoto. My previous surgeries: 2023 polyp removal under general anesthesia, 2024 planned c section first baby boy, 2026 emergency c section second baby girl.
My second pregnancy was hard, a lot of morning sickness and my baby was bigger than the gestational age so was my belly. My TSH level was high so I was put on levothyroxine at the lowest dose during pregnancy which I stopped right after by doctor’s advice. The c section was traumatic. Reduced fetal movements, my uterus contracted for about 12 hours no opening of cervix, fetal heart rate in the danger zone. 24 hours after surgery, I had catheter removed and start walking painfully to the bathroom to resume movements. Also when I’m back home I stayed in my room (second floor) for about a week and moved around inside the room. I was very depressed staying in the room, so after that I decided go down every day to be with my kids and family and have meals together.
I fell into postpartum depression since the birth of my second child for 5 weeks while pumping for her. I lifted myself up fortunately with family support. During my PPD, I refused medication, still pumping for her, separated myself from my baby to prioritize my sleep and health.
During that time I also developed itchy throat and started coughing and my lower abdomen on my left hurt. I went in for a check up with my obgyn, and she said it was probably ligament pain and nothing to worry about since everything inside my belly was still floppy and trying to go back to their places…
In week 6 as my mind is gradually getting better:
Unfortunately, my sleeping position caused me upper back pain which was sharp from my left neck down towards my left back and towards the side, my lung. Every breath caused pain to my left lung. I did warm compress therapy and it went away.
My left leg has always had some issues like dull pain, sometimes after some activities or sometimes the pain just came… Especially after I fell down a flight of stairs many years ago and two pregnancies, my sciatica nerve pain come and go, and sometimes I cannot move out of bed or chair until I wiggle or reposition my hips. I also did warm compress therapy and it seemed to improve a little bit.
I came back home finding myself helping my boy walking up the stairs and he was fast, so I tried to follow him but I noticed my left leg get exhausted like almost gave out.
Next three days was pain started very dull in the leg, and then sharp pain started at the left groin down to my inner thigh and knee. I went to the hospital on day three. They did blood test, urine test and ultrasound.
Result was: d-dimer 3,300, slight increase in white blood cells, confirmed ultrasound diagnosis of extensive DVT:
an extensive acute left-sided DVT, with near-complete to partial thrombosis extending from the left iliac vein → common femoral vein → great saphenous vein, plus a separate partial thrombus in the popliteal vein. Because the iliac and common femoral veins are involved, this is an iliofemoral/proximal DVT, which is more consequential than an isolated calf clot.
During the ultrasound, the radiologist said my left leg seems to have been weaker than my right for a long time. I was busy crying and didn’t get a chance to ask him to explain how he could see that via the ultrasound.
Currently I’m being treated with IV heparin and started Coumadin. Blood drawn every 4 hours. First night was another emotional episode. I asked for 20 minutes to pump for the last time before they gave me blood thinners. I was crying my eyes out.
I’ve been in the hospital for 4 nights now. First two nights, I asked for pain killer twice a day. Now the pain is still quite strong but I can do without pain killer. I’m instructed to strictly limit my movements, even trip to the bathroom is discouraged although I still went with my husband helping me.
They said it could be because of my recent surgery and lack of movements. I did not think that I was immobile at all.
I consulted another doctor in another more developed country. He suggested I inject enoxaparin, fly to him (~2 hour flight, I did ask about the risks of flying and I quote his exact words: “the risks are acceptable”), do a CT scan of my pelvis. He said I might have May Thurner Syndrome and I might have to go through thrombolysis surgery because of how extensive my DVT is and possible stenting if May Thurner found: Left Lower Limb Thrombolysis KIV Iliac Vein Stenting. He also said i need to get the CT scan and start treatment preferably within 2 weeks since DVT so that the clots are still new, soft and easy to break with thrombolysis. Also I asked his clinic to estimate the cost. This whole thing is very expensive. He also said Coumadin is an old generation drug, and he’s using a newer version…
Whereas my current doctor treating me doing the conservative method of blood thinners for the body to naturally absorb the clots which can take months. He said my recovery should be fast since I’m still young. He said it could be because I was carrying too much weight during my pregnancy, combined with the surgery. He also doubted if my surgeon used blood thinner injection (like Lovenox) within a few days after my c section, which he said some doctors practiced it to avoid DVT risks.
My current doctor said I need to stay at the hospital for one week total so my condition stable and my body respond to the pills.
I also have even more questions which I hope to get some light…
- How can you tell from ultrasound that a leg has been weaker than?? I will ask the radiologist though when u get the chance.
- I’m still coughing a bit. They haven’t x ray my chest to rule out PE…
- My current doctor said I do not need to worry about vein damage since I’m being treated on time. Opposed to the other doctor wanting to do more invasive procedure to avoid long term damage???
- Is it true that extensive DVT causes your valves or veins to have scars or damage no matter what? Like it won’t work the same way it used to?
- I believe CT scan is necessary and I also want to find out if I have or to rule out May Thurner, but is flying around this time is worth it?
- Does my case truly require a surgery? Especially just weeks after c section?
- Are there any complications of stenting?
- What is life like after DVT?
- Etc.
Thank you very much!