Blood clots? Cellulitis?

[Taysgrama]

OK - help me here. Can you get blood clots while you are on warafin? I thought the object was to not get clots. I have a really bad spot on my leg, not really red, but a little red, swollen, hot to the touch and really really tender. Even when my pants touch it, it hurts, There is no bruise there and I do not remember hitting it on anything and since it is right by (I mean within 1/2 inch) my knee, I know if I hit it on something, I would remember it. This pain started last night and has gotten steadily worse today. I called my PCP and she wants me to go the ER to get an ultrasound on it. Is this something I should worry about or should I just take a wait and see attitude? I am so tired of going to the ER and I do not want to seem like a hypochondriac (however you spell that word! ). Any help or answers you can give me would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again all....you are the best!

Diana
AVR, 5/16/2008, Dayton Heart Hospital, Dr. John Miller, Surgeon

 

[Bina]

I had cellulitis before my OHS. Mine was related to arthritic joint problems, and hurt like heck.
The nurse drew a line around the red area and told me to come back the next day if it had enlarged.
It enlarged and I had to have IV antibs as an outpatient for a few days.
Get checked out!

 

[Lynlw]

I would go to the ER like your PCP suggested. YES you can get clots on coumadin, it just makes the chances better. If it is swollen, tender, hot it defantely needs looked at.

 

[MandyMV]

Yes please go to the ER. If it is hot to the touch and getting worse it needs to be checked. I ignored a hot red bump once and was hours from a serious blood infection reaching my heart. Not to scare you but I ignored it because my friends told me I was overreacting to a small bump. Now I would rather be considered over reactive than take chances. Plus that is why I pay a lot to have good insurance Please update us.

 

[olefin]

Beat it to the ER!!

My wife came very close to death from phlebitis. She was only 39.

Hers was in the pelvic area. It had shut off blood circulation to her leg. When I got home her leg was turning blue. The blood clots were caused from taking hormone pills.

 

[Taysgrama]

I take HRT too, have been for close to 15 years....my husband seems to think that its just a bruise that has not discolored yet. I will probably go get it checked tomorrow if it is not any better. He seems to think that I smacked it on something or the dog stepped on it in the middle of the night Wednesday and I just didn't notice it until I went to bed last night. Of course, I think he forgets that he is talking to the original cry baby when it comes to my knees. I have had knee surgery 4 times on one knee and this is happening on the other knee so it is kinda scarey. I will update you all tomorrow. Thanks again....

diana

 

[WilliamJE]

OK - help me here. Can you get blood clots while you are on warafin? I thought the object was to not get clots. I have a really bad spot on my leg, not really red, but a little red, swollen, hot to the touch and really really tender. Even when my pants touch it, it hurts, There is no bruise there and I do not remember hitting it on anything and since it is right by (I mean within 1/2 inch) my knee, I know if I hit it on something, I would remember it. This pain started last night and has gotten steadily worse today. I called my PCP and she wants me to go the ER to get an ultrasound on it. Is this something I should worry about or should I just take a wait and see attitude? I am so tired of going to the ER and I do not want to seem like a hypochondriac (however you spell that word! ). Any help or answers you can give me would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again all....you are the best!

Diana
AVR, 5/16/2008, Dayton Heart Hospital, Dr. John Miller, Surgeon

Go straight to the ER, do not pass go, do not collect $200.

Seriously go. I have cellulitis in my legs and have since 2001. In 2005 I had a saddle pulmonary embolism, one of the worst. It came close to killing me. I spent 10 days in the hospital and have been on wafarin ever since.

Good luck

 

[Taysgrama]

I went to the ER tonight and they did an ultrasound on my leg. They said it was phlebitis and not a clot. Thank goodness. It was really starting to hurt pretty bad by the time I got there. He said there was really nothing he could do for it and to just use heat for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the next couple of days then see my PCP if it did not get better. At least now I know it was not a clot so that is a very good thing. Thanks everyone for all your help! It is greatly appreciated.

diana

 

[pamela]

Hi Diana, You need to treat phlebitis as if it were going to be a clot at any time. Your vein is inflamed to the point were it's bordering on infection and thrombosis and is a serious condition. If you haven't seen an improvement you really should get in to see your PCP and begin a course of antibiotics if nothing else.

That vein is swollen for a reason, don't second guess your body. It's sending you signs of a potentially fatal problem if you don't pay attention.

 

[olefin]

Hi Diana,

Glad you went to ER and got it checked.

My wifes blood clots were in her deep pelvic veins. The surgeons first put a clamp around her vena cava to prevent a clot from moving up to her heart. Then did surgery on her leg to save it. They said her blood in that area was like Jello.

She still has the clamp on her vena cava and has worn support hose for all these years. She was on warfarin for 6 months and then switched to 4 aspirin a day for 15 years and still takes one regular aspirin a day. So far, no more blood clots.

Four specialist told my wife that the blood clots were caused from HRT that she had taken for only 2 years. Back then most MD's would not say HRT caused blood clots. They will today!

 

[lcwhitney]

You can get blood clots on coumadin if your INR is not high enough. Please
have the spot in you leg checked out! If you have a DVT pieces of this clot can break off and travelto your brain or heart or lungs. I think that we all have a big enoughproblem with just our cardiac troubleand don't need a clot adding other problems.

Lettitia

 

[Curtsmum]

Glad you got it checked out and its not a clot, hope it clears up soon, all the best.