DVT - how long can you have one?

[bulletproofbarb]

I am a nurse and flew to UK back in April. From memeory, over the last couple of months I have had a pain in my left calf. I wore ted stockings but couldn't take asprin as I take Diamox (amongst other pills) for epilepsy. I flew from Australia and walked around the cabin alot plus did frequent exercises.

My left calf is warmer that my right, but it is the same width.

I know I should go to the doctor, but really given the time frame of the pain - a couple of months now, whats the likelyhood of a dvt lasting that long and not progressing to a PE.

I keep thinking it's just a strained muscle but every now and then, the pain is more intense and I start to wonder. It hurts more walking up stairs.

Whilst I know Homans sign is not used these days, it isn't positive to that either.

I'm hoping it is a strained muscle but really need to know how long a DVT can last.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I can't answer that. But I have had a patients with chronic and recurrent DVTs. Good luck.

[Katnip, RN]

When in doubt, check it out. It's possible for those things to hang around for quite a while, I think.

I had a friend with a DVT for about 6 months. He ended up throwing a PE and died.

[bulletproofbarb]

Right, off to the doc. I hope they can test this as an outpatient as I REALLY don't want to end up in hospital!!!!

I've been worried because I have an overactive nurse imagination and also take spironaldactone for PCOS and have only been peeing about 3 times a day, and not huge ones and I have this vision of my blood being really thick, like for dehydration and getting sluggish and I'm dead worried.

If I was back in Australia, I would have been to the doctors by now. I'm really loathe to go to the doctor here. It's because I am one of those awful patients who has a couple of chronic illness, have been seeing the same doctors for years and don't trust anyone unless it is a doctor referred by my own doctor!!!! Maybe that is a bad thing, but then I also understand those chronic illness patients that tend to get on our nerves sometimes, you know, the ones who tell you how to do things, whats right and wrong ect, well thats me. It's not deliberate it's just something that happens over the years....and now I am rambelling...trying to justify why I have ignored it for a couple of months.

Good Night everyone and thanks :)

[oicu8bacilli]

You should show FSP and other clot degredation in 7 to 10 days. As a nurse you should know that clots are going to be resolved as soon as your body recognizes the need to eliminate waste products. Pain after months needs investigating.