I'm trying to figure out if i have one on my leg. It's freaking me out. I do NOT want to have to pay 2342353452423545 dollars to go to the emergency room for some simple stupid thing that isn't even a problem, but I really don't want to have something serious that is in my lungs and traumatize peopel around me. I don't know what to do or if it only feels bad because I keep reading about the symptoms and freaking out.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Why do you think you might have one?
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
I don't feel comfortable answering this particular question or giving any advice. Sorry. If you have shortness of breath, chest pain, or feel dizzy/sick you should get evaluated today.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
I was 18 when I had my first instance of pulmonary embolism -- a potentially fatal blood clot that has traveled to and lodged in the lung. So you are not too young for it to happen to you. Risk factors include being on birth control pills and smoking. Or, like me, you can have a clotting disorder. A clot in the leg is typically in the calf, and may be accompanied by pain, redness and swelling. Measure each calf at the widest part and each ankle. Is one larger than the other? Could be a clot.
DO NOT RUB THE SORE CALF!!! This can encourage the clot to dislodge and travel to another part of the body, where trouble can ensue.
At the ER, they will do a Doppler Ultrasound, which is a non-invasive test that involves a probe rubbed gently over the leg. If you do have a clot, you will have to take blood thinners.
From personal experience, all of it. I have had many many instances of pulmonary emboli before they figured out what was causing it (and even after they found out, for that matter). But I'm OK.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
I have been taking BC since January. There's this odd purple spot above my knee. I thought it was vericose veins or something because my grandmother had that, but I am not sure. It's light, faint and rather splotchy. It could be nothing, but I can't be sure. My leg doesn't seem to be swollen. There's only a bit of discomfort, nothing that can be called pain, but it's still worrying me anyway. I doubt it's a bruise because I don't bruise...
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
That is not a typical presentation for a blood clot in the leg. But I can't say for sure what that is. Theaca gives responsible advice -- any problems, see a doc right away.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
It's so expensive. If I had insurance, I would. There'd be nothing to worry about. I'd have it checked by now... But since I have no insurance.. Maybe the place near me is open or something. Perhaps it will be open tomorrow...
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
So...?
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
I reckon it might be ok... I still can't tell if I am being a hypochrodriat (sp) or if I really have a problem. What I really want to do in the future is to get a full check up, especially with a nutrition specialist so I can try to lead a healthier life style.
Posted by Jeni (Member # 1454) on :
I highly recommend finding a way to get some health insurance, no matter how young or healthy you may be.
Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
I had a serious blood clot about a month and a half after I went on the Pill at age 18. Things that can raise your risk for blood clots include:
genetic blood-clotting disorders
the Pill
smoking
lack of exercise/general healthiness
dehydration
elevation
sitting still or in one position for a long time (car or plane ride)
having a diet very high in Vitamin K - green or black tea and green vegetables have a lot
My blood clot developed, as I said, after I started the Pill. I was also eating a diet very high in Vitamin K, wasn't moving around much, due to a pulled muscle in my leg, and had just been on a 3-hour car trip. And I had a number of clotting disorders, but didn't know it at the time - there was nothing in the family history to suggest it.
It took almost a week before the doctors correctly diagnosised my leg pain as a clot. For me, it was slight discomfort which progressed into very painful as the week continued, followed finally by some serious swelling in my foot, calf, thigh, and butt. The end result was a week in the hospital, a month in a wheelchair, and almost two years later I still can't go running. If I'd gotten treatment sooner it wouldn't have been nearly as serious.
So, if this problem doesn't go away, and if you've got one or more of those risk factors, you should really, really go see a doctor before it gets worse.
Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
Can you self medicate at all? What about taking asprin? Blood clots are scary and my Mom recently died from one. I say that even though this might put you into debt, it's your life... get a scan especially since you have a history for them. You'll have your whole life to pay back the money.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
So I went to the doctor today. I was having minor heart problems and went to work in the ambulance. They xrayed my chest, monitored it, gave me an ultrasound, and a cat scan. It was just my asthma. But it's going to cost me 2342353452342343543234235345 dollars now... There's no way I can pay that! Arg! I hate bills. Hate the ER. They charge me a million dollars to wait! But at least I am healthy and I got oxygen. I love oxygen. And I kept all of these suction cups because they left them on me. My credit is already bad Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Syn, are you uninsured? There's supposed to be a "safety net" to catch those who end up in the ER with no insurance and can't afford to pay.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
There's freecare, but I might make too much money for that... Then they'll want me to pay 21432354354523432543534 dollars and I'd be like ARE YOU NUTS? HOW WILL I EAT? ARG! No way! >.<
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Where I live we have "Urgent Care Centers", like walk in clinics, but you can also make an appointment. Some people use their doctors as their primary doctors. What distinguished them from a regular doctor's office is that they have a whole bunch of doctors working there, and more diagnostic and treatment equipment. So when I dropped something on my foot, gashing it pretty well, I could stop in, have it X-rayed, stitched up, and go on my way. Much less waiting than the ER and much less expensive (the visit is the same cost as a regular doctor's appoinment, and they charge you a la carte for the X-rays and stitching).
Do such things exist by you?
Posted by Nitasmile (Member # 8275) on :
Now it is March which happens to be "Deep Vein Thrombosis" month. I found out about the following website by the "Coalition to Prevent DVT" when some of its founders were interviewed this past week on Larry King. For example, one of the founders is the wife of the reporter (for NBC), who died 3 years ago, of a DVT when he was imbedded in Iraq.
quote:Originally posted by ketchupqueen: Syn, are you uninsured? There's supposed to be a "safety net" to catch those who end up in the ER with no insurance and can't afford to pay.
Not always.
And insurance can be really tough to get. Plus, it doesn't kick in for a while after you actually get it.
Do other cities have free hospitals? We used to have Charity before the hurricane. And some of the hospitals had to treat you before they could mention anything about payment; they couldn't bring that up until you were walking out the door.
-pH
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
Also, tell me more about this calf pain that can indicate a blood clot.
Is it like a sore muscle feeling? Is it a stabbing pain? What is it? Inquiring minds want to know.
-pH
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
It was just a weird sort of pain, like a sore muscle feeling. I think I am a little paranoid, but I can't help it.
What happens if you can't pay these medical bills?
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
*points out that ph is asking what blood clot feels like, and Synesthesia is reporting what her leg felt like when it didn't have a blood clot*
Um, DVTs can be unnoticed. Or, it can cause swelling which can be quite painful. The pain seems to usually be related to the swelling, from the patients I've seen that have pain. Some have pain right along the path of the vein. But how to explain it in words that would differentiate it from a pulled calf muscle, for example, that's kind of hard since I haven't had one myself.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
If I'd gotten treatment sooner it wouldn't have been nearly as serious.