Arm still swelling

DVT upper extremity

by apv1994 - 2017-11-17 21:45:31

Hi!  I got a dvt tnt my upper left arm about 5-7 days after implant. I was put on warfarin but given little other instructions. I elevated my arm a lot. It did help some.The swelling didn't go down. In fact about a month after getting it, my arm swelled and ached like it was still there. I had been back work about a week so I wasn't elevating any where near as much.My cardiologist wasn't in so I was advised to go to my primary care of the ER. I went to my primary care. They sent me over to get an ultrasound which the appointment was made as soon as they heard what was going on.No clot of any kind was found not even my original one. I stayed home from work and elevated all day

To shorten my story I asked what I could do. The Dr said to wrap it with elastic bandages but yet again no instructions on how. I went online and found out about compression sleeves. I found a lady who deals mainly with ladies who had mastectomy and get lymphedema. I called my Dr and got a prescription. She had to order the sleeves but had an old style on hand so she gave me that one and a glove so my arm wouldn't get worse. I've been wearing the sleeves since late April. I had a checkup with her last week and my. swelling hadn't gone down much so my insurance okayed a machine that massages my arm. I'm supposed to do it every day for an hour. Now I wear the sleeve and glove most every day but a couple times a week I give myself a break from it!  The lady said I may have to wear it for the rest of my life. I had cellulitis once on a different part of my body and I don't want it ever again!  If I were you, I would talk to my primary care if your cardiologist won't help.  Sorry so long! Good luck!

Arm

by Deak - 2017-11-17 21:56:15

wow. I didn't want to hear that. Guess I had better get busy doing something.  Thanks

Didn't want to scare you but...

by apv1994 - 2017-11-18 20:41:55

I thought the swelling would go down on it's own until I had the scare of a second blood clot and I talked with the lady who does the compression sleeves. That scared me. I, of course, googled lymphedema arm and scared me some more. There was no way I want my arm to get huge like that. Maybe you'll get lucky and your arm will go down. I was on warfarin for 3 months. 

Arm

by Deak - 2017-11-18 21:15:14

Thank, hope it does too. I took my shower today and I could fell it swelling.