signs of blood clot

I had surgery on August 23rd. I got a blood clot about a week after surgery and I was moving around, but it can still happen. Anyways, I wanted to let you guys know about the signs so you will go to the doctor right away if you have any. In the leg or arm: swelling redness tenderness soreness pain (and a little known one... severly sore muscles) In the chest area: pain shortness of breath My first sign was sore muscles, but the doctor said I was just needing more potassium and electrolytes. Then I got a "strained heel" which was another sign (pain). Finally when the swelling got so bad I couldn't walk, I went to a different doctor and she sent me to the ER in an ambulance. My blood clot was (in length) from my knee to my groin. I was in the hospital for a week. It is taking forever to dissolve. I still have some swelling and I'll be on blood thinners for 5 more months. Please, if you have or develop any of these signs, get to a doctor immediately! *~Amber~*

Hi Amber, It's a good thing you went to another doctor. I hope you continue to do well. Thanks for sharing I will have surgery Oct 25th and this is good info to know ahead of time. Charlene

Hi Amber, Thanks so much for posting the warning signs for us. I am sorry that you are having to go through so much because of the clot - I really wish your first doctor would have been more careful and cautious. I guess some doctors are just clueless. Take care. I wish you a speedy recovery. Rachella

yes, thanks so so much for sharing!! I didnt understand about how a blood clot looks, I was thinking of a small lump or something....I was horrified to hear that yours was so long, down your leg like that!! My gosh!! Thank God you made it to the hospital in time!! God was watching i think maybe did you feel the pain right where it was, from your knee to yoru groin? Just curious if that was a sign too. Alicia

About a week after surgery, I had the sore muscle in my thigh where the clot was, but it just felt like a muscle pain. Then my calf muscles started getting sore, too. And then the pain in my heel was unbearable when I tried to stand. I couldn't put an weight on it. When I went back to the hospital for the clot I had some pain (like nerve pain) where the clot was. Plus my thigh and calf were SO SWOLLEN that I couldn't stand right. It felt like I had a pillow taped to the inside of my thigh. The doctor said that 80% of blood clots don't show any signs, so people don't even know they have them. That's why I wanted to let you guys know about the signs that might show up so you don't ignore them. Blood clots can be lethal, as I am sure you all know. Please be careful and do everything your surgeon says to. But even then, it can still happen! I pray that everyone's surgeries goes well. Stay safe and healthy! And good luck in your new life!!! *~Amber~*

So sorry to hear you had so must pain and the scare of your life. But I am angry that your first doctor was not able to help you. It is so sad that some people die because (some) doctors are just not through enought. Thanks for the list of signs to watch out for.