Quickly getting depressed

DVT appeared late Oct 2013. Clot near knee in right leg. Hoping this'll be gone in 9 months. I'm on XARELTO (20 mg). I've had two episodes writhing in pain - use of cold packs and elevate foot alleviated episode in about 45 minutes.
(tough way to learn to wear compression stockings first thing in morning)

No family history of DVT and no "incident" triggering 'this'.
Age 60. Very good health. 160 lbs. Low blood pressure. Normal cholesterol. Little exercise though.

I feel "damaged", and, "it's not fair".


Am I gonna have swollen leg rest of my life?
Strategies to hasten recovery?

P.S. thanks in advance for this forum DERO

Hey Footloose,

You are quit welcomed, I did this because I could not find answers to my questions, so I figured, other would be in the same boat as I was...

Sounds like another "Idiopathic DVT" it seems to be VERY common, DVT without a reason.
As for strategies, you seem to be doing the one thing that I think helped me a lot, wearing comp socks, walking and or swimming are other activities that you could take up, cheap on gear and it's rather enjoyable, it does help restore blood flow in your legs.
I fully understand what you say about being damage, but don't let it take you down, fight back.
Who was it that said "we will NEVER SURRENDER"   Churchill?
It applies here also.
If you keep active, it will help prevent damage to the valves in your veins hence might prevent PTS(Post Thrombotic Syndrome). That's the swollen legs syndrome...

I was diagnosed in May of 2012.
The information from the hospital said to continue my exercise routine, but carefully. For me this meant walking 2 to 5 km per day, with my 2 dogs. (one is now deceased ) While exercising about a week later, I tripped in a rodent's burrow. That was scary, both myself and my gp concluded that if I could walk.... The following Friday, I saw the Thrombosis clinic, where they ran a few tests, and then suggested the socks. It was probably the socks that prevented swelling of the ancle. So for a month I limped/ and hobbled around the forest. On one very hot day, my 15 year old 'Quincy' became confused, and would have died of heat stroke, but for the aid of friends who got her to water. On the Canada weekend my sister took meto the emerge, An X ray was taken, and a fracture was diagnosed in the same leg as the DVT. I was prescribed Tylenol 3, and was told to use an Air Cast, because of the clot. I was allowed to drive, with out the cast, (pure heaven) And in six weeks the fractures healed, and I got back on the bicycle for the rest of that season. Since then the pain in both my knees has been getting worse, which has been diagnosed as Arthritis, I must be extremely careful about managing that...Tylenol--but no NSAID's. I was also referred to an urologist, as a result of a research study related to the DVT. I am more that a bit depressed... So ar this winter, I am unable to maintain my exercise and have gained weight. I also find that I get very fatiqued, and am sleeping much more than I use to. Fortunately I m retired, and have no worries there.... I suspect that the Warfarin is depressing my entire system, as well as making management of the Arthritis (which also benefits from staying active) difficult. I do find that swollen legs also benefit from being elevated to above the heart...
What I am looking for now, is how do I get off the blood thinner, as I cold turkey though tempting, is not recommended. Could the anti-coagulant property of Arthritis strength aspirin be a viable alternative?

Margaret,
Clarify, you were diagnosed with DVT in May 2012 and still there? I thought most DVT cleared up at about 12 months. I'm no doctor, but you should probably NOT cease Warfarin and commence aspirin. See if your "doc" can switch you to rivaroxaban (common name Xarelto) and alternatives for arthritis. I'm in US where rivaroxaban is fairly new blood thinner and FAR easier to administer in that there's NO need to continually monitor blood as in warfarin. Lastly - my swelling has gone down greatly with no pain any longer. I DO wear compression stockings daily and have ceased cold packs and elevating leg. Early in my diagnosis I found best method to gain greatest elevation (heart > leg) was to lie on your back on floor and place leg on a straight back chair.

I have seen a specialist in Ottawa, at the thrombosis clinic about 4 times. next appointment is in April... My GP has been strange. I had an ultrasound at the local hospital, and a number of tests in town. She then sent me to the emergency for the MD there to begin treatment. This in spite of the fact that there is only 1 on duty, and I was less urgent that a child who died on a school bus..go figure... I need now to push her to figure out a strategy to deal with whatever is going on in both my knees...possibly a further injury or strain. I do have a drug benefit, so I can afford what ever. The best she has done so far this winter is to suggest that I hire someone to shovel my driveway...much easier said than done... kids don't need money. lol. I am not sure why I am still in need of Warfarin.. I know that it is a rodenticide.. that rats have developed a resitance, and that it iis an environmental nasty if not disposed of with great care. It is still used against mice.. Other than that. What I am attempting is to lead as normal and active a life as I can, and not to be too obsessed aout my aches and pains.

You were diagnosed with DVT in May 2012 and it's still there?

Suggest asking your MD about switching to RIVAROXABAN. (also known as Zyban)

Hi Magaret,
When was the last time you went to the TAT unit in Ottawa? (you do know that they moved to the General Hospital, second floor, on Smyth Road?)
I'm at the point that I see them once a year, see if they can change you onto Pradax, that is what I'm presently taking and I have NO ISSUES whatsoever.
The whole secret of living with clots is to live life as if you did not have it... I know, easier said then done, but, that is the attitude I have taken and it seems to help me.
The way I look at it, I'M ALIVE!!!
We are the fortunate ones.