RossKean
Well-known member
About 8 weeks ago, I found myself at my Dr. office complaining about pain in upper left calf. The doc thought it could be a pulled muscle but sent me for a serum D-Dimer test to rule out serious clot. Result was slightly elevated but he did not pursue it because it resolved itself within a couple days. He warned me to get things checked IMMEDIATELY if there was a hint of recurrence.
Fast forward to NY Eve, I was at the hospital emergency dept with greater pain. The ER doctor didn't listen to history or anything else I told him and he decided (without blood tests or ultrasound) that the problem was sciatica. WTF?
Two days later at the insistence of my wife and daughter (who is a surgeon out west), I was back getting the right tests done and DVT diagnosis (deep vein thrombosis) confirmed. I am now on blood thinners and morphine for pain at home. Dr. isn't happy that progress on pain is non existant so I am headed back to the hospital for IV clot busters and observation.
This is a potentially dangerous condition and responds much faster and with far less risk if treated immediately. I could have been in major trouble if I hadn't gone back. Risk of stroke or pulmonary embolism which will ruin your whole day!
The reasons for the posting are twofold. First to serve as a reminder that motorcyclists are at risk for DVT. This is due to spending longer hours with legs relatively immobile in less-than-optimal position. Armored clothing may also reduce circulation. Dehydration can play a part as well. Long distance riders are at higher risk (for DVT) than bar hoppers. There is a lot to be said about the benefit of getting off the bike and dancing around for 5 minutes of every 90.
The other reason for posting is to remind everyone to PAY ATTENTION to what your body is telling you! I should have (and didn't) insist upon an ER doctor who would follow appropriate protocols instead of accomplishing his goal of pushing as many patients through ASAP.
Another downside to all of this is that I am likely to be on blood thinners for at least 6 months. Motorcycle riding is a riskier proposition if your blood wont clot!
Note: I am 60, in decent physical condition. Don't have high blood pressure or family history of cardiovascular illness.
Fast forward to NY Eve, I was at the hospital emergency dept with greater pain. The ER doctor didn't listen to history or anything else I told him and he decided (without blood tests or ultrasound) that the problem was sciatica. WTF?
Two days later at the insistence of my wife and daughter (who is a surgeon out west), I was back getting the right tests done and DVT diagnosis (deep vein thrombosis) confirmed. I am now on blood thinners and morphine for pain at home. Dr. isn't happy that progress on pain is non existant so I am headed back to the hospital for IV clot busters and observation.
This is a potentially dangerous condition and responds much faster and with far less risk if treated immediately. I could have been in major trouble if I hadn't gone back. Risk of stroke or pulmonary embolism which will ruin your whole day!
The reasons for the posting are twofold. First to serve as a reminder that motorcyclists are at risk for DVT. This is due to spending longer hours with legs relatively immobile in less-than-optimal position. Armored clothing may also reduce circulation. Dehydration can play a part as well. Long distance riders are at higher risk (for DVT) than bar hoppers. There is a lot to be said about the benefit of getting off the bike and dancing around for 5 minutes of every 90.
The other reason for posting is to remind everyone to PAY ATTENTION to what your body is telling you! I should have (and didn't) insist upon an ER doctor who would follow appropriate protocols instead of accomplishing his goal of pushing as many patients through ASAP.
Another downside to all of this is that I am likely to be on blood thinners for at least 6 months. Motorcycle riding is a riskier proposition if your blood wont clot!
Note: I am 60, in decent physical condition. Don't have high blood pressure or family history of cardiovascular illness.
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