I have a blood clot AND it is infected

[kulita 243]

I am a tad over 1 month out.

At my 2nd week apt my Dr. said that I probably have a superficial blood clot in my wrist and he didn't seem too concerned since they typically do go away without any complications. He told me to put a warm compress on it.

Fast Foward to today (1 month) and my wrist is swollen, painful to touch, and has a slight red streak above the clot area. The actual area feel like a a knot!

I decide to go to the ER and I was told that it looks infected and it should have started to go away by now. So they gave me antibiotics so that they can tackle the infection part and hopefully that will give my body enough to take care of the clot. Oh and I am in a sling.

I am curious to find out what other people had to do in a situation like this. I am thankful it isn't a dvt, but this pain does hurt a bit.

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

I had it in my left arm. I took antibiotics and had topical anegesic cream for the pain. I was quite tender to the touch for a month, but it did go away.

[SHORTDOG 27]

First of all, I hope you get well sooner than later.

Blood clots and leakage are biggest fears of getting sleeved, but when i took a test to see how fast i "clot"...they said that i am a bleeder and took long to clot, is this a good thing or ???

[junebug38 13]

^{I'm so sorry. I don't have any experience with this or advice, but I was just curious if they think it's related to the surgery? Or was it just a coincedence?}

[kulita 243]

It is related to the surgery but not directly. Let me explain. I had an IV in my hand during surgery that became infiltrated and the nurse decided to change it after she saw my hand get swollen. I noticed it was swollen almost immediately but I thought that I might have still been too woozy from the anesthesia. I do remember getting like 9 treatments of heperin, but I guess I still developed a clot.

Ms. Antiband how long did it take for it to go away and what cream did they give you?

[MystiGal 143]

Sorry to hear about your wrist! I hope you get better real soon! How.long do we have to worry about the risk of a blood clot? I am one week out and have been paranoid about it.

[kulita 243]

Mystigal,

I noticed my hand was tender but my wrist hurt the most almost immediately. My Dr. said it was a superficial clot and the typically go away without any problems, but I guess my body's WBC could not break it up and thus created an infected site.

As for how long you have to worry... I would say don't worry until you have to worry. There is no need for undue stress, but also take precautions and follow your Dr's orders.

[FeeIsMe2 508]

Yikes! I hope you are feeling better soon!

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

Yes, it's caused by issues with the IV. Because of my damaged veins I normally use a perm port that's located in my chest, but because they were able to get a Radial artery IV they went with that. Obviously.. It didn't work and it Infiltrated and in turn I got phlebitis.

Doc gave a script for a anti inflamitory anagesic cream. Don't recall the name but the pain lasted a good three weeks. The swelling and pain went from the base of my fingers to my elbow

[jacee 183]

It is related to the surgery but not directly. Let me explain. I had an IV in my hand during surgery that became infiltrated and the nurse decided to change it after she saw my hand get swollen. I noticed it was swollen almost immediately but I thought that I might have still been too woozy from the anesthesia. I do remember getting like 9 treatments of heperin, but I guess I still developed a clot.

Ms. Antiband how long did it take for it to go away and what cream did they give you?

I had the exact same thing happen to me but no infection.( they infiltrated my vein with an Iv the nurse just shot the pain medicine in the IV without going slowly something popped and I felt an incredible amount of pain) It was with a surgery I had just a few months prior to the sleeve. It hurt and left a terrible bruise from my wrist to my elbow. It also left a bump of Fluid in the crease of my arm. It still hurts, and I still have the slight bruise about 10 inches long. I showed my sleeve surgeon, and she said that it could take up to two and a half years to fully go away..(seriously?) It has been over a year since the infiltration. Some drs and nurses and ppl that draw my blood shake their heads and say they rarely see anything this bad, it totally sucks I am sorry. The original hospital where I had it done, they just said sorry. Nothing they can do.

[phantompouch 19]

Have you seen a specialist......? Have they suggested doing an ultrasound ?I hope that you get better soon........all the best.....for good health.....

[kulita 243]

I am supposed to watch how the antibiotics work. If I feel better and the swelling goes down after 3 days then I don't need to return, but if the symptoms persist then I am guessing I will see a specialist and more aggressive treatment.

[Rox 200]

I am so sorry to hear about this complication. I'm glad you got it checked out. Good Luck with the antibiotics.

[erp 2,016]

I too have a clot in the top of my hand from a vein infiltrated by a bad IV stick. I wad told would go away but no such luck. I see my surgeon next week and it will be one of the first things I ask about.

[kulita 243]

The antibiotics are helping with the swelling and minimizes the pain. The knotted/corded feeling under my skin is still there though. On Friday I made an appt to see my Dr. again and hopefully there is nothing to worry about.

In the Er they told me that normal clots usual go away within a month so if you have had one for longer than that PLEASE bring it to your Dr. attention. Additionally, if it is causing your pain notify your Dr or visit the ER straight away. Err on the side of caution.