terrified!!! need advice urgently

[ldocherty93]

I've already posted about a blood clot the other day & here i am again. Yesterday my right foot kept getting a vibrating sensation in the sole of it, I've had cramp a few times in it also. Tonight i noticed a small bruise next to a vein plus a few red patches on my foot. It gets a bit achy at times too. My heart has been constantly racing all day & i read that that is another sign of a blood clot. I am freaked out, am i right in thinking this is a blood clot? I need advice asap so i know what to do!!!!

[Fourteen14]

I've already posted about a blood clot the other day & here i am again. Yesterday my right foot kept getting a vibrating sensation in the sole of it, I've had cramp a few times in it also. Tonight i noticed a small bruise next to a vein plus a few red patches on my foot. It gets a bit achy at times too. I am freaked out, am i right in thinking this is a blood clot? I need advice asap so i know what to do!!!!

It really DOESN'T sound like a blood clot!

BUT......it may help to see the GP to fully explain to you what you would expect to encounter if ever you really had one. (Perhaps visiting a stroke or heart unit in a hospital). I'm being serious, the fear associated with it needs hitting head on.

Otherwise this is never going to subside.

Did you get your referral through for CBT yet?

[ldocherty93]

It really DOESN'T sound like a blood clot!

BUT......it may help to see the GP to fully explain to you what you would expect to encounter if ever really had one. (Perhaps visiting a stroke or heart unit in a hospital). I'm being serious, the fear associated with it needs hitting head on.

Otherwise this is never going to subside.

Did you get your referral through for CBT yet?

I don't have redness, swelling or the warmth of it but i've read that blood clots don't always show signs which is making me even more paranoid.

It's 10pm so all i can really do is phone NHS24..

Not yet, been waiting weeks for it aswell but the doctor said it can take a while.

[Fourteen14]

I don't have redness, swelling or the warmth of it but i've read that blood clots don't always show signs which is making me even more paranoid. It's 10pm so all i can really do is phone NHS24.. Not yet, been waiting weeks for it aswell but the doctor said it can take a while.

If you are really worried call NHS, if you aren't going to sleep.

But ask yourself this :

Do the symptoms really fit the diagnosis of a blood clot?

Or

Does the fear of a blood clot make the diagnosis loosely fit the symptoms?

[ldocherty93]

If you are really worried call NHS, if you aren't going to sleep.

But ask yourself this :

Do the symptoms really fit the diagnosis of a blood clot?

Or

Does the fear of a blood clot make the diagnosis loosely fit the symptoms?

I'm not sure.. but i'd say the first one!!

[ldocherty93]

The words of reason. Idocherty I really hope you can take them on board. :)

What do you mean :)?

[Fourteen14]

I'm not sure.. but i'd say the first one!!

These are the basic symptoms as given by the NHS

* pain, swelling and tenderness in one of your legs (usually your calf)
* a heavy ache in the affected area
* warm skin in the area of the clot
* redness of your skin, particularly at the back of your leg, below the knee

Cramp in the foot only really fits into the first one. But as with any clot,this would be constant (it won't ease off by stretching)

And.....

If it was a DVT in the foot/leg, this is treatable

Your risk factors are mainly

* inactivity (bedridden for long periods)
* older age
* obesity
* certain types of medication

[ldocherty93]

These are the basic symptoms as given by the NHS

* pain, swelling and tenderness in one of your legs (usually your calf)
* a heavy ache in the affected area
* warm skin in the area of the clot
* redness of your skin, particularly at the back of your leg, below the knee

Cramp in the foot only really fits into the first one. But as with any clot,this would be constant (it won't ease off by stretching)

And.....

If it was a DVT in the foot/leg, this is treatable

Your risk factors are mainly

* inactivity (bedridden for long periods)
* older age
* obesity
* certain types of medication

I don't have any risk factors which is kinda putting my mind at ease slightly but then i'm back to square one. What if.. but..

So do you think i should be okay til tomorrow & i'll go to a chemist for advice?

[ldocherty93]

I just mean that 14 provides a very important question there. He encourages us to turn what we think on it's head and ask ourselves the same thing but in a different way. When we apply reason and logic it can change our perceptions and expectations.

Focusing on the worse case scenario is often our biggest enemy. His health anxiety , living with risk is a very good example of that. For instance yesterday's post on positive or negative connotations and the role in what our expectancies may be.

His example of fixating on 1 in 4 people have this or that sounds so scary and we jump on that as a negative right? Well same percentage of people but related in our minds as 3 in 4 people do not have said horrible this or that. Far more positive with better perceptions or expectancy of danger.

Look again at the 2 questions he poses and recognise if your falling into that thinking.

Your symptoms that you are currently looking at , do you see them as fully fitting the diagnosis you are frightened of or are you making the same amount of symptoms fit the bill even when they don't fully measure up. Tap into your reason and logic as far as you can. :)

I know what you mean now :) just a bit tired!

[ldocherty93]

No problem. :) I wouldn't want you to think I was being short with you. I promise I wasn't. My health anxiety is quite mild where my other anxiety disorders are debilitating. We are different and yet the same :) that's where our understanding comes from. Hope you find some rest tonight.

Its my health anxiety that takes over everything! Everything seems to be health related.. Thank you but i doubt i will, i'm too scared & paranoid!!

[ldocherty93]

When you get to bed put on some you tube relaxation, hypnosis/ visualisation etc. they can be super calming and they lead your mind onto other thoughts. You never know your brain may calm down and let your body recoup. :)

I've been in bed for a while & i'm knackered, i know if i shut my eyes i'll nod straight off. I'm still worried incase it is a blood clot which would travel during the night.. arghhh my mind is in overdrive!!

[Fourteen14]

I've been in bed for a while & i'm knackered, i know if i shut my eyes i'll nod straight off. I'm still worried incase it is a blood clot which would travel during the night.. arghhh my mind is in overdrive!!

Another thought (just before I go to sleep dreaming about embolisms) ;)

Whilst you are waiting for your CBT referral you could investigate anyone locally who practices clinical hypnotherapy (Very effective for those susceptible to it). Not cheap but it may help give you a normal life back.

And don't worry about falling asleep!!

I've yet to encounter anyone who died of foot cramp!

:)