Patient Stories:
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) can affect anyone and may lead to serious complications such as pulmonary embolism. Read what real patients have to say about their journey through seeking help, getting a diagnosis, receiving treatment and restoring their quality of life.
Getting Back to an Active Life with Deep Vein Thrombosis.
Two days after surgery, my left leg started swelling and hurting more than my shoulder."
Watch Reid's DVT Story
Reid Estes, 62
I was an active tennis player and usually played five or six days a week. I suffered a rotator cuff injury in my right shoulder and had surgery to repair it. The procedure went well and I was home recuperating.
Two days after surgery, my left leg started swelling and hurting more than my shoulder. It was aching and throbbing. It started turning a dark color. I tried to ignore it, thinking it would go away. The next day, when I tried to walk upstairs, I could hardly breathe. So I called my family doctor and he told me to come in right away.
I had difficulty breathing. They scanned my chest and found multiple pulmonary embolisms.”
Road to Diagnosis and Treatment
When I arrived at my doctor’s office, he was very concerned about my breathing. They scanned my chest and found multiple pulmonary embolisms (blood clots which block blood flow) in my lungs. They immediately wheeled me over to the hospital and I was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Additional tests showed I had Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) in my left leg, from my ankle to my groin, with substantial occlusion (or blockage). Clots had broken free from my leg and traveled to my lungs.
They started me on blood thinners and the vascular surgeon performed a thrombolysis procedure to clear out my vein. He went in with a tool that scraped or brushed out the clot and restored the blood flow. In my case, he did the procedure a second time to remove more of the obstruction. It turned out very well. I started having excellent circulation. Following my treatment, I was able to get my strength back and move around again in about a month. I was put on some medications for a few months. And now that my shoulder has healed, I am back to playing tennis five days a week and feeling great. I don’t have any lingering effects and I am very fortunate.
I am back to playing tennis five days a week. I am very fortunate.”
How Others Can Take the Step Toward Better Health
The first thing I would tell people is that if you experience shortness of breath after surgery, seek medical attention right away. It can be very dangerous. You should also call if you experience swelling in your leg. Don’t wait to get it checked out. Another thing I learned from this experience is to be careful about sitting too much. I was on a trip the week before my surgery. I was sitting on the plane for hours and then sitting while fishing for several days. It may have been a factor in my DVT. Now I wear compression stockings when I travel and make sure to get up and walk around often. Being active isso important.
Model for illustrative purposes only.
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Helpful Resources
PVD Doctor
Discussion Guide
Get helpful tips and advice on how to talk to your doctor about a PVD screening.
DVT Brochure
Find out more information on DVT by downloading this helpful brochure.
Third-Party Resources
Helpful Websites
Blogs
Apps
A mobile app built by cardiologists, to simplify understanding of most cardiac and peripheral vascular conditions and treatments.
Find a Doctor that Treats DVT
If you think you may have DVT, it is important to get help. Talk to your doctor, or use our Doctor Finder tool below to find a DVT specialist near you.
This tool is not inclusive of all specialists. Consult with your insurance provider to find specialists that are covered within your network.
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Disclaimer
The opinions and clinical experiences presented herein are for informational purposes only. Individual results may vary depending on a variety of patient specific attributes and related factors. Dr. Raghu Kolluri has been compensated by Philips for his services in preparing and providing this material for Philips further use and distribution. The patients featured on this page are not patients of Dr. Kolluri. The material on this website is for general information and education purposes only. Information you read on this website cannot replace the relationship you have with your doctor. Philips does not practice medicine or provide medical services or advice as part of this website and the information on this website should not be considered medical advice. You should always talk to your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The patients featured on this page received diagnosis and treatment based on their specific conditions, their physician’s medical opinion and under their physician’s medical care. Philips has obtained the rights to use actual patient images, story content, videos, full names and other content via privacy agreements. Patient stories represent individual experiences. Results may vary. All story content was provided by the patient. The patient testimonial(s) above relates an account of an individual’s response to treatment. The account is genuine, typical and documented. However, the patients’ response does not provide any indication, guide, warranty or guarantee as to the response other people may have to the treatment. The response other individuals have to the treatment could be different. Responses to the treatment can and do vary. Not every response is the same. Specific references to hospitals and/or physicians are not intended to imply promotion or endorsement by Philips. Models shown in photographs on this website are stock photography models (Models) and are not actual patients of, nor are they affiliated with, Philips or the physicians mentioned on the website. The photographs showing the models are used on this website for illustrative purposes only. We offer links to third-party websites that may be of interest to our website visitors and in no way, represent any affiliation or endorsement of the information provided on those linked websites. These links are provided solely for your convenience and to assist you in learning more information on this topic. However, Philips does not control, endorse or guarantee the accuracy of the information contained on the linked sites. In addition, Philips makes no representations or warranties of any kind with regards to any third-party websites or information contained therein. If you have any questions or concerns about the information on the linked third-party websites, please contact the third-party websites directly. For additional information contact Philips at 1-800-228-4728.