Blood clot/ calf and home blood pressure machine

[ArthurAlphonse]

Greetings.

I am new to this forum, and am glad that I gave found it.
Hopefully, I will find some needed comfort.

I have been having lots of pain in my legs (one leg more than other) for the past several months without any known cause. Of course I was nervous about dvt/blood clots (especially since I was also experiencing shortness of brrath and chest pain). I had a d-dimer test about month ago and was way normal. The past few weeks have been characterized by more leg pain, especially in calves. I had a pre-existing appointment with my GP the other day, in which he tried to assure me again of no DVT (based on my symptoms and risk factors and a physical exam). I asked about an ultrasound (since I think my problem may be circulatory in nature), but he didnt feel it necessary.

When I have this anxiety, I often do things to overcorrect, which cause me even more anxiety! So, I did some stupid internet research (really trying to do lessof of that) and read anout peripheral artery disease. Read about how you can measure blood pressure in calf as well as arm as a test for this (although you really need an ultrasound reading). We have a blood pressure machine (automatic not pump) at home. So,stupidly, I tried to take my blood pressure on my calf. I got a reading the first time (unsurprisingly higher than when measured at arm). But couldnt get any other readings (usually the machine averages out three readings). I was finally able to almost get another reading (note that the test/squeezing takes abt less than one minute), but the cuff was getting too tight and I released it. I freaked out and thougt omg I might be giving myself a blood clot! To overcompensate a bit, I did some exercising (dancing) right after. Actually, a lot

Ugh! Now I can't sleep and continue to have my pre-existing calf pain (feels like its a little worse--(particularly on leg where I used the cuff). Is there anything here to worry about? Could I have given myself a blood clot in my calf (where they often appear)?! I know highly unlikely, but I need some reassurance.

I know for example that tourniquets can potentially cause blood clots, but that would be for an extended period of time (such as during a surgery). Right? Interesestingly enough, my GP joked with me that I would not be having a DVT or PE anytime soon (barring exceptional circumstances). Then he said, now if you tied some torniquet around your limbs, then thats a different story (and said jokingky that if he found out that i did that, he woukd kill me before any blood clot/PE). So, now in light of the BP ankle cuff freak out, I am thinking about what he said (and how mad he might be for me doing what I did). Why did I do that???!

Sorry for this long initial post. I know there has been a thread about arm blood pressure monitors and a clot, but I think this might be slightly different in light of the characteristics of my situation (pre-existing calf pain, dr visit, ankle/calf).

Lastly, as an FYI, I just re-started taking Lexapro for anxiety yesterday. Tried to be off for several months, but too much anxiety for me to deal with just with behavior modification.

I look forward to hearing from any and all! Thank you.

[countrygirl]

You cannot take a blood pressure reading in your legs with the machines you use at home for your arms!!!!!!!!!!! The machines for this are specialist ones that hospitals have in vascular clinics. IF you read the instructions on your blood pressure machine it states very clearly that you should only use them for where they are intended so if you have a wrist machine then it only works on your wrist and your arm one only works on your arm. So whatever reading you got you can totally ignore it as it would be totally incorrect.

My aunty has peripheral artery disease, its almost always restricted to people in middle/old age and usually long time smokers - is this you?
Does the pain come on when you walk but is absent at all other times?

I can understand and sympathise with your fear of DVT as thats the nature of health anxiety but a negative d dimer test is all the test you need to rule a dvt out.

Your leg pains could be related to your back or knees or feet or bad posture, the list is endless but none of them are dangerous.

I cannot imagine you have done any damage with the machine as they do the same thing with specialist machines in the vascular clinics.

Hope you can get some reassurance.

[ArthurAlphonse]

Thanks, countrygirl!

I realize that I shouldnt have used the machine on my ankle (and expect any accurate reading) but I was in a moment of anxiety I suppose. I guess I was more concerned about the possibility of a clot using the machine on my ankle, but since it was just a few minutes at most (albeit tight) and I was exercising and active afterwards, there really is no chance for clot to develop!!

And thank you for some good suggestions. D-dimer test abt month ago, but pain in calves has returned pretty significantly. Not a smoker, height weight proportionate, 41 years old, non diabetic. So, likelihood is indeed low for PAD. But I do wish my dr yesterday had at least addressed it to put me ar ease! I think thats why I then used my home machine. Keeping an eye out on it, since what really concerns me more is that these episodes sometimes are associated with shortness of breath (heart is perfect though!).

[countrygirl]

So glad you found my post of help, I was a bit worried you might have thought I was being hard on you about taking your bp with the arm machine but it wasn't meant that way.

High anxiety does make all rational thought disappear I find!

It is a shame that your Dr did not take more time to reassure you, I suppose from their point of view they know that you do not have a clot or circulation problems and cannot comprehend how worried you can be.

When my mother had a clot in her thigh her d dimer test was off the scale and her leg was very tight and shiny- it was impossible to miss and she had awful pain 24/7.

Anxiety itself can cause all sorts of pains because of the effect on our muscles, this can also cause all the twitching which freaks us out as well