This May, I tore my calf muscle playing soccer. It was the same injury I had only three months earlier, so I thought I knew what to expect. Three days later, I had a massage and then left for Cuba that evening on a three-hour flight.
My calf was sore and I had bought a calf sleeve to support me it while walking. The pain in my calf was terrible, especially when I woke up in the night to go to the washroom, or waking up in the morning. It lessened slightly with walking.
A few days into my trip, I developed a rash all down my right shin on my injured leg and the calf was mildly swollen. I thought it could be heat rash as it was very hot that week and I had been wearing a support sleeve on my leg. I felt uncomfortable since it was on my injured leg and was driven by taxi to a nearby clinic at 3 a.m.
I explained the injury to the doctor and that I had been wearing a support sleeve for my calf. She touched my calf and said it was heat rash. She recommended keeping it cool and elevated. I believed the doctor and stayed in my air conditioned room for the remainder on my trip with my leg elevated.
I got home and my ankle was so swollen. I went to urgent care the next morning where I explained everything to the doctor. He sent me for an ultrasound, which found a DVT above the back of my right knee. He said he suspected I had a blood clot just by looking at my leg. I was overwhelmed and cried a bunch that weekend. I was on apixaban for three months and my next ultrasound came back clear, clot fully resolved.
I’m a little anxious of random feelings in my legs. But after my calf injury healed, I’m prioritizing exercise again and being smart while I travel. I went to Portugal while on thinners. I wore compression socks, moved on the plane and booked aisle seats. I was told I’m not someone who is especially prone to getting clots, which is reassuring, but the worry is still there.
Blood clots symptoms can mimic so many other things, so be careful.
Resources
Travel
How is a DVT Diagnosed?
Living Your Best Life on Blood Thinners
