Is There Cause for Alarm Regarding Blood Clots? Persistent Injury - Potential Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, 22 Female & Hypermobile. My Hand Remains Cold.
Since 2018, I have been dealing with a long-term injury affecting my shoulder, neck, and scapula, seeking clarity on my condition. Over the years, the situation has progressively worsened, leading to new and troubling symptoms. Lately, I’ve noticed that my veins appear swollen and painful, and my hand feels cold throughout my working hours. Additionally, the weakness in my arm has made it increasingly challenging to perform even basic tasks. This ongoing distress has significantly impacted my quality of life, curtailing many of my hobbies and activities since the initial onset. Given these symptoms, I am genuinely worried about the potential risk of a blood clot being overlooked. Recently, I requested an ultrasound to investigate my concerns, but unfortunately, my request was denied.
Answers (1)
6/24/2025, 1:20:41 PM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable that you’re concerned given your long-term shoulder and neck injury, combined with the symptoms of coldness in your hand, swollen veins, and arm weakness. These signs can be distressing and may indicate several underlying issues, including a potential risk of blood clots. Let’s break this down to address your worries and provide actionable steps.
Explanation
Your history of injury, along with symptoms like coldness and swelling in the veins, can indicate a problem with blood flow possibly related to thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). TOS can occur due to compression of nerves or blood vessels in the area between your collarbone and first rib. Keeping an eye on these symptoms is crucial, especially as they relate to circulation.
While there’s always some risk of blood clots with swelling and cold hands, especially if there’s ongoing compression, it’s important to note that not all symptoms are indicative of a clot. However, your symptoms should not be ignored, especially since they’re affecting your daily life.
Prioritized Next Steps
-
Self-Assessment: Keep a detailed diary of your symptoms:
- Document when your hand feels cold or any instances of swelling.
- Note the severity and duration of symptoms, especially after physical activities.
-
Elevate and Move: Try to regularly elevate your arms to promote better circulation. Simple wrist and shoulder stretches can help reduce compression and improve blood flow.
-
Warm Up: Consider gentle heat applications (like a warm compress) to increase blood flow to your hand and relieve discomfort. Ensure to monitor how this affects the coldness.
-
Continue Seeking Help: If your ultrasound request was denied, seek further clarification. Firmly express your concerns to your healthcare provider, and if possible, request a consultation with a specialist in vascular or thoracic conditions who can assess your needs more thoroughly.
-
Lifestyle Adjustments: Evaluate your daily activities; try to take more breaks while working to reduce strain on your shoulder and neck. Small, frequent movements are better for your circulation than prolonged inactivity.
If you experience sudden changes like increased arm swelling, severe pain, or accompanied symptoms like shortness of breath, it’s essential to seek immediate medical attention. Your well-being is important, and addressing these symptoms is crucial for improving your quality of life. Please keep me posted on your progress, and let me know if you need further advice!
Related Questions
Navigating Ear Infections While Traveling in Thailand
**Age:** 23 **Height:** 6'3" **Weight:** 88 kg **Medication Taken:** 1000mg Bactoclav - Amoxicillin with Potassium Clavulanate, along with pain relief and antihistamines. **Summary:** I’m hesitant to consult a doctor overseas only to receive a prescription for the same antibiotics available at a local pharmacy for a fraction of the price. What strategies can I employ to effectively manage this persistent ear infection? Am I being too hasty in my expectations? I have a long history of ear infections, often triggered by exposure to water or any activity impacting my ears. I regularly use a specialized oil before showering to prevent water from entering my ears. While backpacking in Thailand, I've developed a particularly severe ear infection over the last several days. Initially, a course of 500mg amoxicillin seemed effective, but significantly, just yesterday my condition took a downturn, shifting from nearly healed to painfully inflamed. Now, my ear is not only swollen but also incredibly sore. In an attempt to combat this, I’ve been taking 1000mg Bactoclav - Amoxicillin and Potassium Clavulanate, having consumed seven tablets in the last two days; unfortunately, there's been no noticeable improvement. I’m reluctant to seek medical attention, fearing I would be prescribed the same medication I could acquire from a pharmacy, albeit at a much higher cost. Yet, I’m also starting to question the efficacy of the pharmacy’s medication. I’ve only recently begun the stronger treatment since my symptoms returned. Any advice would be greatly valued! In addition, I’d like to share that just a week into my four-month journey, I feel as though my ongoing ear issues are gradually dominating my life. I am incredibly grateful for this travel opportunity, and while my health isn’t at risk in a serious way, these ear complications are becoming quite overwhelming. Could there be surgical options available? Might there be an underlying health concern that I’m unaware of? It doesn’t seem normal to be plagued by constant ringing, popping sounds, and wax buildup in my ears. Moreover, it feels excessive to have to apply products in my ears every time I shower.
Injury to the Sciatic Nerve
At 25 years old and weighing 135 pounds, I am currently taking naproxen and Lyrica to manage my sciatic nerve injury. The pain in my right leg has made it incredibly difficult for me to remain upright. It’s been two weeks since I first sought treatment; I consulted a physician who advised medication and attended a physiotherapy session. Initially, I experienced some relief after the appointment, but unfortunately, the pain returned the following day—even the prescribed home exercises exacerbated my discomfort. Just yesterday, I attempted the cobra pose, along with the flossing technique, which only heightened my pain. I find it nearly impossible to stand for more than a few seconds before the discomfort becomes intolerable. Additionally, I have an appointment with an osteopath on Tuesday, but I can't shake off my worries— is it normal to still struggle with walking after two weeks? Although I am experiencing some numbness in my toes, I haven’t encountered any loss of bladder or bowel control, worsening numbness, or weakness in my legs, so I feel stable in that regard. Nonetheless, I fear the possibility of never fully recovering and being left with a lasting disability. The pain is overwhelming, adding to my anxiety about the future.
Inquiry Regarding Metronidazole Use for Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis
I am a 32-year-old female, measuring 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 248 pounds. My current medications include Vyvanse at a dosage of 40mg, a medication for asthma, vitamin D, a 325mg iron supplement, and as of now, I am also taking amoxicillin to treat strep throat. I am about to begin using Metronidazole 0.75% Vaginal Gel, with a total of 70 grams available. The instructions indicate that I should administer 5 grams vaginally twice a day for seven days, followed by twice a week for a period of two months. During the initial treatment phase when I will apply the gel twice daily, I anticipate abstaining from sexual activity. However, once I transition to the twice-weekly application, is it permissible to engage in sexual intercourse? I would normally consult my physician about this matter, but she is currently unavailable, and the nurse is also out of the office, which is quite frustrating.
Understanding the Increased Pain in My Foot While Reclining
At 30 years old, I am nearing the five-week mark since undergoing surgery on my metatarsals. I've encountered a troubling issue: I can’t seem to find comfort when lying down, whether it’s with my foot raised or lying flat. My pain level escalates to a severe 10 out of 10, unless my foot is making contact with the floor or I dangle my leg off the side of the bed so that my toes touch the ground. Is this situation typical for someone in my circumstances? Are there any suggestions that might assist me in getting a better night's sleep?
Persistent Pain in Right Shoulder and Arm After Lifting
Hello, everyone! I’m a 23-year-old male and have been engaged in weightlifting for several years now. Recently, I’ve been struggling with ongoing discomfort in my right shoulder and arm, which I haven’t been able to accurately identify. The pain manifests during particular movements, especially with lateral raises or when my arm is raised to shoulder level while rotating my wrist. Certain pressing and pulling activities can also provoke this discomfort. Rather than feeling sharp, it’s a deep, nagging sensation that sometimes seems localized in the front area of the shoulder or at the biceps tendon, and at other times it feels more like it’s situated between the shoulder and upper arm. Fortunately, there’s no numbness or tingling involved. This issue began while I was working out. I decided to take a break for around two months, but when I returned, the pain persisted. After consulting a physician, I was diagnosed with bicipital tendinitis. Since then, I’ve reduced my upper-body workouts, completely steering clear of shoulder exercises and heavy lifting, and have begun a gentle rehabilitation regimen focusing on external rotations, pendulum movements, and scapular exercises. Despite adhering to this routine for about a week, I haven’t experienced any noticeable improvement. Is it typical for this type of tendon injury to require an extended period for recovery? At what point should I consider diagnostic imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI? Additionally, are there frequent rehabilitation errors that might impede the healing process? I appreciate your insights in advance!