I have been having upper right thigh pain, at the top of the thigh,
primarily inside the leg but extending around the top of the leg for a
couple of days.  I sat at a computer most of the weekend working and
am overweight, and I'm concerned about the possibility this could be a
pulmonary embolism.  What are the symptoms that should prompt me to
seek immediate medical attention?

Greetings Erik:

You asked "What are the symptoms that should prompt me to 
seek immediate medical attention?"  Below is the information I have
collected and I recommend that you visit a licensed physician for a
professional diagnosis if you recognize a few of the symptoms.

WebMD has a great many pages concerning this and here is their list of
symptoms at http://my.webmd.com/content/healthwise/71/17736:

"The symptoms of pulmonary embolism may include: 

Shortness of breath that may occur suddenly.
Sudden, sharp chest pain that may become worse with deep breathing or
coughing.
Rapid heart rate.
Rapid breathing.
Sweating.
Anxiety.
Coughing up blood.
Fainting.
Heart palpitations.
Signs of shock. 
Pulmonary embolism may be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms
may occur with or are similar to other conditions, such as a heart
attack, panic attack, or pneumonia. Also, some people with pulmonary
embolism do not have symptoms."

If you have a few of these symptoms, I would seek a doctor's advice.

**************************

From Virtual Hospital at
http://www.vh.org/adult/provider/radiology/ElectricPE/MiscText/SymptomsList.html
comes this percentages list:

"ElectricPE: The Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism 

Symptoms List
Jeffrey R. Galvin, M.D. and James J. Choi, B.S.
Peer Review Status: Externally Peer Reviewed by the AMA 

73% Dyspnea 
66% Pleuritc Pain 
43% Cough 
33% Leg Swelling 
30% Leg Pain 
15% Hemoptysis 
12% Palpitations 
10% Wheezing 
5% Angina-Like pain"

These percentages should also help you ascertain if you need immediate
medical attention.

Also, WebMD's list of other conditions with similar symptoms is
located at http://my.webmd.com/content/healthwise/76/18872 and at
http://my.webmd.com/content/healthwise/106/26352 you may see the topic
overview and many links to follow to learn more about the condition.

*****************

Regarding the thigh pain, there is an article at
http://www.drdonnica.com/display.asp?article=6221 that states in part,

"What are the Signs and Symptoms of Deep-Vein Thrombosis?

"Symptoms of DVT may include pain, swelling, tenderness, discoloration
or redness of the affected area, and skin that is warm to the touch.
However, up to half of all DVT episodes produce minimal symptoms or
are completely “silent.”

"Because a number of other conditions, including muscle strains, skin
infections, and phlebitis (inflammation of veins), display symptoms
similar to those of DVT, the condition may be difficult to diagnose
without specific tests."

I suggest you read the rest of the information there as it might also
apply.

***********

Along with DVT and the above mentioned phlebitis, I did extra research
so that you might examine those possibilities:

"Deep vein thrombosis is more difficult to diagnose. It can occur
without any symptoms until the clot reaches the lungs. However, in
about half of cases, there are warning symptoms including swelling,
pain and warmth in the entire calf, ankle, foot, or thigh (depending
on where the involved vein is located). Although these symptoms can
also be caused by more benign conditions, deep vein thrombosis is such
a life-threatening disorder that physician consultation is necessary."
From http://www.digitalnaturopath.com/cond/C593073.html

"Blood clot extending. In some cases, the blood clot extends further
up the vein. It may join with a deep, large vein, and the clot may
extend to cause a 'deep vein thrombosis' (DVT). This is more likely if
the superficial thrombophlebitis is in the upper thigh, near to where
the superficial veins and the deep veins of the leg meet. Another
leaflet deals with DVT. Very briefly, see a doctor urgently if:

inflammation, redness, or hardness spread up the inner part of your
thigh towards the groin.
your whole leg swells. 
pain becomes suddenly worse. 
you develop any new breathing problems, or get chest pains. (Sometimes
a clot from a DVT breaks off and travels to the lung.)"

**********

I urge you to see a doctor regarding your symptoms.  Only a licensed
physician can give the most accurate diagnosis.

Best regards,
journalist-ga


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