I've had 3 DVTs and a PE (blood clot in the lung instead of a deep vein in the arms or legs).

Times have changed since my first one in the early 1990s. You don't necessarily have to go into the hospital anymore. You probably will have to give yourself (or have someone give you) shots in the stomach for awhile, though. This is the stuff they tend to start you out on: http://www.lovenox.com/consumer/default.aspx (hope you have good insurance; it's hella expensive -- like, more than $100 per shot ) Once they feel like you're out of the woods, they'll put you on an oral blood thinner http://www.drugs.com/warfarin.html for a minimum of 6 months (if this is your first one).

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/doppler-ultrasound Doppler ultrasounds don't involve wires. Ultrasounds don't involve wires at all, actually; they involve reflected sound waves. They put some cold gel on the affected part and then take this electric shaver-looking thingy and move it around. It brings up pictures on a computer screen and they can see from that if you have a clot and where it is.

Easier said than done, I know well -- but try not to freak till you know for sure what's up. Hang in there.

Candy