A different kind of self defense

[dhbry232]

I woke up yesterday morning and could barely walk on my right leg. My calf was swollen and my knee was extremely stiff. My neice, who is a nurse with a local doctor here, is staying with us a few months until she gets married. She became immediately concerned and made me an appointment at the doctor's office.

To make a long story short, it turns out I have a deep vein thrombosis or blood clot in the large vein behind my knee. Now I must undergo several days of bed rest and start a regimen of 2 shots in the abdomen each day for a week and 1 coumadin tablet every night to thin my blood in the hope that the clot will dissolve in a couple of months or so.

The doctor was shocked that it was a clot since I don't have any of the risk factors. The biggest danger is that the clot could break up and travel to the lungs where it could block blood flow and kill lung tissue.

Has anyone else here had this type of problem and what can I expect? Thanks for any info.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[MattInFla]

While you are on Coumadin, you'll need regular testing of your PT/INR (a measure of how readily your bloot clots) to make sure you are within the theraputic range set by your doctor. The frequency of testing could ran from daily to monthly, depending on how stable your INR is.

You should receive instructions from your doctor about diet and medication interactions with the Coumadin. Make sure your doctor knows about any medication you take, including over the counter medications, vitamins and supplements.

Be careful about physical injuries while on Coumadin, as you will bleed much more easily.

You're lucky this was caught before you ended up with a clot in the lungs. I can tell you from experience, this is no fun whatsoever.

Matt

[dhbry232]

Thanks for the input. My doctor has set me up to see a blood specialist also, just in case there is something going on there. I have already noticed more bleeding just from the shots. Thanks again.

[Schwebel]

Those Lovenox shots in the belly are no fun,.. I'm sure. Coumadin is a strange medicine and must be monitored very closely (it's actually the active ingredient in rat poisin...lol). I was reading a new study the other day and they have devoloped new blood tests to determine how effective Coumadin/Warfarin may be in your body. It's effectiveness has alot to do with your genetic code, what is good dose for one person could be harmful to another. I can't tell you how many times I see patients in ER who have their dosage bumped up a couple miligrams (b/c their INR was not theraputic), b/c cause they started developing nosebleeds and hematuria. Also you will need to watch your diet on Coumadin,...foods rich in Vitamin K can cause the medicine to become less effective.

I'm sure they'll go over all that stuff with you though. Luckily you did what your niece told you to do. A pulmonary embolism (bloot clot in the lungs) is serious business and luckily you avoided that. I wish you a speedy recovery.

[aus71383]

Sounds like a bad deal for you. I hope it turns out well. I got to observe a surgery involving a blood clot of some kind - I don't remember all the details, but if I remember correctly it started in the leg and went up to the neck, and they were afraid it would end up in the brain. I'd say keep your heart rate and blood pressure as low as possible and let the medicine do its thing.
And get well soon!

Austin

[Squawker]

I'm glad that you caught it early. DVT's can break free and travel to your heart, lungs, and brain. You should do great as long as you follow the doc's instructions. BTW, if the Lovenox shots are causing you pain, then try a little experiment. Whether or not an abdominal injection is painful depends on where it's given. In body parts such as the finger tips, nerve endings are concentrated, to give you the sensitivity needed. The abdomen, however, is much different. The dermatomes (area covered by a particular nerve), are very wide. To get an idea, lay down, close your eyes, and have someone put a penny and a quarter on the abdomen. You most likely won't be able to tell the difference. I take insulin injections, and I use the abdomen as my site of preference. Test an area with a needle (don't penetrate the skin). If you feel sharp. then pick another site and test. Usually, if you find an area that isn't painful. you can use the entire area on both sides along the same line. When the nurse goes to give you the injection, you can show her the areas that cause you no pain. In my case. I use a band, about 2-3 inches wide, that crosses the umbilicus. It's a large enough area that I can vary the injection sites. Give it a try, and you won't feel the pain any longer. Best of luck.

[rocky]

Sorry to hear about your condition. Glad you caught it before it got worse. Take care.

[FLJohn]

my sister had the same thing. i had to give her the shot since she couldnt do it to herself. baby asprin will help prevent it.

[MattInFla]

Do not - repeat, do not - begin an asprin regimen without your doctor's direction while you are on Coumadin!!!!!!

This can dramatically increase bleeding times and bring about serious complications.

Coumadin is not chicken soup. Please consult your physician before taking any over-the-counter medication.

Matt

[*SA-XD4ME*]

have the doctor do a test for Protein Deficiencies. i.e. Protein C and Protein S.

Do not eat leafy greens if you can help it. if you get your clot resolved you will most likely be on coumidin for a long time if not the rest of your life.

you diet is going to have to be pretty much the same because you will have to have you PT/INR (platelet count and hemoglobin or something lie that) regulated. balance between coagulation of blood and diet per taking coumidin.

also look for discoloration in the leg from having a DVT. It sucks I know. so just be careful, and do not ride in the car when on lovo because if you have a wreck and bump your head. Could be bad news.

Good luck to you.

[dhbry232]

Thanks for all the info and the encouragement. This thing really took me by surprise as I am in reasonably good condition for a 52 year old male. I am getting plenty of rest and keeping the leg elevated to relieve pressure. My niece (the nurse) is making sure I follow the doctor's orders. Once again, thanks to all. (While I am home alone, I have my Labrador and my Ruger right beside me in case I need a different type of self defense.) Also the phone in case I need to dial 911. Thanks to everyone.

[retsupt99]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery from an old fart to a 'beginner' old fart...
At a certain age...body parts are either too loose, too tight, or they leak! If it doesn't hurt, it doesn't work!

Take care...