In my case, I got the first one in rehab when my Heparin dosage wasn't strong enough and I wasn't moving at all.? Other than my PT, or if I moved my legs by picking them up and putting them where I wanted them, or if?the nurses did it?to do a cath.? I kept telling the doctor/Physiatrist and nurses that my leg was swelling and they didn't worry about it since I had no pain.? Well, I had no feeling either, duh!? I would bring it to their attention for 3 days straight and ask for help with it, and it took till the 3rd day that they finally took it serious and decided to have an ultrasound, based on measurements they took.? The results were a clot from behind knee up to the groin.? I had to go on Coumadin (blood?thinner)?then and remained on Coumadin for 6 months.? They said that the Coumadin does not dissolve the clot, it only thins the blood to make it less sticky, which keeps it from getting larger, and then also allows the blood to flow through the compromised vein.?
After a little more than a?year from the first one I was doing pretty well, so we decided to take a vacation to Hawaii, and during that trip I got the second one.? I wasn't told to move my leg around a lot, but I sure learned the hard way.? We were on a sardine special and I got up and tried to walk around a little, but it was so closed in and hard to move just to get to the bathroom that it was all I could do, and that was almost impossible.? From California it's a 5 hr flight.? I moved my legs a bit, but no where near as much as I would have if I'd have known and I am so careful now.? I don't sleep and I am constantly moving my legs, standing when and where I can, walking to the furthest bathroom, etc. when we fly.? I also book connecting flights instead of non-stops, although, since we've moved,?from Sacramento you cannot get a non-stop to very many places.? It takes longer, but safer. I am now on Coumadin for lifetime to avoid any further clots.? There is a filter you can have placed in the groin, but there are side effects to that, one being further clots.? So, my doctor didn't advise it.? Now I have to be careful not to fall and have to monitor my blood all the time, and watch my diet to keep my blood thinned to a specific range.? It's a real hassle, but don't have a choice.? At this point the docs say that I am now prone to clots, fun eh? -----Original Message----- From: marieke dufresne <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Fri, 1 May 2009 6:37 am Subject: [TMIC] RE: tmic-digest Digest V2009 #373 RE: DVT, are Deep Vein Thrombosis. Basically, CLOTS in the vein that block it and can also break away and travel up in your blood stream. Very dangerous as it can go to your lungs or heart or brain and this can kill you. When you get DVT they put you on blood thinners to get rid of them and then usually you have to take another type to decrease the chance of getting more. People who do not move around much/are paralyzed tend to get them. It is important to try to move around as much as possible. If you can flex your ankle do it every hour to keep the blood moving so that it is not in stasis. You can also wear TED stockings during the day, these help as well. Keeping your feet elevated too. You'll know if you have one, there will be pain, redness, swelling in the area it is situated in. You may also see a large bruise. People who fly long distances and don't get up to walk around are also prone to getting one. Marieke RN TM @T1 since March 2004 --Forwarded Message Attachment-- Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:07:25 -0500 From: [email protected] To: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Re: [TMIC] wow, you work too hard Trudy Barbara, Your situation seems to be the closest to my situation that I have read yet.? I am referring to your paragraph 2.??? Also, use baclofen (2 at dinner, 1 at 8:00pm) and have no problem sleeping too.?? What would we do without really good husbands!?!. ? You mentioned DVT's in your legs.?? What are those??? Are they painful?? I have never heard of that.??????? Janice Help keep personal info safe. Get Internet Explorer 8 today! =
