Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Support Group

Yes, because I had two separate clotting episodes. I do not have any genetic clotting factors.

The duration of warfarin and whether it be life long depends on the number of clots you've had or the reason you clot.

Member of this club (long-term Coumadin) since 2001.

Aspirin, much like Statins (Plavix) is used for treatment of arterial clots but not venous (deep vein) clots. Here is some information regarding this:

http://www.fvleiden.org/ask/35.html

My question is, have you been diagnosed as having a clotting disorder? Reason I ask is the majority of patients are not placed on life-long Coumadin therapy unless they have thrombophilia (blood clotting disorders) or a medical condition that requires long-term anticoagulation; Atrial Fib for example. Also repetitive clotting episodes may warrant long-term useage as rmb has mentioned.

Here is some general treatment guidelines. Read to the section that reads "2001 Recommendations for Coumadin Treatment"

http://www.fvleiden.org/ask/09.html

Maybe on for life, maybe not. What I do know is that a previous attempt to go off warfarin did not work out very well. Bloodwork showed FVL Het mutation. In addition, the damage was extensive and provides fertile ground for re-clotting.

The news that this could be a chronic manageable condition was more devastating than the PE diagnosis itself, but as always time has eased the sting just a bit.

In the many months that I have been getting treated, there have already appeared some incremental improvements in anticoagulation management, especially with the migration to self-monitoring of INR. Possible new treatments now in trials, and still a possibility of going off the regimen someday, may make this thing not so bad.

I am, but because I'm FVLx2 and my clot was extensive. Even having FVL isn't an automatic warfarin life-sentence though, so I'm curious too why your doc thinks one clotting event in the past should warrant this.
If I were to go off warfarin though, based on my history, I would take steps to maintain good vascular health. So while baby asprin won't prevent DVT, it can, along with a healthy diet, proper hydration and getting/staying physically fit, help prevent inflamation that can damage your veins. Of course you would talk to your doc about these benefits - there are risks with low dose asprin as well, such as stomach bleeding & ulcers. Not nearly the risk involved with warfarin though, so let us know doc's reasoning if you find out! Maybe you have some lifestyle issues that predispose you to clotting?

I have been on warfin or coumadin since 1985 intermittently but am now on it all the time. there was a brief time (3 years) when I was self injecting 60'000 units of heperin daily but that creates huge problems for the joints. I have been on warfin 100% of the time since 1992

Thank you all for replying. Tomorrow I will see a different vascular surgeon. Can't wait to get his opinion. I also have to have my my carotid artery checked out by him because my left eye is very blurry with no problems found in the eye-saw opthalmologist & neuro-opthalmologist. Had blood drawn Friday for 17 blood tests. Will be better informed in a few days.

17 blood tests? Hello, are you still there? Blimey!

DVT right leg with PE's 07, DVT left leg 09. Warfarin for life or until I can't afford to pay for it. Blood sample sent to Mayo Clinic, I have Heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation. I was taken off the warfarin after 7.5 months in 07, but my Doctor did not know about my blood test results. The hospital lab buried my test results, and apparently did not review them and notify him. When I requested my medical records this year, to go to a Specialist, we noticed the blood test results were not there. Took the Hospital 2 days to find them in the lab. If we would have known the results, he would have kept me on warfarin, and possibly the left leg DVT would not have happened. You are very smart going to a different vascular surgeon. I stress to everyone, get other opinions on any medical situation.

Went to new vascular surgeon yesterday-said same thing as original doc. Stay on baby aspirin. Said if I had a second clot I would be on blood thinners. Agreed with original doc that affected leg has chronic DVT, means shows that leg had a big DVT. Just have to deal with the pain.

They also checked out my carotid arteries-both were clear. My left eye is still extremely blurry. Hope blood tests come back today.