Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Support Group

yep, i'm a coumadin lifer. obviously i'd rather not have to take it but, honestly, it's not been bad for me. like you, i wondered about aspirin but learned it would not help a clot in the vein.

my concern is that leaving it untreated, you are at huge risk of a clot breaking free, which is deadly. please don't fear coumadin! better safe than sorry.

blessings, ellyn

I agree with that, and I dont understand why DRs take the risk with your life after having a DVT, PE and take you off. Seems a lot people have a recurrence, thats just too much a risk to be taking to me. Some might not feel this way, but i personally dont want another episode.

My opthalmologist called me Friday. I have macular degeneration! I will be seeing him tomorrow-I am terrified. Everything I read on it is pretty negative. It's the leading cause of adult blindness.

Hi Baker,
Shocking news, but there is a little hope. From what I understand there is treatment available for certain types of macular degeneration and despite this if it leads to 'legal blindness' this does not necessarily mean you will be totally blind! Both my sisters are partially sighted (legally blind) but lead relatively normal lives apart from the fact that they don't drive and tend to sit annoyingly close to the TV :-) They find my story with the DVT/PE much more horrifying than anything they have had with their eyes, though of course they have been used to it for years.
I am by no means putting your problem down, I just wanted to let you know that there is much help around and much research going into this so don't panic. Try and see your specialist as soon as possible to discuss treatment options and prognosis for your case and find out what local organisation can help you out in the meantime so that you can plan ahead of time to make any necessary changes to your life.
Another thing to think about: Does this only affect your left eye? Many people function very well (including driving!) with vision in only one eye.
All the best and I hope for good news from your specialist!

Did they say if it's Dry or Wet? My brother in law has been dealing with wet macular degeneration for several years now. There are many new treatments and more on the horizon - I hope your visit with the doc tomorrow will help ease your fears and give you a solid plan of action in tackling this. My in-law is almost 70 years old and was diagnosed about 10 years ago. While he is no longer driving, he does still play golf, and manages quite well in day to day life.

I will see the doctor at 5:15 today. He is a top-notch opthalmologist, always listed as 1 of the best doctors in NYC. I'll post what he tells me tomorrow or the next day. Right now I think it's only my left eye.

Doc told me Tuesday that mascular degeneration just started in my left eye. Put me on a vitamin/supplement called I-caps, which slows or stops it. Said I am seeing pretty normally. Wants me to come back in 6 months or sooner if I have problems. Due to the stress it caused me over the weekend I woke up yesterday with a terrible migraine so I stayed home. Couldn't move till after 3 p.m. Feeling much better now.

I am on coumadin for life as well. I have been on Coumadin for going on 14 years and it never gets easy you just need to take it one day at a time and have a strong support group.

I have been on warfarin since October 2008. I still have swelling and pain. My doctor has not done another ultrasound test to see how the blood clot has done. Should I be alarmed? It is a very uncomfortable thing to have to go through. I am very thankful to still be alive. It is just that my quality of life has been hindered. I missed a month of work, could not attend school and still walk with a limp. The warfarin interacts with so many medications that I can't take things for other problems. I also have Multiple Sclerosis and take medications for it as well. So I am just experiencing so many health challenges that I want to try to eliminate one where I can. Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Angelena Gomillia

Good Morning all,

I am on warfarin for life. Had a clot years back and was hospitalized in January with DVT's in both legs and PE's ;-) Warfarin hasn't been bad for me at all. Me and my queen went on a 6 hour motorcycle ride to Telluride a couple of weekends ago and I did fine as long as we walked every couple of hours. I have a protein C issue but I am glad to be alive. Next weekend we are going to Austin and the plan is to get more tatoo work done. I was paranoid and depressed when first diagnosed but I realized I have to live as much as I can. Good luck to all!!!