Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Support Group
Deep-vein thrombosis, also known as deep-venous thrombosis or DVT, is the formation of a blood clot ("thrombus") in a deep vein. It can be caused by something preventing blood from circulating or clotting normally. Join the support group if you are coping with DVT and find others who are going through the same challenges.
Hi, everyone. I was hoping to get some advice about travel over the summer. I'm a three time clotter (1st time with a double PE), now on 12/13 mg warfarin since clot 3. Never had a clot while on warfarin (that I know of). No known genetic factors: first clot was after a long plane ride, second was possibly after a long car ride. Third was for lulz, I suppose. I wear compression stockings whenever I travel an hour and stop about every hour & 1/2 to run around the car.
Anyway, my family is heading out to LA for a few weeks this summer from the East coast. However, the kids are at the perfect ages and gas prices are low enough that we're playing with the idea of driving cross country and back again. Essentially, it's been a while since we've had a family vacation and this seems like a potential adventure worth experiencing. My wife and I have done it before in the past, before kids & clots and we'd like to give them this experience, as fun & challenging as it will probably be.
What do you think of this form a DVT point of view. Obviously, I suppose long car rides are frowned upon, even if I'm on warfarin and wearing my stockings. That said, I've been managing 4 hour drives alright since the clots and had no adverse effects, as long as I follow my regimen. However 10+ days across the country is uncharted territory post clot-land. I'd really love to make this work for my family but want to be better cognizant of the risks and what I should generally be thinking about. Any advice?
Thanks,
T.
Anyway, my family is heading out to LA for a few weeks this summer from the East coast. However, the kids are at the perfect ages and gas prices are low enough that we're playing with the idea of driving cross country and back again. Essentially, it's been a while since we've had a family vacation and this seems like a potential adventure worth experiencing. My wife and I have done it before in the past, before kids & clots and we'd like to give them this experience, as fun & challenging as it will probably be.
What do you think of this form a DVT point of view. Obviously, I suppose long car rides are frowned upon, even if I'm on warfarin and wearing my stockings. That said, I've been managing 4 hour drives alright since the clots and had no adverse effects, as long as I follow my regimen. However 10+ days across the country is uncharted territory post clot-land. I'd really love to make this work for my family but want to be better cognizant of the risks and what I should generally be thinking about. Any advice?
Thanks,
T.
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Look at what my best friend did with my picture!
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We all have 24 hours in a day. How we spend these hours is important. Watching a little bit of a video about how sitting affects us made me aware of how much sitting and laying down I do. Gonna have to work on that.Your turn. Tell me another truth.
I day go for it, but just remain mindful.
Just being physically in a car for a long period of time doesn't cause clots. Being in a car in one position without moving for hours at a time causes clots ... if you're staying hydrated, wearing stockings, getting out of the car every 1.5 hours, I don't know why you'd have a problem. And I say that, even if you weren't on anticoagulants, which you are. To me, it sound like you're pretty well covered (and your family will be safer too, since I assume they'll get out and walk with you when you stop).
Definitely do it, but make sure to take care of yourself.
My doctor just says he doesn't really recommend it but won't say I couldn't do it either. He was kind of non-committal with this.
However, he said if I do just be sure to stop frequently (he said at least once an hour) and walk around, drink and wear my compression stockings, too.
Its good to hear, TossNTurn that you have done a number of long car trips and have been fine.
One way you could make the breaks more interesting for the kids vs "we have to stop again" is to plot your drive around neat places to stop, if you have time. Doesn't have to be anything big - around here we have a huge rocket at our rest top, etc. There's an app I've heard called "weird sh*t around me" that tells you if you're coming up on that stuff. Who knows what the real name is, but that gives you a starting place :-)
Have a great trip!