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.

804 Members

3,840 Posts

0 Online

hattie886 01/31/2009

I developed DVT after surgery for a brain infection last October. The neurosurgeon wondered out loud if I should have a doppler ultrasound to make sure the DVT had resolved before I go off coumadin at the end of the 6 months.
Does anybody have experience or an opinion?
Thanks.

deleted_user 01/31/2009

You MUST have a dopler of your DVT before going off coumadin! How else would you know if the clot is gone or has occuluded the vein wall?

JennyMay 01/31/2009

My specialist didn't recommend a doppler after my 12 month course of coumadin, but I decided to get one anyway (which I had done 2 months after coming off the drugs)... and it was all fine. I highly recommend you get it done. If not to make sure it's gone, but if it reoccurs you can be sure it's a new one and not the old one grown back... That was my reason

deleted_user 01/31/2009

My dr keeps sending me for them.. I've had 4 in 2 1/2 months... 1 to diagnose, 1 to catch it as it went higher.. and 2 to see if it is dissolving at all.

Absolutely you should have one done.. so they can give you proper treatment. If it is gone.. YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA... if not.. they can take it from there.

cegee 01/31/2009

Hi, I am assuming that you already had one Doppler for the diagnosis. I think another should be done so that they can compare and contrast the situation. I just know that we are all so different in our rates of healing, out genetic make ups etc. and the 6 month time frame is just an arbitrary date, You may be well at five months or 12 months. I would not feel comfortable going off a blood thinner after DVT without more information about the vein. Sounds like a typical neurosurgeon response to me..but then they are not at the top off my list currently. :)
Have you had a internist, vascular or hematology Dr. involved?

hattie886 01/31/2009

Thank you all so much for your help. I'll take this information to my GP who is doing the primary follow-up now that the neurosurgeon and infection control specialist have signed off.
Does anybody know whether this DVT was more likely to happen because I have longstanding varicose veins in the same leg?

Join the Conversation