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
I'm new to this group so first of all just want to say hello to you all!
Secondly a few questions - I've recently been in hospital with DVT to my left leg, to be precise the clot was in my external iliac and femoral vein going to my groin. I had thrombolytic surgery through my jugular artery to 'bust the clot'. I experienced massive pain in the area immediately afterwards and once they had settled me with gas and air and morphine they told me they had to remove the catheter as it was deemed to have failed - my vein just couldn't take it. Most likely because I'd had the clot so long without knowing and it had hardened. Anyway, before the surgery the consultant surgeon told me that I may have May Thurner syndrome. Could this be right as nothing was mentioned afterwards? I'm scared as after I finish my six months of Warfarin/Tinzaparin injections, am I likely to get another clot? They wouldn't put a stent in my vein also because they didn't want to risk causing further damage to it.
Just feel so down not knowing anything about this condition, and worrying I could get a PE if it comes back is awful :(
Any answers would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance
x
I'm new to this group so first of all just want to say hello to you all!
Secondly a few questions - I've recently been in hospital with DVT to my left leg, to be precise the clot was in my external iliac and femoral vein going to my groin. I had thrombolytic surgery through my jugular artery to 'bust the clot'. I experienced massive pain in the area immediately afterwards and once they had settled me with gas and air and morphine they told me they had to remove the catheter as it was deemed to have failed - my vein just couldn't take it. Most likely because I'd had the clot so long without knowing and it had hardened. Anyway, before the surgery the consultant surgeon told me that I may have May Thurner syndrome. Could this be right as nothing was mentioned afterwards? I'm scared as after I finish my six months of Warfarin/Tinzaparin injections, am I likely to get another clot? They wouldn't put a stent in my vein also because they didn't want to risk causing further damage to it.
Just feel so down not knowing anything about this condition, and worrying I could get a PE if it comes back is awful :(
Any answers would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance
x
Sorry to hear about your DVT...I had mine in my left common iliac vein, so it was pretty close to yours. They threw around May Thurner for me, too. All that means, and I looked into it to make sure, is that your iliac vein is compressed between your spine and your artery. They throw it around if they see any kind of narrowing of the iliac vein, though. Like me, for example. They really don't know if I have May Thurner or if my vein is just congenitally smaller there. It's kind of hard to be sure, because the scans of the abdomen can't get a great look. Even if I do have it, it wasn't the only thing that caused my clot. Mine was pretty much a blitzkrieg of stuff all at once.
Ultimately, you need to do what makes you feel comfortable as far as blood thinners go. If, after six months, you aren't comfortable stopping the Coumadin, talk to your doctor about staying on it for a little while longer. I went to a specialist when we were talking about stopping my Coumadin, and he basically said that ultimately, after the first clot its up to you. You could go off of it and you might never clot again. Then you don't have to worry about it. Or, you could go off of it and clot in several years. You still have those years without the blood thinner. But I think the doctor will let you know if he thinks it would be safer to stay on the blood thinners longer.
Since this is all so new, try to relax and deal with that when it comes. Try not to think about all the ifs, ands, or buts. It's really easy to drive yourself crazy, especially right after the clot. You've got some time before you have to make some of these decisions. Just focus on healing for now. Best of luck to you, and I hope this helps! :)
http://patientblog.clotconnect.org/2011/01/10/may-thurner-syndrome/
As far as long term treatment, as tauffart mentions, if after six months you are not comfortable coming off Coumadin, discuss this further with your doctor or have him/her refer you to a specialist for a second opinion before you make any decision.
As the article I posted the link to mentions, commonly, many patient are only prescribed aspirin after a single incident. Does this promise protection against a reoccuring clot; no. It's more of a preventative treatment.
R/Tom
Thanks for the link RetiredNavy02, I'm going to look at that after I finish on here. The doctors at the hospital did say they would screen me after 6 months to see how I've progressed and underlying causes so guess I'll just have to be patient.
:)