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
Heart, Blood & Circulation
/ Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Support Group

Supplements to naturally dissolve DVT..

LissaB
LissaB

Hi, I am relatively new to this forum. I am only a month into my DVT in my left calf that was caused by the medical procedure Scleratherapy. I have started to notice slight pressure/swelling in my ankle and it seems like the pain has gotten worse at times not better. Especially, at the end of the day when I am in bed elevating my leg. Also, my veins are deep purple when I let the blood flow back into them (which I try not to do) as it is painful as well. It feels like a hot burning liquid is flowing through them. So I am always wearing the compression stockings. After researching, I am learning it is best if you can get the clot to dissolve. However, my Dr acted as if this wasn't possible and certainly something the medical community wouldn't do for just a calf clot. I am really looking into how I can dissolve this clot naturally. I am only taking one baby aspirin a day and I am considering stopping that. The Dr had me on 650mg of aspirin at first, now just one baby aspirin. As he caused this clot and it is not naturally occurring in my body. So does anyone have any experience with Nattokinase? I am considering taking it, but just 50mg a day. I have also started taking Tumeric, apple cider vinegar, ginger, and Black strap molasses. Does anyone have experience with these and DVT? Any help/feedback would be appreciated.

rmb
rmb
Nothing really dissolves the clot. Nattokinase is not something that is scientifically proven to treat a DVT. With time your clot should resolve. I actually don't know why your doc treated you with aspirin therapy vs warfarin or one of the other anticoagulants.
sandykosovichpeck
sandykosovichpeck
I would get a second opinion. Maybe the clot will absorb/resolve, but it could also travel. My hematologist told me that clots attract other clots. I suffered a pulmonary embolism last year from clots in my left calf that eventually traveled to my lung. Not to scare you, but I would try to see a specialist.
LissaB
LissaB
I Just got a second opinion on Monday and he did want to put me on Xeralto. However, I'd really like to do this naturally if possible. He mentioned that the clot could spread. I keep praying that it doesn't! Did yours spread up your leg and break off causing PE or did the clot in your calf break loose causing PE?
LissaB
LissaB
Also, how long did you have your clot when it traveled?
rmb
rmb
If you were treated with warfarin or xarelto right at diagnosis, I'd say it would be unusual for a clot to move at this point. The whole point of xarelto, warfarin, etc is to prevent new clots from forming as your current clot is resolving. Honestly, if there was something natural, a proven alternative that was affective, we'd all be on it. As a PE survivor, it's not a something you want to experiment with. Not trying to sound like a jerk. Just think just because something is natural doesn't necessarily make it safer or better. I take supplements for the things that are low risk. Taking a supplement to treat a DVT... no freakin' way.
LissaB
LissaB
I am trying to figure out what I should do. Since the initial vascular surgeon thinks 2 baby aspirin a day is enough and the second vascular surgeon I saw wants me on Xeralto for 6 weeks. I am taking the 2 baby aspirin a day plus known blood thinning supplements but not Nattokinase. And trying to decide if I should go on Xeralto. I am afraid of all the side effects. Both doctors think it is highly unlikely it spreads. I pray thay are right. I am going to see my regular doctor this week to see if they can do a blood test to check INR levels to make sure that my blood is thin enough on what I'm doing myself w/out blood thinner. Any thoughts?
LissaB
LissaB
iChat I mean by doing myself is the 2 baby aspirin and the supplements.
rmb
rmb
You can have GI bleeding risks with aspirin too and that can be compounded by the supplement you're taking so be careful.

I think it's smart to get your regular doctor involved. I'm not sure how telling an INR test would be; usually that test is means of measuring for the purposes of managing warfarin. But maybe it's used as a general way of measuring the rate at which your blood clots. Not sure.

I'm not trying to.push you on one anticoagulant over the other, just that whatever you take, that it is effective. I was on warfarin for several years with no issues, and I've bee on xarelto for for a good while no with no serious side affects so far.

Hang in there and ask your doctors directly the risks for all scenarios. You don't want to make a decision based on fear, but on information.
LissaB
LissaB
Yes, you are right. Thank you. I will be talking to the other doctors about Xeralto. I have been having knee pain and I don't know if it is because of the clot in my calf or something more serious ( the pains are shooting/achy and the aren't consistent-as they come and go) but it makes me worry? I am trying to get in to see someone for another ultrasound, but it is difficult to get in. I have an appointment for ultrasound on Friday. This has been one of the most challenging things to go through as I am constantly thinking about my leg. And the doctors say that you aren't in the clear until 6 months have past. Such a long time to be concerned with all this!! All I can do is keep my faith and continue to pray for healing:)
stefan014
stefan014
Studies have shown that intake of aspirin at higher doses is not more effective than the normal dose 75-100 mg. The risk of bleeding from taking aspirin is very low. However, the effectiveness of aspirin to prevent clotting is aout 30% of that of xarelto. Xarelto has been quite good, and they have discovered an antidote for it. There is no strong evidence that nattokinase is effective. You are right, nattokinase breaks down (fibrinolytic enzyme ) of clots. There are several enzymes that break down clots, and these are often formed by bacteria such as nattokinase (bacillus), streptokinase (streptococci) and many more. During thrombolysis procedures (which are used in serious clotting cases) , these enzymes are pumped in the body in large doses. However, it works best on fresh clots, as it is more difficult to break down the fibrin bonds as the clots hardens. However, the nattokinase is so weak, that the effectiveness is minor. Considering there is no scientific evidence to support nattokinase, I would not bother buying it.
LissaB
LissaB
Yeah, I haven't started taking the Nattokinase, because I am just not sure. I am still thinking about Xeralto. Tough to know what to do:/ This Friday is 6 weeks after initial clot and my doctor said that he would've only put me on it for 3 months anyway and I am almost half way through that time frame. So it is confusing when you have the initial doctor saying it isn't really necessary and the second opinion doctor (treating it like a fresh clot) saying to go on Xeralto for 12 weeks. I go for a third opinion next week and I think if he wants to put me on Xeralto too, then I will just go with that. I am just afraid of all the internal bleeding side effects. Scary.. And I exercise a lot and eat super healthy, lots of fruits and vegetables and I just don't want my blood to get too thin. (Again this is a produced clot from Scleratherapy as opposed to a spontaneous clot that my body just created)
The other thing that scares me is for Xeralto there is a one size fits all dose when you start out and that also makes me nervous. I am a 40 year old female and I am almost 5'7 and weigh 132 pounds, I just don't want it to be too much for me and cause even worse problems. Anyone on Xeralto, please give me feed back about what your experience has been. Much appreciated!
rmb
rmb
I eat whatever I want while on Xarelto. With warfarin, that's where food can be an issue. I actually disagree that taking aspirin has a low risk for bleeding. There is a risk of GI bleeding with larger dosages. It's a cheap, easy to access drug that is fairly benign but there's still a risk.

I think there have been so many commercials about Xarelto by ambulance chasing attorney's that creates this sense that everyone is dropping like flies from Xarelto. I don't think that's true. I'm on it and I just notice I bruise easier. But otherwise, I don't have any issues since being on it. It took me a few years to switch from warfarin to xarelto. I wasn't ready to make the switch until the medication had been out for a few years. There's a one size fits all with many, many prescriptions so I'm not sure I see the dosing concern.

I would see what this next opinion brings. You have to do what makes you comfortable. Anything you do is ultimately a risk, so it's a matter of which risk are you willing to take.
stefan014
stefan014
Yes, there is a risk of bleeding at higher doses. But there is no need for high doses of Aspirin. Studies have shown that it is enough to take low dose per day to ave anticoagulant effect (I take 75mg), and thus to prevent some risk of clotting, and larger does do not (or only marginally) increase the antoicoagulaiton effect. see e.g. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3086018/ http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/780923_4
stefan014
stefan014
See also: http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/125/10/e439#ref-3


What Is the Dose of Aspirin?
"If rapid and complete platelet inhibition is required (eg, if a patient is having a heart attack), the first dose of aspirin should be 160 to 325 mg.2 If noncoated aspirin is unavailable, enteric-coated tablets can be used but should be chewed to achieve a rapid effect. For long-term prevention of cardiovascular disease, the recommended dose of aspirin is 75 to 325 mg once daily.2 Some guidelines recommend only baby aspirin (75 to 100 mg) for long-term prevention, based on evidence that higher doses cause more gastrointestinal bleeding but do not provide additional protection against heart attack and stroke."


I Have Had a Blood Clot in My Leg or Lungs. Will Aspirin Prevent Me From Having Another One?
"There is currently no evidence that aspirin is effective for prevention of recurrent deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, but studies are ongoing to address this issue."
rmb
rmb
Yeah, I've never really bought into the idea that aspirin is really an effective way to prevent DVTs. Just my opinion. But what I was getting at more is the effect of aspirin on the GI system specifically and bleeding as result. It's not an unusual side effect.
Posts You May Be Interested In
  • GreenEyes727

    Caricatures

    Posted by: GreenEyes727
    Last Reply: Tired
    6
    Look at what my best friend did with my picture!
  • GreenEyes727

    Truths

    Posted by: GreenEyes727
    Last Reply: GreenEyes727
    14
    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.