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.
I'm curious if any one else in here has had a blood clot removed mechanically.
Two months ago my leg became swollen with pain in the pelvis area. It was a DVT. I had a catheter put in the back of my knee into the vein up to the clot which applied ultrasound and short-duration blood thinner to the clot. It was left in for 20 hours and I was in the ICU for this time. Then the clot was removed with a catheter mechanically.
The Ekos ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis system is what I had, followed by a mechanical thrombectomy, probably AngioJet technology. I've read that "Mechanical thrombectomy literally breaks up not only the blood clot but the blood itself. When you break down the blood itself, there are elements in the blood which are potentially dangerous and can cause a change in heart rate. If you break down too much blood, there can be some kidney damage from hemolysis." I did feel a quick increase in heart rate during this procedure and had brown color in my urine 15 minutes later.
I started Lovenox and Coumadin after this and will be on Coumadin for 3 months total.
The swelling went down immediately and I was back doing physical work several days later.
I'm glad I got this treatment and suspect it is state of the art in DVT treatment, however I have no insurance and a gigantic bill!
Two months ago my leg became swollen with pain in the pelvis area. It was a DVT. I had a catheter put in the back of my knee into the vein up to the clot which applied ultrasound and short-duration blood thinner to the clot. It was left in for 20 hours and I was in the ICU for this time. Then the clot was removed with a catheter mechanically.
The Ekos ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis system is what I had, followed by a mechanical thrombectomy, probably AngioJet technology. I've read that "Mechanical thrombectomy literally breaks up not only the blood clot but the blood itself. When you break down the blood itself, there are elements in the blood which are potentially dangerous and can cause a change in heart rate. If you break down too much blood, there can be some kidney damage from hemolysis." I did feel a quick increase in heart rate during this procedure and had brown color in my urine 15 minutes later.
I started Lovenox and Coumadin after this and will be on Coumadin for 3 months total.
The swelling went down immediately and I was back doing physical work several days later.
I'm glad I got this treatment and suspect it is state of the art in DVT treatment, however I have no insurance and a gigantic bill!
here in Florida last week for a clot that went from my toes up into my abdomen and feel extremely lucky to have had it. They also put in a greenfield filter first which caught some clots during all that. Sounds like you got top treatment. Many others only get hepain or lovenox then coumadin and that's it. So yes, you got great care. Major bummer about no insurance though!
I hope that you're feeling well and am glad to read that you are active as ever. Keep up the good work!
i'm
Good to know I wasn't just a Guinea Pig, and that this is being done elsewhere. I was wondering why I wasn't reading anything about this in the forum.
Maybe because it works so well that people don't generally look for a support group. I hope that's true. So far I've been mostly feeling normal and hope that when I do stop taking Coumadin no new clots form.
That's where I really want to find more information; how to prevent new blood clots. So far from this forum I've heard a few recommendations: don't sit still too long, don't cross your legs, stay hydrated, low sodium diet...