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.
My son stopped taking warfarin last june after 4,30 months, because his hematologist said:
- it was his first dvt
- it was provoked after a serious knee injury
- he has not blood disorders
I have been reading here and see that most of you take warfarin for at least 6 months.
Is there anybody who took it for less time?
I am getting very worried that he is at highter risk because of the shorter treatment and wonder if he should ask for more months of it.
Thank you in advance for your advice,
- it was his first dvt
- it was provoked after a serious knee injury
- he has not blood disorders
I have been reading here and see that most of you take warfarin for at least 6 months.
Is there anybody who took it for less time?
I am getting very worried that he is at highter risk because of the shorter treatment and wonder if he should ask for more months of it.
Thank you in advance for your advice,
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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'm sorry. I don't know what "4,30 months" means.
What I do know is that 6 months seems standard, but so do other durations. Protocols can vary by country, hospital, doctor, extent of DVT etc.
I am a lifer on Warfarin, but some questioned whether my hematologist was over-killing by that recommendation. Like your son, my DVT was provoked by 2 orthopaedic surgeries (both left ankle) and it was my first DVT. However, I did have other factors involved that increased my risks: obviously previous DVT is on the list now, genetic clotting disorder (Factor II), > 40 yrs old, family history of DVTs and other clots (strokes), currently overweight (gained 40 lbs in 1 yrs due to the ankle problems, surgeries, and DVT). So, my situation is different.
I mention my own facts only to emphasize that, while there are certain "textbook" markers for treatment, the individual patient's situation still must be taken into consideration.
You didn't mention your son's age or whether he has had an ultrasound show his DVT has dissolved. If he is younger, other-wise good health, surgically-provoked DVT, first DVT, negative on genetic disorders, evidence the clot has dossolved, and has no family history of DVTs...his doctor probably feels it was an isolated and unfortunate occurance. Therefore, felt comfortable ending the Warfarin therapy.
My personal opinion, however, is that regardless of the his circumstances, UNTIL he has had a follow-up ultrasound (if he hasn't yet) showing the clot is gone...I'd want to remain on Warfarin until that happens. That's me, though.
My son i1 18, got DVT after a knee injury playing basketball.
The clot dissolved in 15 days almost completely and 4,5 months afterwards had disapeared.
He has not blood dissorders but has a grandmother who have had several superficial and one deep thrombosis.