Pulmonary Embolism Support Group

By far the most common form of pulmonary embolism is a thromboembolism, which occurs when a blood clot, generally a venous thrombus, becomes dislodged from its site of formation and embolizes to the arterial blood supply of one of the lungs. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, pain during breathing, and more rarely circulatory instability and death.

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How's this for a crazy result??!!

purplemem
purplemem
I went into the cardiologist because I had an echo that was positive for Pulmonary Hypertension, not a weird result since I had multiple bilateral PE in Oct 2009. We scheduled a cath for Friday morning. Agreed to Loveknox shots for a bridge. Woke up from a double cath and the doc said, "I don't think you need to be on coumadin anymore so we are not doing the shots."

What???!!!!

So now, a week later, I'm off coumadin! I am very anxious about this, have a call in to my doctor so that we can at least verify with blood tests no genetic clotting factors...

tell me what ya think about this...
rmb
rmb
Most people come off at 6 months or so (some say 3, some say 12, depending on the situation), if it's their first clot, and there's not a clotting factor that would warrant long term warfarin.

Is there a reason you thought you'd be on warfarin for long term?
purplemem
purplemem
I have had 2 instances of blood clots, and my brother lost his leg to a blood clot. I have yet to have the genetic testing, awaiting instructions from my doctor now.
cjmenjou
cjmenjou
I think:
did you ask the doc why? As in, what changed in the last hour that caused him to conclude that you no longer need coumadin? Is this the doc that prescribed them?

I think it's great if appropriate, and wouldn';t mind being off them myself, but I'd certainly be asking for more info as to the reason why, especially with the history (both you and family) of clots

Chris
rmb
rmb
Yep, you have to ask why, and you may want to get a second opinion. I'm with Chris. I'd prefer not to be on warfarin, but given that I had two unexplained clotting factors, warfarin for life is the general recommendation, and that's what I ended up choosing to do then.
purplemem
purplemem
My primary doc just called, is setting the genetic testing for Monday at my local hospital. She wants to talk with the cardiologist personally to know why he counteracted her orders without any discussion.

Did not discuss with him, I was doped and he left. Never saw him again.

All in all, very unprofessional bordering on incompetence...
rmb
rmb
Good that you talked to your regular doc and that she's going to get to the bottom of this.

Also, a correction to my post above. I intended to say I had two unexplained clotting events, not unexplained clotting factors. My fingers and my thoughts never match up when I type... sigh.
TossNTurn
TossNTurn
Curious to see how this all turns out. It is interesting to me that a cardiologist told you to come off the warfarin. The only doc I've had that told me I should do "more" research about warfarin and think seriously about a "lifetime" on this drug was a cardiologist ... and this after three clotting events! Like I would seriously consider coming off.

I don't know why this doc would get to make the call without knowing your whole history and everything. I'm glad your primary is following up; this would make me nervous too!
purplemem
purplemem
I, too, am curious. My doc was livid when I talked with her.

I also would love to be off Coumadin safely. I am really enjoying my "green" vacation. I pray that my blood genetics are good.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have learnt the hard way... always get a second opinion... I'm glad your doctor is getting on top of the situation... Take care.
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