Julie Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Hi guys,I haven't been around much lately, so thought I'd drop in. I was just diagnosed with a blood clot in my leg on Monday. Woke up in some pain and my leg was all swollen. Went to the doctor and I am having Lovenox injections every 12 hours for the next 12 days in the ER. Not fun. The website says it doesn't hurt. They've obviously never used their product!!! I'm on warfarin pills too. Not really sure why I have one, but it's kind of a scary deal. I'm having a lot of trouble sleeping--I guess I'm afraid I'll die in my sleep and no one will find me and my cats will eat me...... lol!Last month I was diagnosed with asthma. I'm trying to stay upbeat and positive. I have this dream where someday I become a Christian motivational speaker, and I'm thinking God is giving me all of these challenges so I'll have plenty of things to talk about!!!!Anyway, I'm just trying to adjust to all of this and I'm sure some of you have had a blood clot. I think it's pretty cool how they treat them now. Not long ago, they tossed you into the hospital. Now, I can even work as long as I keep my leg elevated and walk around every hour. Hope everyone is doing well. I have a facebook page if anyone would like to "come over". Send me a private message if interested. Didn't know if any of you did this or not.Blessings,Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Julie, I think it was LostControl (Michelle) from Canada that was dealing with a blood clot for quite awhile. She might have some useful info. Take care with that leg! Kirk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kiwi Connection Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Julie, We're so sorry to hear about your latest medical problem. Please be assured of our prayers for you and a speedy and successful outcome.LOL and BlessingsKiwi and Muzza. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Julie,Is it an SVT or DVT? I have had several in one of my legs. I am an athletic guy works out all the time and in good health but if I take a car trip over 4 hours...I will get an SVT.I am betting yours is an SVT. DVT's are more problematic and typically will put yu in the hospital. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reid C. Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Hi Julie,I had the same problem two years ago this month. There wasn't much pain, but my right leg was swollen from the knee down. My treatment was the same as yours, Lovenox (God, I hate needles) and Warfarin. Do be careful about getting any cuts or bleeding. With the thinned blood, clotting can take a while and get pretty messy (don't ask how I know!). After eighteen months of the Warfarin, I asked the doctor how long this was going to continue. The answer was, "Oh, you're still on that?" Ah, nothing like feeling secure with your HMO. I'm off now and taking a low dose asprin every day. No further problems and they never figured out what might have caused it, either. I wouldn't be too concerned, but stick with your meds and stay in regular touch with your doc, OK? You'll do fine.Reid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted January 22, 2009 Author Share Posted January 22, 2009 Nice to hear from you guys!Kirk--you're right! Michelle has a massive clot in one of her legs. Tom--mine is a DVT. They discovered it with doppler. I was pretty sure of where it was, but that confirmed it. They said it's pretty good sized. Reid--ugh on the bleeding. I've already had a nosebleed the first day. Dr. thought that was odd to have so soon. I hid my razor and I'm using "leg smoothers". My biggest fear was bleeding to death from shaving my legs!Because I was so short of breath and because my D-dimer level had gone from 400 in November (they tested it when I was coughing so much--before they found out I had asthma) to a whopping 5,000 on Monday, my doctor feels I may have had some lung involvement. He didn't do a CT scan because he said he wouldn't treat it any differently than he already was. I go to see my pulmonologist today for my asthma, so we'll see what he says. Not sure what caused it. I have been on birth control pills for years, so they think that could be a possibility. Thanks again for the support. Blessings,Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Fresh Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Julie: In Europe blood clots in the legs are treated with Arnica gel or ointment.This is an herbal preparation with no drugs that you can purchase over the counter in any health-food store.One company, B&T, sells theirs under the name "Arniflora".This is a safe treatment with no reported side effects.All you do is gently apply the gel all over the affected site three or four times a day.I'm sure you can find more info on the internet.Good luck and remember that smoking and oral contraceptives increase the incidence of blood clots.Good luck. Rob. contraceptives Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspberries4ever Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Julie, I'm sorry to hear of your latest challenge. Once again, you are facing what life is throwing at you with grace and faith. I wish we lived closer -- I'd like to meet you. You are truly an inspiration! I think you'd make a great Christian motivational speaker. You've overcome so many obstacles in your life and still are upbeat and positively looking forward in your life. God's blessings to you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Hi, Julie. I'm so sorry this happened to you. You're such a great person--you've had way more than your share of challenges.And you've been diagnosed with asthma as well? You're a very strong person and an inspirational example to us all. Hang in there. You're in my prayers. I know God is watching over you and you will get through this. You'll be a terrific Christian motivational speaker! --Love, Darlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted January 28, 2009 Author Share Posted January 28, 2009 Hi everyone! Thank you all for the kind words and encouragement! It really does help! I went to the doctor this morning and my INR is up to 1.6! Ideally, they want it between 2.0 and 3.0, so I still have a ways to go, but, I don't have to go to the ER for shots anymore!!!! I'm on 10 mg of coumidine! Yippee!!! I can't even begin to tell you how good of news this is to my ears!!!!The asthma is doing well. The pulmonologist has me on a great program and I pretty much feel normal! Things are looking up!!! Hope all of you are doing well too!Blessings,Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mannoman Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Julie - INR at 1.6? and 10mg of coumadin. Isn't it interesting how we react differently to meds. I'm at 2.8 on 5mg. If it gets higher I have nosebleeds. Did they tell you to be careful of broccoli, spinach, asparagus and salads in general as they contain vitamin K which helps blood to clot and counteracts the coumadin? Also what is your PT? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted January 29, 2009 Author Share Posted January 29, 2009 Hi Ted,Yes, the doctor did talk to me about those foods, but, he also said that he doesn't want me to neccessarily change my eating that much--he wants the meds to work in with my normal life. Honestly, I don't eat a lot of those things anyway.It is funny how different people react to meds. I have a friend who's son is on 30 mg of coumadin. I've had 17 shots and have been on coumadin since the 20th of January and I'm only at 1.6. Heck, I decided to go ahead and throw caution to the wind and shave my legs tonight! Lol!I'm sorry that I don't know what PT is. The only thing that comes to mind is physical therapy! Lol!Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dianed Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 PT and INR levels: PT: Prothrombin time. This tests will determine if the Coumadin is at a therapeutic level. If it's low or normal and if you are on Coumadin, then the dose is not therapeutic and needs to be increased.INR: International Normalized Ratio...still has to do with Coumadin therapeutic levels. When lab runs a PT you get INR results also. 2-3 is therapeutic. If it's a lot higher then you may need some vitamin K to counteract it you won’t bleed. You should NOT take any aspirin or aspirin products (Motrin, Advil, etc) unless you discuss it you’re your doctor. Tylenol (acetaminophen) products should only be used in modest quantities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mannoman Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 I realize this thread is not for every one - nonetheless - PT is a broad term that indicates the time in seconds it takes your blood to clot. 'Normal' times are 11 - 15 seconds. Using blood thinners will produce a number that is 2 to 2.5 times those numbers - i.e. a range of 22 - 37. Therefore, a PT of 25 , or thereabouts would be desirable. Last week I was at 34. That coupled with an INR of 2.8 produced nosebleeds (not the same for other users). This morning I was 2.0 and 24 (because my coumadin had been reduced) so a minor increase in coumadin was put in place. Shaving can be an experience. Having fun yet?Di - not only do I take coumadin I also take aspirin AND Plavix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted January 30, 2009 Author Share Posted January 30, 2009 Interesting.....My doc did tell me about aspirin and Advil,etc. He said that since I am on prilosec, I can take some Advil if I need to or the Tylenol.I doubt I'll ever to get to 2.8! It's taken me a long time just to get to 1.6! They didn't tell me anything about PT. I'll ask next time.On a side note, I had an interesting conversation with a gentleman who will turn 101 soon. He inadvertently stumbled upon the making of coumidine when he was a young man working in a lab with about 5,000 rats in Ames Iowa back in 1931. Said a guy had sheep that were dying after eating moldy sweet clover. He did an experiment and fed this to the rats and discovered that this would make them bleed to death internally. Anyway, he wished he would have applied for a patent, but..... He's really an interesting chap to visit with. He was on Omaha Beach back in the war and never got a scratch. He still drives, is very active, goes to the library all the time. It's really amazing!Shaving turned out great last night. It's so nice to have smooth legs again!!! Blessings,Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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