Life DOES go on after DVT
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This site is for people with DVT, seeking comfort and information from others who understand from personal experience.
 
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marica101010




Posts : 8
Join date : 2008-07-10
Age : 57
Location : Sunny Central Florida

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PostSubject: Hi, new here   Hi, new here Icon_minitimeThu Jul 10, 2008 3:49 pm

HI, my story...back in April I thought that I had pulled my groin muscle in my left leg. For a week I just grinned and beared the pain, then on Friday I went to see the Dr, my regular Nurse Practitioner wasnt in, so another girls saw me, and prescribed pain meds...over the weekend I thought I would die..I called Monday that the meds werent doing anything, so they called in something else....Monday night my left leg began to swell and swell ans swell..I knew something was wrong..I called first thing Tuesday morning crying that someone in the office had to see me..they finally told me to go ahead and come in at 1pm...I saw my regular NP..she gave me a shot of steroids, more pain meds, and just to be safe a venus doppler...STAT...I got it at 4:30pm....and there is was....as soon as they started....they immediately sent me to the ER, who drew blood, and direct admitted me, this was by 5:30pm.....and the wait begins....tick tock, tick tock....7,8,9....still nothing... I said what is the hold up, I need to be getting some type of meds and now...(I am a former admissions director for a skilled nursing facility so I knew what a DVT was and how serious it was)....well they had to get orders to do lab work...I said what abou the bloodwork drawn in the ER....You were in the ER??? You have to be kidding me...They had lost my records from the ER, they had no Idea how I ended up on the floor...and didnt know that the lab had my blood sitting there waiting to be tested. I was fit to be tied..but it did no good..it was 1:30am before they started my heperin IV.....then a day or two later they started me on coumadin too.... I stayed in the hospital for a week.

If is now almost 3 month later...my INR's have been right on...and I am theraputic..I have asked the Dr, how long it takes for a clot to disolve..but all I get it "Everyone is different"...I know that I just want an idea, from the side and location what he thinks might be a ball park for me. Who knows it may be gone for all I know???

My leg still swells like it is today...that is what prodded me to look for a site for information... I am normally, not a very active person...sit infront of the computer, watch tv..get up to eat, pee..let the dog out...check the mail..laundry just mill around....I want to start some type of excersicing but I am afraid to..I dont want to over do it...sometimes I feel like my heat is going to jump out just from going up and down the hall....so I know I need to get up and about more...I am 41 female, and 220lbs...should I start by excersicing my legs in the chair every 15 minutes, and then getting up and walking the house every 30 minutes....??

I surely dont want another clot to form....he has told me that I have a factor 8 and 10 and lupus factor...so my blood tends to be thick on its own....and I take coumadin 4-5 everyother day..

I hope to be able to fine sometype of answers here...and I am wondering what type of life I am looking for after this DVT???

Thanks for reading...and I look forward to getting to know you all. Marica queen
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brendablackburn

brendablackburn


Posts : 150
Join date : 2008-06-24
Age : 56
Location : Vancouver, BC, Canada

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PostSubject: Re: Hi, new here   Hi, new here Icon_minitimeThu Jul 10, 2008 9:00 pm

Hi Marica!

Nice to "meet" you! I too am 41.... you can see my story in the Lounge (post called DVT Diaries from Vancouver).

Sounds like you had quite a journey through your initial diagnosis time. I found all the hospital stuff the most grueling... in that I was fearful, lots of waiting, and a lot of tests (Doppler, Pulmonary, CT Angiogram, CT Head). I didn't have to stay in the hospital for the first week, but was an outpatient coming back and forth each day. How did you feel about being in the hospital for that time.... did you find it help?... did it feel more secure? I know some folks here had to give themselves Heparin injections... I'm very grateful that I didn't have to do that (I'm guessing you bypassed that too!), although I know when one has to, they do whatever they need to! But the whole injections and needles every day was not a joyous part of my journey!!

Glad to hear that you're INR has been good. That is super!! I"m too new at all this to know how mine will be... it's supposed to be between 2-3, but as I was telling "gismo" (Madeline) in this forum, I just had a 3.6... and she did too!.... it's great to have some buddies here who can relate to what we're going through!!!!

As far as the clot dissolving, I have heard the same as you. Could take months, and one Dr. told me even years. So I'm trying to ignore visualizing that nasty thing in there as much as I can! I'm TRYING to imagine it healed and gone!! (Although on the achey days, that's a little harder to do!)

My Dr. and the hospital have told me that exercise is great because it promotes circulation in the leg, which we need, and helps us to maintain a healthy lifestyle. My Dr. said I can pretty much do anything, (other than extreme sports, or anything with obvious injury potential), and the hospital told me to walk but listen to my body, take it easy for awhile, then elevate my leg after. So I went with that advice. After the initial shock, and after a couple days as the tenderness and major pain subsided, I started walking around the block, then elevating. Then after a couple days, I went a little further. Last week, midweek, I realized that I could walk normally again... and that was pretty elating after hobbling around for a few wks.! Now I try to walk about 35 min. a day, (which is what I used to do on & off, although our winter was so rainy & chilly I kept putting it off!), and try to go 5 days a week. But I think it's easiest to have a small goal at first. Certainly, moving your leg, elevating it if it hurts, etc. But, for me anyway, I find that walking has felt the best... physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. I remind myself that it doesn't have to be huge... even around the block is awesome! I'm fortunate to live near amenities, so I give myself reasons to go... objectives. Smile I also wear my iPod Shuffle and listen to podcasts that I like, so I'm learning too! Smile

As for life after DVT, I don't know. I just read the stats for getting another... somewhere for females it said 20%. So, for me, I'm going to be smarter about my lifestyle, pay more attention to how much I'm sitting and not moving, healthy diet, yada, yada, and be vigilent with any symptoms if I feel them. And I'm going to enjoy the rest of my life as much as humanly possible!
cheers

Well, there you have it... Smile Hope I didn't ramble too much! Smile

Look forward to getting to know you too and more chats!
Have a great day! And thanks for joining this forum!!!!!!
Brenda
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Gismo

Gismo


Posts : 100
Join date : 2008-03-20
Age : 53
Location : Johannesburg, South Africa

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PostSubject: Re: Hi, new here   Hi, new here Icon_minitimeFri Jul 11, 2008 7:21 am

Hello Marica!

Nice meeting you and hearing your story. What nonsense that you had such trouble in hospital! Nothing infuriates me more than this kind of incompetence!

Must say that I am also very inactive. As I’ve told Brenda, I bought 2 puppies and now have a nice excuse to take them for a walk Wink I spend most of my life in front of a computer so I now make a concerted effort to get up every hour and walk either to the loo or to get some coffee / water. Also stopped the nasty habit of crossing my legs. I am warned soon enough when my leg starts too ache and I will then elevate it whenever possible.

My doctor told me that it takes approximately 6 months (hence the 6 month treatment period on Warfarin) for a clot to “dissolve”. He reckons that the clot does not really dissolve…what happens is that you start to develop new blood vessels that go through the clot. This continues that eventually you have LOTS of vessels going through the clot – thus the clot gets “smaller”. (If you imagine a red circle being the clot and little white round dots being the new blood vessels on it, getting more and more) – eventually the red gets less and less.

I have just had a call from the lab with my INR result and new dosage - halleluja ... its 2.25. Whoohooo!!! bounce

PS: I bought the book “100 Q&A About DVT and PE” which was recommended by DVT on this Forum – see “Good reads, books or magazines”. I found it extremely informative.

Stay in touch and let us know how you are doing.

All the best
Gismo (aka Madeline) Wink
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brendablackburn

brendablackburn


Posts : 150
Join date : 2008-06-24
Age : 56
Location : Vancouver, BC, Canada

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PostSubject: Re: Hi, new here   Hi, new here Icon_minitimeFri Jul 11, 2008 6:11 pm

Hey gals,

Speaking of crossing legs... I had that nasty habit as well, and even nastier Evil or Very Mad , I rarely sat on my butt, but sat on my legs/knees instead... (for hours at the computer too).... bad, bad, girl!! Talk about cutting off circulation!!

Who knew how bad it would be?? I sure know NOW!
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Gismo

Gismo


Posts : 100
Join date : 2008-03-20
Age : 53
Location : Johannesburg, South Africa

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PostSubject: Re: Hi, new here   Hi, new here Icon_minitimeSat Jul 12, 2008 3:00 am

Hey

I know exactly what you mean - I did exactly that. What a story it was to learn to stop doing it.

We live and learn hey Wink

Johan's favourite Oprah quote: "We did then what we thought best, now we know better - so we do better."
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brendablackburn

brendablackburn


Posts : 150
Join date : 2008-06-24
Age : 56
Location : Vancouver, BC, Canada

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PostSubject: Re: Hi, new here   Hi, new here Icon_minitimeSat Jul 12, 2008 3:23 am

GREAT quote! Smile
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marica101010




Posts : 8
Join date : 2008-07-10
Age : 57
Location : Sunny Central Florida

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PostSubject: Re: Hi, new here   Hi, new here Icon_minitimeThu Jul 24, 2008 10:28 pm

Rough 2 days...went to the hospital yesterday...short of breath and very rapid heart palpitations...they did a is it a VUE?? The Radioactive Exray of the lungs to see if I had any PE's Every thing came back OK..thank God. So they put me in the Cardiac 24 hour observation unit...they did a echocardiogram on me and a stress test...the echo was ok...but I didnt do well on the stress test...at 1 1/2 minutes I hit my heart rate...and I only made it like 4 minutes before I had to stop. The Dr said that I need to be put on a thyroid...that mine is not producing enough and that is why I have no stamina..and that is will also help me to loose some extra pounds Very Happy Very Happy ...So that could be good. He also wants me to go and have a chemical stress test in the office.

So he went ahead and let me come home. he said that he thought that my thyroid was the major reason or my bad results..and thought that my heat look pretty good, but wanted to do the follow up test as a precaution. So I am back home...hubby is fixin dinner, and I am to take it easy the next few days and make a follow up with primary and with cardiologist.

Glad I went to teh hospital though...It was a pain...took 6 folks to get my IV in..I have NO veins...but I did ease my mind that I have no PE's...which has really been reaking me out...I think I really may have had a panic attack the other day..but better to be chacked out than not..

So that is my last two days...just though I would check in and let yall know of my excitement ....On a good note...My INR was pretty much on target My hemo wants if between 3-4 it wsa 2.7 so it ws pretty close...so not bad...Dr was happy with it..

Ok hope every one has been ok while I was gone... blessings
Moe...AKA Marica queen
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Gismo

Gismo


Posts : 100
Join date : 2008-03-20
Age : 53
Location : Johannesburg, South Africa

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PostSubject: Re: Hi, new here   Hi, new here Icon_minitimeFri Jul 25, 2008 5:24 am

Welcome back Marica Smile Sorry to hear about your ordeal. Thankfully no PE which is excellent news! Yay! cheers

I believe panic attacks are just horrible and the symptoms are very scary - apparently people often feel like they are having a heartattack. Yikes! pale We often underestimate just how bad stress is for our bodies. Good that you had it checked out, rather be safe. At least now they found that there is a problem with your thyroid and they can treat you for it.

PS: Full marks to your hubby fixing dinner and taking good care of you! Like a Star @ heaven

All the best,
Madeline
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brendablackburn

brendablackburn


Posts : 150
Join date : 2008-06-24
Age : 56
Location : Vancouver, BC, Canada

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PostSubject: Re: Hi, new here   Hi, new here Icon_minitimeFri Jul 25, 2008 7:02 pm

Hi Marica!

Nice to see your post!

I can soooooo relate to what you are going through! I too, have had some anxiety feelings, chest pain, etc. that seemed to be mimicking what I thought I was feeling with my PE before. But, my Dr.'s say it's just anxiety (had a cardiogram to be sure)... and that that's only normal under the circumstances. But, they said that I shouldn't experience any PE stuff now, that all should be safe. I think what was happening, is that I would feel something, and then get panicky about it, making it worse! The funny thing is (well, not funny haha, but you know what I mean!), is that so many people with DVT/PE have been going through this VERY same thing! So we are definitely not alone. I felt a little embarassed geek , but many people can relate which helps. Smile Plus, it never hurts to be safe and check things out!

Glad you're INR is getting back up there, hope your veins are on the mend!, and so glad that you are OK!!,

So what's happening with your thyroid stuff now?

I'm leaving tomorrow (Sat. a.m.) with my hubby for a couple of days... mini-getaway for the wkd.!, so will be back next week.
Have a great (stress free! Smile ) weekend and take care,
Blessings back,
Brenda
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Justmartha

Justmartha


Posts : 10
Join date : 2008-07-19

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PostSubject: Re: Hi, new here   Hi, new here Icon_minitimeWed Jul 30, 2008 1:38 am

[quote="brendablackburn"]Hi Marica!

Nice to see your post!

I can soooooo relate to what you are going through! I too, have had some anxiety feelings, chest pain, etc. that seemed to be mimicking what I thought I was feeling with my PE before. But, my Dr.'s say it's just anxiety (had a cardiogram to be sure)... and that that's only normal under the circumstances.

________________________________________________________

I also wound up back in the hospital for a day back in early July and I suspect it was a combination of some kind of remnant infection from my MVT and a bit of panic.....I had pain down in the diaphragm area, and when I breathed in it was very sharp, plus I felt pressure in my chest. Went to the ER, got all kinds of CT scans and blood tests and it all checked out okay. I spent the night there doing more IV antibiotics, plus some valium and morphine to stop the pains, and the next day felt very much better.

I'm supposed to go in for an echocardiogram in a couple of weeks....seems kind of silly to me now but I guess as long as insurance covers it, I might as well.

Take care,
Martha
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brendablackburn

brendablackburn


Posts : 150
Join date : 2008-06-24
Age : 56
Location : Vancouver, BC, Canada

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PostSubject: Re: Hi, new here   Hi, new here Icon_minitimeWed Jul 30, 2008 2:06 am

Hi Martha,

So sorry to hear about that... scary. Nothing worse than ending up back in the hospital and having that accompanying fear of what's happening. Wow--we all really do share so many experiences in common. I'm glad you're okay!

I relate to how you feel... I felt silly about it all too, but then it's also a relief when everything checks out okay! I used that day as a pivotal point for me to try to let stuff go that I must have obviously been harboring in order to have caused it... I guess fear! A tough one when there's a feeling of pain involved. I found it amazing at what my mind can create... e.g. anxiety masquerading as pain. I'm determined to retain my optimism and the enthusiasm that is "me" and let that fear (not me) go!

Also, when I had my cardiogram, there was an older gentleman getting one done as well. He had chest pain and thought it was a heart attack. And he has had several in the past!! So one would assume he definitely knows what one feels like! Even HE had a mimic pain. Also, I heard that the actor who played "mini-me" in Austin Powers flew into Vancouver and went from the airport to the hospital I went to, because of chest pain, was observed and then released. So it happens to lots of folks!

Nonetheless we have to know one way or another! Good luck and keep positive!
Take care.

P.S. Don't know if I ever told you... but love your photo! Awesome!
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Justmartha

Justmartha


Posts : 10
Join date : 2008-07-19

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PostSubject: Re: Hi, new here   Hi, new here Icon_minitimeThu Jul 31, 2008 8:27 pm

Good to hear that I'm not the only one who could "manufacture" a serious physical pain from what probably was anxiety!

And I'm glad you like my photo - that's my and one of my boys back in April at a show :-)

Of course I am ignoring the doctors orders and have started riding some again.

Martha
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Annemarie

Annemarie


Posts : 21
Join date : 2008-06-26
Age : 48
Location : South Africa

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PostSubject: Hi there   Hi, new here Icon_minitimeMon Aug 04, 2008 10:32 am

Hi Martha

I saw you on your horse and knew we would have lots to chat about.

It is 6 weeks since I was diagnosed with DVT and PE after a horseriding accident when my young arab stallion accidently stepped on me after he got a fright and fell. I was first admitted with a liver laceration and thereafter the DVT and PE.

I am dying to ride again....doctors doesn't want me to ride for 6 months. I am still in two minds....my horses are young and very spooky but I will make the decision once I get stronger. I still get very tired often though and started with more walks the last 2 weeks.


How long after you have been diagnosed did you get back on? Should you be on lifelong anticoagulants?

God bless
A
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