New to DVT and the Forum

Hello everyone. I'm not sure where to start but I figured I should introduce myself and lay out my issues before I spent a few days reading through everything which I definitely need to do.
I'm 39 years young and developed DVT due to a cesarean delivery on June 12th, 2009. I had no idea what DVT was until a week after my delivery I noticed redness and swelling and severe calf pain in my right calf. A scan revealed several clots through both legs and I was admitted to the hospital. The day after being admitted for the clots I was told by my mother that it could be genetic and that I had a cousin who lost her life due to DVT.

My beautiful daughter will be 6 months next week and I was looking forward to having my blood retested to see if this is in fact genetic or simply a result of the C section. But, low and behold, I'm pregnant again (WOOHOO!). Although my husband and I are very happy to have one more (and definitely last) child, we are both very worried about the DVT. I have several issues with the entire situation and things are starting to really scare me.
First of all, none of the doctors that I've dealt with since the clots were found have explained ANYTHING! I'm still in the dark as to what it is, how it works, what can I do, what should I do, what shouldn't I do. It seems like every time we try to ask questions they just get shrugged off as if it's nothing to worry about. I'm SO thankful that I found this site and that there is so much information here. I tried to find information locally here in South Africa and have found absolutely nothing. (I'm American but moved here just over 2 years ago for my husband.)

Secondly, and this is the big one, Since I'm pregnant I can't take Warfarin. I'm supposed to be taking daily Clexane 40 (Enoxaparin) injections. My medical aid only covers annual chronic up to R6500 (thats about $833 at the current exchange rate). Unfortunately the Clexane is R2285 for a 30 day supply. I've already checked with the Govt clinics and the don't supply any form of heparin, only the warfarin. I've pleaded my case to my medical aid but to no avail. Does anyone have ANY ideas or suggestions of where I can go or what I can do?

~Melissa

Hi Melissa,

As much as it pains me, welcome to LADVT.
Your first question is a very broad question, were you diagnosed as being Idiopathic DVT (they can not give you a reason why YOU clotted) I'm like that, actually many of us are like that, failed miserably the genetic tests, so we are called "Idiopathic" I know not a pretty name, but it is what it is...
As for your second question, I will tery to get in touch with a member that is from S. Africa, she may have some answers specific to your case.

Once again, welcome to LADVT.

Good Morning/Evening Dero, and thank you. I can't say it's great to be here but I'm very thankful that I found this forum. I still haven't been able to get through all the information yet.
I would like to apologize for my original post. I realize after I came back and read it the next morning that it sounds quite whiney. I sincerely don't mean to be. I think I'm just really scared. I did get some good news though. My Medical aid (same as insurance in most other countries. Still confuses me sometimes) has come through. They've added an annual "Special" chronic medications that has a high enough limit to cover the clexan for the duration of my pregnancy. *WHEW* I'm so relieved.
I also spoke to my GP and my daughters DR yesterday. They both agree with everyone here. I need to get to a specialist and ask the million questions burning in my head and get a follow up scan and the 6 month mark schlew of blood work done. The "specialist" I originally was treated by isn't a blood specialist but a general Physician. Apparently that means something different here in SA and I'm not sure exactly what. Anyway, He is already on holiday until the new year. So...do I call around and find my own specialist? Ask my GP for a new referral? As my OB/GYN for a new referral? (he's the one who recognized the DVT in the first place and assigned me to Dr. Sluiter the Physician.)
UGH. I need coffee before I start to sort all this out.

Thanks for the welcome!

Hey, that is one thing you won't have to worry about here, everybody that is here knows exactly what you are going through, because we all have been there. Most of us had no idea what had hit us, we all had that one question in common, "What is DVT?" That's why this site exist.

I would strongly reccomend you find or get referred to a hematologist, it's a blood matter so get a blood doctor, we don't get an electrician to do our plumbing so why do we not use the proper doctor? (lol)

Instead of coffee, make water your best new friend, (coffee does dehydrate you) we need to be hydrated more then ever...

Glad you were able to resolve your insurance , one thing less to worry about, YAY!!!
If you have any questions, please ask and remember, there are no stupid questions...

Dear MomofThree,
I am a mom of two, and a registered nurse (former L&D nurse). I experienced my DVT/PE 1 1/2 weeks after my daughter was born in Dec 08. I was miraculously spared (1/3 people die from PE - pulmonary embolus). I was put on Lovenox for one week and then Coumadin (which I was able to breastfeed while taking this). You are correct that you cannot take Coumadin while pregnant. You may want to ask your doctor about Heparin shots. I think they are a reasonable substitute and are considerably cheaper.
Definately need to see a hematologist. I had my blood tested and found out I have two genetic mutations that make my blood more prone to clots.
Did you know that pregnancy and postpartum (period after giving birth) makes you more prone to blood clots also? Plus you have had a DVT and are therefore at increased risk for another one.
Many women have had safe pregnancies and births after DVTs, so there is hope
I however, have a boy and a girl and am going to get my tubes tied very soon. My husband and I are content and thankful for our two kids.
One thing to keep in mind, is that you probably will need to have SCDs (sequential compression devices), on during and after your C-section/birth to increase the leg circulation. Get up and walk as soon as you can following the birth. Get some compression socks and stay active.
Hope this helps. Feel free to ask if I can help more.