The Forestry Forum

Health and Safety => Health and Safety => Topic started by: red on January 26, 2017, 12:23:53 PM

Title: Blood Clots
Post by: red on January 26, 2017, 12:23:53 PM
my left leg was a little swollen then in the afternoon I could not walk more than 50 feet without stopping.  I was in major  pain SO off to the emergency room and I was quickly told I had blood clots in my leg but for added FUN I had one in my right Lung . I spent 8 days in the hospital lots of blood thinners 24 hour saline IV the surgeon inserted a drain and then removed it the next day . I am walking with a Cane and very weak overall . My next few weeks are going to be spent with lots of Doctor Appointments .  I am very thankful that I am as healthy as I am .   
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Ox on January 26, 2017, 12:45:47 PM
Geez Louize.  Glad you caught it and got things fixed in time.  Hopefully you get stronger and stronger every day.
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: sprucebunny on January 26, 2017, 01:12:17 PM
Hope you feel better soon.
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: WV Sawmiller on January 26, 2017, 03:13:30 PM
Red,

   Sorry to hear it. Hope they get your lube system regulated to the right thickness and you make a complete recovery soon. They always warn us to use lighter weight fluids in the winter. Maybe this is a seasonal issue.

   Did they make a big change to your diet or tell you what actually caused the blockage and how to prevent it in the future?
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Chuck White on January 26, 2017, 05:57:27 PM
Blood clots are nothing to mess around with!

I had a blockage in one of the small arteries in my heart back in 1995 and spent a week in the hospital, the last 3 days were in Burlington, Vt where an angioplasty was done.  Since then I've been on a few daily meds, then in 2005 I started in with AFIB, so since then I've been taking Warfarin every day!

No further issues to date!

So, follow your doctors advise!
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: thecfarm on January 26, 2017, 06:17:30 PM
Way too many of us not doing well.  :(
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Bruno of NH on January 26, 2017, 06:21:48 PM
Red
I just went through this same thing but the clots went from my legs and filled my lungs.
In the hospital for 5 days lots of shots for a month .
Dr tells me I might be on blood thinners the rest of my life .
Get well Red
Bruno
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: WDH on January 26, 2017, 09:35:10 PM
Yes, get well, Red.
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: 4x4American on January 26, 2017, 09:51:41 PM
 :snowball:


What causes this?


Hope you get that outta yer system soon!
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: pineywoods on January 26, 2017, 10:13:02 PM
Blood clots are NOT something to fool around with. They tend to break loose and then lodge somewhere else. If somewhere else is a lung, you've got serious but fixable problem. Even more serious is a clot in the brain. That's called a stroke and recovery is iffy at best. Blood thinner is a precaution against future clots. Warfrin is the standard treatment, but it's difficult to keep the dosage regulated. There are other options...
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Roxie on January 27, 2017, 06:33:58 AM
Aww Red, I'm so sorry to hear you had that scare, but so happy to know you're still around.  Please take care of yourself.   :)
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Chuck White on January 27, 2017, 07:26:43 AM
Quote from: pineywoods on January 26, 2017, 10:13:02 PM
Blood clots are NOT something to fool around with. They tend to break loose and then lodge somewhere else. If somewhere else is a lung, you've got serious but fixable problem. Even more serious is a clot in the brain. That's called a stroke and recovery is iffy at best. Blood thinner is a precaution against future clots. Warfrin is the standard treatment, but it's difficult to keep the dosage regulated. There are other options... 

That's right Piney, I take a 5mg Warfarin one night (supper meal) and 7.5mg the next night, and have for years, then about every 5-6 weeks I have to go get my blood tested!

Then I have to stay away from some food items, primarily "leafy vegetables"  :(  the worse part of that is, I love a garden salad!   :-\
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Ed_K on January 27, 2017, 08:26:56 AM
 Red hope you strengthen up and get back to good health. Like thecfarm says "there's way to many of us not doing so well. The doctor's taking care of me at the oncology dept keep warning me to watch for red spots on my legs.Also that it could be with a warm sensation and pain as you felt. That's when you go the ER quick.
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Magicman on January 27, 2017, 09:34:30 AM
I have been on a road trip sawing and missed this Red.  My prayers are for your full and complete recovery.
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Ox on January 27, 2017, 10:33:48 AM
Chuck - why do you have to stay away from leafy vegetables?  This is the first time I've ever heard a doc say to do this.  Usually they say eat more!  Does it interact with your meds?  Does it help thin your blood too much?
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: pineywoods on January 27, 2017, 11:07:02 AM
Blood thinner and some leafy veggies are not a good combination. The problem is vitamin K, which is a clotting factor. It directly reduces the effectiveness of blood thinner. Turnip greens, collards, brussel sprouts etc are loaded with vitamin K. 
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Bruno of NH on January 27, 2017, 11:41:50 AM
Kale is one of the worst for the vitamin K
I'm on 3 5mg pills a day for 3 days then 2 5mg and 1 7.5 mg then back
There are other meds but I'm to big to be on them
They had a hard time getting me to the 2-3 range
I have lost about 20 pounds
Hopefully I can keep it up :)
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Roxie on January 27, 2017, 01:45:44 PM
Quote from: Ox on January 27, 2017, 10:33:48 AM
Chuck - why do you have to stay away from leafy vegetables?  This is the first time I've ever heard a doc say to do this.  Usually they say eat more!  Does it interact with your meds?  Does it help thin your blood too much?

Now, I'm gonna tell a story.  On July 4th of last year, I was taken by ambulance to the hospital and admitted in critical condition for septic shock caused by a kidney stone,  I've had problems with stones on and off since I was in my twenties, but they had never captured the stones, or a reason for their continuing to form.  Well, we caught it this time, and after two surgeries and four days in Intensive Care, and 60 days of being restricted, I had a follow up visit with the Doc.  He told me that my stone had been caused by oxalates.  Thinking it would be funny, I said, "it's all those pesky vegetables, right?"  He said, "Seriously, yes." 

Y'all can google it, but turns out spinach, kale, brussel sprouts, beets, sweet potatoes, nuts, wheat berries, shredded wheat, and tea top the list.  So, I'm back to coffee and Captain Crunch in the morning, and my salads are all made with ice berg lettuce and peeled cucumbers.  All those dark green leafy vegetables, and those "colorful" ones are just a trap. 
:)
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Bruno of NH on January 27, 2017, 03:29:27 PM
I love green tea
No green tea for me
One of the worst right there with kale for the blood thinner
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: GrahamW on January 27, 2017, 04:28:00 PM
Red
a
I had a DVT in my leg many years ago and then 6 years ago contracted a bilateral pulmonary embolism so I am 9  or 10 mg warfarin (rat poison) daily for the rest of my life unless they find a better treatment. Warfarin is a vitamin K inhibitor which is why leafy greens can affect your INR.  Another issue is alcohol as it thins the blood which increases the INR, especially 'binge' drinking.

What I am trying to get at is if you have a salad with your meal every night that will not be a problem nor would regularly eating greens and if you are going to drink then it is either a little rarely or any amount regularly  :)

Good luck with your treatment.

Graham
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Chuck White on January 27, 2017, 04:36:03 PM
Quote from: Ox on January 27, 2017, 10:33:48 AM
Chuck - why do you have to stay away from leafy vegetables?  This is the first time I've ever heard a doc say to do this.  Usually they say eat more!  Does it interact with your meds?  Does it help thin your blood too much?

The Vitamin K in the leafy vegetables counteracts the Warfarin and the anticlotting factor is gone, thus increasing the chances of a blood clot!
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Ox on January 27, 2017, 05:41:16 PM
That's crazy.  It seems that too much of anything is bad for you.  The old saying everything in moderation certainly gets more truth added to it as time goes on.  Thanks for the explanations everyone.
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: thecfarm on January 27, 2017, 08:00:16 PM
There. I knew all that green stuff is bad for ya.  :D
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: red on December 21, 2017, 02:23:58 PM
Yesterday I had a swollen left leg , painful to walk on and shortness of breath.  So went to the Emergency room.  Lots of tests and blood clots in my leg and right lung.  At six pm they admitted me to hospital with a Heprin drip plus frequently taking blood. Fun fun fun. But I am very lucky I came to hospital. I will keep you posted on this Adventure

Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Raider Bill on December 21, 2017, 03:12:30 PM
Good Luck!
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Roxie on December 21, 2017, 04:00:40 PM
I'm so sorry to hear that, but you're in the right place to heal.  Wish you a quick recovery.
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Chuck White on December 21, 2017, 06:48:27 PM
Best of luck to you, Red!

Wishing you the best!
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Magicman on December 21, 2017, 07:40:34 PM
I'm sorry to hear about the clotting issue but am thankful that you made a wise decision and are in a hospital where they can properly care for you.  Please keep us posted.
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Bruno of NH on December 22, 2017, 08:25:58 AM
Red
I went through what your are last Christmas Day both lungs all most blocked completely
Get well
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Ed_K on December 22, 2017, 11:10:23 AM
 That is scary, :o . I hope you get better soon.
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: red on December 22, 2017, 12:23:14 PM
No Fear it is what it is . They are still doing tests, I just had an Echo done on my heart. Still have Heprin drip and they take blood every six hours. I am in good spirits . I get to laugh about the guy in the next bed , his wife is the Boss . Squeeky wheel gets the grease  and she has complained to anyone and everyone.  Poor guy just needs some Rest. 
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: WDH on December 22, 2017, 05:01:25 PM
Hang in there.
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: plantman on December 22, 2017, 07:31:35 PM
I can appreciate the dangers of a blood clot but I'm distrustful of a medical system that continues to sell drugs and surgery over lifestyle changes. I think that as a society we are getting more and more out of shape despite having a higher standard of living than nearly the entire world. When we were kids they told us to eat more carbohydrates and less meat. We now know that was bad advice. Now they're telling you not to eat vegetables and to take more drugs ?! I think we'd be more healthy if we all just used some common sense and stayed out of the doctor office. Get off the refined sugar, the processed food, the alcohol, and get some exercise.
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: red on December 23, 2017, 08:38:34 AM
I should be leaving hospital today,  they have put me on Zarelto . Since this is my second time I will have to be on it for Life.  Still no answer as to how I am getting these blood clots in my leg and my lung. So I am still in good spirits it's just a bump in the road.
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Magicman on December 23, 2017, 03:36:49 PM
Take care red, and Merry Christmas.
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: red on November 06, 2021, 12:45:41 PM
So all had been fine for years now .  Following up with Doctor every 3 months and still taking Xarelto . . my question today is does anyone recommend a Heated Vest ? I get very cold blooded with the blood thinner. 

Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Runningalucas on November 06, 2021, 01:04:52 PM
Quote from: red on November 06, 2021, 12:45:41 PM
So all had been fine for years now .  Following up with Doctor every 3 months and still taking Xarelto . . my question today is does anyone recommend a Heated Vest ? I get very cold blooded with the blood thinner.
My neighbor has a dvt from his ankle, to his groin right now; my brother is on Wayfarin for life from DVT's, and has been for several years now since his early 40's. 
Having all of that said, no idea how a heated vest would work with that condition, neither the neighbor, or brother use one, but I do....  I love the thing; it's made of material I don't like, which is I think some sort of polyester, so I simply wear it under a lighter cotton shirt/jacket.  There's nothing like working outside in 25 degrees with extra warmth.  If you get one, look around for a longer run time battery.
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Sawyerfortyish on November 21, 2021, 07:31:39 AM
About a month ago I had a heart spell. I was in the mill grabbed our order book was walking across the mill and something hit me lost my breath and had to sit down fast before I fell down. My son ran to the house got one of those things that goes on your finger that tells heartrate and a home blood pressure machine. My heartrate was 220 it should be 80-100 and my blood pressure was higher than the machine could measure. The hospital is 15 min away I was driven there in 10 min. Usually you sit in a waiting room for hours to get looked at. This time they did an EKG within a couple minuets and about 2 minuets later I was in the ER with an IV in each arm. My heart had jumped into A-fib it took a day on iv medication and it corrected itself. They can't explain what causes a persons heart to jump into A-fib it just happens but now that it has I'm more prone to have a stroke. So I will be on a blood thinner the rest of my life. 
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: mike_belben on December 07, 2021, 08:52:19 PM

Quote [omega-3 fatty acid.]

...Nutritionally important because the body does not make them, omega-3 fatty acids include alpha-linoleic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), all of which are polyunsaturated. Salmon, trout, and tuna are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Research indicates that omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of sudden death from heart attacks, reduce triglycerides in the blood, lower blood pressure, and prevent thrombosis by inhibiting blood clotting. They also reduce inflammation, and may help reduce the risk of some cancers in animals.

Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: doctorb on December 07, 2021, 09:36:05 PM
Sawyerfortyish-

Yes, you will be anti-coagulated forever.  The real question is, "What are they doing to keep you out of A-fib? 

I know nothing about a heated jacket therapy mentioned earlier in this thread.  Sounds like a wing and a prayer, which sometimes isn't all bad.
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Ed_K on December 09, 2021, 10:43:22 AM
 Rita's 2nd oldest brother 84 yrs just went thru this. His dr. sent him to a specialist that shocked his heart back to normal. It wasn't one of those paddle things.
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: red on August 19, 2022, 12:41:04 PM
Well I have been taking Xarelto for 5 years ,  I was lucky the Doctors office gave me samples.  Now there is a program that I will have to pay $85 per month there is no generic for Xarelto . . so I was lucky for 5 years and I can't live without it 
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: kantuckid on August 20, 2022, 09:05:14 AM
Quote from: red on August 19, 2022, 12:41:04 PM
Well I have been taking Xarelto for 5 years ,  I was lucky the Doctors office gave me samples.  Now there is a program that I will have to pay $85 per month there is no generic for Xarelto . . so I was lucky for 5 years and I can't live without it
Regarding ultra-expensive medicines:
One of my DIL's is currently taking a very expensive cancer medication which might be saving her life.
It's cost is beyond most regular folk's budget. She teaches school & her husbands is a civil engineer, so they work, have good health insurance and 3 kids.
She was able to source it through a program that Mark Cuban (well-known entrepreneur) who set it up to help people with expensive medicines.
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: Ed_K on August 21, 2022, 10:25:08 AM
 Call the drug maker of the expensive meds. Often they will help with the cost. One of the first meds I needed was going to cost us $29,000. we called the maker and got on a program were it cosy us $25.00 a month.

 Rita has a number of companies that will help, send us a PM and we'll try to help.

 I joined the VA a couple yrs ago cause we were getting behind. We found out the even the smaller drugs the we were paying $25.00 for some of them the VA let us have them for $11.00 a month. They are putting me into a compansation for Agent Orange and and help with hospital visits.
Title: Re: Blood Clots
Post by: red on August 21, 2022, 10:45:17 AM
This $85 a month is the program from Xarelto made by Johnson and Johnson . . there is no generic made yet and the cost for one month supply at the pharmacy is $450 
I have asked about being put on a cheaper medicine like Warafin but Xarelto is a much better medicine for me. 
I am just thankful that I received the medicine for Free for 5 years ,  but I will have to take it every day for the rest of my Life