Comments on: Blood Clots – What they Are and What they Can do to Your Body

By: Leslie

Leslie — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:30:29 +0000

There is another type of blood clot which was not included in the article. Eight days after giving birth I was paralyzed from a spontaneous epidural hematoma. I had toximia while pregnant and was put on bedrest until giving birth. Nowadays Drs refer to it as an AVM. Initially I was paralyzed from the neck down,but after removing the clot from the spinal cord and large dosage of steroids to reduce the swelling, I regained the use of my arms, but no leg functioning. Since I had just given birth, the symptoms I experienced I attributed to hormonal fuctuations. My OBGYN told me expect changes after giving birth. I didn’t realize having problems with walking, tingling in my feet and blurred vision were all leading to a blot clot early one morning 23 years ago.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:36:02 +0000

Factor V Leiden affects 5% of those of western european descent. It is hereditary meaning it is passed from one or both of your parents. Factor V Leiden is a protein in the blood that causes the blood to clot when there is a wound. Normally blood automatically stops clotting when the damage is repaired by the body. Factor V Leiden does not recognize the signal to stop clotting and attempts to clot the blood all the time. Combined with several factors, including being overweight and being inactive, it creates clots that eventually break loose, and move first to the heart, then through the heart and into the lungs, hence the name pulmonary. Once they hit the lungs, many people simply drop dead. If the signs are caught soon enough, a trip to intensive care and week in bed receiving heparin, a blood thinner, usually solves the problem. If you have Factor V Leiden, chances are you will get repeated embolisms (clots) until one finally kills you, unless you undertake a lifelong regimen of a blood thinner like coumadin or warfarin. That in turn creates a new risk for bleeding as you essentially become a hemophiliac, and can bleed to death or have major problems from simple things like a nosebleed. You must watch what you eat, be careful not to engage in risky behavior, take extra precautions if undergoing surgery and be under a doctor’s supervision and monthly monitoring for the rest of your life. I have survived two. I am hoping to avoid a third. As if life does not already throw endless curveballs, Factor V Leiden is one more to watch out for. It is the lottery you don’t want to win. And by the way, if you get the gene from both parents, it doubles your likelihood of having a clotting incident. My HMO did not run blood tests and discover this disorder until I had the second embolism. Don’t wait and don’t become a statistic. If you have one, get the test. It is cheap and may save your life.

By: Janice Senkus

Janice Senkus — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 10:52:32 +0000

I developed a pulmonary embolism as a result of blood clot that originated in my leg, then traveled to my lung. I nearly died as a result. I was only 22 years old and had a new baby just three weeks old. I developed another blood clot in my leg after my next son was born but luckily the clot did not move to my heart or lungs! With the first clot I had must gone back on birth-control pills. I also smoked which also adds to the risk. Of special note, because I was so young I was originally mis-diagnosed at the hospital. They thought I had pneumonia. This misdiagnosis nearly cost me my life! I feel extremely fortunate to still be here!

By: Steve

Steve — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 08:19:55 +0000

Until age 56 I had been in excellent health, ran 30-40 miles a week, competitive running, advanced hiking, low cholesterol, non smoker and moderate drinker. In spring, 2007, I felt pressure in my right leg and discounted it as tightness from running. I ignored it for 2 months and went to the doctor after having to stop on a morning run because of extreme fatigue. Ultra-sound and CAT scan revealed a 20 inch clot in the right leg and clots in the lungs. Blood tests were negative for any factors. Was kept on Coumadin for a year and taken off it for follow up blood tests which were also negative. Hematologist recommended I could be taken off the Coumadin which made me ecstatic. Was off Coumadin for 11 months taking only a baby aspirin per day and then suffered a freak fall severing knee tendons. Operated on and a precautionary ultra-sound reveled clots forming in both knees. Back on Coumadin now for at least a year. PCP is recommending for life and hematologist is willing to wait until March 2010 and do blood tests again. I’m happy that there is no genetic factor that would require blood family members to be tested but obviously frustrated that I do not seem to fit into any of the risk categories and no apparent reason as to why clots have formed in me. I am now 58 and have recovered from the tendon surgery enough to be jogging 2-3 miles 5-6 times a week. Any research that relates to my condition would be greatly appreciated.

By: Diane

Diane — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 07:28:09 +0000

I woke up one morning 13 years ago unable to breathe and thought I was just having a severe asthma attack, I went to the ER where they treated me for 6 hours for an asthma attack. They told me I was overreacting because I still couldn’t breathe and felt very dizzy. They discharged me-I left the ER walking hunched over and unable to breathe. I had my husband drive me to my asthma Dr’s office (the ER wouldn’t call him) it was the day before Thanksgiving. My dr took one look at me from way down the hall and yelled for someone to get a wheelchair. He said I had PE just from seeing me down the hall. I was rushed back to the hosp for nuclear scan- 4 blood clots -1 large and 3 fragments. Dr said with all the walking I should have been dead!! 1o imobile days in the hosp and blood thinners ever since! I was then diagnosed with LUPUS!!! I have had a mini-embolism reoccurance three years ago and will be on blood thinners for life! DR’s don’t want to operate on me and no one wants to give me meds for anything, The dentist hates to clean my teeth!! We tried to sue the hosp for misdiagnosis but was told it wasn’t there fault. I had an underlying medical condition that was undetected and I didn’t die!! Good luck to all who have survived this!!

By: Dan

Dan — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 07:02:36 +0000

In 2005 after knee surgery, I developed what the drs told me was a blood clot and it had traveled to my lungs. I was sure that I was going to die, but they treated me with blood thinners and I had some hard times, but managed to survive. After my last ET scan, the nurse looked at me and said,” I don’t know how you did it , but you are so lucky to be alive. She said,” you had six blood clots in your lungs and now you are all clear.”

By: Mary

Mary — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 06:32:48 +0000

Factor V Leiden is a genetic disorder that has been traced back to the Southern part of Sweden. If you carry this gene (like I do) your children have a 50% chance of carrying it also. The blood test which detects several clotting disorders is approximately $600. Taking small dose aspirin is recommended-do not take a full dose.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 06:15:41 +0000

Thanks for the info Nancy. How did your daughter die relating to blood clots? I am only 33 and within 1 month my body’s hormone balance shifted out of sorts. My OB says its just heavy bleeding due to the lack of progesterone. I don’t believe that. For my whole life my PMS was normal! I felt normal. I don’t take meds, my CBC shows no concerns, I exercise, etc, I am healthy. Now I feel I can’t leave my home because who knows when the bleeding will start again and it gives no warning. The OB said my body is shooting out blood clots to try to stop the bleeding but it works differently in the uterus. If anyone else has had this issue please share. I’m still freaking out and don’t believe this is a “normal” heavy flowing period.

By: Tina

Tina — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 05:54:53 +0000

It has been found about 10 years ago that people who have a deficiency in Protein C and S in their body are more likely to have blood clots. I had a massive PE thirty years ago, have been on blood thinners ever since. I still have blood clots and a filter was put in my vein. Sometimes it is hereditery (spelling is probably wrong)I have a deficiency in C and S.

By: Beth

Beth — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 01:55:39 +0000

I am sorry about the spelling in the previous post it is late that is supposed to say blood and for the life of me I can’t remember how to spell puliminary I know that is not correct again I apologize. Beth