Question:
I'm really afraid of blood clots!

I just found out from some pre-op Protime blood tests that my blood clots easy. Which may mean that I'm more prone to blood clots forming. Now, I was told that there are meds such as Heperin & Levoxyl that can help with this issue. Problem is I am all ready on Levoxyl for my thyroid. So how can I still have a problem with this if Levoxyl is suppose to help with that? I was so afraid of the blood clot issue due to this surgery anyhow. Now I find out that I may form blood clots even easier. I'm terrified of this surgery now because of this. I know my Dr. takes precautions before the surgery such as the socks & he gives you Heperin anyhow but still. Is this enough? Can anything else be done to prevent this since I'm supposedly at a higher risk? Sorry I'm just terrified now & hope someone can give me words of wisdom who has the same problem to maybe ease my mind. Thanks!    — [Anonymous] (posted on March 7, 2002)

March 7, 2002
My family has a history of blood clots. My mother is on Cumadin (sp?) regularly and because of this, doctors wouldn't even put me on birth control pills!! Anyways, I'm 6.5 months post op and everything was fine. They pump you full of precautionary meds before surgery. Just make sure you tell your surgeon this is a concern for you! Also, after surgery, walking is essential to preventing blood clots. It's going to be hard but you have to do it. I hoped this helped a little but if you have more concerns, the best person to speak to will be your surgeon. Good Luck!
   — [Anonymous]

March 7, 2002
First I'd talk to my doctor about the chances of your blood clotting. Tell him what meds your on, ask if there are tests that can be done and if you stand a chance of blood clotting problems your doctor can put in a Greenfield filter. I don't exactly where it is put, but it supposed to stop a blood clot from entering the lungs. Remember its you or your insurance that's paying him, take control of your body. Hope this helps! Jo-Dee Hortz
   — tinyjo

March 7, 2002
Hi. I've never heard that Levoxyl prevents blood clots. Perhaps the surgeon was speaking of Lovenox. It is a newer anticoagulant that is more stable than Heparin. Forgive me if I sound like a 12-stepper, but you need to accept the things you cannot change (your blood's natural tendency toward easy clotting), change the things you can (your compliance with your post op regimen... ie walking, wearing your compression hose, drinking your fluids, using your incentive spirometer) and realize the difference between the two. I did everything perfectly and still got a blood clot (in my neck, from the central line.) This was a rare complication, but in deciding to have the surgery, I accepted the fact that this, among other things, was a risk. If fear of having a clot is weighing heavily on your mind, I think you should call your surgeon up, and either ask to have a call-back or make an appointment to see him/her. Have a heart to heart about your fears. Your surgeon is the only one who is in a position to ease your mind... but you must initiate the conversation. JMHO. JK, RN
   — Joya K.

March 7, 2002
I agree, you need to talk to your doctor and if you're still very concerned with this issue ask if he'll agree to ordering some post op blood work (like before they send you out of the hospital, 7-10 days following surgery, and then once a week for the first month following surgery. And make sure his office (or another pre-determined dr) will be aware of your situation and will call you with the results and be able to advise you based on your results. Protimes are basically painless and then you KNOW what your clotting time is doing. Unless you actually have blood clots I wouldn't ever opt for a filter. My dad has one and is on high doses of coumadin for life. It interfers with surgeries and although I'm not sure about all types of filter, with his (in his leg) if it ever clogs it isn't removable and he will lose his leg. He recently had surgery and had to use Levenox both pre & post-op. The shots are very expensive (like $1000-1500) for the doses he took so if they aren't covered by your insurance that IS an important factor. They DO work BUT you have to give yourself the shot (unless you're close to a facility who'll give them to you twice a day). He's used to injecting insulin but found these shots to be more painful. They caused a lot of bruising and he really hated them. Not meaning to be discouraging but I wanted you to be aware of my families experience with this. Better to go into things with open eyes.
   — Shelly S.

June 7, 2002
After having had 2 episodes of deep vien thrombosis, my surgeon simply required me to have a Greenfield filter installed in my Vena Cava. This filter is designed to catch and hold any blood clots in place that have broken off in your legs and are trying to travel to your lungs. Let me tell ya, I feel MUCH better about having this surgery since I had that filter installed too. It is a simple procedure, done in day surgery. I got mine scheduled in 1 week from my visit to the vascular surgeon. Hope this helps.
   — Greg P.