DVT

[Guest guest]

My wife has DVT, the doctor wants to put her on some drug that, well,

could kill her. Any idea what else she can take?

[Guest guest]

RE: DVT - DVT is deep vein thrombosis. Your Doctor most likely wants

to put your wife on an anticoagulant (Coumadin) which will thin her

blood and lessen the chance of a clot - or a thrombolytic which will

dissolve any clots that are present. The use of these drugs are much

LESS likely to kill her than not taking them! They need to be

regulated (especially at the beginning) by regular blood tests to

check her INR and PT levels. This is very very important - see that

she has this done weekly at the beginning and then less often as it is

regulated. In some cases (and watch for this) - generic coumadin does

not work as well for some people as the " true " coumadin. Diet is VERY

important while on coumadin as certain foods will increase the

coumadin level. Have your Doctor explain to you what OTC medications

your wife should not take (including anything with aspirin in it).

Also be aware that some herbal medications (including Vitamin E and

Ginsing)will also thin the blood and should not be used in combination

with coumadin. Lifestyle, exercise, sleep need to be consistant while

on the drug. A simple way to explain this is that if she walks a 1/2

mile three times a week - she should ALWAYS walk a 1/2 mile three

times a week. The same is true for eating certain foods which the

Doctor can make you aware of (ask him for a list!). If she must eat a

particular food on the list once a week she should ALWAYS eat it once

a week. Consistancy is your goal. The " fear " of these drugs is that

they can cause internal bleeding or the inability to stop external

bleeding if she should somehow cut herself. If YOU are aware and HAVE

the INR and PT checked every week (blood test) her level will be kept

in check and this will not BE a cause for fear. Do not be concerned if

and when (LOL) they increase it or decrease it (the coumadin) -- they

are merely keeping it at the level it should be. For a while the

dosage may change every week. Eventually --- once it is regulated -

there are alternative things she can take and do to keep it in the

area it should be in. She should have a card from the Doctor or a

medical ID bracelet or necklace stating that she is on the coumadin.

This is very important to have with her at ALL times. EMTs, the ER and

a doctor who does not know her NEED to know she is on this medication

immediately. Helen

 

, " pussyticker "

<pussyticker wrote:

>

> My wife has DVT, the doctor wants to put her on some drug that,

well,

> could kill her. Any idea what else she can take?

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/11/2006 15:03:53 GMT Standard Time,

helen_1947_slaughter writes:

 

The use of these drugs are much

LESS likely to kill her than not taking them!

 

 

i have to agree with helen on this... not always nice taking medication but

if she doesnt and is not monitered properly she could end up with the clot

moving... if it does and ends up in the lung that IS serious.. life

threatening in fact ... i am presuming that the medication helen mentioned is

the same

as heprin over here (UK) and it is important to monitor it closely... hope

she is feeling better very soon

 

Jay x

 

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