New Problem - Blood Clot

[Dave40306]

Just had my first post-Chemo CT today and although the initial readings look very good regarding my lymph nodes (Doc said, "I can't see 'em anymore but I need to wait for the report from radiology) so that's good news.

But, he got called to look at the scans because my left renal vein is clotted up pretty bad. This also happens to be the on the same side as my Orch and it might be related. He's not sure why I got the clot and now I need a MRI on Friday to take a closer look.

The worst part is that now I'm on Lovanox self-injection for at least the next 7 days and Coumadin for who knows how long.

I was just starting to feel good both physically and mentally and now this. It's just so damn frustrating. Better than loosing a kidney though!

Dave

[dadmo]

I understand your frustration but things will get better. Just stay as strong as you have in the past. Minor setbacks will occur and will be corrected. Just keep planning that party.

[Scott]

At least the worst part isn't so bad. Hang in there!

[Karen]

Dave,
Sorry to hear about the clot, but glad the scan looked good. Sometimes it's two steps forward one step back...but you are moving in the right direction. Hang in there and keep us posted on how you're soing!

[Ras Joe]

Dave,

Sorry to hear about your blood clot. I hope that all goes well, that the drugs they have you on don't make you feel sick (again!), and that you don't get down mentally. It's a serious bummer to have a set back when things are just starting to look up. Joe

[Dave40306]

Well, I had the MRI done this morning to confirm the CT scan earlier in the week and there's definitely a clot in the left renal vein. I guess it's not bad enough to block the vein completely otherwise I'd have some very serious problems.

The docs own words "I'm not sure why you have this very rare condition, there's no specific reason I can give you but now we have to deal with it". It may have something to do with the Cancer/Chemo or possibly the Orchiectomy since it's on the same side.

Dealing with it means injecting the Lovenox for another couple days and continuing on the Coumadin for 6 months to a year. He said that he will be able to monitor the clot when I get my follow up CT scans for the Cancer. I've always liked the "two birds with one stone" concept.

I can't imagine having to the take the Lovenox for more than 7 days total. My abdomen is already full of tiny bruises where I had to inject it.

Dave

[dadmo]

Well that certainly stinks. Have you been checked often enough to know if the clot is shrinking?

[Dave40306]

Well that certainly stinks. Have you been checked often enough to know if the clot is shrinking?

I just found out about the clot 4 days ago so I don't know how long it's been there. I do know that it didn't show up on the last CT I had done at the 1/2 way point during chemo.

I will only know if the clot is shrinking from my follow up CTs for the Cancer. The next one will be in a couple months if I go the surveillance route.

According to my doc, there's no way to really shrink or dissolve the clot other than taking blood thinners for a minimum of 6 months and letting it disappear slowly. If a large part of the clot were to break off, I could face a life threatening embolism in the lungs or heart.

[IowaBrian]

Can they put in any type of filter to catch the clot if it moves I know I have had claims where they put filters in for other clots.
just a thought might not be a option in your case.
found a link of sorts http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releas...FCD-081196.php

Brian

[nzsteve]

Hi,

I got clots in my lungs during chemo. Kind of the same story, no symptoms, picked up on a CT scan. Injections for a week while they worked out the warfarin dose I needed, and then 6 mths on that. Its surprising how quick you get used to taking the pills, but the INR tests are a pain. Most of mine ended up being weekly as I couldnt seem to get a stable dose worked out. Make sure you do get the tests done when they tell you. The last thing you need is to be taking to much or too little of it.

Im sure theyve breifed you, but watch what you eat while youre on the pills - Good info here you need to keep a stable diet as lots of food can affect how the warfarin works.

Hang in their, the blood thinners will do the trick.

Steve

[dadmo]

If you should get the RPLND could they remove the clot?

[indiana9]

I too had a blod clot post chemotherapy and did the twice daily Lovenox injections for 8 weeks followed by four weeks of Coumadin. The clot disappeared and everything is normal. Are you being treated at IU? It sounds like the approach your doctor's are taking are a little different. While the daily Lovenox routine was a royal pain, going for the twice weekly and then weekly Coumadin blood tests was more disruptive and I disliked not being able to eat healthy green veggies. Good luck with all this.
Brian

[Dave40306]

IowaBrian - No discussion with Doc about any type of filter. I got the impression that just taking the blood thinners will do the trick eventually with little risk. Not sure it would be viable in my case due to the location of the clot. Not considered "Deep Vein Thrombosis". Interesting idea through.

nzsteve - Great info! I was beginning to think I was all alone on this one. My doc is doing exact same therapy - Injections for a week until Warfarin dose can be determined. I've been briefed on the diet issue. I don't normally eat many of the foods that are considered high or medium in Vit K so that shouldn't be a problem. The alcohol part might be tough but I'm trying to put myself in the mindset that not only is it not good with to drink with warfarin but it's also just plain not good in general and I might be able to loose a couple of extra pounds in the process.

dadmo - I don't know about removing the clot during RPLND. I haven't discussed that one with a Doc yet either. If I did get the surgery, then they'd be right there and might be able to do something about it.

indiana9 - I'm not being treated at or by IU. I'm out in CT. So far, all the docs I've seen here have been right on with their recommendations and treatment. My primary Oncologist has recommended this therapy with the injections for just one week then warfarin for at least 6 months. Honestly, I don't think I could handle the injections for any longer, never mind 8 weeks. Your abdomen must have been one big freakin' bruise! Mine's already all marked up. No need to guess where the next needle needs to go. Plus, I'm only 2 minutes from the Doc's office and treatment center so heading over there once or even twice a week isn't a big deal for me. I've been there so much for the chemo, procrit and neupogen injections, it might as well be my second home now.

Thanks again for all the great replies.

[indiana9]

Re: Coumadin & Alcohol

A doctor friend told me that the biggest concern with alcoholic beverages while on Coumadin therapy is that you are more likely to stumble, fall, or basically hurt yourself and start bleeding which is a bad thing to have happen when you are on blood thinners. It is not so much a concern about the alcohol impacting the affects of Coumadin.

Brian

[Hopeful]

Kevin (hubby) received 2 blood clots while going thru BEP. They put him on the shots and then warfarin for about 6 months (even while going through high dose chemp/stem cell transplant but I think he quit taking it during that period but started back up after the treatment). Before the high dose chemo treatment, he was on this during the wintertime and still snowboarded occasionally, while I tried to freak out when he fell. He kept up his lifestyle but was very cautious. He bought some motocross protection gear and wore than when snowboarding.

Hang in there. It does get better.