6 weeks after TKR Ive got a DVT

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kipper

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very disappointed - had a scan today and have a clot in my leg. 7 days of blood thinning with heparin and on Warfarin. Knee is swollen and stiff but I want to try and get walking tomorrow and get back to how it was last week - not so bad really. Its just a big downer that its happened - -

sad

kipper
 
Oh kipper - that really sucks! What rotten bad luck. Still, the good luck is that they have identified it and it's getting treated. Praying it clears up in no time at all!
 
Kipper, I don't blame you for feeling a bit down with this news. I hope it gets better soon so you can continue along the road to recovery. I'm with Jo, though, that it is a good thing it was identified quickly. I'm curious....did you recognize that things were not what they should be and contact the doctor or did they find it in a regular follow-up visit?
 
I haven't yet seen the consultant who did my operation - in fact I am due to see his registrar in 2 weeks -

What happened was that 2 days ago I noticed that my right calf and foot were very swollen and redder i colour than the other leg. Also my new knee was more sore than usual. I phoned the orthopaedic dept and they said go in to Accident and Emergency. There was no one there to do the scan so I went back again today and had it. It showed a clot so they organised injections of Heparin and a prescrip of Warfarin.

The Dr did say there was a 20% risk of it moving to my lungs. The choice to take Warfarin was left to me - I didn't have to but I thought 20% was a high risk and the more I can do to help myself is the only thing to do.

hey Ho - Im getting used to the idea now and it could be a lot worse!!
 
If it was me, I would have done exactly what you did!! Warfarin is not so bad....I have to take it for a heart problem and, as long as you follow exactly what is prescribed and get your blood checked, you should be fine. Lucky you....you only have to do it for a short time. I'll probably be on it forever!! And congratulations for paying attention to what was going on with your leg and taking action. Sounds like you're doin' all the right stuff!!! Please let us know how you get along.
 
I had the Warafarin given in the hospital and than my dearly loved husband had to give it to me for 9 more days at home. That dang things bruise

Deb
 
What a drag! I guess this will help me remember to take my aspirin twice daily. I hope things resolve quickly for you and you can get back on track. Take care.
Bridget
 
Deb -Does the Warfarin make your leg bruise a lot then? Does it go away afterwards?
 
No, tghe warafin didn't make me bruise on the legs. I had terrible bruising from the surgery though. I had to have the needle in my stomach and yes, there I had bruising.
It is good you caught it.
 
This is really too bad to hear about the blood clot, Kipper -- Especially 6 weeks out. I was hoping the danger was really in the very early stages when you are less active. But you asnwered my question about that. Worrisome. But thank goodness you saw there was a problem and got it ID'd fast!!! My surgeon gave me aspirin twice a day as a blood thinner rather than the injectible Lovenox I expected. Which made me VERY happy. Now, however I think maybe I will get up at night and walk around and do ankle pumps a afew times instead of leaving my leg in that immobilizer all night!!!
Good luck and I hope the clot dissolves quickly!
Stephani
 
Kipper how awful but at least it was discovered at the early stages, there can be the risk of bruising/bleeding with warfarin but its benefits to you far outweigh these side effects...
 
Kipper, I know that a lot of the time there is bruising on your leg after surgery. It definitely goes away, but not before you get some lovely neon colors going on down there.

Because I'm on Warfarin for my heart, my cardiologist tells me to watch for bleeding that can come when your blood gets too thin. I've never had the problem, but they say unexplained bruises (not like those associated with surgery or an injection site or a "bonk" you might have gotten) or lots of small red dots on your skin would be a warning that should cause you to have someone check your blood numbers. This is why they like to check you so often when taking Warfarin.

Being on it for years, I've found that consistency in your diet is the best way to keep things on an even keel. Certain foods (spinach, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, Romaine lettuce are a few) contain Vitamin K that can cause a change (thickening) in your blood. And things like pain meds and wine and booze can make it go the other way (thinning). So no bingeing on spinach or whiskey, okay? (a little humor)
 
Wow Kipper.....the most important thing is that you brought it to your doctor's attention before it would really have been problematic! Amazing what warfarin (rat poison!) Can do! Good luck with your treatment! And of course, feel better!
 
I had a blod clot with knee surgery about 3 years ago. I have since had both knees replaced (10 days out on my left!) and, with both knees, my doc has insisted that I do the lovenox injections into my abdomen twice a day for 4 weeks! I really don't like it (duh) but I just look at as something that I have to do twice a day, and it's unpleasant, and then it's over...until 12 hours later! I guess I compartmentalize it. Having had the blood clot previously, I think it is definitely worth it. Best of luck to you...and keep moving!
 
How long do you think one would have to worry about a blood clot?
I did take the Warafin by needle for approx 10 days after surgery.

Deb
 
Well, the theory goes that the risk starts at a high percentage - say 20% and gradually reduces over time. By 6 weeks I would have guessed it to be around 5% so obviously Kipper was extremely unlucky.
 
Its quite confusing - they told me at the hospital after the scan I had a 20% risk of it going to my lungs. After the week of injections and Warfarin given to me at home by Community Nurses (isnt that good to come to my house!) I go back to the hospital to sort out Warfarin dosage and then to my GP surgery as follow ups. the nurse said I will most likely be able to stop the Warfarin in 3 months.

im not too sure though if I will be able to go back on HRT? it seems to be a blood thickener. Though I have noticed I have lost a whole layer of body fat since I stopped taking HRT for the knee operation. I wont go back on it maybe.
 
Generally speaking - no, you won't be able to go back on HRT.
 
I went off of HRT 3 years ago (I was 51)because of my knee infection (not because of a knee replacement, but from a cortisone shot!) and surgery for it, a successive blood clot and a 12 day hospital stay...anyway, went off HRT and never went back...it's been no problem at all!
 
I dont mind not taking HRT and feel fine but I worry that i need it as I have no ovaries - for over 20 years now Ive taken HRT
 
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