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Anyone have Blood Clot post colectomy?

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Posted 6/4/2009 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I was having some abdominal pain last week, so my surgeon sent me for a CT scan to check for hernia, although he couldn't feel one.  I got the results today, and I apparently have "nonocclusive thombus along the superior mesenteric vein".   I picked up the results from my medical center, and have an appt. with my surgeon next Tuesday.

I'm scheduled to go on a  trip tomorrow and will be flying.  I called  my surgeon's office and the doctor on call said that means I have a blood clot, but that flying wouldn't be a problem based on where it is, etc.  I asked what they do for this blood clot, and she said possibly nothing and that it is fairly common after colectomies, but you only find them if you do a CT scan.  I checked online, and found that it's true that they are not uncommon after surgery.

I'm anxious to talk to my doctor about this; has anyone else had a CT scan after surgery and had this...and does it go away?

Janie

Posted 6/4/2009 9:41 AM (GMT 0)
i don't know much about this, but i hope it's something that resolves with time, i mean i hope these clots are not something that stay permanently and cause constant pain. let us know how it goes. hope you feel better and have a good time on your trip!
Posted 6/4/2009 10:55 AM (GMT 0)
Janie--someone on hear has had blood clots recently...I cannot remember who at the moment but I hope they'll be along to give support! Sorry I cannot be of any help.
Posted 6/4/2009 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't had a blood clot in my abdomen, but I did have one in my leg after my first surgery. it caused more pain, than what I had post op!! I'm still on coumadin, and my INR is therapeutic this week. <G> In two weeks, I doubt it will be. I'll be off of all antibiotics then.
Posted 6/5/2009 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
NO WAY JANIE!
I had a blood clot in my superior mesenteric vein too!
The info I got was that it was a very rare place to get one (according to my surgeon, GI, and hematologist).
In fact, the GI dr. was shocked and said to me "Good thing they found this b/c it could've caused siginificant gut loss".....meaning I would've died.
My daughter got the stomach flu, and I got it and was soooo sick, and in sooo much pain, I had to go to the hospital. That's how they found mine. THANK GOD FOR THE STOMACH FLU. I was puking my guts out (you know, not really.) They didn't like my level of pain, so they did a CT scan. It was an incidental finding. YIKES.
Mine was an almost complete blockage. Very small amt. of blood getting through.
I have been on blood thinners since. I get to get off them in Aug. They found the clot in Feb. about a month and a half after surgery.
I'm shocked that your Dr. said it's common after a colectomy, because even the hematologist said it was a very odd place to get one. He said he'd only seen it once b4 (he was not a young Dr.).
Weird huh?

Maybe your clot is much smaller, since it's not even conclusive.
Posted 6/6/2009 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
Chassity,

Thanks for answering!  I've been out of town for a few days, but I had my iphone and I saw your response.  I wonder why the on call doctor told me it wasn't unusual to get a blood clot there?  I looked it up online,and I did find a site that said the same thing.  I don't like the idea of not doing anything about it though.  I see my surgeon on Tuesday, and hopefully he'll give me some answers.  My CT scan also showed possible fat necrosis on my left lower side!  I'm really not overweight at all...I lost 12 pounds since surgery, so I'm actually just where I like being.  My tummy does have that "Muffin top" though...have you heard of that?  Do you have a flat tummy?  Mine is really pretty flabby above my bikini cut.

I think nonoccluvise means it's not cutting off much blood; at least that's what I was told my a friend who is a nurse.  Guess I'll find out next week.  I made it in the airplane, though!LOL

Will keep you posted.....are you doing ok now?

 

Posted 6/8/2009 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
Oh. I thought I read nonConclusive. Not nonOcclusive! LOL. Those mean two different things. Sorry

Yeah it's weird that we're getting conflicting info about the location of the clot. But oh well. They found them, and that's all that matters.

If you have fat necrosis, doesn't that mean that the blood supply has been lost to the fat in that area! That doesn't sound good. Even if it is just FAT. And that does NOT mean you are fat! Everyone has fat somewhere and it needs blood supply. Will they need to cut out the necrotic fat? I guess if it's not much, maybe your body will take care of it.

Yeah, I wouldn't like the idea of not doing anything about it either. If I were you, I go see a hematologist too. They know more about clots than your other Dr's. It's all they do. It wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion. I am on a med called warfarin (generic coumadin). And even though my clot is long gone, they are forcing me to stay on it. 6 months is the norm I was told.

I wish I had a flat tummy. not here. I'm a momma, so my stomach is shot. I admire the women who've had children and have flat stomachs with no stretch marks. And since my double surgeries, there are so many weird scars all over. I feel like the scars make my flab worse. It's soo hard to lose that bit right above the bikini scar. But it's like it's permanent. It's still numb too. A few areas on my abdomen are numb. But at least the bathing suit holds it all in place.

Will you keep me posted on your treatment, please?
Posted 6/9/2009 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
how are you Janie?
Posted 6/9/2009 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
why are parts of your abd are numb, Chassity?? what does your dr say about this?? is it normal to have it post op?
Posted 6/9/2009 11:09 PM (GMT 0)

Hi girls,

Just got home from seeing my surgeon.  First, he wasn't concerned about the fat necrosis.  I don't know much about it, but he wasn't concerned at all.

As far as the blood clot goes, he didn't seem to be too concerned either!  He said it wasn't like it could travel to the lungs, etc.  I asked what to do about it and he acted like he didn't know!  He asked who my internist was, so while I was in the office he called him and I'm going to see him tomorrow.  It's the strangest thing; I really like this surgeon, but he acted like he didn't know what to do!  Then on top of this, I had blood in my urine this morning!  about 4 times when I peed, I had blood in it.  It stopped around noon, and I haven't seen any since.  He asked me if I was sure it was blood, and I absolutely am sure!!

Anyway, he said he wasn't sure I'd want to go on a blood thinner with blood in my urine, so to take an aspirin (I have been since I saw the report last week).  I guess I'll talk to my internist about the blood tomorrow, too!

Geez. I'm just not having the warm fuzzies about my doctor right now.  He asked how the pooping was, and I said great, which it has been for a few weeks now.  I got the  impression that he thinks he did his job, and this blood clot it totally unrelated, which it could be.  My abdomen is still very tender, though.  And what's up with the blood in the urine??  I've had lots of urinary tract infections, but don't feel like I have one now.

That's it for me; will keep you updated. 

Chasity, did your internist send you to a hemotologist?  I wonder if because mine is "nonocclusive" it makes a difference? 

Janie

Posted 6/10/2009 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
Well,

I'm not a Dr., but I do have some medical knowledge, and that just sounds strange.

No, the clot can't travel. My Dr.'s also assured me of that, but they still put me on coumadin to prevent any other clots from forming in case it was caused by something other than the surgeries. They tested me for clotting factor problems b4 they ASSUMED it was from the surgeries. Lots of trauma and inflammation can predispose you to forming clots (that's why u/c and crohns patients have higher risk of clots). Your body will actually dissolve the clot on its own.
When it they were SURE the clot wasn't from another issue, they still made me take the coumadin.
If your Dr. doesn't think it was caused by his surgery (fat chance) then he should've ordered blood tests to check your clotting factors. But then again, maybe that's your internist's job. (That's who ordered mine in the hospital-and Yes the internist sent me to a hematologist and made me talk to a vascular surgeon to see if he thought it should be surgically removed-thank GOD that wasn't necessary)

I'm assuming the fat necrosis is just a small area if he's not concerned with it. Otherwise, I would assume they'd want to surgically remove it.....?

My clot was only nearly complete. Some blood was still getting through. so I think it would still be considered nonocclusive. Since it wasn't completely occluding the vein. That's just a guess.

about the blood in the urine......Holy Cow!!! What's up with that? I'm trying to think WHY would that be happening? Especially if you don't feel like you have a UTI (I know you can usually tell-so uncomfortable)
All I can think is, if you don't have an inf. (and maybe you do, you just aren't feeling it), then maybe your bladder has experienced some kind of trauma. But I still think you would know. Have you gotten into any bar fights lately and kicked in the gut? What about urine probes from aliens? You're not menstruating? (I know, you would know that!)
I don't know why these would be related, but then again, I'm not a Dr.


Hodaya-
I actually haven't talked to my Dr. about the numbness..... I'm just assuming the nerve endings are damaged from the incisions. You know that little hangy fat pooch right above the incision from the laproscopic procedure (maybe you don't have a fat pooch, or maybe you didn't have a lap surgery) that area is numb for as long as the incision is. Then for about 2 inches up. I can pinch that fat, and not feel it. On the left side, about 1 in. under the stoma, it's tender. Also, my incision from the open surgery, the skin is numb about a cm on either side. It's weird, b/c it'll feel itchy, but when I scratch, I can't feel it. I'm assuming it's normal. Maybe I'll post a question about it.
Posted 6/10/2009 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
Chasity, I just got back from my appointment with my internist. He's sending me to a vascular surgeon. He wasn't too concerned about the blood clot, thought because it was nonconclusive it wasn't very dangerous...however he said he needs to send me to the vascular surgeon for his opinion. I'm going to ask about the clotting factor. He was pretty sure the clot was from surgery, but I want to make sure! Thanks for mentioning that.

My CT scan showed my kidneys were fine, etc. I had just done blood work 2 weeks ago and he had the results of that; everything was fine. He thinks the blood in urine could possibly be a broken blood vessel because it was only for a few times when I went to the bathroom, but I'm doing another urine test to rule out infection.

Whew....this doctor business is getting old. I really am looking forward to going back to work! I was supposed to go back today, but now I have to wait for the vascular surgeon to give me the go ahead!

Hope everyone is doing well....I'm off to the movies to enjoy my last week home!!

Janie
Posted 6/10/2009 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
Janie, all in all sounds like it's nothing too serious and hopefully resolves on its own. i'm glad you're o.k.

Chassity, i haven't had any surgery yet, except for fixing the retocele and rectal prolapse i had, but i'm planning on a colectomy, hopefully soon. yeah, maybe everyone else can confirm whether the numbness is normal or not.
Posted 6/11/2009 3:14 AM (GMT 0)
Janie,
I'm glad you saw your internist and he's sending you to a vascular surgeon. It's best to check everything out.

Then you CAN finally be done with the Dr.'s.

After going to see the Dr.'s so often, I kind of feel like I'm still waiting for something else to go wrong....

But IT WON'T :)

Have a great week!

Hodaya,
When is your surgery.
Posted 6/11/2009 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
Chassity, i don't have a date yet, it'll take some time, but i'm hoping not too much time.
Posted 6/12/2009 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
Chassity,
Just got home from the vascular surgeon and he sounded more like your doctors! He said this was really unusual, and he kept changing his mind about puttiing me on warfarin. He said it is highly unlikely that it's dangerous, but better to be safe than sorry....he went to his computer and found 4 cases of this causing death....so it's a slight risk, but not one I guess he thought I should take. Anyway, now I have to go to my internist Monday, have him put me on the warfarin (the vascular surgeon said he only diagnoses, but doesn't prescribe or follow up), and then after 3 months, see a hemotologist for a work up, and then rescan to see if the clot is gone.

Have you had any side effects with the warfarin? He said I may need B-12 shots (I think he said shots),and that I'd have to be closely monitored by my internist. How often do you have blood work or any follow up done while you've been on the medicine?

I am really getting a little tired of doctors. I am taking meds for a urinary tract infection and if the infection isn't better in 5 days I need to see an urologist. I wish they made just one doctor who did everything. Of course he'd be 80 years old by the time he had all training, but it would be so much easier!!!

How are you doing???

Janie
Posted 6/13/2009 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
ha ha.. you know, i was just talking about this with my mom some time ago that our dog is so lucky, cause the veterinarian takes care of all his probs and he doesnt have to see so many..... why cant ppl's drs be like the vet? lol.
Posted 6/14/2009 4:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hodaya!
you read my mind about Vets. When Janie said that she wished there was one Dr. who did everything, I thought to myself: There is, they're called Veterinarians! Surgeons, Radiologists, Dentists, Gen Pract., AND they actually make follow up phone calls! When was the last time you actually talked to your Dr. on the phone? our Dr.'s (i'm a vet tech) call people daily! But people have so many treatment options, and better diagnosis' and research, etc. so it would take a lot more for a human Dr. to be able to do everything.

Janie-
I'm glad one of your Dr's know what's up. That's pretty much what my treatment plan has been. Except I went to the hematologist sooner. And the vascular surgeon tested me for the clotting factors (which the hematologist can do too).
I have not had any side effects from the meds. Well, at first I had headaches. Until the meds were steady. I had to get my clotting time (pro-time or INR) checked 2 x week until it was regulated. Then every 2 weeks. It's just a prick of your finger and you get the results as quickly as a glucose test.
I was worried about the meds causing probs with menstruation, but it hasn't. I bruised really easy in the begining plus they made me do lovonox injections until the warfarin kicked in. I looked like I'd been smashed between two cars. I was bruised up and down my sides. But I found out my INR was too high.
You know what's weird, my husband just reminded me that they made me do lovonox shots in the hosp. after my 2nd surgery, and I still got a clot. (Those shots hurt!)
The warfarin is fine. I forget to take it too much (imagine that, going from 20 pills a day to 1 pill a day and I can't even remember to take it :) )
I saw the hematologists only a couple of times, and I don't need to see him any more. Now my gen. pract. monitors my therapy.

Sorry about the UTI, but I'm glad that's all it is. Are you on pred? If you are, that could explain why you have an infection and don't feel like it.

I take B12 inj. anyway. Otherwise, I'm doing great!
Posted 6/14/2009 8:53 AM (GMT 0)
if my drs cared about me the way my dog's vet cares about him, i would have been such a happy puppy lol.. but oh well, that's the way it is (shrug).
Posted 6/14/2009 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
Girls,
You are so right about the vet. I never talk to my Dr. on the phone, but our vet has called us in person several times when we had problems with our little dachshunds (both passed away sadly). I have been going to him as long as I've been going to my internist, and the internest has never called me!!

What is INR? Is that an abbreviation for clotting time?

I see my internist tomorrow morning, so I guess he'll tell me what we'll do. The vascular surgeon (very cocky) never mentioned he could do the clotting test, but said the hematologist would do it. He did say that if I could get it done right away, ideally we'd do it first, but since I wouldn't be able to get an appointment that quickly, let's do warfarin for 3 months and then check. I guess alot of the hematology doctors are also oncology doctors and appointments to see them are crazy.

No, I'm not on pred; never have been. As far as periods, I haven't had one in 4 years, so no problem there!

I'll keep you posted, and thanks for all the help and good wishes!!

Janie
Posted 6/14/2009 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
I have a mini long-haired dachshund! They are my favorite breed. So cute.

INR=international normalized ratio, blah blah blah
PT=prothrombin time

both are abbreviations for clotting times; they are the same thing

Yeah, my hematologist is also an oncology Dr., so it was sad to go and see all the people struggling. And they wouldn't let me bring my daughter to the appointments-she's a vector for infection for them.
Posted 6/14/2009 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
Chassity,
Aren't doxies the best? Mine were black and tan short haired, but the sweetest and funniest little dogs. They lived to be 14 and 15. When we lost the last one a year ago, I thought I'd never stop grieving. I have her ashes in a locket around my neck! Does your dog sleep in your bed under the covers?

I want another one, but it's nice not being tied down. At first the thought of losing another pet was overwhelming, but now we're thinking about it. Has your pup had any back or neck problems? One of ours had 3 back surgeries. $$$$$$$!!!!
Posted 6/16/2009 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
Janie,
Doxies are totally the best! I like all types (long, smooth, or wire) But I like the long-haired best, b/c they tend to be the most out going and stranger friendly. But they're all such great family dogs.
That's so sweet about the ashes in a locket. If my Oscar ever dies (i know it's more like WHEN, but I hate saying that-he's 8 yrs) I can't even imagine how much I'll miss him. I feel like crying just thinking about it.
He's never had any back problems, but if he does I'll definitely pop the bank to fix him-I keep saying I'm going to start a saving acct. for that. I want him to live forever. He's my first born :-)
I hope he lives at least as long as your did. (I think that's about avg. for dachshunds) but 3 back surgeries is not common! All dachshunds are predisposed to it, but I think (based on what we see at work) only about 30 % actually have something bad enough that requires surgery. Those are odds I'll risk (but it's just a guess based on what I've seen). I will always have dachshunds now.
I have another dog, he's a golden/chow mix and he has a slow growing spinal tumor. so sad to think about losing him. He'll be 13 in Aug.

Oscar doesn't sleep under the covers b/c I'm a bed hog and out bed is high. I'd hate to accidently kick him off shocked
He sleeps in his own bed in our room.

It seems when people have dachshunds, they get multiple.
GET ANOTHER!! You can even look up dachshund rescue and save one!
Posted 6/16/2009 5:04 AM (GMT 0)
Chassity,
It's funny about doxies....our first one was a little snippy with people she didn't know, but as soon as she got to know them, she loved them..especially men. The guy who sprayed our house for bugs (I live in Florida!) was "dave the bug guy" and when he came once a month, all I had to say is "Dave's here" and she ran to the front door so excited and just rolled over on her belly for him to pet her.

My second baby was the sweetest dog I've ever had; never once in 14 years did I hear her growl. She loved everyone; we'd go for a walk and she'd go up and greet anyone on the street. Everyone loved her. She only barked when the first one did, and she was the one with the bad back. She had three herniated discs in her neck. She also went blind 6 months before she died. She was my baby; I don't think I could ever find another one as dear as she was.

We may get another, I'm not sure. I'm not sure I could handle losing another one. We adopted a cat about 2 years ago (he's 11) and while I love him, I didn't think I was nearly as attached to him as I apparently am. He got very sick a couple months ago and I was crying like a baby afraid I'd lose him. Luckily, he made a great recovery, but he was pretty sick for a few days. Our fur babies just don't live long enough.

I saw your post about the mice; a few years ago the same thing happened to my mom! She had mice in her attic, and she could hear them running around at night. She had an exterminator come in, and it killed them, but they died in the attic and the smell was terrible for a few weeks. She burned candles all over the house when she was awake! Ironically she was trying to sell her house too!! Anyway, it took a few weeks, but the smell eventually went away and she sold her house! Have you tried burning candles?

Also, I went back to my internist today and before he starts me on blood thinners, he wants me to see the hematologist. If that's what he wanted, why did he send me to the vascular surgeon first? I'm so tired of running from Dr. to Dr. Now I'm waiting on an appt., but he said it shouldn't take too long since he's setting it up. We'll see. In the meantime, I'm taking bactrim for the UTI and I am so constipated! One more pill; I'm hoping it's the bactrim; if not, I've definitely got a problem!

Good luck with the house!!!

Janie
Posted 6/17/2009 3:57 AM (GMT 0)
Janie,

Try to eat Activia yogurt and see if it helps with the constipation. I bet it is the antibiotic messing you up and killing your GI flora.
Also try fruit and fruit juice to get you going again.

Man your Dr. are really making you run around! silly Dr.'s what do they know!
I got in trouble today at my reg. Dr.'s b/c I got my PT tested, and I've been messing with the dose. They ideally want your PT to be between 2 and 3. My hematologist originally told me the PT should be closer to 3 b/c of the type of clot.....? But, all that was b4 my clotting tests came back normal. Since I know I get to get off warfarin (coumadin) in aug., I sometimes miss a dose, and I've been taking less than she told me to, b/c I thought the # could be lower-closer to 2. It doesn't matter.
I got in trouble and I have to go back next week to get tested again.
Why can't I learn my lesson.....?

I have been burning candles. They were actually burning the day of the 2nd showing. We blew them out right b4 we left. That's why I don't think the guy actually smelled my cats, or even anything. I think he just saw the litter boxes and flipped out. If only he knew my cats.......
Maybe we could leave a black light for people to search my house for cat urine stains. Or even any for that matter. All the flooring is new, and besides, my cats are good kitties. I'm so frustrated.

When's your hematologist's appt. ?
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