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Was supposed to get my j-pouch today, but am in the hospital for blood clots

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/29/2015 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
Ugh! I was finally ready for surgery, even looking forward to it, when a few days ago I suddenly had severe shortness of breath and had to have an ambulance take me to the hospital. Extensive blood clots in the lungs, associated with UC. I had no idea this was an additional risk for us. I'm on a blood thinner, which is not ideal for the UC, but at least I'm alive. They also put an IVC filter into my chest to prevent additional clots from getting to my heart. The clots were very painful for a day, but it's better now. Now I have to wait for the clots to clear and for my heart ventricle to heal. It became enlarged from the pressure of the clots. I'll do an injection blood thinner, Lovemox, until the surgery, which can quickly be reversed so the surgery isn't dangerous. I'll probably have to wait about a month for the surgery--another month of blood, mucus, and pain.

UC--it just keeps on giving, doesn't it?
Posted 4/29/2015 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Oh you poor thing. I am so sorry :(
Posted 4/29/2015 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
Omgosh, thats terrible! If its not one thing..,,
Posted 4/29/2015 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi! I hope they dissolve those blood clots for you, that s scary!! Don t worry about your surgery, just be patient it will work out👍
Posted 4/29/2015 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
You got blood clots from uc? 0.0
Posted 4/29/2015 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
Horrible....so sorry. Hang in there and get well soon!
Posted 4/29/2015 4:46 PM (GMT 0)

RiceBunny said...
You got blood clots from uc? 0.0

Yes, uc gives all of us higher risk for blood clots.
Posted 4/29/2015 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry Elisa, here's wishing you a quick recovery. And that colon's days are numbered, it just got a few more weeks or months until it's fine as well.
Posted 4/29/2015 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
HMMMMMMM. That's news to me. Is it actually from the UC or from the meds we take for UC? Glad you're doing better elw.
Posted 4/29/2015 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
So sorry that you're going through this ((((HUGS)))) a month will go by fast and then once you have the surgery you'll get to live freely again.
Posted 4/29/2015 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
People with UC are at increased risk.
Posted 4/30/2015 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the good wishes, everyone. Yes, we are apparently at risk because of the general inflammation in our bodies--the same reason we also get extra-intestinal inflammation of the eyes, skin, and joints. I had also had a diversion ileostomy for bowel rest before the surgery. The doctors say the surgery could also be a contributing factor. The clots did not seem to stem from my legs, as is common. They think it was probably from the pelvic area.

So before I can have the colectomy, the clots have to clear, and the right heart ventricle, which became enlarged from the clots, has to get back to normal. They think this will happen in around three weeks without any additional medication.

Now I get to add a cardiologist, hematologist, and pulmonologist to my list of doctors--yay! The hospital doctors have actually all been great, and I've found that the ICU is so luxurious compared to the regular rooms. My own room and a toilet just a few feet away from my bed--didn't even have to disconnect all my monitor lines. Now I'm back in steerage in the regular rooms. My roommate, an older woman, screams intermittently. Sigh...just one more night.
Posted 4/30/2015 1:35 AM (GMT 0)
I forgot to mention that today was the day my j-pouch was actually scheduled for.
Posted 4/30/2015 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
How long are you stuck there? When I was in the ICU, i was out of it so I don't remember the room, but my regular hospital room had all those amenities and I had private rooms the whole time. I also got to order food off a menu every day but the food was bad. I have to go there for entyvio next week.
Posted 4/30/2015 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
I didn't know about the blood clot risk either...I just found this article...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100210124803.htm
Posted 4/30/2015 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
NSG, were you at UCLA? I think I remember you mentioning it in another thread. I was there for the diversion surgery, but I never got an actual room. I had heard they were beautiful, but I was stuck in the recovery bay the entire time I was there. It was cramped and loud. I'm at West Hills hospital this time because it was closer and they had to get me here fast. The food here is terrible too.

They're transferring me to another room for the night, so that's good.
Posted 4/30/2015 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
I was at Cedars but i go to UCLA a lot too. Cedars is closer to me so in an emergency, that's where I go.
Posted 4/30/2015 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
oh wow! Sorry you are going through all of this!

Does anyone know why we are at higher risk of developing blood clots and what we can do to minimize the risk? Scary!
Posted 4/30/2015 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
Some info:

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100210124803.htm
Posted 4/30/2015 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
That's the same link that blksteeda posted above. It didn't seem to give a lot of info about why the risk is higher or how to prevent it other than wearing support stockings. I've never heard of this before so was hoping someone had more info.
Posted 4/30/2015 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
That's all I could find on it. Good question for a doctor. I was never told of a blot clot risk either. News to me.
Posted 4/30/2015 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
Here's something from WebMD www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/news/20110221/inflammatory-bowel-disease-raises-clot-risk

This is why i stopped taking birth control pills with estrogen.
Posted 5/1/2015 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I've stopped taking my birth control pills too, now.
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