DVT - Living With Deep Vein Thrombosis

'Sticky' blood cause for concern

The Monterey County Herald
Article Last Updated: 04/12/2008 01:59:24 AM PDT

Dear Dr. Gott: I am a 61-year-old male with no heart problems or recent surgeries. In June 2004, I developed a blood clot in my left lower leg, which then resulted in a pulmonary embolus (clot) in my right lung.
I was admitted to my local VA hospital and put on 5 milligrams Coumadin daily. My PT/INR was kept in the 2.0 to 3.0 range. I continued the medication until October 2006, when I was told I could stop it.

All was well until February 2007, when I developed multiple pulmonary emboli in both lungs. This time, I did not have any of the leg symptoms.

I again went to the VA hospital, where I was put on 5 milligrams of Coumadin every day. I was told that I would have to take it for the rest of my life.

Because I did not understand why this was happening, I made an appointment with a hematologist (blood specialist). She took blood samples and did a genetic profile. Everything came back negative or normal. She concluded that I now have naturally "clotty" blood and I would have to live with it. There was no identifiable cause.

Why, after 58 years of being a "normal blood clotter," did the above happen to me? Will I really have to be on Coumadin for the rest of my life? Should the VA doctors be doing more for me? Your opinions are appreciated.
Dear Reader: I don't know why your blood is now clotting dangerously. Your hematologist appears to have run extensive tests and ruled out genetic factors and disorders as the cause.

You will need to continue the Coumadin for the rest of your life. If you discontinue it, you will run a very high risk of developing more pulmonary emboli (blood clots in the lungs). You would also be at higher risk for heart attack and stroke if the clots broke off and were carried to your heart or brain. "Sticky" blood is especially dangerous, and your physicians have taken appropriate steps to normalize your blood and reduce the risk of serious consequences.
Another option, albeit unlikely, to explore is lung cancer. In my practice, I have seen several cases in which pulmonary emboli were the only symptoms of lung cancer.

If you want to explore this option, I recommend you see a pulmonologist (lung specialist). He will most likely take a medical history, do an examination and order some imaging studies of your lungs.

Let me know what happens.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Pulmonary Disease." Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Write to Dr. Gott c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th fl., New York, N.Y. 10016.

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