Anyone know anything about blood clots in the lungs?

[MrsPresley]

An elderly relative told me today she has blood clots in her lung, 1 biggish one and 2 or 3 small ones.

She said that they can't be treated because her blood is too thin, not sure if this is a result of the steroids and a whole load of other medication she is on.

I've googled and googled but all I'm getting is how to treat them, nothing about why they can't be.

I always though clots could be treated, but relative says the dr said nothing can be done for her and it's just a matter of time

Does anyone know anything about clots? I'm devastated, she's not my mum but I'm very close to her, and I really don't want to accept that she may die soon.

[marriednotdead]

My DH had one last year. Standard treatment is to thin the blood so that they will dissolve over time; he was on Warfarin for a year.
If the blood becomes too thin, there is a high risk of internal haemorrhaging so if her blood has already been thinned by other medication, perhaps they deem the risk too great.
Untreated, the clots may move or create a blockage which is likely to trigger something she may not survive

Is there any way you can speak to her GP? I hope it's not a poor a prognosis as she is stating but it would be helpful for you to know what lies ahead

[mummylin2495]

My mum had a clot 3 years ago which led to a heart attack. Theygave her blood thinners to dissolve the clot. The next morning my mum suddenly died. The blood had flowed too fast as it was so thin and the sac surrounding her heart ruptured, she died instantly.

[MrsPresley]

Thank you married. I was hoping that maybe she was just a bit confused about what the doctor had said but what you said makes sense

I can't speak to her GP, but I'll ask one of my cousins if they can do it and find out more. Thank you again.

[MrsPresley]

Oh mummylin. Just saw your post, I'm so sorry about you mum

[mummylin2495]

There wasn't a lot of choice what they had to do at the time because if the paramedics hadn't given her the blood thinner the clot would probably of travelled somewhere else. But her death was not expected at all and was a horrendous shock.

[mummylin2495]

I'm sorry, I should of said I hope the lady will be ok. It's a bit of a medical dilemma really isn't it.

[hugoagogo]

It does sound like she might be confused, my mum has had two lots of pulmonary embolism, she was very lucky to survive the last one. Blood thinners are the standard treatment AFAIK.

I hope she is OK and maybe you or one of your cousins could go with her to the Dr next time?

[CMOTDibbler]

My dad had 5 PE about 7 years ago, secondary to a huge DVT in his leg. He was injected with fragmin for a week while he got started on warfrin and stayed on that for 6 months. No other treatment.

He's not the wellest 80 year old in the world, but the PE haven't caused huge problems long term.

[Bramshott]

As far as I understand it (from having had a previous DVT), the blood thinning doesn't "cure" the clots themselves, it just stops more forming and hopefully stops them from moving/getting bigger. The body itself will "recanulate" the clots over time. Hopefully this is what the doctor meant by "its a matter of time" rather than anything more sinister. A blood clot in the lungs is not the same as a pulmonary embolism, although the danger is that it may cause one.