My dad has DVT - anyone know anything about this?

[spudmasher]

He has cancer and has been in bed for about the last 3 months - he has bad lymphatic oedema as well. We were told this today - I live in London, he is in Cornwall. Do I need to go down tonight do you think? He is in a hospice. IO have tried to call them but it is very busy.

[spudmasher]

bump

[spudmasher]

Just some sympathy then?

[lulalullabye]

DVT is a blood clot in his calf. Most of these are easily sorted out with blood thinners and don't cause serious illness if treated.

With your dads other problems, I would imagine he is being seen by a doc who knows his condition and will treat him accordingly.

DVT's can be caused by lack of movement among other things, and as he has been in bed for a long time, it is not uncommon.

Sometimes the clots can travel and cause a problem with his lungs, but they would have told you if that was the case.

I would ring the hospice and ask them if his general condition has changed before you dash down there.

[spudmasher]

Thank you. Can he have the blood thinners -because he is bleeding from the tumour in his bladder....?
The hospice said he has been comfortable today then passed me to dad who was as lovely and heartbreakingly normal as ever.

[lulalullabye]

The doctor will know what to give him. there are other drugs that have the same effect without that risk etc, but they will sort it out. Dvt's don't really tend to make you feel ill, just a swollen painful calf so he should be no different. He sounds lovely, it must be hard for you.

[spudmasher]

It is awful. But I feel a bit better now.I could not bear the thought of him having fought the most valiant fight against cancer and then dying of that. Thank you again.

[PrimulaVeris]

I knew a piano teacher who had this

Off for some time - combination of drugs, lots of rest (lay down, calf above heart) and wore a sort of surgical stocking. She recovered, though took several weeks.

Very sorry about your dad . You've got a lot on your plate.

[spudmasher]

Ta PV. I was down there all last week and down the week before with a short bit at home in between. It is very hard to support my mum and my dds and hold down a full time job. It is holidays at the mo. Do not know what I will do when I am back at work on Monday. Thank goodness for my lovely DH!

[SquonkTheBeerGuru]

HI,

My mum was diagnosed with a DVT a fortnight ago.

I know that my mum's situation is really different to your dad's, but I'll tell you what happened with my mum.

She had to go to the hospital every other day to get her blood tested. She was on warfarin and heparin. She was told to inject herself every day.

The hospital have now said that she can stop injecting herself, and they have agreed that she can now have her blood tested every week at her own docs, they are confident that the clot is disappearing.

As I say, this was two weeks ago, and she is very close to being as right as rain. It is a condition that seems to be eminently treatable, the only thing with my mum is that she is likely to be prone to them now, so has to have regular blood tests, even after it has gone. But her mum died of a blood clot and her sister had a thrombosis a couple of years ago (same goes for me, too btw)

As I say, I know it's not the same, but as far as the DVT is concerned, I think it's good news. Hope he is okay.

xx

[spudmasher]

Cheers Squonk.

[Bobbiewickham]

I had one ten years ago.

Treated with heparin and warfarin.

Job's a good un.

They won't usually hurt you when you know about them. That's what the doc said to me, anyway.

[RubySlippers]

i have a 4 DVTs & Plebitis

all treated with heparin and warfarin (plus painkillers as it can be very painful)

i wore surgical stockings for a good 6 months after the DVTs as this helps with the pain/swelling etc

hope your dad is comfortable