Blessed Leg
 

I am a LONG TIME member of AARP who has been blessed three times in the last five years when a deep vein blood clot formed in my leg. I say blessed because it could have traveled to my heart, or brain. I had to cancel a dream trip in July 2006, because of the problem. I spent a week in the hospital and was prescribed Coumadin. I did fine until the doctor said 6 mths treatment was enough and took me off Coumadin. A month later, Jan 2007, I had another DVT. Another week in hospital...back on Coumadin. slight surgery for placement of a heart filter..and heavy compression hose, which is still my treatment. I don't want to do anything TOO STUPID , but I don't want to quit living til they carry me off......
My doctor won't give me a straight answer. When I ask about travel, he says it will have to be my decision (the old covering his butt answer) But he did say I would need short walks hourly, on plane or on land.
I want to fly from Dallas to San Francisco, drive across Golden Gate, go to Heraldsburg, Wine country, continue on to Avenue of Giants, then up the coast to Gold Beach Oregon (Rogue jet Boats and lunch at Lucas Lodge), Yachats, some light houses, some sand dunes,to Portland near the airport for early flight next morn back to Dallas. Seven nights...abt 850 miles...Daughter will drive, but I have to plan trip. This has worked on several trips to Europe and Canada in the past, as she hates the planning part and I hate the driving part. We lost a bundle last year on non-refundable reservations at B&Bs and nicer hotels and flight tickets. This time I plan on giving Best Westerns a try as all reservations are cancelled without charge. First night is already reserved for Heraldsburg. Later, at Garberville. Is the Best Western Pony Inn near Portland, OR Airport in a safe and clean area?
Any advice on places to see, things to do (that don't require long walks)????? Or do you think the whole idea is silly...Be honest, please.....
Oh, I remember the many discussions on this site about sandals and socks. Please don't give me any dirty looks if you see me in Birkies or Crocs with my compression hose. I will be smiling.
Hey, life is short and this is not just a dress rehearsal..... LOL

Instead of flying have you thought about taking the train? It might be a nice way to see the country, have your meals in the dinning car, and have some space to walk whenever you want to. You can get your own bedroom with private bath, and make a nice trip out of it.

Have a lovely time.

Find a doctor who will give you a straight answer - they do exist.

I think I'll agree with your doctor. It's your leg, and you are the one that will pay IF anything happens. With good luck, you'll be fine, but he can't tell you what kind of luck you will have. As you said, it's your life and you don't want to quit living. He can't live it for you.

You are brave to want to take a chance. I wouldn't, but that's just me. I would at least wait until next year. I couldn't enjoy myself without worrying about it. It hasn't been all that long since your last problem. The body take longer than you think to get it's self corrected.

Promise yourself that you will get got of that car and walk around OFTEN. Walk up and down the aisle of the airplane. Stand up instead of sitting while you wait for things.

Do you know what symptoms to watch for? It seems that if you started having problems, you could easily get medical assistance in any of these places. Maybe you should check with your insurance to make sure your health is covered when out of your local area.

I know this was probably mainly a request for travel tips, but I thought I'd chime in with a few more medical thoughts...

The reason that frequent short walks help prevent DVTs from forming is not that you're upright per se, but that it forces you to flex and contract muscles in your legs, which "milks" blood out of the veins in your legs so that it doesn't sit around and clot. You'd be amazed how much blood you can shoot up through the veins in your thighs just by wiggling your toes, or grabbing your calf with your hands and squeezing. So, even while you're seated, try periodically flexing your calf muscles hard, pointing your toes, bending your feet back in the other direction, and then relaxing. By all means take the short walks, but do this too.

The "compression stockings" are a great idea. Make sure they're the real thing, i.e. medical stockings specifically designed to prevent blood clots. And by the way, these can be great even for people who don't develop DVTs, but who simply spend a lot of time on their feet and feel like their legs and feet get kind of heavy at the end of the day. They're not pretty, but they can make you feel more comfortable and energetic.

Taking an aspirin before a long plane or car trip goes a long way toward helping to prevent DVTs. People with certain medical issues shouldn't take aspirin, so ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Some people who develop recurrent DVTs end up taking Coumadin permanently to prevent the development of new clots. You might ask your doctor if that's a good idea in your case.

A DVT is less likely to kill you once you have an IVC filter in place, but getting another one is still something you really, really should try to avoid. On the other hand, it's true that you should enjoy your life as best you can while doing everything you can to avoid another DVT. One approach might be to tell your doctor that you understand that you're taking a risk by taking long trips with a history of recurrent DVTs, but that you'd like his or her help in figuring out how best to avoid another DVT while you travel. You could even sign a statement indicating that you understand the risks, but are proceeding anyway. I would think that would make your doctor feel sufficiently "covered" to go ahead and offer suggestions that might help you travel safely.

Good advice, except for one very important thing. I think you said you were still on Coumadin. If you are, DO NOT TAKE AN ASPIRIN. That could cause internal bleeding.