mandy Posted August 25, 2004 Share Posted August 25, 2004 My mother and I went to the emergency room because she was having severe lower back pain.. the doctors were convinced she had kidney stones. She has a histor of blood clots but the doctors ruled out Pulminary Embolism (when a clot goes up to your lungs) because she has a filter in her vena cava. My mom was discharged and the pain only increased and spread to her back. She was then treated for a pleual infection. Finaly we raced back to the hospital when her leg was swelling and it turns out she has a HUGE clot formaion up and down her leg, and she has sufered a pulminary embolism which destroyed precious lung tissue. We have since switched oncology practices. My mom will have to stay in the hospital for a week or so, but is so lucky to be alive! Common symptoms of PE: shortness of breath, abdominal pain, back pain, edema, fever Risk Factors: carcinoma, history of DVT (blood clot) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted August 25, 2004 Share Posted August 25, 2004 Mandy, I am sad to say that blood clots are all too common when you have cancer. Some people find out they have cancer because they have clots. You say your Mom has an umbrella to catch clots, how long ago did she get it, or when was it that she found she needed it? It is said that if clots are caused by cancer that the best treatment is heparin, not coumadin. Please keep us posted. Donna G John gave us this address and info http://www.thedoctorwillseeyounow.com/a ... cer/hep_4/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted August 25, 2004 Share Posted August 25, 2004 Mandy,Very glad it was caught in time.I only have 1 lung left & had ablood clot in it.I was also lucky.Probably good to change to another practice.Good luck & prayers that your mom is home soon and feeling better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john Posted August 25, 2004 Share Posted August 25, 2004 I am glad she is ok now. I looked around and a PE will occur around 4% of the time with someone with a filter or umbrella. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like there are any great tests to detect PE. A ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan is the most widely used test but it does seem too accurate. Did she get a V/Q scan? Lower extermity compression ultrasound, impedance plethysmography, and helical CT scans I read are used to detect PE Can she receive an anticoagulant like low molecular weight herapin? The filter may prevent some PE, but it does nothing for the blood clotting. I'm not a Dr but you might want to ask about a drug to reduce the blood clots (she might not be able to take such a drug for various reasons), because the filter won't help with the clots Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justakid Posted August 26, 2004 Share Posted August 26, 2004 Oh my gosh.......am so glad it was caught in time. Prayers to you and your Mom. Again thank God it was caught! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted August 26, 2004 Share Posted August 26, 2004 Glad you caught it in time. And many thanks for the symptoms. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda Posted August 26, 2004 Share Posted August 26, 2004 Mandy-- What a terrible scare! I am so happy to read that you all ran--not walked-- to the doctor--and that it was caught in time. Our thoughts are with you--please keep us posted on how both you and she are doing. Melinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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