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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Arthritis / December 2004any warfarin takers have surgery ?
hi all, my brother, tom, age 65, has a growth called a schwannoma in his chest. it's pressing against the esophagus, heart and a bit into the spinal column. he will have major surgery to remove it in january, and i will go to NJ to be his nurse as he recovers. i am scared, though. he has hypercoagulable blood and takes warfarin to thin it. he can throw clots anywhere, not just from his legs as is usually the case post-surgery. he had two pulmonary emboli years ago, before he was diagnosed with this condition. pre-surgery, they are putting a "filter" into the veins (artery? i need an anatomy lesson) coming from his legs to catch any clots coming from there. he will have to go off the warfarin before the surgery, and they will monitor his blood while he's in the hospital (about 6 days) and if needed, treat him with heparin. my concern is when i get him home after the surgery. he cannot be on blood thinners for several weeks, and i'm so afraid he'll get a clot. of course i will discuss this with his doc, but i'm wondering how those of you who take blood thinners have managed post surgery? diane i haven't taken it, but just wanted you to know that i'll be keeping your brother, tom and his surgery, in my thoughts and prayers, and praying you will get the guidance you are seeking. when, in january, is his surgery slated for, diane? kate > hi all, > my brother, tom, age 65, has a growth called a schwannoma in his chest. [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > diane thanks for this good info, jo. diane > hi all, > my brother, tom, age 65, has a growth called a schwannoma in his chest. [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > diane I had an embolism years ago and took warfarin for it for the usual six months. I had a clot in my left shoulder from the pic line after my major surgery two years ago. It was two weeks after surgery, but I had to go back in the hospital for several days on heparin and the six months of warfarin again. The main effect this time was it added several weeks to the time it took for the surgical wound to heal. It kept draining for nearly two months. I'd guess once they realize the clotting problem, then will keep him on some level of blood thinner to get him closer to normal before, during, and after the surgery. A friend of my daughter had a lot of clots and ended up needing the "strainers" to keep them from reaching her heart. She has done well with it. Just be very sure that someone is paying attention and monitoring his clot rate all the time before, during, and after the surgery. And read up on the foods that mess with the clot rate if you will be taking care of him. There is a short list of things to avoid. Jo Diane wrote: > they are putting a "filter" into the veins (artery? i need an anatomy > lesson) coming from his legs to catch any clots coming from there. What type of anatomy? <g> When I was with the P.D. and everyone had to complete First Aid training because the department operated the ambulance service in town, one of the first "crutches" we learned was the "A" in Artery (and Aorta) was Away from the heart. That leaves the veins to be the returning vessels. Mother is on coumadin and her doctor switchs her to heprin before surgery. Duckie > hi all, > my brother, tom, age 65, has a growth called a schwannoma in his chest. it's [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > diane  Signature_('> (_<_) _ _('< -quack (_<_) _ __('< *QUACK!* <_{__) _('< "|,,|_" (_<_) _('< "AFLAC!" (_<_) > Mother is on coumadin and her doctor switchs her to > heprin before surgery. > Duckie I can't imagine that makes a difference, but I'm sure the doc knows what to do about it. When I was on coumadin a few years ago dentists wouldn't see me and doctors would hardly touch me. I had to have a minor surgery and the doctor debated whether or not to do it after I was off for two months. I injured a toe and it was bleeding like mad and a doctor was telling me about various things he could do until I told him I was taking coumadin and, without another word, he started wrapping it in layers and layers of bandages until I couldn't get my shoe on. My only advice is make sure that everyone clearly understands that mom takes the drug. Tell them until they get impatient with you. The rumor [remember this is at least third hand info now] is that heprin clears the body quickly while coumadin does not. Duckie Pope Pie (Sy Lehrman) wrote: >>Mother is on coumadin and her doctor switchs her to >>heprin before surgery. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > My only advice is make sure that everyone clearly understands that mom takes > the drug. Tell them until they get impatient with you. Signature_('> (_<_) _ _('< -quack (_<_) _ __('< *QUACK!* <_{__) _('< "|,,|_" (_<_) _('< "AFLAC!" (_<_) > The rumor [remember this is at least third hand info > now] is that heprin clears the body quickly while > coumadin does not. > Duckie That may well be, and I speak with not experteze, when I first went in with that blood clot I had a hepernin drip for days on end and afterward was expected to do something similar with a few tablets of warfarin. I suppose that if the heprin (how is that spelled?) had a cumulative effect it wouldn't have been given in such quantity. That rumor is probably correct..... Sending good thoughts your brothers way and your way also. Sending prayers also. SignatureLove and hugs to all Good thoughts coming your way too. Squirrely Jo > > hi all, > > my brother, tom, age 65, has a growth called a schwannoma in his chest. it's [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > > > diane |
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