Clots and Stents - How to treat?
Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 9:42 pm
Hello,
I am from Canada and was diagnosed with RRMS a year ago. I have actually been symptomatic my whole life but no one has ever been able to figure it out.
I had the Liberation Treatment in Poland in August 2010 and had a stent placed in my left IJ. I have noticed improvement with it especially with brain fog and fatigue. However, I recently had an ultrasound and was told that the stent never opened up completely (in Poland I was told the vein was extremely tight and narrow and had spasmed during the procedure - hope was that it would relax at least enough to increase the blood flow up to 50%) and that a clot has formed around the wider of the two ends of the stent. I still feel great, but the radiologist and my doctor were concerned enough that they sent me to emergency and had me admitted to the stroke unit for 2 days. After much consultation, I was told I could either continue the course of plavix for the year that the surgeon in Poland suggested (though the Stroke Team thought that was a long time) and asprin and do another ultrasound in a month OR start coumadin. For now, I'm continuing with the plavix/asprin combo until I can find out more info.
Has anyone else gone through this? Of course my greatest fear is a pulmonary embolism. Any suggestions or experience out there? My poor husband is beside himself and I am admittedly a bit afraid to go for my usual walks and do yoga for fear of dislodging the clot.
I'd appreciate your help and with the best of health to all you brave people.
Monica
I am from Canada and was diagnosed with RRMS a year ago. I have actually been symptomatic my whole life but no one has ever been able to figure it out.
I had the Liberation Treatment in Poland in August 2010 and had a stent placed in my left IJ. I have noticed improvement with it especially with brain fog and fatigue. However, I recently had an ultrasound and was told that the stent never opened up completely (in Poland I was told the vein was extremely tight and narrow and had spasmed during the procedure - hope was that it would relax at least enough to increase the blood flow up to 50%) and that a clot has formed around the wider of the two ends of the stent. I still feel great, but the radiologist and my doctor were concerned enough that they sent me to emergency and had me admitted to the stroke unit for 2 days. After much consultation, I was told I could either continue the course of plavix for the year that the surgeon in Poland suggested (though the Stroke Team thought that was a long time) and asprin and do another ultrasound in a month OR start coumadin. For now, I'm continuing with the plavix/asprin combo until I can find out more info.
Has anyone else gone through this? Of course my greatest fear is a pulmonary embolism. Any suggestions or experience out there? My poor husband is beside himself and I am admittedly a bit afraid to go for my usual walks and do yoga for fear of dislodging the clot.
I'd appreciate your help and with the best of health to all you brave people.
Monica