Doctor Appointment Update
@just4him (323168)
Green Bay, Wisconsin
September 11, 2017 3:30pm CST
I'm back, and I asked every conceivable question possible, I think. At least I can't think of anything I didn't ask.
There's one other medication I can be on, but I'm staying with this one for the time being.
The medication will break up and dissolve the clot. I'll be on it for about 3 months and then review as necessary.
I can swim. I can't go in the hot tub for two weeks. 
My knees are not happy with that.
I did find out what signs to look for if the clot were to break away and head for the lungs and heart. I'm praying it just dissolves.
He did say I do not need the blood pressure/water pill I was on, or even the water pill by itself, despite the current swelling in my legs, which is due to the clot. So that's good. One less medication to worry about. 
I'm keeping the appointment to have my blood pressure checked, already scheduled before the ER episode on Friday/Saturday. That will also involve labs. I'm low on sodium.
I'm drinking too much water, which is why my sodium is low, so I need to drink something else besides water. I have almond and cashew milk.
The blood clot is due to my sedentary lifestyle and I need to get up and move around more often. It will also help it to dissolve faster.
I did ask him about the old blood clot, but since it is old, it is no trouble to me.
Everything else was good, all my labs they did on Friday/Saturday in ER were good. They did run a lab for my heart - I didn't know about that one, but it came back good. I could have told him that without the lab work. I've never had a heart problem, even when I had chest pains back in the late 90's and proved it had nothing to do with my heart as it was very strong and the cardiologist wanted to trade hearts. I even told him I'm on the Whole30 diet and the headaches have disappeared and my energy level is up. So as soon as this weight is gone, I can schedule the necessary knee replacement surgery.
He also said they checked for other cancers - none came back. So all the labs were good except the one for sodium and I just need to drink less water.
So I will be on Xeralto for at least three months, perhaps longer if it isn't dissolved by then.
Because this is such a dangerous situation, I did talk to him about my final wishes, that being I'm donating my body to science. He gave me the paperwork to fill out. I'll get that taken care of and turn it back in when I see him again on the third of October.
So ends my excitement for today and this past weekend. Now to get back to the fun things in life - interacting with you. I hope your day has been a good one. Thanks for reading.
My knees are not happy with that.
I did find out what signs to look for if the clot were to break away and head for the lungs and heart. I'm praying it just dissolves.
He did say I do not need the blood pressure/water pill I was on, or even the water pill by itself, despite the current swelling in my legs, which is due to the clot. So that's good. One less medication to worry about.
I'm keeping the appointment to have my blood pressure checked, already scheduled before the ER episode on Friday/Saturday. That will also involve labs. I'm low on sodium.
I'm drinking too much water, which is why my sodium is low, so I need to drink something else besides water. I have almond and cashew milk.
The blood clot is due to my sedentary lifestyle and I need to get up and move around more often. It will also help it to dissolve faster.
I did ask him about the old blood clot, but since it is old, it is no trouble to me.
Everything else was good, all my labs they did on Friday/Saturday in ER were good. They did run a lab for my heart - I didn't know about that one, but it came back good. I could have told him that without the lab work. I've never had a heart problem, even when I had chest pains back in the late 90's and proved it had nothing to do with my heart as it was very strong and the cardiologist wanted to trade hearts. I even told him I'm on the Whole30 diet and the headaches have disappeared and my energy level is up. So as soon as this weight is gone, I can schedule the necessary knee replacement surgery.
He also said they checked for other cancers - none came back. So all the labs were good except the one for sodium and I just need to drink less water.
So I will be on Xeralto for at least three months, perhaps longer if it isn't dissolved by then.
Because this is such a dangerous situation, I did talk to him about my final wishes, that being I'm donating my body to science. He gave me the paperwork to fill out. I'll get that taken care of and turn it back in when I see him again on the third of October.
So ends my excitement for today and this past weekend. Now to get back to the fun things in life - interacting with you. I hope your day has been a good one. Thanks for reading.25 people like this
28 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
11 Sep 17
So drinking too much water is bad? Wow I had no idea.
Good luck now and blessings for that clot to be dissoloved Valerie.
5 people like this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
12 Sep 17
I didn't know it either. So I just need to bring up my sodium levels by reducing the amount of water I drink, not by adding it to my food. I told the doctor I had taken it out of my diet years ago because it makes me swell like a balloon. He didn't even blink about that. He did say we have natural sodium levels in our blood and that's what needs to come up. So drinking less water will accomplish that.
2 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
12 Sep 17
@just4him I just never knew it Valerie.
2 people like this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
12 Sep 17
@TiarasOceanView That makes two of us.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (189927)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Sep 17
Sounds like you are pretty healthy. I have no heart problems either. I have the occasional pleurisy attack which makes my chest hurt real bad. I wonder if that is what was wrong with you. Glad to hear you are doing so well. Now if you can just get rid of this clot.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (189927)
• Boise, Idaho
12 Sep 17
@just4him .....I find that I get an attack when I sleep all sinched up in a ball. Or when I hunch over at the computer too long.
2 people like this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
12 Sep 17
@celticeagle It just comes on me no matter what I'm doing. I haven't had an attack in a long time now.
2 people like this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
12 Sep 17
When you mentioned it the first time a while back, I looked up the symptoms for it, especially when I remembered that there is a history of pleurisy in the family. The symptoms match exactly. I think I'm pretty healthy. When this weight is gone, and the clot is dissolved, I shouldn't have any more issues other than the ulcerative colitis.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (91127)
• United States
11 Sep 17
You always sound to me as if you're busy doing something or other so when you say you lead a sedentary life I am surprised. Glad your doctor visit went well and that the medication will help with the blood clot.
3 people like this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
12 Sep 17
Right now the medication won't be helping anything if Medicaid doesn't approve it. There's a delay in my picking up the rest of the prescription. They could only give me 10 tablets on Saturday because they were out and the pharmacy order was due today. I got the call it was ready to pick up, and then got another call that it was delayed for insurance. 
I do get out to the pool, and I do try to do other things around the house, and go shopping when needed, but for the most part I'm here on the computer writing something.
I do get out to the pool, and I do try to do other things around the house, and go shopping when needed, but for the most part I'm here on the computer writing something.1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67089)
• United States
11 Sep 17
Wow.. glad you get to go off one med, but sad you cant do the hot tub right now.
3 people like this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
12 Sep 17
@Courtlynn Yeah. I didn't make it to the pool today. I had muscle cramps during the night. At least they weren't painful. I did miss it though and hoping to be back in the pool tomorrow.
2 people like this
@Courtlynn (67089)
• United States
12 Sep 17
@just4him just rub them, and remember its only for two weeks.
2 people like this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
12 Sep 17
Thank you. I don't want to burden my family with those kinds of expenses, especially when none of us is rolling in money. I thought about doing that when I was a kid, and it only makes sense to do it, as they do need bodies for research.
2 people like this
@NJChicaa (127165)
• United States
12 Sep 17
@just4him I always thought about it but then I read STIFF and reconsidered. I probably will still do it. 
I am a scientist at heart after all. No one will want my organs after all of the medications I've taken, my asthma, my Sunday Fundays, my tanning without goggles in my teen years, etc.
I am a scientist at heart after all. No one will want my organs after all of the medications I've taken, my asthma, my Sunday Fundays, my tanning without goggles in my teen years, etc.2 people like this
@velvet53 (24417)
• Palisade, Colorado
12 Sep 17
It sounds like y0ou are on top of everything and that is good. Hopefully the medicine will dissolve the blood clot and you won't have to worry about that anymore. I am happy that your other tests all came out good. I was discussing with my PT about the amount of water I was drinking. He told me to cut back so I did.
At least you can go to the pool and that should make you very happy. Good luck to you.
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (56354)
• Canada
12 Sep 17
That is good news that he provided for you.
I'm going for a test tomorrow and will see a doctor next week for the results and I hope that I'm just as lucky as you.
Now we need that clot of yours to dissolve and everything will be great in the universe again!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
12 Sep 17
@just4him - I hope the clot does dissolve. Please keep us informed of what happens and walk around your apartment for five minutes every hour. They say that is very important (although I don't always do it myself.)
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
13 Sep 17
@just4him - Set the timer on your stove. Then, when it goes off every hour, you have to get up to turn it off. Then, you can walk around your apartment for a few minutes before sitting back down. That will be good for your health!
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
13 Sep 17
@DeborahDiane I've been trying to think of a way to remember to do that. That's an excellent idea, though I don't have one for my stove, I do on my microwave.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
12 Sep 17
@DianneN Yes it is. I remember they also delayed for over a month on the remicade for my ulcerative colitis and that condition isn't exactly something to ignore either. So I really hope they get a move on and get this one approved before I run out of what I have.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
11 Sep 17
Good news, all around! I'm so glad that everything is being taken care of:)
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
12 Sep 17
@just4him Yes, I will definitely pray for this medication you need, to be approved:) God is good!
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99367)
• Atlanta, Georgia
16 Sep 17
I've heard a lot of good things about xerslto. My brother takes it. I take wafarin and have to be careful about vitamin K. My better half had a blood clot removed by surgery sometime ago. Whatever you do follow your doctors orders. Take care.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
15 Sep 17
Will be Praying for you, and hope that this will resolve your issue. Having issues like that does not sound Fun at all. Something I learned about water intake came from this discussion, and something I need to remember.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
16 Sep 17
Thank you for your prayers. They are much appreciated. I learned about water as well, so I'm keeping it to a minimum now.
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
15 Sep 17
I have heard that people can sometimes overdo the water consumption. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.
Let's pray that the blood clot will dissolve and you can move on without worry.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54720)
• United States
16 Sep 17
A blood clot is a scary situation. I pray that the medicine quickly dissolves it.
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
14 Sep 17
I'm glad you had such good results from the labs... and will pray that the medication will do its job in dissolving the clot ...
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
15 Sep 17
Wow so much has happened to you and the blood clot is a serious thing however, I am confidant the blood thinners will do the trick. I know of another person who had a blood clot and was soon all fine with the blood thinners. What diet is the Whole30 diet. Thoughts and healing prayers are going your way.
1 person likes this
