During VAD therapy in March of 1995, I developed a cancer blood clot in my right leg. I went into the hospital for four days undergoing intravenous heparin, and have been dealing with a chronic blood clot or deep vein thromposis ever since.
In 1998 I felt the cancer blood clot return. I went in and had an ultrasound performed to diagnose the clot and was put on coumadin therapy. After about 18 months, and several talks with my primary care physician, it was clear that I was going to have to take coumadin for the rest of my life.
After this realization, I began to research the long-term side effects of coumadin therapy and decided that I needed to change cancer blood clot therapies. I decided in 2000 that I would stop taking coumadin and begin my approach to cancer blood clot therapy which involved exercise, hydration and supplementation. To supplement my diet I take ginko, fish oil, enzymes, nattokinase, antioxidants and all in addition to my broad spectrum vitamin-mineral-phytonutrient each day.
Following my new cancer blood clot therapy regimen, I have had two ultrasounds taken of my clot. The ultrasounds that were taken in 2004 and 2005 indicated that my clot is slowly resolving. My long-term goal is to completely resolve my blood clot. Look for regular updates on the status of my clot on this page.
The article below gives good general information on cancer blood clotting with topics of causes and diagnoses. I personally recommend that anyone dealing with clots read this article.
The summary of the article “Prevention of blood clots is a complex task that involves keeping a fine balance in place between the process of coagulation and anticoagulation. Patients on prescription medication as well as any combination of these with over-the-counter anti-inflammatories or aspirin need close monitoring by periodic laboratory testing of their blood. Patients on supplements (such as vitamins, herbs, or oils) need their risk factors (fibrinogen and homocysteine) evaluated in the same way. However, a close monitoring of the coagulation balance is not usually necessary in otherwise healthy people. WARNING: Never change anticoagulation medication without physician approval, because thrombosis, bleeding, and sudden death may occur."
Thrombosis prevention includes several diverse mechanisms:
Reduce and repair injury to endothelial cells
Lower cholesterol levels
Lower homocysteine levels
Lower C-reactive protein levels
Improve venous blood flow
Exercise
Address peripheral vascular disease, which may be related to diabetes or intermittent claudication
Improve arterial blood flow
Reduce atherosclerosis
Anti-coagulation o Decrease platelet adhesiveness
Support fibrinolysis
Reduce inflammation
Lower fibrinogen levels
Several lab tests are highly recommended to assess the cardiovascular system and guide appropriate treatment, including cholesterol and triglyceride levels, homocysteine, prothrombin time, fibrinogen, and C-reactive protein.”
Below is a link to an article that discusses a new drug, alfimeprase that may show anti-clotting activity. This is a drug that cancer blood clot patients should discuss with their doctors.
Nuvelo Receives FDA Fast Track Status for Alfimeprase is an article that explains, “Alfimeprase is an enzyme produced by recombinant DNA technology that rapidly resolves blood clots through a unique mechanism of action; it directly degrades fibrin, a protein that provides the scaffolding for blood clots.”
In addition to new drugs, a new ultrasound device is making a move to become another clot busting therapy. In the article, Tiny Ultrasound Dissolves Clots Faster, More Effectively, doctors discuss a new device that is being used to relieve patients of harmful clots quicker. This ultrasound drug delivery system is small in size and can navigate through the blood vessels more safely and effectively than methods used before.
The side effects S.D.I.'s will contain articles, studies and therapies on cancer blood clots.