Fishing after a major internal clot
- Thread starter speedbird
- Start date
I have not had a PE but rather 5 heart attacks over the past 25 years. Heart damage obviously. Blood thinners obviously - actually more than 1 or 3 at same time. Blood thinners were the least of my worries. They did not affect daily activities for the most part.
Yeah, bush wacking is probably not the best idea. Wet wading neither. But hell, I get bruises while sleeping and it takes weeks for them to go away. I have skin cancers removed annually via surgery yearly. They coordinate with my doctors to determine if or when I adjust my blood thinners. I have had hernia surgeries surgeries. Again, the hernia surgeon coordinates with my doctors to determine the best approach. Yes, my dentist needs to know about thinners too. More coordination with the doctors. Becomes part of life ---> let the professionals coordinate and figure things out. After all they get the same questions day after day...
Taking a slightly different approach. Find a doctor you trust, is open and honest and responds to your questions directly, stays current on latest studies and makes educated decisions on how they affect you, and someone you enjoy seeing (and not just there to get paid - do not ask me about this). It helps if they are in the same network because they can communicate directly better. I might add that working with a doctor your age is better than an old geezer. You will want the same person working with/for you as long as you live - just sayin'.
There are so many studies being accomplished, what is correct today may change the approach next month. That is why it is important to have your doctors informed on current/new approaches and drugs. The internet is not a good source of information because it changes too fast.
As others have said, listen to your doctors and the guidance they provide. Exercise, diet, activities, are all important. Listen to your body and let them know of any changes and issues. The doctors know your condition, what will work for you, and want the best outcome. Follow their advice and you will be just fine.
Yeah, bush wacking is probably not the best idea. Wet wading neither. But hell, I get bruises while sleeping and it takes weeks for them to go away. I have skin cancers removed annually via surgery yearly. They coordinate with my doctors to determine if or when I adjust my blood thinners. I have had hernia surgeries surgeries. Again, the hernia surgeon coordinates with my doctors to determine the best approach. Yes, my dentist needs to know about thinners too. More coordination with the doctors. Becomes part of life ---> let the professionals coordinate and figure things out. After all they get the same questions day after day...
Taking a slightly different approach. Find a doctor you trust, is open and honest and responds to your questions directly, stays current on latest studies and makes educated decisions on how they affect you, and someone you enjoy seeing (and not just there to get paid - do not ask me about this). It helps if they are in the same network because they can communicate directly better. I might add that working with a doctor your age is better than an old geezer. You will want the same person working with/for you as long as you live - just sayin'.
There are so many studies being accomplished, what is correct today may change the approach next month. That is why it is important to have your doctors informed on current/new approaches and drugs. The internet is not a good source of information because it changes too fast.
As others have said, listen to your doctors and the guidance they provide. Exercise, diet, activities, are all important. Listen to your body and let them know of any changes and issues. The doctors know your condition, what will work for you, and want the best outcome. Follow their advice and you will be just fine.
Another consideration is buying & using a cut-resistant/Kevlar glove/gloves if you are doing a lot of knife work/filleting/etc. Having Steri-Strips available is also a great idea. Eliquis is readily reversible -- I had 2 rounds of oral surgery. Both my Dentist & I spoke with my Cardiologist to get his ok & directions prior to the procedures. I simply stopped taking Eliquis 48 hours prior to each evolution & resumed following both events. There were no excessive bleeding problems. I am much more cautious when handling/sharpening knives now and exercise has long been a part of my daily routine.
@Kashf - I've recently felt your fear and frustration. Prayers for your prompt, successful treatment and recovery!
No Pulmonary Embolism experience so I'm sorry can't comment about that specifically, but check with your doc, I think there's hope!
In 2017 I had extensive DVT in one leg (diagnosed as provoked after driving to-from Reno Air Races, without taking enough breaks). I did a 6 month course of Xarelto (thinner) and after 3 years of wearing support stockings, a follow-up ultrasound showed totally resorbed and only small minor scarring. And staying active helped.
More recently over the last year I had a TIA (Praise God no actual stroke, clots, or permanent damage) apparently thought to be caused by undiagnosed and (almost) asymptomatic AFIB. It was diagnosed by a heart loop recorder implant at the end of a stress test 6 mos afterwards. It took over 14 mos to diagnose the AFIB and get an ablation done (1 month ago). I now have a very good long term prognosis. Meanwhile I was diagnosed and received brachytherapy radiation treatments for Prostate Cancer; caught and treated very early. But because of the undiagnosed and/or untreated cardio I had been restricted from strenuous strength-cardio training, hiking, even flying commercial... but was allowed to walk my dog for 2 miles at a brisk pace 3-4x a week. Now my Electro Physiologist wants me take Eliquis (thinner) and 1/2 the lowest dose of Metoprolol (beta blocker; a heart rate "governor") daily for life
, but (finally) no more activity restrictions! However Eliquis does put me at a bleeding risk after trauma so my *VA* Hematologist prescribing it thinks it would be a real good idea if I stop rappelling down into-roping out of my favorite Curtis Creek as a shortcut to the best water, and just take the longer route.
No Pulmonary Embolism experience so I'm sorry can't comment about that specifically, but check with your doc, I think there's hope!
In 2017 I had extensive DVT in one leg (diagnosed as provoked after driving to-from Reno Air Races, without taking enough breaks). I did a 6 month course of Xarelto (thinner) and after 3 years of wearing support stockings, a follow-up ultrasound showed totally resorbed and only small minor scarring. And staying active helped.
More recently over the last year I had a TIA (Praise God no actual stroke, clots, or permanent damage) apparently thought to be caused by undiagnosed and (almost) asymptomatic AFIB. It was diagnosed by a heart loop recorder implant at the end of a stress test 6 mos afterwards. It took over 14 mos to diagnose the AFIB and get an ablation done (1 month ago). I now have a very good long term prognosis. Meanwhile I was diagnosed and received brachytherapy radiation treatments for Prostate Cancer; caught and treated very early. But because of the undiagnosed and/or untreated cardio I had been restricted from strenuous strength-cardio training, hiking, even flying commercial... but was allowed to walk my dog for 2 miles at a brisk pace 3-4x a week. Now my Electro Physiologist wants me take Eliquis (thinner) and 1/2 the lowest dose of Metoprolol (beta blocker; a heart rate "governor") daily for life
, but (finally) no more activity restrictions! However Eliquis does put me at a bleeding risk after trauma so my *VA* Hematologist prescribing it thinks it would be a real good idea if I stop rappelling down into-roping out of my favorite Curtis Creek as a shortcut to the best water, and just take the longer route.Note @Jim F. (and all Vets) - Bristol Myers-Squib got a judge to give them a 4 year extension on their Eliquis patent so a low cost generic can't be released until 2026. I am receiving receiving VA benefits for service connected tinnitus-hearing loss from almost 8 years of flightline noise exposure. At my recent annual VA physical, I asked if they could provide my Eliquis. I was referred to and screened by a VA Puget Sound Hematologist who OK'd it and is now the prescribing physician. It will saving me about $850 a year in copays. If you're a Vet and can get into the VA system for (backup) medical care, it might be worth your while.
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Just wear a helmet while repelling@Kashf - I've recently felt your fear and frustration. Prayers for your prompt, successful treatment and recovery!
No Pulmonary Embolism experience so I'm sorry can't comment about that specifically, but check with your doc, but I think there's hope!
In 2017 I had extensive DVT in one leg (diagnosed as provoked after driving to-from Reno Air Races, without taking enough breaks). I did a 6 month course of Xarelto (thinner) and after 3 years of wearing support stockings, a follow-up ultrasound showed totally resorbed and only small minor scarring. And staying active helped.
More recently over the last year I had a TIA (Praise God no actual stroke, clots, or permanent damage) apparently thought to be caused by undiagnosed and (almost) asymptomatic AFIB. It was diagnosed by a heart loop recorder implant at the end of a stress test 6 mos afterwards. It took over 14 mos to diagnose the AFIB and get an ablation done (1 month ago). I now have a very good long term prognosis. Meanwhile I was diagnosed and received brachytherapy radiation treatments for Prostate Cancer; caught and treated very early. But because of the undiagnosed and/or untreated cardio I had been restricted from strenuous strength-cardio training, hiking, even flying commercial... but was allowed to walk my dog for 2 miles at a brisk pace 3-4x a week. Now my Electro Physiologist wants me take Eliquis (thinner) and 1/2 the lowest dose of Metoprolol (beta blocker; a heart rate "governor") daily for life
Note @Jim F. (and all Vets) - Bristol Myers-Squib got a judge to give them a 4 year extension on their Eliquis patent so a low cost generic can't be released until 2026. I am receiving receiving VA benefits for service connected tinnitus-hearing loss from almost 8 years of flightline noise exposure. At my recent annual VA physical, I asked if they could provide my Eliquis. I was referred to and screened by a VA Puget Sound Hematologist who OK'd it and is now the prescribing physician. It will saving me about $850 a year in copays. If you're a Vet and can get into the VA system for (backup) medical care, it might be worth your while.
the bleeds in the head are the most dangerous. A broken bone you have a chance to get to medical. A broken bone poking an artery, not much anyone can do about that,if your remote and by yourself. I just stopped taking metoptol, I was on the same heart healing "half" dose. I really didn't notice it at all, I know some people say it will sap your energy but I didn't have that experience. I wouldn't worry about it.
Oh, I misspoke earlier. I had a potential DVT, not PE.
As far as a PE, they can go in and oversew the clot or take it out. The former is safer as they don't want to dislodge the clot and cause a stroke or worse.
I worked in the UW Hospital in college with a bunch of pathologists and my mother was a geriatric nurse, so sometimes I know more than I want to with these things.
Although in this case, and many others, knowledge is power!!
As far as a PE, they can go in and oversew the clot or take it out. The former is safer as they don't want to dislodge the clot and cause a stroke or worse.
I worked in the UW Hospital in college with a bunch of pathologists and my mother was a geriatric nurse, so sometimes I know more than I want to with these things.
Although in this case, and many others, knowledge is power!!
Jeez, Kash, I'm so sorry to hear that!
I don't have any medical advice for you, but you're young and strong - hopefully they're just giving you worst-case-scenario info right now to keep you from blowing this off, and you'll make a full recovery. In any case, you're a smart guy, you'll make smart decisions and still be able to fully enjoy the outdoor life you love!
As @flybill said, if fishing alone makes you nervous until you're comfortable with your recovery, drop me a DM here - I'm happy to go with you!
I don't have any medical advice for you, but you're young and strong - hopefully they're just giving you worst-case-scenario info right now to keep you from blowing this off, and you'll make a full recovery. In any case, you're a smart guy, you'll make smart decisions and still be able to fully enjoy the outdoor life you love!
As @flybill said, if fishing alone makes you nervous until you're comfortable with your recovery, drop me a DM here - I'm happy to go with you!
Dustin Chromers
Legend
You will be regulated in your levels via blood test. Bi weekly or weekly at first to get your levels right. Cuts aren't as issue but major trauma is. Personally I think it's worth carrying a light first aid kit with quick clot. This won't change your life but you will think about it. Fish and fish often. Get your levels checked. Keep a consistent diet so regulation is easier. Leafy greens are the anti thinner so decide on the level you eat them and stick with that. It's hard if you are a seasonal eater. Again, this isn't going to charge your life or fishing but it is to be considered. Vitamin K is the antidote to thinners. You don't need to know this for any reason other than to know. You'll be good to go and it will simply be what is. You are likely more at risk of a traumatic car wreck on the way to the fishing spot than your are of being mortally injured and bleeding out at the fishing spot. Keep everything in perspective and live the life you want.
Kashf-
you want a workup with a hematologist looking at reasons for why you got your clot in the first place. Life long blood thinners should not restrict your ability to do things, though as others note, you want to be careful about falls, dental procedures, elective surgery.
You will want to be very diligent about maintaining your balance and leg strengths.
Don't skip leg day
That pretty much goes for any of us, if you aren't doing regular squats and balance exercises you should be. Plus whatever you can do to maintain all three inputs to your balance centers about where your legs and torso are in space and over terrain.
good vision
good inner ear functions (not typically all that much we can do here though vitamin D supplements do drop risk of benign positional vertigo)
good leg sensation
If you got a bunch of soft and plush rugs that you trip over, maybe get rid of them. Check your house carefully for stuff on the ground that is easy to bang into or trip over. Sharp corners in your home are not your friend.
There's a awesome member on PNWFF (@Herkileez) who sells wading staffs, probably worth using if you like wading rivers. Trekking poles- similarly- if you like to hike and have some neuropathy in the legs, the poles can act as a new input to your balance center to investigate terrain, ie helps your brain learn new ways to cover rough ground
Plenty of men and women take a fall on blood thinners, for older folks this can be extremely dangerous if they hit their heads. Every year ice on the back steps takes out way more Americans than snakebite, shark attacks, wolves, bears and murder hornets combined! (we got these icy back steps coming in...)
Don't overlook straight up stroke risk prevention while on blood thinners, which means
- making sure blood fats are under control
- don't smoke (spikes blood pressure and weakens the walls of blood vessels)
- don't do meth or cocaine either (spikes blood pressure way up)
- treat high blood pressure
- eat a predominantly Mediterranean diet
A high blood pressure stroke on blood thinners is extremely dangerous and hard to treat
Depending on how your heart recovers from the PE they may advise on using blood thinners based on how the walls of the heart are moving and contracting appropriately, so, presumably, they are going or have done an echocardiogram to help make that call.
you want a workup with a hematologist looking at reasons for why you got your clot in the first place. Life long blood thinners should not restrict your ability to do things, though as others note, you want to be careful about falls, dental procedures, elective surgery.
You will want to be very diligent about maintaining your balance and leg strengths.
Don't skip leg day
That pretty much goes for any of us, if you aren't doing regular squats and balance exercises you should be. Plus whatever you can do to maintain all three inputs to your balance centers about where your legs and torso are in space and over terrain.
good vision
good inner ear functions (not typically all that much we can do here though vitamin D supplements do drop risk of benign positional vertigo)
good leg sensation
If you got a bunch of soft and plush rugs that you trip over, maybe get rid of them. Check your house carefully for stuff on the ground that is easy to bang into or trip over. Sharp corners in your home are not your friend.
There's a awesome member on PNWFF (@Herkileez) who sells wading staffs, probably worth using if you like wading rivers. Trekking poles- similarly- if you like to hike and have some neuropathy in the legs, the poles can act as a new input to your balance center to investigate terrain, ie helps your brain learn new ways to cover rough ground
Plenty of men and women take a fall on blood thinners, for older folks this can be extremely dangerous if they hit their heads. Every year ice on the back steps takes out way more Americans than snakebite, shark attacks, wolves, bears and murder hornets combined! (we got these icy back steps coming in...)
Don't overlook straight up stroke risk prevention while on blood thinners, which means
- making sure blood fats are under control
- don't smoke (spikes blood pressure and weakens the walls of blood vessels)
- don't do meth or cocaine either (spikes blood pressure way up)
- treat high blood pressure
- eat a predominantly Mediterranean diet
A high blood pressure stroke on blood thinners is extremely dangerous and hard to treat
Depending on how your heart recovers from the PE they may advise on using blood thinners based on how the walls of the heart are moving and contracting appropriately, so, presumably, they are going or have done an echocardiogram to help make that call.
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Sorry to hear this, I do hope you recover and that all goes as well as can be expected.
There is a lot of superb advice and encouragement here; it's why I really like this community.@Kashf - I've recently felt your fear and frustration. Prayers for your prompt, successful treatment and recovery!
No Pulmonary Embolism experience so I'm sorry can't comment about that specifically, but check with your doc, I think there's hope!
In 2017 I had extensive DVT in one leg (diagnosed as provoked after driving to-from Reno Air Races, without taking enough breaks). I did a 6 month course of Xarelto (thinner) and after 3 years of wearing support stockings, a follow-up ultrasound showed totally resorbed and only small minor scarring. And staying active helped.
More recently over the last year I had a TIA (Praise God no actual stroke, clots, or permanent damage) apparently thought to be caused by undiagnosed and (almost) asymptomatic AFIB. It was diagnosed by a heart loop recorder implant at the end of a stress test 6 mos afterwards. It took over 14 mos to diagnose the AFIB and get an ablation done (1 month ago). I now have a very good long term prognosis. Meanwhile I was diagnosed and received brachytherapy radiation treatments for Prostate Cancer; caught and treated very early. But because of the undiagnosed and/or untreated cardio I had been restricted from strenuous strength-cardio training, hiking, even flying commercial... but was allowed to walk my dog for 2 miles at a brisk pace 3-4x a week. Now my Electro Physiologist wants me take Eliquis (thinner) and 1/2 the lowest dose of Metoprolol (beta blocker; a heart rate "governor") daily for life
Note @Jim F. (and all Vets) - Bristol Myers-Squib got a judge to give them a 4 year extension on their Eliquis patent so a low cost generic can't be released until 2026. I am receiving receiving VA benefits for service connected tinnitus-hearing loss from almost 8 years of flightline noise exposure. At my recent annual VA physical, I asked if they could provide my Eliquis. I was referred to and screened by a VA Puget Sound Hematologist who OK'd it and is now the prescribing physician. It will saving me about $850 a year in copays. If you're a Vet and can get into the VA system for (backup) medical care, it might be worth your while.
I wanted to add, I was fishing solo but not going more than a 2 miles in-wade-out in while still on restrictions, and will continue but now can go further as workouts progress and I get back in shape. But I am aware of the risk and take some steps to mitigate the risk a bit. Being former Mt Rescue I've always carried a first aid kit. I've always used my mobile Ham radio to text my wife that gives her my exact coordinates, and text her as I'm starting back with an ETA and beacon on the way so she can see where I am at any given time. I also invested in a @Herkileez Riverstick that is quite an upgrade from the hiking poles I was using. I probably won't be doing the rappel thing any more, and otherwise will be less adventurous than before the AFIB. I've been told by my EP, Cardiologist, and (civilian & VA) Hematologists to stay active, but to be aware, and use some common sense. I pray you can too!
speedbird
Life of the Party
As of tomorrow I’ll be allowed short trips around the parking lot accompanied with family, I should be off iv tonight which is a very positive development. Resting heart rate is back to normal but even just getting around gets it up a bit
speedbird
Life of the Party
It’s gonna be a while before I get to physically exert myself. Even before this incident, I found myself getting a little winded overhead casting. I want to get myself fly fishing asap. What sort of gear is conducive for getting the most line out for the least amount effort? Would picking up a single hand Spey setup be worth it at least until I’m in better casting shape? Or are there ways I can modify techniques with existing gear. I’m hoping to do some beach fishing through November, and maybe a little river cutthroat fishing if I’m well enough before the season goes away
Can’t help you with the Spey part, but if you are trying to minimize effort, integrated lines which require maybe two false casts at the most might be helpful, especially for beach fishing. Most folks use those anyway for beach fishing so if you aren’t, now might not be a bad time to acquire one.
SF
Sorry you're having to deal with this, but glad you're still around to do it! And to fish another day!
Yes, specifically, single hand skagit setup is just about as easy as a spinning rod sometimes. I mean 2 handing is typically less work than overhead as well, but I think single hand spey/skagit is even easier, especially in the 3-7wt single hand range.
I'm not sponsored or affiliated in any way, but go check out the videos on OPST's website and YouTube channel. You can learn it pretty quick and I think it definitely would save you effort. It's also a lot of fun. And OPST, SA and others have excellent integrated lines that are more enjoyable and practical than running line + shooting head.
I have an integrated OPST Commando Smooth 200gr on my 5wt and it's a kick in the ass. My go to for single hand trout spey, a really fun way to fish for river smallies and even on the beach. It can be cast overhead in times of need. I've even fished streamers out the front of a boat going down the river with it.
I have a SA Speylite Integrated 210gr that you can have if you want to try it. It's an older line that I don't enjoy as much as the OPST Smooth, but it would give you a good feel for it.