Blood Clots - Appalachian Trail

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#1

Hi everyone,
Don’t know why but I just thought I would mention this. I went hiking at a State Park that is near me, back in September 04. I did an easy trail (4 miles) and didn’t actually fall but some how twisted my ankle (left foot is flat). Anyway, I was rushed to the hospital a month later (spent 4 days there) due to a blood clot that formed in my left ankle, broke off then traveled/ lodged in my left lung. When the clot started/lodged in my ankle there was extreme pain/swelling a week after the hike. At first,I thought I was having a muscle spasm in my calf when it happened. Then in October when the clot lodged its self in my lung I had very shallow/fast breaths and extreme pain in the left side of my back. Since it happened at work I thought I could just take the day off and drive home to lay down. BAD IDEA! Luckily my co-workers called 911. The doctor said that if I had gone home to lay down it could have been the end for me. My point is to everyone hiking this year is to be careful and listen to what your body is telling you. If your seriously hurt don’t try to be macho get yourself checked out.

A.B.

A.B.

#2

In May of 2004 I had a was really sick. It was horrible to the point of fever and puking, etc. I laid in bed for 4-5 days calling into work and whatnot hoping to get better. When I finally decided to go to the Dr. he determined I had pneumonia and admitted me into the hospital. Once in the hospital they discovered I had blood clots in my lungs and it was quite serious. I was then put into the ICU. They said it was from laying in bed for those 4-5 days that set them up. I’m currently on blood thinners but will be coming off them in about a month or so. It can really put a damper hiking while on these meds. The downside is if I fall, hit my head I can bleed internally and possibly die. But I enjoy hiking I dont let it stop me.

Yes, blood clots are very serious. My Dr. states they actually happen to all kinds of people quite a bit. Old, young… in shape out of shape… doesn’t matter. I’ve even heard of people flying internationally who were sitting in one position for 10-12 hours and they set up. Once they walk off the plane through the airport they dislodge and the person has a heart attack. Remember David Bloom NBC reporter? He died from being all hunched up in that tank in the same position for days on end. Yeah, it’s pretty serious stuff and I’m glad to hear you were okay.

-Guru… alive and kicking!

guru

#3

This is indeed what caused the death of David Bloom - Deep Vein Trhombosis.

In fact, Melanie Bloom, his wife, just happened to be on Larry King just this evening. She described his loss and is now promoting the “Coalition To Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis” (http://www.preventdvt.org/). She cited statistics that said 600K to 2M suffer from it yearly, and of that 600K-2M, 200K die from it yearly. Visit the site as she’s trying to raise the awareness of this killer to everybody. It can strike any age group, in any state of health from good to bad…and, IT’s PREVENTABLE. Check out the website, and thanks for the original post.

Canaima

#4

Very interesting read and very interesting topic.

I have indeed learned something here.

Nursing homes must keep people on blood thinners, etc to keep this clots from happening. Also they and hospitals, get people up and walk them to prevent some of this from happening.

I was not aware of the number of deaths caused by this.

Really interesting topic.

See you out there.:cheers :cheers :cheers :cheers

Maintain

#5

Indeed, we practically drag patients out of their beds and get them walking for exactly that reason – to prevent blood clots in the leg veins. I also recommend to any patient who has had surgery recently to walk, especially if they are travelling by car or plane for long distances. I tell them to get out of their seat at least once an hour for 5 minutes and walk around to work the natural muscular pumping of the leg veins to circulate the blood back to the heart…so the best preventative is…HIKING!
cya all out there, Cutman

cutman11