Is it safe for me to fly after my blood clot?
Swelling of the leg following a DVT can persist for many months, even a year or more, but be reassured — it is not a sign of anything sinister. Crucially, you were protected by medication for three months. Studies show this is long enough for clots to stabilise fully, reducing the risk of dangerous complications, though it will take longer for the body’s repair processes to remove the clot completely.
As you know, a DVT is where a blood clot (or thrombus) forms in a vein, typically in the legs or deep in the pelvis. The concern is that if the clot breaks off, it can travel in the flow of blood back to the heart where it would be pumped into the lungs, blocking the blood vessels and impairing breathing, potentially very seriously (known as a pulmonary embolism).
This complication can be prevented with anticoagulants — drugs that suppress the normal clotting of the blood. Previously, this involved injections of heparin, followed by warfarin tablets.
we now have a more straightforward technique using drugs known as novel anticoagulants, which are taken by mouth — this includes Xarelto (rivaroxaban), which you were given. THe
three-month course you were prescribed is known as long-term anticoagulation and is a standard treatment for any potentially dangerous deep vein clot. it stops it getting bigger and helps it stick to the vein wall. Over time, the clot is absorbed and the vein restored to its normal function.
Meanwhile, the swelling will continue to improve; you may even speed up the process by trying to keep walking, despite the discomfort.
However, a previous DVT does mean you’re more likely to develop another. The risk is also raised by cancer, pregnancy, obesity, smoking, older age and a number of medications, such as hormone replacement therapy.
A key risk factor is inactivity; air travel actually poses no greater threat than sitting for a long period of time with your legs hanging down, in a car or train for example. in this position, the blood flows more sluggishly through the deep veins, making it more likely to pool and clot.
For anyone travelling for more than two hours, the advice is to wear compression stockings, which squeeze the legs tightly so superficial veins (the ones just under the surface) are pressed almost flat, allowing blood to flow more quickly through deep veins.
You can buy these from a good chemist — do ask for help to ensure the correct fit.
Moving about during a journey is essential, as using the leg muscles increases blood flow in the veins — when flying, aim to squeeze down the aisle at least
IN RECENT years I have lost 3 st. At my lowest weight I was 10 st (I’m 6 ft 1 in and 63 years old). Most tests have shown I am OK, however, one revealed a benign cyst in my pancreas.
Could this become cancerous? Would cutting out sugar help? My father had a sweet tooth and died of pancreatic cancer.
Name and address supplied. i AM pleased your weight loss has been investigated. As you say in your longer letter, the combination of drinking less alcohol and the expected muscle loss that comes with age — sarcopenia — appears to be the reason for it. However, i do understand why you might feel concerned about the cyst.
A cyst is a sac-like pocket of tissue usually filled with fluid that can be found almost anywhere in the body. Thanks to the rise in CT and MRi scanning, pancreatic cysts are now detected in at least 2 per cent of patients given abdomen scans, whatever the reason for the investigation.
There are two broad categories: inflammatory cysts, known as pseudocysts, and cystic tumours. OF
THe latter, there are four main types: serous, mucinous, pseudopapillary (these are all usually benign) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, or iPMns. it is the iPMns — growths in the ducts of the pancreas — that are most concerning because there is a risk they may turn cancerous.
Patients with this type of cyst should be monitored carefully. Depending on whether the cyst changes over time, it may be appropriate to remove it.
i must stress that overall, the risk of cancer in pancreatic cysts discovered by chance is low — less than 1 per cent. nevertheless, the fact that your father died of pancreatic cancer does give us cause to pay close attention.
Research suggests that around 10 per cent of pancreatic cancer has a genetic cause. Smoking is another risk factor to take into account, but sugar intake is not.
Unfortunately, there are few early symptoms, so patients are usually diagnosed late. The important point for you is to clarify whether your cyst is an iPMn, and if it is, to remain under regular monitoring.