Unexpected Blood Clot Post-Surgery - A Cautionary Tale

My work week started out with a random stomach area discomfort that started like a hunger pain x10 and moved to inflaming my sore back and gave me sore joints and my water intake went from 1-2 water bottles a night to 5 a night. It took 3 days because I got used to working with pain as a normal part of my job but on the 3rd day I knew something was wrong, went to the hospital and after a CT scan the doctor came into the room and was surprised to tell me I had a bad blood clot in two areas which was in the vein coming from my intestines and spleen to my liver which in the CT scan looked completely plugged. It was a strange place for a clot according to him. I had to have the outpatient surgery to go in through the neck and leg to clean out the blockage, all good now and on blood thinners for the next 6 months and sore and weaker now with tenderness all over. I now have to slow down a little more on the job and life until I get off the thinners. According to the surgical team and doctors, they think that the area of the clot might be a complication from my stoma surgery for my ileostomy (5 months prior from ileostomy surgery). Has anyone else had a similar story that might help others prepare or be aware of some of the possible complications that can happen with any major surgery?

Wow, glad you went to the hospital and are on the road to recovery. Never had a clot but good to know the symptoms!

Puppyluv

Long road, glad you went to the Dr. when you did. I have never experienced a blood clot either. I too am happy to hear you are on the road to recovery.

Best wishes,

Rebecca

Two blood clots, neither related to my surgery, they were a long time ago in 1994, a complication of an otherwise normal birth (our daughter). Next time don't be a hero. You may wind up dead. I almost did, thank you God for my loving husband. You may never have another clot, I never have, but don't be brave about anything. After all, you've successfully navigated only a foolish Doc would not take you and your complaints seriously. Hard road back, take it slow and recover fully, we never know what's around the corner.

My CT scan picked up a small clot on my liver. It was decided to leave it. A couple of months later, severe chest pain and off to the emergency. CT showed the clot was bigger, put on heparin injections for a couple of weeks and then warfarin for 6 months. Had to put my motorcycle away because of thin blood. I felt like a pin cushion. They did not think it was related to my surgery.

Tips on Hernia Prevention with Collin | Hollister

X I sure hope yours goes away. Be careful while on that junk!

That was 2015 and I bought a new bike since.

Whew! Glad to hear that. x

Blood clots are a deep mystery to everyone, including doctors. I was told that having IBD increases your chances of having a clot. I had two clots that I was lucky enough to be at the hospital for. The first one, early in the year, was treated with a blood thinner that was known to aggravate IBD. The bleeding got worse. Another clot came. Shortness of breath is a scary thing. They called the clots in my lung a saddle. This was the second time.

So they changed my medicine to Xarelto and put a filter in me in 2016. By the end of the year, the damage in my intestine was too much and needed removal.

Blood clots are indeed a worry with IBD.

I had a blood clot in my leg after my surgery. I had to go to a nursing home for about 6 weeks after my surgery because I did not have anyone to stay with me. It was lucky I did. One day, my leg started to hurt so bad I was in tears. I called the nurse and when she saw the pain I was in and felt my leg, which was very hot, she sent me to the hospital. They started giving me shots and admitted me for over a week. I was put on warfarin for a long time. I have not had a problem since. Praise the Lord.