Posted by Marc Johnson on February 29, 19100 at 10:18:11:
In Reply to: Re: Blood clot posted by Kathy Wurzbach on February 15, 19100 at 17:55:14:
: I also have had blood clots in my left leg for 5 years now and I know of nothing to help improve the leg or the clot. I now have phelibitis in my leg now which causes much pain and swelling so any information you recieve pass it down..I am 29 and can not get on with my life...or a job..
Medical studies have found natural blood "thinners" (anti-coagulants) that include vitamin C, garlic capsules and red/purple grapes and their products (purple grape juice, red wine, etc.). Vitamins B6 and B12 (folic acid) have also been found (in controlled medical studies) to greatly reduce clot damage. I believe pycnogenol has also been studied in proper medical tests with good results for clots and blood vessels.
Search for these words (all in one search) on the internet and you will find a ton of info: natural blood thin clot stroke phlebitis. Here are some web addresses to get you started: http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/00034.html
http://www.practicalhealth.com/strokeaa.htm
http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/5a8c2.htm
http://www.stroke-heart.com/stroke.htm
Of course, aspirin is the most well-known natural blood thinner. (It was made by the Romans from leaves of the willow.) A "baby" aspirin (the smallest possible dose) daily is known to reduce blood clotting potential.
There are also powerful new prescription "clot-buster" drugs. These are commonly used to dissolve cerebral thromboses for rapid treatment of and remarkable recovery from severe strokes. Hospital treatment is necessary for the proper local injection of these drugs into the artery or vein to break up the clot.
First, I recommend that you try natural remedies for several weeks. Note that I am not a doctor, just someone knowledgable about some aspects of blood clotting. You need to increase your body's natural ability to break down blood clots.
If this doesn't improve things, at your young age, given that your livelihood is being interfered with, if I were you I would talk with my doctor and insist that consideration be given to the possible use of these new clot-buster drugs.
Are you taking oral contraceptives? Are you a smoker? Do you have a history of migraines? Are you overweight? All of these factors indicate an increased risk of phlebitis or worse, heart attack or stroke!
I strongly urge you to eliminate all blood clot-causing factors from your lifestyle. People who experience one clot are much more likely to have repeat occurences later. A heart attack or stroke can have much more severe lifestyle consequences than phlebitis!
A good nutrition book is "The New Nutrition" by Dr. Michael Colgan.
Good luck.