Thick Blood Disease?

J

Johan Beaurain

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2007
Messages
412
Reaction score
1
I am thinking about this thing of Pierre Spies that was told that he suffers from a “disease” that causes his blood to become thick and clotty.

http://www.health24.com/news/Fitness/1-911,41567.asp

Apparently his doctor said that he must now stay out of contact sport for a while whilst he must continue to use this medication that will make his blood thin for the next few months. I am not totally against it when people tend to be cautious, but we can also be overcautious.

I always thought our blood become clotty when there is a lack of blood circulation. This can happen very quickly provided the conditions are ideal for that. I experienced it just the other day.

I was sitting in front of the computer for too long. I was not dressed warm enough. My veins probably narrowed because of the alcohol I had earlier. I started feeling a little cold, but the bottle of wine was empty. Next thing my right leg stiffened up. Within minutes I was in severe pain with my right leg clearly not being as responsive as it should be. Luckily I knew what to do to overcome the immediate problem, and within minutes my blood was flowing again like a river in flood.

It was only after carefully thinking about what happened to me, that I managed to work out a few lifestyle adjustments to minimize the chances of it reoccurring. Why does it seem to me that the practitioner/s assigned to assist Spies with his problem, did not really work on assisting him to develop a deeper understanding of his particular problem? Or am I totally mistaken?
 
Last edited:
No,

Did it occur to you he might have developed pneumonia?
Stop questioning doctors JB, you have no experience in their field, and if you start giving people advice you'll kill them.
 
these are not just your average doctors man

these guys are at the top of their game

questioning them would be crazy
 
Johan Beaurain said:
I am thinking about this thing of Pierre Spies that was told that he suffers from a “disease” that causes his blood to become thick and clotty.

http://www.health24.com/news/Fitness/1-911,41567.asp

Apparently his doctor said that he must now stay out of contact sport for a while whilst he must continue to use this medication that will make his blood thin for the next few months. I am not totally against it when people tend to be cautious, but we can also be overcautious.

I always thought our blood become clotty when there is a lack of blood circulation. This can happen very quickly provided the conditions are ideal for that. I experienced it just the other day.

I was sitting in front of the computer for too long. I was not dressed warm enough. My veins probably narrowed because of the alcohol I had earlier. I started feeling a little cold, but the bottle of wine was empty. Next thing my right leg stiffened up. Within minutes I was in severe pain with my right leg clearly not being as responsive as it should be. Luckily I knew what to do to overcome the immediate problem, and within minutes my blood was flowing again like a river in flood.

It was only after carefully thinking about what happened to me, that I managed to work out a few lifestyle adjustments to minimize the chances of it reoccurring. Why does it seem to me that the practitioner/s assigned to assist Spies with his problem, did not really work on assisting him to develop a deeper understanding of his particular problem? Or am I totally mistaken?
Click to expand...

Hi JB,

There are a few conditions that can cause a person to form clots more frequently than the average. One of the conditions is hereditary and it means that clots can form 4-30 times more frequently. In the case of Spies a clot did form spontaneously and got stuck in his lung. That is a serious condition and depending on the size of the clot and the area that it got stuck in - it could have been fatal.

The medication that is used to counter the clotting is usually Warfarin (coincidently, Warfarin is the active ingredient in Rattex, the rat poison). Warfarin does not thin the blood, so to speak, but causes a decrease in the potential of the blood to clot. A therapeutic range would be an approximate 50 - 60% decrease in the clotting ability.

With this in mind, should one play a contact sport like rugby, and take a hard blow, it is very likely that severe bruises would be caused and other internal bleeding could occur. This is why contact sports are ruled out for those taking Warfarin.

My experience on this topic comes from an experience with clots in the lungs and my subsequent treatment. I have a clotting problem and will be on Warfarin for life. I am a active person and while I won't play rugby or other contact sports, life carries on pretty much as usual.

Noo
 
After reading about the Ryan Cox tragedy I think that Pierre Spies should follow the best medical advice. What a terrible story!
 
Blood clotting

Hi Noo
I am so glad that i read your story. My son's girlfriend - she is 21, superfit and chosen for under 21 SA netball team was diagnosed with the same problem. I am so concerned about her. She is also on Warfarin, but sometimes even though she is using it, her blood still thickens. She has to have blood drawn every week to monitor it.
I have read that a woman may not get pregnant while on Warfarin as it could cause defects in her baby. I have read that an operation could be done by inserting a sort of filter in the veins going to the lungs to ensure that no bloodclots pass throught to the lungs. I am not sure if this is done in South Africa.

If u ever hear of any alternative treatment, please let me know. Also the name and contact number of a specialist that have been treating you. I would really appreciate it if you would reply to me.
Take care
Anne



There are a few conditions that can cause a person to form clots more frequently than the average. One of the conditions is hereditary and it means that clots can form 4-30 times more frequently. In the case of Spies a clot did form spontaneously and got stuck in his lung. That is a serious condition and depending on the size of the clot and the area that it got stuck in - it could have been fatal.

The medication that is used to counter the clotting is usually Warfarin (coincidently, Warfarin is the active ingredient in Rattex, the rat poison). Warfarin does not thin the blood, so to speak, but causes a decrease in the potential of the blood to clot. A therapeutic range would be an approximate 50 - 60% decrease in the clotting ability.

With this in mind, should one play a contact sport like rugby, and take a hard blow, it is very likely that severe bruises would be caused and other internal bleeding could occur. This is why contact sports are ruled out for those taking Warfarin.

My experience on this topic comes from an experience with clots in the lungs and my subsequent treatment. I have a clotting problem and will be on Warfarin for life. I am a active person and while I won't play rugby or other contact sports, life carries on pretty much as usual.

Noo[/QUOTE]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X