NetWellness Bleeding and Clotting Disorders

Intermittent Arm Pain After Venipuncture

Spero Cataland MD — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:11:00 EST

Question: I received a venipuncture procedure probably in my left medial antecubital fossa. I am not 100 precent sure that`s where it was, since I look the other way during venipuncture. Ever since the injection, my left arm has been hurting. It hurts on and off during the day around the injection area, the b . . .

Answer: Since the pain occurred after the venipuncture, that is obviously the most likely etiology. It is likely that there are smaller nerves that may have been injured. It should get better over time as the injured nerves heal, but this can sometimes takes weeks to a couple months. The EMG likely did not . . .

Ask an Expert: Spero Cataland MD, Bleeding and Clotting Disorders

bruising after blood test / iv insertion

Brenda Clark MPH, MA — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:09:00 EST

Question: I recently had colonoscpy/endoscopy,and tech had difficult time finding vein in my hand for iv - pain and bruise lasted approx 1 1/2 weeks. yesterday had routine blood test and was grateful tech immediately found vein, but small bruise immediately, and today is the size of a baseball, and extending . . .

Answer: Thank you for visiting NetWellness. Please note, NetWellness is not an emergency service, and your question will not be assigned to one of our experts. Please do not hesitate to call your primary care provider or your local emergency room should you feel that you need immediate care.

Best . . .

Ask an Expert: Brenda Clark MPH, MA, Bleeding and Clotting Disorders

Subcutaneous Injection

Spero Cataland MD — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:09:00 EST

Question: I suffer from a bleeding disorder and my doctor said that I must have my vaccines injected subcutaneously, not intramuscularly. Why is that? Does this have something to do with my bleeding disorder?

Answer: Subcutaneous injections are more superficial and less likely to induce bleeding. The vaccine should really be just as effective though given subcutaneously.

Ask an Expert: Spero Cataland MD, Bleeding and Clotting Disorders

Any Special Reasons Why I Get So Many Clots?

Spero Cataland MD — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:09:00 EST

Question: HELLO; I`VE BEEN TOLD I`M VERY LUCKY,(LIKE WINNING THE MEGA LOTTERY). IN AUG.1988 I HAD A PULMONARY EMBOLISM AND AN EMBOLUS IN MY RIGHT CALF. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER STEPPING IN TWO NAILS IN MY RIGHT FOOT. LAST SUMMER(JULY`08)MY DOCTOR WANTED ME TO GET A CT SCAN BECAUSE A BLOOD TEST I HA . . .

Answer: Unfortunately, what you describe is not so uncommon. Many times patients can have repeated clots, which identifies someone who we feel is prone to blood clots. There are several factors present in you that likely explain your clotting history.

I would agree from the limited information t . . .

Ask an Expert: Spero Cataland MD, Bleeding and Clotting Disorders

Excessive Protein S and Pulmonary Embolysms

Spero Cataland MD — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 02:08:00 EST

Question: I was just hospitalized with multiple pulmonary emboli. No clots were found in legs. Report said there was too much protein S which affected the clotting. I had multiple pulmonary blood clots back in 2005. I have found info on protein S deficiency but nothing on the effects of too much protein S. I . . .

Answer: While it is difficult to make any specific comments on your case, protein S is one of the natural anticoagulants, and having "higher" levels is not associated with any problems. Many things can affect the measurement of protein S levels as well, so I would not be concerned about this laboratory . . .

Ask an Expert: Spero Cataland MD, Bleeding and Clotting Disorders

Ruptured Vein in Palm of Hand - Painful Knot

Spero Cataland MD — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:08:00 EST

Question: This subject was addressed as an answer to the below question. However, in my case the vein has formed a very painful knot about 3 mm wide and is visible as a bump. It is very painful to grasp an object if the knot is in contact with it. My doctor said not to worry about it and that it may calcify. . . .

Answer: It is really difficult to really say very much specific without being able to examine and talk with you. It could be something related to a vein or even a cyst on a nerve that is causing the pain. I would encourage you to speak to your physician again if it does not get better on its own shortly. . . .

Ask an Expert: Spero Cataland MD, Bleeding and Clotting Disorders

PAI 1 G4/g5 & MTHFR A 1298C One Copy Mutation

Elizabeth Varga MS, CGC — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:07:00 EST

Question: Hi My husband was recently tested for blood clotting disorders and came out positive for one copy of MTHFR 1298C and PAI 1 G4/g5 mutations. He has never had any thrombophilic event ever. He just went in to consult with a heamatologist today, who refused to see him, in absence of any history of clot . . .

Answer: My first question would be,�"Why was your husband tested?" if he has never had a thrombotic event.� I�suspect�he was tested in the context of pregnancy, given that it sounds like you are seeing a high-risk specialist and have had a�thrombophilia�workup yourself.� If this is the case, and he is asymp . . .

Ask an Expert: Elizabeth Varga MS, CGC, Bleeding and Clotting Disorders

Blood Clot All the Way Up the Leg

Spero Cataland MD — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:07:00 EST

Question: My cousin`s wife developed a blood clot in her leg after having a c-section with her daughter. The clot goes all the way up her leg into her hip. She found out about the clot 9 months ago. Is it possible for her to walk again?

Answer: A venous blood clot might cause some swelling, but shouldn't create any difficulty walking. After treatment (blood thinners) are started, most symptoms will typically improve.

Ask an Expert: Spero Cataland MD, Bleeding and Clotting Disorders

Blood clot

Eric Kraut MD — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:07:00 EST

Question: I have a girlfriend that I just found out that she has a blood clot in the head and she is on medication for it and my question is. Is there any other treatments besides surgery and they told her that she needs to have surgery to fix it but I was wondering if there are other ways to help heal the bl . . .

Answer: If they think she has a subdural hematoma, this needs surgery.

Ask an Expert: Eric Kraut MD, Bleeding and Clotting Disorders

Iron deficiency anemia

Spero Cataland MD — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:07:00 EST

Question: I am 69, have recently found out that my blood count was 9 with an iron count of 2. I was told my iron level was depleted, and should be 10 to 300, but that is a large stretch. I have had a colonosopy, endosocoy, and a camera capsule test. None of these test have showed a blood loss on any kind. The . . .

Answer: It is hard to know what is specifically going on with you based on what you tell me. I am not sure exactly what the tests are that the numbers are referring to. It is also difficult to say very much with only labs and no other clinical information. That being said, it sounds like iron deficiency may . . .

Ask an Expert: Spero Cataland MD, Bleeding and Clotting Disorders