DVT and Crohns

[jstanley]

Hi guys,

I'm new here and have just recently been diagnosed. I am most worried about the implications for travel. I have to travel fairly regularly (4 or 5 times a year) to Latin America which means flights of 13 - 16 hours in one go. I have read that having Crohns increases the risk of DVT on long flights. I just wanted to know, does anyone here have to travel long haul regularly? Is it advisable to take a blood thinning medicine just in case?

Thanks for your comments

 

[Scipio]

It might be good idea to look into a blood thinning medication. However, I'd ask your doctor about this and carefully calibrate the right dose, if possible. Because having Crohn's increases your risk of significant intestinal bleeding, and being on a blood thinner could make that a lot worse. On the other hand, the Crohn's also increases the risk of clots and DVT.

So this leaves you in a balancing act of finding the right dose of the right medicine to reduce the DVT risk without triggering an intestinal bleeding episode. You really need your doctor's help in figuring this out.

Aspirin might be a good choice for most people to thin the blood a little. But it's hard on the gut, which makes it a bad choice for someone with Crohn's. Of the stronger thinning agents Eliquis might be the best choice, since according to the clinical trial data it has a lower risk of serious bleeding events than Xarelto or Pradaxa. Like I said, talk to your doctor.

 

[ronroush7]

I agree.

 

[jstanley]

Thanks for your replies