Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (cvst)

Posted by brittalisse @brittalisse, Jul 14, 2011

I was diagnosed with a CVST a year and a half ago. I've been doing well, but it is always on my mind. It is quite rare and I'm interested in hearing stories from anyone who has been through something similar.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases Support Group.

After being admitted to hospital with severe headache and after having a CT scan and then a Venogram I was diagnosed with CVST and put on blood thinners. After 4 days in hospital and the initial shock and trauma for my family I accepted it and the prognosis that with care and blood thinners all would be well. However 5 weeks later after an MRI a different radiologist has decided that it’s not CVST. So they have taken me off the blood thinners and want me to have a lumber puncture next week to look for increased cranial tension. Having been off the blood thinners now for 3 days the headaches have got worse and to make it all worse they stopped my HRT oestrogen patches so now I have started having hot sweats!! I’m so confused and not doing well and feel that I’m being messed about. Any advice?

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Profile picture for sonya_nc @sonya_nc

My 30 yr old daughter was diagnosed with CVST in April. The suspected contributor was estrogen birth control pills- no clotting disorder family history and neg on genetic tests. She has been discharged and recovering at home.

It has been a difficult time to say the least- any patient or caregiver out there I can connect with? Thank you- Sonya

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Hello @sonya_nc. I am so sorry to hear of your daughter's diagnosis and can understand this being a difficult time for you both.

I was able to find an existing discussion on the topic of CVST so you will notice that I have moved your post here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cerebral-venous-sinus-thrombosis-cvst/?pg=6#chv4-comment-stream-header

I would like to bring in members such as @mvoss8626 @kiwimn17 @makingfriends @moondusk and @awalker88 to see if they may be able to provide you with some much needed support.

In the meantime, can you share how she has been doing and what some of the major concerns are that you hope to get support for in this community?

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My 30 yr old daughter was diagnosed with CVST in April. The suspected contributor was estrogen birth control pills- no clotting disorder family history and neg on genetic tests. She has been discharged and recovering at home.

It has been a difficult time to say the least- any patient or caregiver out there I can connect with? Thank you- Sonya

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Profile picture for brockman1 @brockman1

It seems as though I am not susceptible to blood clots. Lupus work was negative. The hematologist thinks that it was due to a sinus infection that I had in November. Feels as if my body was protecting the brain and formed a clot to block the infection. I wonder has anyone heard of this before?

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@brockman1

I'm sure you are relieved that the blood work came back negative. You sound like a very active and involved person. Are you feeling better now with the treatment you are getting?

How do you feel about the doctor's theory about the clot blocking infection to the brain?

If you are at all unsure or have any more symptoms, I would encourage you to get a second opinion at a major university medical school or facility like Mayo Clinic. These types of health centers are the very best to diagnose unusual disorders and they can often be done by a virtual appointment.

Will you post again and let me know how you are doing?

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Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

Brockman1, what a shock. Thank goodness you got help right away. I'm hoping fellow members like @makingfriends @timw6 @moondusk @awa @kiwimn17 @kyglo @pattylynn can share their experiences with fatigue and CVST or blood thinners.

Brockman, how did the further blood studies go? Any updates?

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It seems as though I am not susceptible to blood clots. Lupus work was negative. The hematologist thinks that it was due to a sinus infection that I had in November. Feels as if my body was protecting the brain and formed a clot to block the infection. I wonder has anyone heard of this before?

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Profile picture for brockman1 @brockman1

Hi! So glad to find these posts. I was diagnosed with CVST on Dec. 13, 2021. It truly took me by surprise! I was getting ready to go study at the library and all of a sudden my vision was challenged. I started seeing black and white lines moving like a heatwave with a great deal of distortion. Called the nurse and she told me to get to the nearest hospital. Took a Uber and they took me immediately. I am now on Pradaxa after being hospitalized and diagnosed with CVST after MRI and aggressive dose of Heparin, then Lovenox. Under the care of a neurologist. I go today for further blood test studies. My question to some of you is if you felt fatigued while on blood thinners or is this a symptom of CVST? I just don't feel myself. It was very helpful reading your posts. I am 59 years old and in seminary. A very active woman with no diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. I am not obese and I stay active. No estrogen issues. They are still running tests to try to figure out the "why?" God bless you for this site.

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Brockman1, what a shock. Thank goodness you got help right away. I'm hoping fellow members like @makingfriends @timw6 @moondusk @awa @kiwimn17 @kyglo @pattylynn can share their experiences with fatigue and CVST or blood thinners.

Brockman, how did the further blood studies go? Any updates?

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Hi! So glad to find these posts. I was diagnosed with CVST on Dec. 13, 2021. It truly took me by surprise! I was getting ready to go study at the library and all of a sudden my vision was challenged. I started seeing black and white lines moving like a heatwave with a great deal of distortion. Called the nurse and she told me to get to the nearest hospital. Took a Uber and they took me immediately. I am now on Pradaxa after being hospitalized and diagnosed with CVST after MRI and aggressive dose of Heparin, then Lovenox. Under the care of a neurologist. I go today for further blood test studies. My question to some of you is if you felt fatigued while on blood thinners or is this a symptom of CVST? I just don't feel myself. It was very helpful reading your posts. I am 59 years old and in seminary. A very active woman with no diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. I am not obese and I stay active. No estrogen issues. They are still running tests to try to figure out the "why?" God bless you for this site.

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@steeldove shared the following article that I thought may provide some information for members following this discussion.

Half of those with rare COVID-19 vaccine-induced thrombotic syndrome have CVST: https://www.healio.com/news/neurology/20211011/half-of-those-with-rare-covid19-vaccineinduced-thrombotic-syndrome-have-cvst

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Profile picture for billykegs @billykegs

Hello Theresa.
I'm a street musician in New Orleans. This pandemic as you know put the brakes on society so being cooped up I decided to attack this problem. I've seen countless doctors over the years to no avail.
The first thing I tried was eliminating processed food/junk, what I really mean is sugar. That's not an easy thing to do. Candy, cornflakes, tinned food and all the rest of that stuff is easy enough, but excess non refined sugar hides all over the place. I allowed myself berries and an occasional banana. Also chocolate with Stevia.
That improved my speech and conversation. It really works. Refined sugar is not a good thing. But although I felt better things were still wrong.
Insulin resistance had been ruled out, two endochrynologists said my hormones were fine.
So I went after the liver. Milk thistle, zinc, saw palmetto, thiamine, choline, b12, NAC... I got these off the shelf at Whole Foods. It was all hit and miss but I only have myself.
Anyway I seemed to have nudged my condition but things still weren't right. Back to the net.
Wandering through endless articles on brain fog and balance issues I stumbled on Ammonia. This is another hidden ranger. Excess ammonia causes hepatic encephalopathy. Those symptoms looked pretty close to mine. So off I went after that. Problem was Lactulose is the only viable solution but it needs a prescription. So I rang up a vet saying I needed some for my dog. They didn't buy it so I went to the hospital and told them I had hepatic encephalopathy. I got three weeks worth. When I needed refills they wouldn't give me any until I had my blood taken. My Ammonia level was 45 which is boundary high. I stayed on Lactulose for three months then went back to the hospital and my level was 22. But I still knew I was not feeling better. You can con yourself with that placebo effect for only so long. But encephalopathy was a step forward. It looked good. Back to the net.
Hidden in another article was Brain Hypoxia. This has its own encephalopathy. It was a shock. I always subconsciously hoped it wasnt my brain. That scares me.
The article also mentioned stroke and carbon monoxide, an evil thing I have worked around for years.
I had an MRI and it was normal. My NP gave me the news over the phone. She seemed busy as we spoke, "Well, is there anything else I can do for you honey?" Nurses are wonderful but I was feeling a little abandoned but I persevered. I asked for an EEG. I haven't got my appointment yet.
A few days ago I was on the phone to my buddy in Boston. He said he had got the vaccine. First thing I was concerned about was J+J, he has had problems with clots. But he got the Moderna. He casually mentioned the side effects name. Two words struck me. Sinus and cerebral.
Only recently I was talking to a retired nurse. I told her I only feel better when I know I have a cold coming on.
I was always under the impression a cold was the lungs but she mentioned the sinus.
Then I found CVTS.
As things stand right now I'm waiting for an EEG. I could be wrong but if I ever find this thing I know I'm a lot closer than I was a year ago.
So that's the basic outline Theresa. If anybody has any questions about anything I have experienced I'm right here always. Nothing is off limits, this is too important.
Thank you

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I got the Moderna in mid Febr, and was hospitalized with CVST in April. Recently had another CT scan and the clot has not gotten smaller , after being on blood thinners for 6 months

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Anyone with CVST who can tell me if their CVST got smaller over time on their scans or not? I have Kaiser insurance and went online to try to find a vascular neurologist to try to get an appointment for a 2nd opinion, but could not find a vascular neurologist in Kaiser. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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