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.

@sydrine

Hi to all...i experienced my cvst almost 9 months ago now. It happened the end of June 2018.it started with a thunderclap migraine and a hematologist I was referred to determined it was caused by a protein s deficiency. Had a massive bleed from what doctors said. Just curious as to everyone's current condition. Currently I find myself to be really wimpy for lack of a better way to phrase it and I think it might be because of the blood thinner but not sure.

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Sorry I had to reread this, yes it was a protein s deficiency. I would love to her more about your story if you want to share it.

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@sydrine

Hi to all...i experienced my cvst almost 9 months ago now. It happened the end of June 2018.it started with a thunderclap migraine and a hematologist I was referred to determined it was caused by a protein s deficiency. Had a massive bleed from what doctors said. Just curious as to everyone's current condition. Currently I find myself to be really wimpy for lack of a better way to phrase it and I think it might be because of the blood thinner but not sure.

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Hello, I hope you are feeling better. Was it a protein s deficiency by Chance? My name is Megan and my story is be similar thunderclap, lab work determined protein s deficiency all with the CVST of course, I was diagnosed august 2020 so pretty recently. I’m scared and I don’t know what to expect.
Do you have any updates?

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Hi all,
I’m Megan. I was diagnosed with a CVST late August 2020. Onset was sudden within 48 hours I went from feeling fine to a severe headache, light sensitivity, nausea and vomiting. I went to the ER after following up with my local doc. and after describing a thunderclap headache to the ER doctor was put in a CT scanner and within 2 hours I was on a flight for life to a bigger city with a larger neurology ward. I was terrified and this all happened in front of my 6 year old daughter and my husband. She was supposed to start first grade that day. The drive for them was 6 hours and I can’t imagine how scary that was. I was in the hospital for just under 2 weeks, had “extensive” clotting one of which was 6” long and the width of a pencil. They were waiting for me to feel better or for me to have a stroke. I had tests conducted daily, I was in good hands. Thankfully, I felt better and was released and have been home for about 3 weeks now. I have vision issues in my left eye, I woke from a nap and my vision was drastically changed. It was as if oil had been smeared across the lens of my left glasses- everything was blurry and it felt like there were tears forming in the inside of my eyes, running down inside my face, which felt numb. The eyesight is still blurry, but not as bad. I experience multiple headaches daily, my house is totally blacked out due to my photophobia. I am working on walking around a bit but mostly I’m still recovering. I can’t do much and that makes me feel guilty when I see how hard everybody else has to work to make up for mom’s absence. Watching my loved ones watch me go through this has been tough but I was never without family (except for transport) and I can be grateful for that. I feel supported in every way, but dealing everything this diagnosis comes with; fear, uncertainty, wait and see mentality, intense pain, sedation, medication schedules... is a lot. I’m happy to find this group, I’m sorry for your struggles but it was relieving to hear your stories and I thank you for sharing them. Just wanted to reach out and share mine

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@melissarepanshek

@mvoss8626,

I'm so glad you found answers and have a plan of care. Despite your complex diagnosis you seem to remain upbeat. Is this true?

It sounds like being told you had functional neurological disorder was also a new diagnosis. You may be interested in joining this discussion in the Brain & Nervous System group:

"Functional Neurological Disorder" at https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/functional-neurological-disorder/

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Thank you & yes, after visiting Mayo Clinic- my outlook on my health changed completely. Although this is lifelong, it was comforting knowing I was in the best hands possible and them laying everything out on the table for me. The great detail that each & every professional went into was astonishing! They truly care about their patients and their understanding. It is possible to move forward with your illness and put it behind you to live the very most ‘normal’ so to speak, life as possible. It does not need to manifest itself day-to-day. And I feel that Mayo Clinic gave me that hope again. I left Minnesota feeling like I had my life back again, very bittersweet. A feeling I will never forget.

I was diagnosed with FND- I joined the group and I appreciate you sharing that with me! 🙂

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@mvoss8626,

I'm so glad you found answers and have a plan of care. Despite your complex diagnosis you seem to remain upbeat. Is this true?

It sounds like being told you had functional neurological disorder was also a new diagnosis. You may be interested in joining this discussion in the Brain & Nervous System group:

"Functional Neurological Disorder" at https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/functional-neurological-disorder/

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@angie7302

Are you not able to fly because the clot might get worst?

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I went to Mayo Clinic in February and was cleared to fly as long as I’m on medication. Initially, I think my doctors were concerned of an extreme case of having a hemorrhage or an aneurysm or something because of the pressure. Especially because I had been traveling long 15 hour flights not taking any blood thinners.

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I absolutely did. I spent the entire month of February in Rochester & after countless testing, appointments, etc...hematology informed me I have a rare blood clotting disorder called hypodysfibrinogenemia. My fibrinogen component causes my blood to clot (qualitative lower than quantitative). I will be doing genetic testing next month. Most likely unable to ever have children, they said. Neurology was fantastic, I actually spoke with the radiologist directly and he explained the blood clot’s detail in my brain to me. In correlation, the neurologist explained that the CVST has not decreased- and will not ever decrease in size. My blood clot has formed a blood clot around a blood clot and it will be there the rest of my life. Which=blood thinners indefinitely, which I already presumed. They did muscle testing as well (very painful) and diagnosed me with functional neurological disorder. My body’s response to the blood clots. I am in neuro PT & OT. I still have symptoms from the clot, but with some med adjustments and now Botox for headaches, it is more manageable. I also had protein in my urine. They did not take that lightly and did the appropriate follow-up with nephrology. I am also a lupus patient on Plaquenil. The fluid in my lungs was gone taking the medication. Had a great work-up and team of doctors & very impressed by how my case was handled. I have peace of mind now. I know I must co-exist and always take my medication. They informed me the risks of blood clots occurring even with medication, but I know what to look for. Mayo changes your life, thank you to all that helped!

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@mvoss8626

I am 29 yr old female diagnosed with CVST 6 months ago. Along with CVST I also had dual diagnosis of a blood clot in the lung (PE) and a blood clot in left leg (DVT). I‘ve been hospitalized 6 times at 2 different top hospitals in Dallas. None of them can figure out what’s the underlying cause. I have taken every single test there is. I see a hematologist, neurologist, rheumatologist, cardiologist, pulmonologist, ophthalmologist, internal medicine, OT and PT, and therapist regularly- monthly and weekly. My life consists of doctors appointments. I am on disability. A year ago my life was as close to normal as it could get- some minor auto-immune issues. In January of 2019, I began experiencing significant memory loss...forgetting names, memories, places, things. This continued, I began scaring myself so I told my family. They laughed it off. I knew in my heart something was wrong. People told me it was my anxiety. In August, I decided to go to the neurologist...I also began to experience changes in vision. Blinding light, terribly loud sound, hard time focusing. For about two years prior I had these headaches that lapped around my head that were there the moment I woke up- they would last all day and the pressure felt like my head was going to explode. I told all of this to the neurologist...it was so nice for someone to finally take me seriously. He ordered a CT scan. I got a call at 9pm on Saturday a couple days later...it was my neurologist. I knew something wasn’t right. He told me the radiologist just called him and I need to get to the hospital right away. The CT scan shows there is a blood clot on the left side of my brain. The ambulance came they took me straight to the MRI. At this time- I had also been experiencing other symptoms...shortness of breath, coughing up blood, muscle cramps, spasms- so they did further imaging and I was in the ER. Doctors ran an MRA & MRV then came in the room and said were admitting you. You have a chronic CVST it’s been there for a while (but I met none of the criteria for typically how it gets there.) You also have a DVT & PE. I’m still recovering from that and that was early September. I am on Eliquis now. The DVT & PE are gone...CVST, remains untouched in size- in fact has grown a little bit, but was told that could be due to the imaging angle. Although, I’ve had 3 separate MRV’s done in November all confirming the growth. It’s been 6 months. My life has been hell due to this thing. I have learned to adapt from the CVST affecting my...memory- short term and long term, vision, sensitivity and hearing, tremors in my hands, headaches, neck and back pain, balance, pressure in my head, confusion, inability to concentrate, coordination, and sooooo much more! Not to mention the anxiety I face DAILY...because there is a blood clot in my brain and wondering what’s next. Guys, WE will get through THIS!!! We CAN get through this! My neurologist just referred me to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota...I am not allowed to fly, so have to make a 14 hr drive- stopping every 2 hours. I think this the silver lining though and I will hopefully get the answers I’ve been praying for. He said the next step for me is putting a stent. I hope this helps someone. Love and prayers to you all.

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Good Morning @mvoss8626,
You mentioned back in January that you had an appointment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I wanted to follow up with you to see if you were able to receive the answers and possible intervention you were in search of?

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@angie7302

How are you doing now? Was Styloidegenic jugular vein compression confirmed?

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Hi @angie7302, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'd like to get to know a bit more about you. What is your experience with Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST)?

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@mvoss8626

I am 29 yr old female diagnosed with CVST 6 months ago. Along with CVST I also had dual diagnosis of a blood clot in the lung (PE) and a blood clot in left leg (DVT). I‘ve been hospitalized 6 times at 2 different top hospitals in Dallas. None of them can figure out what’s the underlying cause. I have taken every single test there is. I see a hematologist, neurologist, rheumatologist, cardiologist, pulmonologist, ophthalmologist, internal medicine, OT and PT, and therapist regularly- monthly and weekly. My life consists of doctors appointments. I am on disability. A year ago my life was as close to normal as it could get- some minor auto-immune issues. In January of 2019, I began experiencing significant memory loss...forgetting names, memories, places, things. This continued, I began scaring myself so I told my family. They laughed it off. I knew in my heart something was wrong. People told me it was my anxiety. In August, I decided to go to the neurologist...I also began to experience changes in vision. Blinding light, terribly loud sound, hard time focusing. For about two years prior I had these headaches that lapped around my head that were there the moment I woke up- they would last all day and the pressure felt like my head was going to explode. I told all of this to the neurologist...it was so nice for someone to finally take me seriously. He ordered a CT scan. I got a call at 9pm on Saturday a couple days later...it was my neurologist. I knew something wasn’t right. He told me the radiologist just called him and I need to get to the hospital right away. The CT scan shows there is a blood clot on the left side of my brain. The ambulance came they took me straight to the MRI. At this time- I had also been experiencing other symptoms...shortness of breath, coughing up blood, muscle cramps, spasms- so they did further imaging and I was in the ER. Doctors ran an MRA & MRV then came in the room and said were admitting you. You have a chronic CVST it’s been there for a while (but I met none of the criteria for typically how it gets there.) You also have a DVT & PE. I’m still recovering from that and that was early September. I am on Eliquis now. The DVT & PE are gone...CVST, remains untouched in size- in fact has grown a little bit, but was told that could be due to the imaging angle. Although, I’ve had 3 separate MRV’s done in November all confirming the growth. It’s been 6 months. My life has been hell due to this thing. I have learned to adapt from the CVST affecting my...memory- short term and long term, vision, sensitivity and hearing, tremors in my hands, headaches, neck and back pain, balance, pressure in my head, confusion, inability to concentrate, coordination, and sooooo much more! Not to mention the anxiety I face DAILY...because there is a blood clot in my brain and wondering what’s next. Guys, WE will get through THIS!!! We CAN get through this! My neurologist just referred me to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota...I am not allowed to fly, so have to make a 14 hr drive- stopping every 2 hours. I think this the silver lining though and I will hopefully get the answers I’ve been praying for. He said the next step for me is putting a stent. I hope this helps someone. Love and prayers to you all.

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Are you not able to fly because the clot might get worst?

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