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Factor V Leiden Deficiency - Blood Clotting Condition
Blood clotting is one of worlds leading conditions that in end in death. Please take these tips seriously, it may save your life one day.
This discussion is about "Factor V", there are other "factor" deficiencies with small but different variations. I was diagnosed with Factor V after my 2nd clot when I was around 20 years old. I later found out just last year that my grand-mother's side of the family is prone to this condition which is to be taken very seriously.
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Things You Should Know Concerning Factor V:
- It IS hereditary
- Both parents must have active genes to pass it along to their child
- Children CAN be tested for it (help prevent future clots)
- Clots can happen at any time
- Blood clots can reoccur throughout a lifetime
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Preventative:
Typically, people with Factor V don't get a clot, but many are not so fortunate. If you haven't been told you are at risk and don't take blood thinners, baby-aspirin has been known to help prevent clots and inflamed arteries (TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR PRIOR TO TAKING THEM). Also pay attention to the below list to help prevent future health issues.
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If you HAVE had a clot, measures should be taken to prevent them from happening again:
1) Take recommend blood thinners (don't stop taking them)
2) Wear compression socks to help blood flow
3) Try not to sit still all the time, get up and move around
4) Talk to your doctor about a long plane flight (prevention)
5) Gamer's need to be careful not to sit for long hauls
6) Diet is EXTREMELY important, learn what you can
7) Vitamin K can reverse the effects of certain blood thinners (i.e. Grapefruit)
8) Not all blood thinners are the same, each has different effects to the blood
9) Don't participate in dangerous sports (a blow to the head can be very bad)
10) Regular exercise (not over-doing it... walking, yoga, swimming)
11) Proper stretching after meetings, car rides, etc.
12) Stay current with regular check-ups
NOTE: Once you've had a clot (i.e. Lower leg), your arteries become damaged and bruised. I always compare it to a water hose that was left outside with the water running, a bubble in a weak spot starts to form in a small portion of the hose and water starts to seep out slowly. Arteries and veins are very similar in manner that once a clot has forced blood to pass through, the walls are no longer as strong as they used to be. This can/will create other problems later on for those who have had a clot.
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Signs to watch out for:
- Problems breathing (Go to ER)
- Major swelling in lower limbs (Go to ER)
- Cramping (Go to ER)
- Bruising
- Leg feels like an elastic
- Legs, arms, chest suddenly hurt a lot (Go to ER)
- Dizziness, fainting, can't speak
- Skin imprints when you touch it with your fingers
- Purple legions/spots
- AND MANY MORE (Do your research)
Basically, with Factor V, you are at risk of major damage to your veins and arteries, worse yet, death. See a doctor right away if your body is telling you that something is seriously out of place. Don't ever take chances (i.e. I'll go tomorrow), reacting fast is KEY to preventing further harm to your body and/or dying from a: stroke, pulmonary embolism, DVT and/or clot.
I hope this helps you to understand this rare, but increasingly well known condition.
More info:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/factor-v-leiden/basics/definition/con-20032637
Be safe. Have fun!
Regards,
Martin R. Lemieux
@Martin_Lemieux - Tweet
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I have facter 5. When I have surgery what proceedures in addition to the norm should be followed? I had a blood clot in my lungs 12 yrs. ago.
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2 ReactionsIt's a shame no one was able to respond. For future on-lookers to your question, here are some insights to Factor V Leiden Deficiency...
Learn more here:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/factor-v-leiden-deficiency-blood-clotting-condition/
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1 ReactionI have had numerous bouts of DVTS and PEs as a result of factor v leiden while on warfarin, lovenox, Eliquis. When I was prescribed Arixtra for a period of about 8 years I had no issues with DVTs and/or PEs. The insurance company refused paying for my continued use of Arixtra and I started Eliquis approx. two years ago but recently was hospitalized with a PE.
Has anyone else been diagnosed with DVTs/PEs while using any anticoagulation medication?
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1 ReactionMy daughter tested positive for this along with protein C deficiency. I have had 5 blood clots since 2015. My dad was on blood thinners since the 70s, i was told I have the factor V Leiden, I was on blood thinners until the thrombosis center took my first blood work it came back normal while on blood thinners and he told me to stop taking them, that was in 2016, and my most recent blood clot was 2yrs ago after getting my left knee replaced I developed the rope blood clot in my left arm. It was from my wrist to my elbow..
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2 ReactionsYes! My first DVT was when I was 21. I am 72 now. When I was 21 I went on birth control for 9 days before my wedding. The DVD/clot ended up in my lung and landed me in ICU with a PE. I got out of the hospital one week before my wedding.
I've had some very scary times through the years with multiple clots. None however for the last 20 yrs. When I was in my 40s I had a clot that formed while I was on warfarin. I was admitted to U of M hospital. The blood clot was determined to be due to my warfarin level dropping below my therapeutic range. At that time I had surgery and a Greenfield filter place on my aortic artery. It purpose was to catch the clots before they entered my lungs. They also increased my therapeutic range from the norm of 2.0-3.0 to 2.5-3.5. All seemed to work. However, I need to find out a bit more about recent findings on long term use of warfarin and bone density issues.
Has anyone been on warfarin or any other anticoagulant been diagnosed with declining bone density or Osteoporosis?
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1 ReactionWelcome @florence22. Good question about anticoagulants and declining bone density or osteoporosis.
A quick search seems to show that there is increased risk of osteoporosis on some anticoagulants, such as warfarin, but that new direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are found to safe for bone health.
Here are a couple of references:
- Anticoagulants and Osteoporosis https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6862478/
- Association between oral anticoagulants and osteoporosis https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7053309/
You may also wish to join the discussions in the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/osteoporosis/
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1 ReactionThank you SO much. I got a pulmonary embolism o
n 1991. It felt like a lump under my knee. My primary care physician didmissed it. Very bad. resulting surgery took 6 hours, including placement of Greenfield Filter upper right chest. Dr. Greenfield told me that was only to prevent further emolisms from going to my head. It is still in my chest. Now, in 2024 I was diagnosed with a Baker's Cyst and I received a corticortozone shot in my left knee. I'm still not sure that it was only a cyst. I could have been an embolism forming under my left knee. The hospital had only done a sonogram. Now I have another "bump" under my left knee. I am very concerned that it may, in fact, an embolism. I took a two mile walk this morning and barely got back to my home. Dizziness and increasing lack of breath. Nothing has been done yet. But am VERY CONCERNED about it. I don't know what to do about it.
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1 ReactionGood morning, @zrbradonkey. My goodness, I’d be concerned too if I had felt another bump under my knee, considering your past history with a blood clot there. But more recently, you’ve had a Baker’s Cyst behind your knee. It’s likely the cyst returned because they can form again. However, to be on the safe side, especially since you’re feeling dizziness and increasing lack of breath, I’d suggest you get in to see your doctor ASAP or the emergency department.
Here are links to a couple of informational articles about Baker’s cysts to maybe help ease your mind a little. But if this doesn’t sound familiar then please have that bump checked out again.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bakers-cyst/symptoms-causes/syc-20369950
https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/how-do-you-treat-a-bakers-cyst
Are you feeling better today? Have you been diagnosed with any blood clotting disorder?
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4 ReactionsNo new news yet. It's a weekend. The Baker'cyst remains unchanged , so yes, I AM FEELING A BIT REASSURED, however I don't feel fully reassured , the only person I fully trust is my personal physician - whose method of pravtice id meticulous. Still waiting. Thank you.
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2 ReactionsYes I've had a couple DVT. I was 44 the first time, and what a disaster it was! In the hospital a long time, open heart surgery and nearly lost my arm. I was put on Coumadin, which is a good blood thinner, but I had a very hard time getting good PT/INR numbers. Eventually I was put on Eliquis which doesn't work as well for me. Have had some clotting issues. It's just not fair that we were given this little known mutation which is always there waiting to kill us.
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