Blood clots from avastin

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kapper48
kapper48 Member Posts: 85
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi everyone, I was woundering if anyone else has gotten blood clots or know of anyone that has gotten blood clots from taking avastin. About a month ago I had my first scan since my surgery in June and so far no cancer but I was put in the hospital for 2 days because the scan showed 2 blood clots. I was put on blood thinners and was told I would be on them for the rest of my life. Ok thats fine with me no problem taking the blood thinners. So my Dr. took me off the avastin, she said that the avastin is probably what caused the clots, but she also said that it could of came from my port. She gave me the choice of getting back on the avastin if I want to but said that if it was the avastin that caused the clots the first time then we might not be so lucky this time and catch it before something bad happens. I am thinking that I might have my port taken out and just get my meds from an I.V. and then I could rule out the port as causing the clots. I just hope I'm doing the right thing taking it out. I sure could use some advice on this.
Thanks
Pat

Comments

  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #2
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    Clots..
    I'm surprised you didn't google avastin blood clot and read the
    30 or so thousand links that tell about how avastin causes blood clots!

    Man, that drug's a monster! You'd almost have a better chance
    throwing yourself under a bus.

    Ahh... that's just my opinion, tho... I hate western medicine anyway.

    But the facts are real, so weigh them heavily!

    Stay well.
  • grammadebbie
    grammadebbie Member Posts: 464
    #3
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    So Sorry
    Dear Pat,

    I'm sorry to hear of the problems you are experiencing. I wasn't on avastin so can't say much about that. I know someone here who has some knowledge will respond. I had a PICC line and I didn't have any problems with it. Maybe this will be an option for you. All these decisions are so difficult to make. I pray that you will be able to get all your questions answered and make a decision that you are comfortable with. Let us know how you're doing.

    God Bless You,

    Debbie (gramma)
  • eric38
    eric38 Member Posts: 583
    #4
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    grammadebbie said:

    So Sorry
    Dear Pat,

    I'm sorry to hear of the problems you are experiencing. I wasn't on avastin so can't say much about that. I know someone here who has some knowledge will respond. I had a PICC line and I didn't have any problems with it. Maybe this will be an option for you. All these decisions are so difficult to make. I pray that you will be able to get all your questions answered and make a decision that you are comfortable with. Let us know how you're doing.

    God Bless You,

    Debbie (gramma)

    Avastin definitely causes
    Avastin definitely causes clots. I am currently on blood thinners for a large clot in the leg caused by avastin.

    Eric
  • dmdwins
    dmdwins Member Posts: 454 Member
    #5
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    eric38 said:

    Avastin definitely causes
    Avastin definitely causes clots. I am currently on blood thinners for a large clot in the leg caused by avastin.

    Eric

    Avastin clot
    Yes, I had a pulmonary embolis(blood clot)with a large lung infarct which was most likely from the Avastin. I had finished 6 months of Avastin but was supposed to continue another 6 on Avastin alone when it happened.I was disappointed to stop because although I know it can have nasty side effects I feel it's angiogenic benefits are very good.

    I didn't push the issue with my onc since I was able to finish the initial 6 months but we did talk about the possibility of Avastin with coumadin if needed in the future. I was only on the blood thinners for 3-4 months -did not have to be for the rest f my life as you said.

    Wishing you luck,
    Siles,
    Dawn
  • Kathryn_in_MN
    Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
    #6
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    I currently have a PE
    I'm on FOLFOX and have NEVER had issues with blood clots in my life. Right now I have a PE that is stable (waiting for my body to reabsorb it). I am on Coumadin. I will come off Coumadin within 2 months of stopping chemo. I will not take it the rest of my life.

    I'd get a second opinion on lifetime blood thinners.
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #7
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    dmdwins said:

    Avastin clot
    Yes, I had a pulmonary embolis(blood clot)with a large lung infarct which was most likely from the Avastin. I had finished 6 months of Avastin but was supposed to continue another 6 on Avastin alone when it happened.I was disappointed to stop because although I know it can have nasty side effects I feel it's angiogenic benefits are very good.

    I didn't push the issue with my onc since I was able to finish the initial 6 months but we did talk about the possibility of Avastin with coumadin if needed in the future. I was only on the blood thinners for 3-4 months -did not have to be for the rest f my life as you said.

    Wishing you luck,
    Siles,
    Dawn

    I Guess....
    ...I been lucky, I been on it for almost a year now and never had any blood clots, my onc will be taking away the Irinotecan from me after 2 more treatments, and just leaving me on Avastin and 5fu and find other options down the road, but it's supposed to help stabilize my disease. I don't have any nasty side effects or anything from it, it's actually helped me in the shrinking of my tumors. Never needed any blood thinners for anything.

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    #8
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    Kathryn_in_MN said:

    I currently have a PE
    I'm on FOLFOX and have NEVER had issues with blood clots in my life. Right now I have a PE that is stable (waiting for my body to reabsorb it). I am on Coumadin. I will come off Coumadin within 2 months of stopping chemo. I will not take it the rest of my life.

    I'd get a second opinion on lifetime blood thinners.

    Close friend
    A close friend, mid 40's, had a clot due to Oxi that went to her brain and caused a stroke. She's a lot better now, but couldn't write or form sentences for quite a while.

    I'd avoid Avastin if possible. It also causes the colon to rupture, as in Donna's case!
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #9
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    dianetavegia said:

    Close friend
    A close friend, mid 40's, had a clot due to Oxi that went to her brain and caused a stroke. She's a lot better now, but couldn't write or form sentences for quite a while.

    I'd avoid Avastin if possible. It also causes the colon to rupture, as in Donna's case!

    Well...
    My onc said she doesn't think the Avastin did that, I had been bleeding and losing blood when I was first diagnosed, they just couldn't find where, and she thinks that's where it started, it wasn't till my 4th treatment of avastin is when it ruptured, and she thinks if it would have been the Avastin, it would have happened sooner. But at least I'm not losing blood anymore, and I did have an emergency colostomy done when my colon ruptured.

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #10
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    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • kapper48
    kapper48 Member Posts: 85
    #11
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    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Hi,kathy, I do not have any
    Hi,kathy, I do not have any infections as of yet. I have been off the avastin now for the last 3 treatments and will be getting another scan in january so hopefully the clots will be gone. My onc. said she does not want me to take the port out because I take the pump home with me.
    Pat
  • kapper48
    kapper48 Member Posts: 85
    #12
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    John23 said:

    Clots..
    I'm surprised you didn't google avastin blood clot and read the
    30 or so thousand links that tell about how avastin causes blood clots!

    Man, that drug's a monster! You'd almost have a better chance
    throwing yourself under a bus.

    Ahh... that's just my opinion, tho... I hate western medicine anyway.

    But the facts are real, so weigh them heavily!

    Stay well.

    Thanks John I will google
    Thanks John I will google this today.
    Pat
  • kapper48
    kapper48 Member Posts: 85
    #13
    Options
    grammadebbie said:

    So Sorry
    Dear Pat,

    I'm sorry to hear of the problems you are experiencing. I wasn't on avastin so can't say much about that. I know someone here who has some knowledge will respond. I had a PICC line and I didn't have any problems with it. Maybe this will be an option for you. All these decisions are so difficult to make. I pray that you will be able to get all your questions answered and make a decision that you are comfortable with. Let us know how you're doing.

    God Bless You,

    Debbie (gramma)

    Thanks Gramma, and god bless
    Thanks Gramma, and god bless you too.
    Pat
  • kapper48
    kapper48 Member Posts: 85
    #14
    Options
    Kathryn_in_MN said:

    I currently have a PE
    I'm on FOLFOX and have NEVER had issues with blood clots in my life. Right now I have a PE that is stable (waiting for my body to reabsorb it). I am on Coumadin. I will come off Coumadin within 2 months of stopping chemo. I will not take it the rest of my life.

    I'd get a second opinion on lifetime blood thinners.

    Kathy,what is a PE??

    Kathy,what is a PE??
  • kapper48
    kapper48 Member Posts: 85
    #15
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    dmdwins said:

    Avastin clot
    Yes, I had a pulmonary embolis(blood clot)with a large lung infarct which was most likely from the Avastin. I had finished 6 months of Avastin but was supposed to continue another 6 on Avastin alone when it happened.I was disappointed to stop because although I know it can have nasty side effects I feel it's angiogenic benefits are very good.

    I didn't push the issue with my onc since I was able to finish the initial 6 months but we did talk about the possibility of Avastin with coumadin if needed in the future. I was only on the blood thinners for 3-4 months -did not have to be for the rest f my life as you said.

    Wishing you luck,
    Siles,
    Dawn

    I agree with you on the
    I agree with you on the nasty side effects, And i too really think this drug was helping me so I really don't know what to do. Should I get back on it or just leave it out. So many choice to make very confusing.
    Pat
  • kapper48
    kapper48 Member Posts: 85
    #16
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    Shayenne said:

    Well...
    My onc said she doesn't think the Avastin did that, I had been bleeding and losing blood when I was first diagnosed, they just couldn't find where, and she thinks that's where it started, it wasn't till my 4th treatment of avastin is when it ruptured, and she thinks if it would have been the Avastin, it would have happened sooner. But at least I'm not losing blood anymore, and I did have an emergency colostomy done when my colon ruptured.

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna

    Thanks Donna, Glad to see
    Thanks Donna, Glad to see your still on here, its always nice to read your comments. God bless you!
    Pat
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    #17
    Options
    kapper48 said:

    Hi,kathy, I do not have any
    Hi,kathy, I do not have any infections as of yet. I have been off the avastin now for the last 3 treatments and will be getting another scan in january so hopefully the clots will be gone. My onc. said she does not want me to take the port out because I take the pump home with me.
    Pat

    PE
    Pulmonary embolism or blood clot in the lung.
  • Wenchie
    Wenchie Member Posts: 88
    #18
    Options
    Blood Clots
    Hey Kapper!
    I too had a "massive" pulmonary embolism (PE) that landed me in intensive care for a week. I'm on Avastin but I truly feel the PE was from my port since I also ended up with sepsis at the same time. I had the port removed, had a picc line inserted in my arm and I'm MUCH happier with the picc line than I am with the port. It's a pain in the **** when you shower since it has to be wrapped up but Glad Cling wrap is a blessing and I no longer have the anxiety and pain of them accessing my port. As for blood thinners, I was told NOT to consider coumadin since it has to be monitored so closely. I was told that daily injections of Fragmin is the cadillac treatment; no constant monitoring and an easy injection in the stomach. I'm still on Avastin and I'll continue on it as long as possible. It's the camptosar that is kicking my butt! Hang in there and email me if you have any questions. xoxo Wenchie

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