Behcet's and blood clots.

[DanaSa]

Hello,

My boyfriend (well not sure if he still is, he's been up and down lately) developed DVT in his left leg, it then traveled to his pelvis and now the doctors have said that it is in his abdomen too. I really don't understand what this all means? Why is it there? Do blood clots stop travelling? Will it go to his lungs? He also suffers from Behcet's which is what is causing the blood clot. Doctors have said that they cannot operate on him because his veins are too blocked. But why is it travelling, I guess that is my biggest question?

[Marushka-k]

Hi there,

If you do a google search on blood clots, and look at medical sites, you will get detailed explanations of blood clots.

But to summarise really briefly; blood cells (platelets) stick together to form a clot for a number of reasons - such as when you cut yourself, if you are immobile for a long period of time, if you have surgery, or if you have a condition that contributes to blood clotting. The problem is when the clot breaks away from the wall of an artery or vein, it travels around in the veins and can then blocks the blood flow to an organ such as the lungs, heart or brain.

Blood clots travel because, once they have broken off from the vein, they are in the blood flowing around the body. As the blood flows, the clot goes with it.

The usual way to treat blood clots is with blood thinners. This stops the blood cells from sticking together, and after time the body reabsorbs the clot.

I had a pulmonary embolism after hip replacement surgery, and I was put on blood thinners and monitored for a while. I then had to stay on the blood thinners for a number of months.

Given that your boyfriend has had the blood clot diagnosed and has doctors monitoring him, his chances are good. In most cases blood thinners will solve the problem.

Hope your boyfriend gets well soon.

[UKADMIN Partner Behcet's Syndrome Society]

Here is a link to our Factsheet Behcet's and the Blood Vessels: behcets.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Good luck to your boyfriend and best wishes to you.