Antiphospholipid Syndrome's Sympthoms

[Lhrlovesmar]

If you are diagnosed with APS, you have had it your entire life! But nomally will not manifest itself until the mid to late twenties. If you are continually clotting, without rhyme or reason, pain in your joints, headaches, visual disturbances, (these are all evidences of the presence of the Antiphospholipid Antibodies) you need to suggest to your doctor, (if there is not any conclusive evidence otherwise) for a blood test to check for Antiphospholipid An tibody Syndrome, i.e. APS. I started @ age 17 with a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, 2-strokes (1-hemmorhagic, 1-ischemic), 8-blood clots 4 in L-Leg, 1 in R-Leg, 1 that traveled thru the chambers of my heart (causing my enzime levels to elevate and causing a heart attack), 1 on my brain-causing a ischemic stroke and finally 1 that traveled all through my system and causing a T.I.A. I have had a clot break-up and travel into my lungs (the first one). Currently I am on lifetime Coumadin therepy with an INR of 4.5. Recently, I have been in the 5's, without adjustment to my Coumadin dosage, my neurologist once remarked that he would not be overly concerned if my INR was in the 6's!. APS has killed thousands of unborn children through miscarriages!

[Twisti]

I was 31 when I had my first stroke (ive had 3) and was dig with APS...it is so true about the childloss...ive had 4 early miscarriages and we lost our son at 34 weeks in 2004...

[Lhrlovesmar]

(Sorry for the delay) Has your doctor put you on Coumadin? To us, there is not anything more important than maintaining a therepeutic INR. I am blessed to have an Anti-Coagulation Clinic in a hospital nearby. Check out the  hospitals in your neighborhood to see if they offer an AntiCoagulation Clinic. Just maintaining a threupeutic Prothrombin Time is not enough.

[Shayk80]

I have had APS since I was first diagnosed when I was 19 after my first miscarriage.  I have had 4 total.  I am now almost 28 and I have had a blood clot in my lung, and I have recently had 2 TIA's.  I was able to have 1 beautiful son who just turned 3.  I was told not to have any more kids as it is too risky, I also am on life long Lovonox.  I was taken off Coumadin because my levels were either too low (under 2) or my levels were too high (over 5) my hematologist wants me between 2.5 and 3.5.  But right now I guess the Lovonox is working.  I just don't like giving myself shots twice a day.  What other medications are you taking for your APS? if you dont mind me asking?

[Lhrlovesmar]

I was on Lovenox, starting around 11/99 until 3/02. From what I have been reading and what that I have been told, Warfarin is the most preferred drug to treat APS. I had a stroke while on Lovenox (don't mean to scare you). When I started going to the Anticoagulation Clinic @ St. Agnes Hospital I was taking the 5mg. size of Coumadin. My INR was uncontrollable! Really high one week, then I was dosed @ a lower range, then I was low. It wasn't until my Blood Services doctor put me on the 3mg. size of Coumadin. That size can be taken @ 3mg., 4 1/2mg., 6mg., 7 1/2mg., size & @ 9mg. size. Since then my INR is much more controllable. Ask your Doctor if He or She thinks that the 3mg. tablet would help you. But, I have had Doctors ask me (when I strokedwhile on Lovenox) why was I taking Lovenox to treat Antiphospholipid Syndrome? Since I go to the anticoagulation clinic EVERY WEEK, my INR has been easily tracked and my weekly dosage changed on a week to week basis. Currently I'm taking the 46 1/2 mg. a week of Coumadin to keep me at a INR between 4-5. You should seek the advice of someone online (a medical professional who has alot of experience with the treatment of APS), because Lovenox is NOT the best treatment for what you (we) have. Let me know what happens.
                                                                              LeRoy
PS. I'll pray for you.