Rowing with DVT

General discussions about getting and staying fit that don't relate directly to your indoor rower
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mudgeg
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Rowing with DVT

Post by mudgeg » October 23rd, 2019, 1:59 am

Apologies if this subject has appeared before but I have been diagnosed with a DVT and am concerned about future rowing. I am working for the moment in Bahrain and the doctors here don't seem to understand what rowing is all about!

I have no idea what caused this problem, I do have (well controlled) type 2 diabetes and had a stent fitted a few years ago. Despite those two things I have led a very active life and for my age (63), I did some pretty solid rowing times when I was on the Pete Plan a few years back (after the diabetes and stent). Work overseas has forced me to cut back a bit on the rowing but I still do 20k/30k a week. I'm told my risk factors were badly torn ligaments in my lower left calf four years ago and a recent flight to and from the UK (6 hours with return of 6 hours three weeks after the first).

Anyway, not after free medical advice but would be interested to hear from anyone who has had a similar experience.

Should I continue rowing? Will it make it worse? Should I wear a compression sock?

Many thanks

Gordon
Gordon, 67, 6', 205lbs

jamesg
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Re: Rowing with DVT

Post by jamesg » October 23rd, 2019, 6:59 am

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3017252/

This article (and others) say that exercise helps avoid development of later problems.

Stopping would lead to loss of the benefits that exercise offers and maintains, as well as risking condition development; of course within the limits of your specific case.
08-1940, 183cm, 83kg.
2024: stroke 5.5W-min@20-21. ½k 190W, 1k 145W, 2k 120W. Using Wods 4-5days/week. Fading fast.

DavidA
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Re: Rowing with DVT

Post by DavidA » October 23rd, 2019, 4:54 pm

mudgeg wrote:
October 23rd, 2019, 1:59 am
Apologies if this subject has appeared before but I have been diagnosed with a DVT and am concerned about future rowing. I am working for the moment in Bahrain and the doctors here don't seem to understand what rowing is all about!

I have no idea what caused this problem, I do have (well controlled) type 2 diabetes and had a stent fitted a few years ago. Despite those two things I have led a very active life and for my age (63), I did some pretty solid rowing times when I was on the Pete Plan a few years back (after the diabetes and stent). Work overseas has forced me to cut back a bit on the rowing but I still do 20k/30k a week. I'm told my risk factors were badly torn ligaments in my lower left calf four years ago and a recent flight to and from the UK (6 hours with return of 6 hours three weeks after the first).

Anyway, not after free medical advice but would be interested to hear from anyone who has had a similar experience.

Should I continue rowing? Will it make it worse? Should I wear a compression sock?

Many thanks

Gordon
As you mentioned, this isn't medical advice, but I have DVTs 4 times, and have always continued to erg regularly. I also feel that it has been beneficial, as it contributes greatly to overall cardiovascular health. My last DVT was connected with dozens of PEs, and I didn't even know for a while, as I had no distress, even while exercising. (They got discovered when I went to hospital with what I thought was a broken rib. The nurse was confused because my pulse seemed much too low for someone with dozens of PEs. :) )

David
63 y / 70 kg / 172 cm / 5 kids / 17 grandkids :)
Received my model C erg 18-Dec-1994
my log

Cyclingman1
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Re: Rowing with DVT

Post by Cyclingman1 » October 23rd, 2019, 11:59 pm

mudgeg wrote:
October 23rd, 2019, 1:59 am
Apologies if this subject has appeared before
Look for "training with a DVD" in this forum. A lot of info in it.
JimG, Gainesville, Ga, 78, 76", 205lb. PBs:
66-69: .5,1,2,5,6,10K: 1:30.8 3:14.1 6:40.7 17:34.0 21:18.1 36:21.7 30;60;HM: 8337 16237 1:20:25
70-78: .5,1,2,5,6,10K: 1:32.7 3:19.5 6:58.1 17:55.3 21:32.6 36:41.9 30;60;HM: 8214 15353 1:23:02.5

Chet664506
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Re: Rowing with DVT

Post by Chet664506 » January 18th, 2020, 9:48 am

I was diagnosed with a DVT in my right calf back in November 2019. However, that diagnosis came after my bilateral pulmonary thrombosis was discovered in the hospital.
Lots of tests during my 1.5 days in the hospital, but I was prescribed Eliquis (5mg x 2) per day. Rowing or other exercise was encouraged by all doctors that checked in on my case including my primary care doctor.
My prognosis is that I may reduce to the 2.5 mg strength in February, and by June, perhaps all could be managed with a low-dose Aspirin.
Keep on Erging!

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Yankeerunner
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Re: Rowing with DVT

Post by Yankeerunner » January 20th, 2020, 8:51 pm

Thanks for this thread. I found out about 10 years ago that I have Factor V Leiden (my blood sometimes doesn't stop clotting normally once it starts for a legitimate reason). When one of my sisters was hospitalized with blood clots in her lungs she was tested and found out she had it, and the doctor suggested that her siblings and children be tested since it's hereditary. Some of us have and some don't. I'm one of the unlucky ones.

I've had recurring calf tightness and pain from running that always seemed a mystery to me, but in looking up DVT I'm thinking that it could be what I'm experiencing. Luckily it doesn't seem to affect my erging. Something to discuss further with my doctor et. al.
55-59: 1:33.5 3:19.2 6:55.7 18:22.0 2:47:26.5
60-64: 1:35.9 3:23.8 7:06.7 18:40.8 2:48:53.6
65-69: 1:38.6 3:31.9 7:19.2 19:26.6 3:02:06.0
70-74: 1:40.2 3:33.4 7:32.6 19:50.5 3:06:36.8
75-76: 1:43.9 3:47.7 7:50.2 20:51.3 3:13:55.7

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