What should you look for when you are going off blood thinners?

Answer 1

There are no side effects from stopping a blood thinner-- if directed by a physician to stop.

There are also no immediate consequences to stopping a blood thinner--an anticoagulant. Being off an anticoagulant means your body is expected to maintain a blood volume balance, as normally exists.

So the main two things you should focus on are:

1. making sure you drink enough fluids to prevent "stickiness" between RBCs, and
2. moving your legs and body so the muscles contract against venous blood vessels to promote movement of blood from the legs back up to the heart.
   

If you are traveling in a car, it means stopping at least every 2 hours and walking around. In the car, it means pointing your toes (and relax) at least every 30 minutes to contract the calf muscles.

If traveling by airplane, it means pointing your toes (and relax) at least every 30 minutes to contract the calf muscles. Get up and walk when you can, at least every 2 hours.

But most important, stay hydrated. Drink fluids--water, milk, juices, etc. Aim for an 8-ounce glass of fluids every 2-3 hours.

Deep Vein Thrombosis DVT symptoms remain the same, anywhere in the legs, most often the calves (or 1 calf / 1 leg):

1. change in color - more pink to maroon color
2. change in appearance - mottled, as if your skin has "splashes" of color from whtish, to pink to red to maroon, all over at the same time
3. change in skin temp - often more warm
4. one spot of pain, often in the calf or calves -- do NOT rub the area!
5. unusual pain anywhere in the leg
6. swelling, especially when your legs are lower than your heart (dependent), so when sitting or standing - even a slight swelling, especially above the knee, can indicate the beginning of a clot

Embolism - a clot that broke off from veins in the legs and goes to your lungs

1. persistent coughing
2. shortness of breath
3. pain when you breathe
4. tiredness with the above symptoms