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DVT and light smoking

Posted , 3 users are following.

lndsywlf27
lndsywlf27

I was diagnosed with a DVT yesterday. I was taking the birth control pill and I smoke 3-4 cigarettes a day. I was prescribed Xarelto twice a day. I stopped the pill promptly. Is it still ok to smoke lightly or will this make my chances of DVT or PE stay high? I have a bad history of varicose veins for hereditary reasons and from having two kids. Thanks for any insights!

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Vivi3nne
    Vivi3nne lndsywlf27

    Posted

    Smoking is one of the major causes of a DVT, I was continually asked if I smoked, they told me the nicotine makes the blood sells sticky so they are much more likely to stick together and form a clot.  Do you think its worth those cigarettes to risk another, maybe be permanently crippled as if you get PTS that is what happens.  
    • lndsywlf27
      lndsywlf27 Vivi3nne

      Posted

      Just curious about what PTS is? The doctor hasn’t mentioned that. I just like to have one or two cigarettes with a glass of wine at night after the kids go to bed. My only adult time 😊 I didn’t think such a small amount of smoking would contribute to the risk? 

    • Vivi3nne
      Vivi3nne lndsywlf27

      Posted

      Post thrombotic syndrome, you can google it but its not nice.  Its common after a DVT, particularly if you have more than one. I think you do know that such a small amount of smoking could contribute to the risk, otherwise you would not be asking.  
  • army183
    army183 lndsywlf27

    Posted

    There is never an occasion when it is “OK to smoke”, lightly or not. 

    Cheers

    Big D

  • army183
    army183 lndsywlf27

    Posted

    Even passive smoking will lead to some lung damage including loss of elastin in the lower airways/bronchioles. This is the beginning of emphysema. The lung elastin is never replaced and each exposure to smoke causes a tiny bit more of loss of respiratory surface; it is accumulative.  If youve got DVT and maybe a risk of PE as well, the last thing you’d want to do is to make blood plasma more “sticky”. Also I guess it seems rather difficult to justify some adult time smoking while compromising lung function at the same time. Emphysema never goes away, believe me! 

    Cheers

    Big D

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