A word of caution, please take note

[Bamabox]

I’m posting this here because it’s the most widely read section of the forum, and I wanted to reach as many fellow forum readers as possible. And I guess in reality it is repair and maintenance, it’s just about me. I was recently discharged from the hospital after a 5 day stay beginning at ER with a pulmonary embolism. I am very lucky to be writing this. Threw several large clots from my legs, went through my heart, and wound up in my lungs without ever creating a blockage. A blockage in the heart or lungs is instantly fatal. It was the opinion of my pulmonary physicians in hospital that spending long hours driving my rig last month on our 36 day camping adventure could have easily been the cause of the clots forming in my legs. At 73 years of age, and having never had any such issue in the past, I would have to agree. Too much of a coincidence. Now, I will be on blood thinners in all likelihood for the rest of my life, and that’s probably a good thing. But I’m putting this out there for all of you, this can happen at any age, it’s just usually more fatal the older you get, that we need to make frequent stops, get out, walk around, keep the blood flowing. These clots (the ones that will kill you) form in the femoral vein between your groin and your knee. You can get them in your calf as well, but the veins are smaller there. It’s been known for a long time that people get clots all the time on long airline flights, sitting in the same position for hours on end. Well, sitting is sitting. Airplane, RV. So take care. Advise from a very, very lucky boy.

[NH_Bulldog]

Reporter David Bloom, age 40 died of a clot in 2003 while imbedded with the 3rd Infantry Division in Iraq as they made their way towards Baghdad. It was attributed to long hours in cramped quarters with no opportunity to stop and stretch. It can happen to anyone, at any age, so EVERYONE has to take care.

Thank you for the PSA, I hope it saves someone’s life and we are all glad it wasn’t any worse for you than it was.

[Getn off]

Glad you are ok,
I spend many long hours flying, or riding in, airplanes. I make it a habit of doing stretching exercises with my feet to combat DVT et al. Simple as pointing feet in all directions and give about a 10 sec “flex.” I dont always have the opportunity to stop and take a walk.
I can feel the difference when done regularly.
Troy

[Bamabox]

That’s great advise. Will do.

[notanlines]

Bama, DW and I both thank you for such a post. Since I’m 73 this fits like a glove! I will copy and paste to a number of friends.
And the subject is VERY RV oriented!

[Bamabox]

Small world. Germantown was part of our itinerary on this last trip. Collierville to be precise. DW is a Memphis gal. Brothers are still there. Was there a week or so.

[sourdough]

Bama thanks for the reminder and glad you are OK. It's easy to forget this kind of thing when you're out on the road "having fun". To me it's one of those things that should be called a "silent killer" and this is certainly a timely reminder. Thank you.

[wiredgeorge]

I had always wondered why they got folks up in the hospital after an operation and found it was this clot issue. Good info, thanks!

[CedarCreekWoody]

You are a lucky boy! And embolism is often fatal. We lost a 28 year old neighbor to this.
As an added comment this is even more apt to happen for someone with short legs. My wife uses an adjustable platform to elevate her legs and not hamper circulation.

[skids]

Originally Posted by Bamabox

So take care. Advise from a very, very lucky boy.

Glad they found the problem before it got worse. God speed!

[BubbaShoots]

Thanks for the post. This issue had never occurred to me. I am the type to get where I’m going with as few stops as possible. I will be mindful of this in the future. You are kind to share your story.

[gearhead]

It's a serious enough issue that my previous employer required us to fly first class for any flight over 2 hours.

[Weldon]

Originally Posted by gearhead

It's a serious enough issue that my previous employer required us to fly first class for any flight over 2 hours.

We have a similar rule, but business class, not first class. Given...the difference for flights to India is thousands, and I am always comfy the whole way. I can't really complain. I gave up the best seat I've ever had (after buying an upgrade) so a 18-yr old kid from Mumbai could sit by his family to London. They were seeing him off to college in the states. They couldn't get 3 business class seats together. My new seat was middle facing aft. But my Director was so happy for what I did she reimbursed me for the upgrade. Plus I slept 90% of the way.

OP, thanks for posting this and planting this nugget. I lost my grandfather when I was 14 to a lung embolism.