hello nic
i had an SAH in sept 2010 (see my post Tick Tock tick tock). i came out of hospital in december 2010 but returned in feb 2011 firstly with a pulmonary embolism(PE) followed by a DVT. at the time I was moving around the house and more active than at any time since theSAH. The doctors were in a dilemma following the PE and didn't want to risk any blood thinning medication because of the high risk of another bleed. They decided instead to insert a filter in my abdomen to stop any future clots moving to the lungs or brain-its still there. i am surprised your mum was given heparin because of this risk.
The doctors think the PE was the result of the clot moving from my leg and because of the length of time i was in critical care but at that stage I hadn't had the DVT. why they didn't check my leg following the PE i will never know. Eventually my neuro surgeon said I could take warfarin but i have to check my Inr level regularly and it has to be kept quite low.I have bought a monitor to do this at home and so far it has worked. i also wear compression stockings which are a pain to put on and take off.
I think you need to check with your mum's consultant and see what he/she says about the risk of a Dvt against the risk of another bleed.it's not an easy choice but if she has already taken heparin maybe they have already discussed this risk in which case perhaps she could continue with it.
The PE and DVT set me back weeks but equally I couldn't have survived another bleed. The choices aren't good i am afraid but keep her as active as possible and good luck to you both.
