Visit our Popular Forums

Proton · 05-22-2018, 06:37 PM

Drove from St. George to Las Vegas to Winnemucca NV, then from there to Arlington, WA in 2 days. 3 days later thru a blood clot into my lungs sent me to the E.R. Will be taking medication for 3 months. Blood clot in right lung caused pneumonia and another E.R. visit and the cold my wife got gave me a sinus infection. I have been health care material since. Sat to long in the drivers seat and still have a 1" clot below my knee.

Also, if you are over 60 you should be wearing compression socks on long drives. Never gave it a thought before. New Frontier in Winnemucca is a new R.V. Park, highly recommended.

Lily&Me · 05-22-2018, 06:58 PM

Yikes. What a terrible ordeal for you.

May you recover quickly, and thanks for the warning.

Maggie

PKI · 05-22-2018, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proton

-- snip -- New Frontier in Winnemucca is a new R.V. Park, highly recommended.

It's also a Passport America Campground. That gets you a half price stay. It is a very nice place to spend a night. Casino/Restaurant on site for a bite to eat.

The Iron Hourse RV park in Elko is a nice stop too. Not the same discount. It's a Good Sam park.

OP - Condolences for your ordeal. Thank you for the fair warning to all. Pat

McDave · 05-22-2018, 10:02 PM

When on AS trips, either the wife or the dog or I have to pee at least every two hours, so no worries there. But on long airplane trips, I have to force myself to get up. So I sign up for an aisle seat, even though I would prefer the view out the window, so I can get up and stand in the aisle frequently without worrying about bothering my fellow passengers.

**Stefrobrts** · 05-22-2018, 10:05 PM

Sorry to hear you had that happen! I hope you have an uneventful recovery, and will be back on the road in shorter bursts soon!

B00merang · 05-23-2018, 10:06 AM

Proton
Sounds like most responses so far are re your CG recommendation. So let me reiterate your driving/stopping/walking around recommendations once more. Wear compression socks and walk around when you stop/fill up. I'm leaving in 10 days for Florida (2,500 miles/3.5 days typically). From there I'll head to WV, then home (3,000 miles). Eight days later its off to Alaska (another 3,000 miles, but going slow this time...only 500 miles/day). Although its without my AS, the point is I now wear compression socks every time having looked at the medical data and being harassed by my son (3rd year med student). Never considered the blood clotting dangers while driving long hours/distances (commonly 750-900 miles/day) Youthful ignorance is no excuse when we get older (and I thing most AS owners are "older), so wear long compressions sox on long drives. Besides, nothing is sexier and demands more attention

than tall compression socks, sandals, and shorts! Safe travels. jon

lyleapgmc · 05-23-2018, 10:23 AM

The advise to move every two hours or less applies whether driving or being a couch potato. One must convince the blood in your legs to move or it will clot. Those clots can be fatal.

mrfixit51 · 05-23-2018, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proton

Drove from St. George to Las Vegas to Winnemucca NV, then from there to Arlington, WA in 2 days. 3 days later thru a blood clot into my lungs sent me to the E.R. Will be taking medication for 3 months. Blood clot in right lung caused pneumonia and another E.R. visit and the cold my wife got gave me a sinus infection. I have been health care material since. Sat to long in the drivers seat and still have a 1" clot below my knee.

Also, if you are over 60 you should be wearing compression socks on long drives. Never gave it a thought before. New Frontier in Winnemucca is a new R.V. Park, highly recommended.

I always like to stop and do a quick look around and it gives a break. It is also a good idea for the health reasons you state. Good idea!

DavidsonOverlander · 05-23-2018, 11:03 AM

Thanks for the reminder, hope you're back on the road soon! Sitting too much has been connected to many health problems.

From the Mayo Clinic: What are the risks of sitting too much?

"An analysis of 13 studies of sitting time and activity levels found that those who sat for more than eight hours a day with no physical activity had a risk of dying similar to the risks of dying posed by obesity and smoking.

...60 to 75 minutes of moderately intense physical activity a day countered the effects of too much sitting. Another study found that sitting time contributed little to mortality for people who were most active."

Moonkitty · 05-23-2018, 11:39 AM

Hubby had his knee replaced a few years ago and we were scheduled to drive to FL from DE a few weeks later. (And I drove the whole way!) His doctor said to take a baby aspirin and he said I should also take one to help prevent clots. He also suggested on any long flights to take one. So we keep a bottle in the truck and combine it with stopping often. So far, so good.

Overstreet · 05-23-2018, 12:22 PM

Its a good idea no matter what age.

rmkrum · 05-23-2018, 12:26 PM

Its also important to consult your physician BEFORE going on a daily (81 milligram or 'baby' aspirin) dose of aspirin.

This can cause gastric and intestinal bleeding risks, among other things--bottom line is don't self-medicate without professional advice...

VT Wanderer · 05-23-2018, 12:45 PM

After my total hip replacement 2 years ago, my surgeon told me to take the 81 aspirin daily. He also said to take the "coated" 325 size aspirin starting 5 days prior to our long drive days, and to continue taking several days after the trip. As was stated above, make sure that you consult with your physician prior to doing this.

greenflag · 05-23-2018, 01:18 PM

Stopping every two hours or so is a good idea for all of us. I have done this for years. Now that I am older, it is almost a necessity. I also like to keep my mileage limited to 300 miles (250 is better yet).
Have a speedy recovery.

PKI · 05-23-2018, 02:25 PM

Getting old - yes, so true. Nice to have that private place following you around to use when you stop. No line, it's clean, and it's ours. So stopping is not a bad thing. Finding grass for the girls, now that is the challenge.

Pat

Anni Strange · 05-23-2018, 02:41 PM

I'm 45yo, exercise, 155 lbs, blood pressure is always in the great zone.
Drove from Pasco to Portland with multiple stops, next day went to the ER with a blood clot in my right calf.
I guess it can happen to "semi fit" individuals. ER doc was surprised as well.
Power drives are fun but it's something to think about.

tjdonahoe · 05-23-2018, 04:11 PM

52 years in big trucks...always every 2 hours get out and walk around...besides my border collie likes to have a look see...

Mollysdad · 05-23-2018, 04:21 PM

Great tip on the socks.

Absalom · 05-23-2018, 05:26 PM

Just for clarification, compression socks help decrease lower extremity swelling not prevent lung clots. Air compression leg massagers are your best bet to prevent dvts if you can’t walk around every few hours.

Vagabonds_2 · 05-23-2018, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenflag

Stopping every two hours or so is a good idea for all of us. I have done this for years. Now that I am older, it is almost a necessity. I also like to keep my mileage limited to 300 miles (250 is better yet).
Have a speedy recovery.

Check out Loveyourrv.com 9 Mistakes that Full-time Newbie RV'ers make:

(especially #3 and the 2-2-2 rule).

https://www.loveyourrv.com/9-common-...-starting-out/