Von Willebrands Disease

Question: Pregnancy with endometriosis and von willebrand's disease? I know this is a stretch, but I was wondering if anyone out there with endometriosis and von willebrand's disease has ever successfully had children? I have both of these conditions and have tried searching the internet for possibly complications from a combination of the two.. but can find nothing! Any information would be so appreciated.

Answer: A lady I worked with had both and had a successful pregnancy and birth. Her son was born healthy, two weeks early and beautiful. He has no medical problems. She was put onto shots of some sort and a special medication to help her body cope with becoming and staying pregnant. She had two mis-carriages prior to her son's birth.

Question: Surgical abortion complications from von Willebrand's disease? I was wondering if anyone happens to know of a source where I can find any possible complications that can arise during surgical abortions when the patient has von Willebrand's disease? No local abortion clinic or woman's center will admit me for the procedure because of this condition and have suggested I seek out a surgeon associated with a hospital, but this has proven very complicated and unsuccessful so far. So, I'm trying to find more information that I might use to find the best solution...

Answer: The only reason why clinics won't do the procedure on you that I can think of is because of the exponentially increased risk that you will have severe and possibly life-threatening bleeding from the procedure. The reason why a GYN surgeon should do the procedure in a hospital setting is that he/she will have access to blood products and ICU care if needed in the worst-case scenario. I would suggest checking with your OB/GYN if you have one to see if they know of any colleagues who would be willing to do the procedure. You might also have luck searching for a provider on the National Abortion Federation's website.

Question: What is von Willebrand's disease that dogs get? I have Shelties and someone told me that they are prone to it. I was told that if I get another Sheltie that it should be tested for the von Willebrands (think I spelled it okay) as well as thyroid and their eyes. Why is this? Thanks.

Answer: Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is an inherited bleeding disorder. It affects your dogs blood's ability to clot. If your dogs blood doesn't clot, it can have heavy, hard-to-stop bleeding after an injury. The bleeding can damage its internal organs or even be life threatening, although this is rare.

Question: can people with von willebrand's disease play football? i have type 1 von willebrand's disease and i want to play high school football. i havent had a nosebleed or any bleeding in over a year now. the disease gets better overtime and i wanted to know if it was safe for me to play high school football. i never really thought i had the disease since i was little but my mom said i did and i was diagnosed with it when i was around 3 years old. please help me with this question because i always wanted to play high school football. i am a sophmore but i will be a junior when the season starts

Answer: Dear Stlouisr, In answer to your question; Von Willebrand's Disease is an Haemophillia condition of the blood and where the blood thin's down in it's chemical constituancy of thickness and I can quit assure you that there is nothing serious to worry about. Active activity on a Football Field will be of benefit to both your blood and circulation and in view of the fact that you have had no problems for the past 12 months; I see no medical reasons that could stop you from playing high school football, so therefore go for it and the very best of look.

Question: Has anyone heard of Von Willebrand's Disease? Or now anyone who has it? I went to the doctor yesterday because of bleeding gums, nose bleeds, tingle in the fingers and other odd symptoms. He said he wanted to take a few blood tests and on the paper he wrote von willebrands disease. Does anyone have any experience with that disease? I would love to hear about it. I did look it up in a search- I just wanted to know if anyone has it, or know someone who has it and what the complications may be.

Answer: DEFINITION Von Willebrand's disease is a congenital disorder of hemostasis characterized by defective or deficient von Willebrand factor (vWF). There are several subtypes of von Willebrand's disease. The most common type (80% of cases) is type I, which is caused by a quantitative decrease in von Willebrand factor; type IIA and type IIB are results of qualitative protein abnormalities; type III is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a near complete quantitative deficiency of vWF. Acquired von Willebrand's disease (AvWD) is a rare disorder that usually occurs in elderly patients and usually presents with mucocutaneous bleeding abnormalities and no clinically meaningful family history. It is often accompanied by a hematoproliferative or autoimmune disorder. Successful treatment of the associated illness can reverse the clinical and laboratory manifestations. SYNONYMS: Pseudohemophilia EPIDEMIOLOGY & DEMOGRAPHICS • Autosomal dominant disorder • Most common inherited bleeding disorder • Prevalence is 1% to 2 % in general population, according to screening studies; estimates based on referral for symptoms of bleeding suggest a prevalence of 30 to 100 cases per million PHYSICAL FINDINGS & CLINICAL PRESENTATION • Generally normal physical examination • Mucosal bleeding (gingival bleeding, epistaxis) and GI bleeding may occur • Easy bruising • Postpartum bleeding, bleeding after surgery or dental extraction, menorrhagia ETIOLOGY Quantitative or qualitative deficiency of vWF. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS Platelet function disorders, clotting factor deficiencies WORKUP • Laboratory evaluation • Initial testing includes PTT (increased), platelet count (normal), and bleeding time (prolonged) • Subsequent tests include vWF level (decreased), factor VIII:C (decreased), and ristocetin agglutination (increased in type II B) LABORATORY TESTS • Normal platelet number and morphology • Prolonged bleeding time • Decreased factor VIII coagulant activity • Decreased von Willebrand factor antigen or ristocetin cofactor • Normal platelet aggregation studies • Type II A von Willebrand can be distinguished from type I by absence of ristocetin cofactor activity and abnormal multimer • Type IIB von Willebrand is distinguished from type I by abnormal multimer TREATMENT NONPHARMACOLOGIC THERAPY • Avoidance of aspirin and other NSAIDs. • Evaluation for likelihood of bleeding (with measurement of bleeding time) before surgical procedures. When a patient undergoes surgery or receives repeated therapeutic doses of concentrates, factor VIII activity should be assayed every 12 hr on the day a dose is administered and every 24 hr thereafter. PHARMACOLOGIC MANAGEMENT • The mainstay of treatment in von Willebrand's disease is the replacement of the deficient protein at the time of spontaneous bleeding, or before invasive procedures are performed. • Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) is useful to release stored vWF from endothelial cells. It is used to cover minor procedures and traumatic bleeding in mild type I von Willebrand's disease. Dose is 0.3 μg/kg in 100 ml of normal saline solution IV infused >20 min. DDAVP is also available as a nasal spray (dose of 150 μg spray administered to each nostril) as a preparation for minor surgery and management of minor bleeding episodes. DDAVP is not effective in type IIA von Willebrand's disease and is potentially dangerous in type IIB (increased risk of bleeding and thrombocytopenia). • In patients with severe disease, replacement therapy in the form of cryoprecipitate is the method of choice. The standard dose is 1 bag of cryoprecipitate per 10 kg of body weight. • Factor VIII concentrate rich in vWF (Humate-P, Armour) is useful to correct bleeding abnormalities in type IIA, IIB and type III von Willebrand's disease without alloantibodies. Alloantibodies that inactivate von Willebrand factor and form circulating immune complexes develop in 15% of patients with type III von Willebrand's disease who have received multiple transfusions. In these patients, recombinant factor VIII is preferred because autoantibodies can elicit life-threatening anaphylactic reactions because of complement activation by immune complexes. • Life-threatening hemorrhage unresponsive to therapy with cryoprecipitate or factor VIII concentrate may require transfusion of normal platelets.

Question: What is Von Willebrand's Disease? I found out about a year ago that I have Von Willebrand's disease. My major symptomn is the fact that I have my period 24/7 and I heal very very slowly but I was wondering if anyone could explain exactly what it is. Im 15 btw Also, could this affect pregnancy in any way when I'm older? =/

Answer: This is a genetically determined disease and the abnormal gene rests in chromosome no.12 of the human set of chromosomes.Clinical features are similar to haemophilias but usually less severe.Bleeding follows normal trauma or surgery. Nasal bleeding and excessive menstrual bleeding occurs. In the laboratory a finding is defective platelet aggregation with Ristocetin ( a chemical used for the test) The defect lies in the absenceof a factor called Factor viii required for the platelets to adhere in blood coagulation. DDAVP( desmopressin) is used for treatment. Factor viii concentrates are used to arrest bleeding. This is a very rare disease and is inherited. The reason for the prolonged periods is that the blood does not clot easily. You will have to get advise from a gynocolaegist about pregnancy. As the disease can be inherited a child can be born with the inherited disease . Usually such a chance is 50:50 I I believe you are under treatment. Please note that with treatment you may not get full cure. but the complications can be prevented.

Question: Von Willebrand's Disease ? I as well as my two daughters have been recently diagnosed with Von Willebrand's Disease. The question I have is I have approx. softball sized clots during my menstral cycle is this a normal sign or symptom of the disease? I have read about Menorrhagia and wonder if maybe thats it?

Answer: I think von willdebrands disease is a lack of factor X in the blood clotting cascade in the same way hemophilia is lack of factor VIII. I'm pretty sure they treat it with Desmopressin/DDVAP spray or tablets. I'm not sure about your clots but I guess maybe your clots aren't contracted tightly and maybe a little fluffy

Question: Who are the physicians in Connecticut that treat Von Willebrand's Disease? What hospitals are they located at?

Answer: Try: The Hemophilia/Thrombophilia Treatment Center at the University of Connecticut John Dempsey Hospital http://cancer.uchc.edu/patients_families…

Question: Risk of cataract surgery if I have Von Willebrand's Disease? What precautions should be taken?

Answer: Ask your surgeon, but it should be ok

Question: What is " Von Willebrand's disease" ? What are its difficulties?

Answer: HE described it in 1926.FINNISH PHYSICIAN,1870TO1949 Many diseases are named after the person who discovered or described it VON WILLEBRAND'S DISEASE is hereditory blood disease, (both in male & female) where the mucous membranestarts to bleed without any apparent reason, involving a defiencency of a clotting factor in the blood

Question: is passing out a possible symptom of Von Willebrand's disease? My daughter has had passing out episodes for over amonth now and has had blood, blood sugar, 24hr ecg, blood pressure (standing and sitting) tests all showing up ok. She is waiting on a EEG scan and also a test for von willerbrand's disease and i would like to ask if anyone has or knows someone who has it? and could collapsing with very little warning be an early symptom she has now started to get nose bleeds but this has only started in the last week or 2 . The passing out episodes last from 40 seconds to 10 minutes . Thanks for all the sensible answers and yes she has been tested for pregnancy and hard core drugs!!

Answer: Von Willebrand disease (vWD) is the most common hereditary coagulation abnormality described in humans, although it can also be acquired as a result of other medical conditions. It arises from a qualitative or quantitative deficiency of von Willebrand factor (vWF), a multimeric protein that is required for platelet adhesion. It is known to affect humans and dogs. There are four types of hereditary vWD. Other factors including ABO blood groups may also play a part in the severity of the condition.

Question: I have type 1 Von Willebrand's Disease...I am having surgery, should i be treated before surgery? I am having breast reduction surgery and septoplasty and i have type 1 VWD. I went to my hemotologist yesterday and she wanted to test my levels to see where they are. She made it seem as if my levels were OK i would not need humateP for the surgery. My concern with this is that my mother(who also has type 1 VWD) had back surgery and did not have humateP and had problems with bleeding. If my levels come back OK should i still be treated because i know that i have the bleeding problem? i know the levels fluctuate and can drop fairly quickly. Any help is much appreciated! thank you!

Answer: having humateP isnt harmful for a person of type1VWD even when his/her levels are normal. so if the surgery is to be performed then u can try to insist on a dose of humateP.

Question: What are your thoughts on White Dobermans? Are breeders of albino Dobermans breeding ethically? I'm curious about your thoughts on this because many are hysterial over the White Doberman, yet these same people are doing little to try and thin the numbers of Dobermans knowingly bred with Von Willebrand's Disease classified in the affected category. Eagleman, great input. Thoughtful response! I tend to agree with your viewpoints. Those responding should view your response... tlctreecare - Again, another very thoughtful response!

Answer: White dobermans are a disqualifing fault in AKC confirmation shows. They are registerable with AKC their number will beging with the letter Z. This designation marks all dogs who are or have produced white pups. As faras the white they are pretty but sort of weird. I have had dobermans for 17 years. They have eye problems and can not really do what the dog was bred for so in my opinion there is a reason for not wanting them to be white. I need a dobe to be a working dog and if it can not satnd to be out in the sun and see well in the sun it is not a working dog for me. As for the Von Willebrands that is a simple test and if you test your dog befor you breed that could be eliminated in dobes really quickly. We can not get breeders to test for hip displaysia so why would the jerks test for anything else. It is the backyard breeders and unethical breeders that continue to produce puppies that carry and have these problems. One of the reasons I srtongly advocate spaying and neutering of all pets.

Question: Has anyone owned a dog that suffered from vWd? We recently found out that my parent's doberman has Von Willebrand's Disease (comparable to hemophilia). Of course this is going to affect her during ruitine surgeries.. but is there anything else they should worry about? Will normal rambunctious play and minor injuries be more dangerous for her? Any other words of advice from those who are familiar with the disorder?

Answer: my son is a hemophillac, all i can tell you is start saving money now for the extra trips to the vet, at least we have insurance on humans. But dogs don't get brusied up as much as kids. Just never hesitate to take her in if she is bleeding. The Vet is the only one who can stop the bleeding. I belive it is inheridited so make sure you don't breed. But since she is female you shouldn't risk her live by breeding. get her spayed asap, make sure to use regular vet not a spay clinic due to her condition.

Question: Will this affect my pregnancy? I have von Willebrand's disease. How will that affect my baby? Will it make my chances of miscarrying higher? My 1st appt. isn't until Nov 1st.

Answer: I too have Von Willebrands, and I have three children. I didn't know I had it with my first, and I can say I bled for 7 months straight. I was in the Army and they kept saying nothing was wrong. I got a new doctor when I was pregnant with my second and she is the one who discovered I had VonWillebrands. The only difference was when my daughter was born, they gave me some shot in the thigh, then again twelve hours later, and another right before I left the hospital, and I only bled for two days. The shot was Methergen (spelling may be wrong). With the latest pregnancy I had a c-section with no complications. The doctor had me taking extra iron before hand. I only bled for a few weeks, although the horrible periods have returned. I am going to go see the doctor next month. This shouldn't effect your baby in any way and I don't believe it increases your chance of miscarriage. It only effects your blod clotting. You should be okay, I was. Best of luck

Question: I have a bleeding disorder, and I was wondering. . .? Does von Willebrand's disease affect your chances of getting pregnant?

Answer: Yes, but you want to be sure that you have an OB who understands the disease. This may require a high risk doctor rather than a general ob/gyn unless you live in a large city where they are more familiar with it. I knew a gal about 10 years ago who nearly died because her doctor didn't believe women could be hemophiliacs and didn't order the clotting factor to be available.