I was walking my dog when I suddenly felt weaker with every step. I needed to sit down on the ground repeatedly throughout the walk. I had chest pains, shortness of breath, and I felt faint.
I called my family and went to the emergency room. It turned out that my D-dimer levels were high. Then I had X-rays, which showed several clots in my lungs.
I was shocked and wondered how this could happen to me at only 27 years old. I was also sad because I was supposed to start my new job the next day, but wouldn’t be able to work for a few weeks.
I was hospitalized immediately and treated with low molecular weight heparin. I also had an ultrasound of the heart to confirm that it had not been affected. I am still being treated with low molecular weight heparin.
They did not find any cause for why I had clots. However, I have an autoimmune disease that they cannot completely rule out as a cause, but otherwise, all tests looked good. I am grateful that I sought care in time.
I have always been taken seriously within the Swedish healthcare system. But after this experience, I sometimes feel scared and worried about what might happen in the future, especially when I don’t have an answer as to why this happened. The doctors have told me to come at the slightest suspicion of a clot.
After suffering from blood clots at such a young age, I have become more grateful for life with each passing day. You can’t take anything for granted.
Resources
Autoimmune Conditions and Blood Clots
Know Your Risk
Living Your Best Life on Blood Thinners
