In November 2023, I had been experiencing calf pain for several weeks, which I assumed was a pulled muscle as I had recently started an exercise program. I also had a nagging cough which I assumed was a seasonal cold.
By November 30, my entire leg had doubled in size, so I quickly went to our local urgent care. which alerted the local hospital to await my arrival where I was fast-tracked through admission for a potentially life-threatening condition.
A leg scan confirmed that I had a DVT in my left leg that extended from mid-calf up through to my abdomen. A lung scan confirmed that I also had multiple PEs in both lungs. I was started on a heparin infusion.
Although I knew that this was not a good scenario, it really wasn’t until the emergency physician came to see me in the middle of that first night that I realized just how serious this was. He had come to discuss what level of intervention/resuscitation I wanted should I not make it through the night.
I was discharged home after five days to resume my recovery and started on an oral blood thinner and compression stockings. In post-hospital follow-up visits with both vascular and hematology concluded that I do not have a genetic clotting disorder and that the most likely cause of my clots was hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that I had recently begun to address peri-menopause symptoms.
My initial recovery at home was slow and my recovery continues today. I know that my full previous stamina may not return. Beyond my anxiety and frustration at my current new limitations, I have gained a larger sense of gratitude towards my life and health in general. I am trying to be kinder to myself while listening to my body when I need to slow down or rest.
I am sharing my story here in the hopes that it may help someone in the way that I have been helped by so many others who have generously shared their own blood clot experiences with me. Thank you all!
Resources
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Blood Clot Resource Center
Facebook Support Group
