In 2021 I was feeling healthier than I had in years because I spent the previous 10 months working out and eating better.
On April 14, I had varicose veins treated in my right leg. Two weeks later, I had a follow-up where they did an ultrasound on the leg and released me to resume normal activities.
Just over 24 hours later, I felt really tired and run down. I thought I was coming down with a cold. I walked up my stairs and thought, “Wow, two weeks of not working out really set me back,” because I was pretty out of breath.
The next morning, Friday, I woke up and my lungs felt itchy. I lay in bed Googling “Why do my lungs feel itchy?” and got results back that included blood clots and bronchitis. I thought I must be coming down with bronchitis. I work from home and during my lunch that day decided to take a walk of about two blocks, during which I had to stop and catch my breath three times.
I called my doctor’s office and was scheduled for an appointment on Monday morning. Getting increasingly worried, I called back and they got me to the nurse who told me I could go to the urgent care for peace of mind. The urgent care sent me straight to the ER.
At the ER I was diagnosed with three DVTs and multiple PEs. I was put on blood thinners for three months. Almost a year later, I had another DVT and am now on thinners for life.
The vein doctor should have noticed three clots in my leg and the nurse at my doctor’s office should have noticed a red flag when I told her I had a procedure two weeks before and was having PE symptoms.
I had no risk factors, other than having just had a vein procedure. I have several family members who have had clots, including a grandmother who passed away from them. At the time of my clots, I was one year older than she had been at her death.
I am so grateful that I knew my body and that something wasn’t right and for a friend who is a nurse who helped me make decisions. We don’t think clearly in these situations so it helps to tell someone and seek help. Do not delay help because clots will not break up on their own without intervention. If you have one clot, you are more at risk for another. Don’t be afraid to go to the ER if you have any symptoms.
I now have asthma, likely triggered by the PE. It is well-controlled and does not impact my day to day, but will probably be with me for life. I embrace life more fully now and don’t want to sit on the sidelines.
My advice to others is to know your risk factors. Also, the most common symptoms may not happen to you. While I had three DVTs in my first event, I did not have any symptoms connected to my leg.
Resources
Blood Clots and Varicose Veins
Living Your Best Life on Blood Thinners
Know Your Risk
