I was diagnosed with a DVT and bilateral pulmonary embolism on April 10, 2024.
I underwent a biopsy for a uterine cyst in November 2023 and subsequently had my menstrual period for almost 30 days. My gynecologist prescribed me birth control to stop my period.
From mid-January until April, I was taking four birth control pills a day to control my cycle and minimize my blood loss. Around the last week of February, I woke up with sharp foot pain. I couldn’t stand or fully extend my foot.
As an avid runner, I dismissed the pain as a bout with plantar fasciitis and continued on with my day. Over the next three weeks, I went on a cruise, went to work, worked out, and hung out with friends pushing through the pain. I would take ibuprofen every now and then.
On April 7, I woke up with what I thought was the worst charley horse I ever had. I couldn’t stand and my leg was warm to the touch. I called my mom, who survived a DVT a few years prior, and she urged me to go to the ER. I refused and went to a local urgent care.
The doctor there dismissed my symptoms as a pulled muscle and prescribed me a muscle relaxer. The next two days I limped to and from work in agony.
On April 10, I woke up and I couldn’t breathe, my heart was racing, and I couldn’t get myself out of bed. I called my husband to take me to the ER. The triage doctor again said it was a pulled muscle and told me to ice my leg.
As I started to limp out, a nurse saw me, put me in a wheelchair, took me back to the same doctor, and said, “This isn’t a pulled muscle. Look at her leg.” That woman was my guardian angel and I am so thankful for her.
The doctor had to cut my pants off because my leg was so swollen. He looked at me and said, “I didn’t take you seriously at first but, I am taking you seriously now.” I went on to receive a slew of testing and an overnight hospital stay. If that nurse hadn’t advocated for me, I would not be here right now.
I was diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome, an autoimmune condition that can increase the risk for blood clots.
This experience has taught me that you have to advocate for yourself. Don’t accept a diagnosis of a pulled muscle. Doctors will misdiagnose you and gaslight you into believing you are crazy. You have to keep pushing.
My advice is to request a D-dimer test and if doctors refuse, make sure it’s noted in your chart. Then leave and go to another hospital.
Resources
APS
PEP Talk: Blood Clots and Autoimmune Conditions
Women and Blood Clots
