In August 1993, I was 25 years old and three months from my wedding day. I realized that I would probably be menstruating on my wedding day and honeymoon. As I suffered from terrible cramps, I was upset.
My aunt, a nurse, suggested I see a gynecologist, mentioning that if I start the birth control pill, I might be able to regulate my cycle. I did just that and started taking the pill. About four days later, I didn’t feel well. I went to the doctor, who thought I had a cold and gave me erythromycin.
My fiance (now husband) Brad and I went to a friend’s for dinner that night. I still didn’t feel great, but I figured I needed to let the medicine work a bit longer. I ate dinner but soon after, I could not sit comfortably upright in my chair. Brad took me to Georgetown University Hospital ER.
I remember being given several tests, but everything was normal. I was given an inhaler and other prescriptions to fill. Brad went to the pharmacy while I went to his apartment to rest. We had planned to go to the beach that Saturday and the doctor thought the salt air might do me good.
This was before mobile phones. The hospital had my home phone number, but I was at Brad’s apartment. Hours later, still in pain, I called my answering machine to check my messages. It was the ER.
“Lisa, as soon as you hear this message, please hang up and come back to the ER. Don’t be alarmed, just come back right away.”
A radiologist saved my life. They saw the blood clot that others missed. When I returned to the ER, a team of relieved-looking doctors went into action. They told me afterward I had about two hours of life left in me.
Ten years later, my new doctor had me tested for clotting disorders, which showed that I was positive for factor V Leiden.
My advice is to get tested for genetic blood clotting disorders if you suspect you could have one. My children don’t have factor V Leiden, but my siblings do.
Resources
Factor V Leiden
Know Your Risk
Birth Control
