Sharing my story

Hi there

My name is Charlene, I’m in my mid-20’s and I currently reside in New Zealand. I searched DVT support groups a few months ago and found this one, so decided to join up. For some reason I’ve felt somewhat embarrassed to share my story, as unlike other members of this group my DVT was not brought about by injury/surgery/age or lifestyle choice etc but rather it was brought about by the combined contraceptive pill which I was using to treat acne. This may be a bit detailed but I feel that I should share my experience perhaps in the hope it may alert others to the fact that DVT’s can happen at any age, to anyone, at any time, for any reason!! I actually chatted about this to one of my friends last night (not many people in my life know all the details of my story) and having opened up to him, I felt confident enough to jump on here and post this!

My story starts around this time last year when I felt so overly conscious of my skin problem I decided to try the pill. Obviously I was aware of the risks involved but family history did not indicate being prone to blood clots. I also knew a girl while at school (16 years old) that passed away from a DVT having gone onto the pill to treat acne so I was aware of the effects it could have.
I have always been a relatively healthy person and my sport of choice was field hockey so kept active with that. In early September 2009 however, my health started to deteriorate and felt pretty crap really, but just put it down to stress!! I started to experience chest pain (and some mild back pain) and difficulty breathing but didn’t really know what was causing it so continued on with life. My doctor said it was possibly a sprained diaphragm and gave me some “pain-killers” to help with the discomfort. (I have learned since that the chest pain was most likely a PE).

Unfortunately, about a month or six weeks later I found myself sitting in the Emergency Clinic with severe pain, discolouration and swelling in my left leg. The next day I had my blood test and ultrasound and discovered that I had an extensive DVT, extending from just above my knee to my abdomen, just below my rib cage. (The medical jargon is that it was from the EIV (External Iliac Vein) to the IVC (Inferior Vena Cava)). I spent four days in hospital and took about two weeks to be able to walk again. The pain was unbelievable in those early days and the recovery since then has been uncomfortable to say the least.

In March this year, I went see a couple of specialists and had another ultrasound. Luckily the clot had cleared in my abdomen, it was still a bit visible in the top of my leg but was still completely blocking my femoral vein (thigh). I’m due for my next scan in November to see where things are at. I have been on Warfarin (currently ‘stable’ at 9mg/day) and am hoping that if the scan has a positive result then I will be able to come off the Warfarin. I wear a compression stocking and have been told to do so for at least two years. I’ve not played hockey this year but have taken up Badminton instead, and recently joined a Zumba class haha

I must admit, this whole experience has been challenging and presents a whole lot of other issues for the future regarding medication I can take and my health in general. I’m so grateful I’ve had my parents and sister around as they have given me so much support as I’ve been dealing with all the emotions and side- effects of this situation.

Well, that’s basically my story so if you have any thoughts, suggestions or advice I would love to hear from you.
Thanks for your time

Hi Charlene,

Welcome to LADVT, I would rather prefer to be welcoming you to a sport meet or something else, but here we are, survivors of an ugly sickness.
Sounds like you have everything under control, yes the wear of the comp socks helps enormously in keeping the swelling and the pain down SPECIALLY when you are doing any physical activity, it helps the blood flow.

Thank YOU Charlene for sharing your story with us, awareness is something that is lacking in the face of DVT, if people would tell their stories, it would help the general population in understanding what DVT is and MAYBE prevent some people from going through what we have been through.
If you have ANY questions, don't be shy, there are NO stupid questions when it concerns DVT/PE and PTS.

I suffered a dvt and pe on 9/24/09 and am now on Wararin for life. I have two persistent clots below my left knee. The dvt problem to me has really disrupted my life. My diet has changed to balance the Vit k range of 2.0-3.0 I must keep. Not to mention the pain and discomfort from the clots. I'm almost 64 so I'm no kid and have other problems too. I suffered a heart attack in 1999 and have a stent. I have atherosclerosis, not to mention sleep apnea so it's not surprising that I'm depressed. I feel like my life and physical health has dramatically spiraled down. I live alone and have absolutely no support person or group. So, that's my story. If you have an illness but have someone in your life that can provide emotional support and kindness you are indeed blessed.