The Westbrooks of Charlotte NC

Say Hello to my Little Friends! (or, Deep Vein Thrombosis & Pulmonary Embolism fun for me!!!)

Short of it: I have a large clot in my upper left leg, have passed multiple clots to both lungs. Was in the hospital for about 2 days, am home now and on blood thinners for at least 6 months.

Issue:  I have a “large” blood clot in my upper left leg (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and “multiple clots in both lungs” (Pulmonary Embolisms) The clot in my leg was found late the afternoon of Monday, June 29th and since I had been complaining of shortness of breath, my Dr wanted me to check myself in to the ER to have a CT scan of my lungs – this is where they found that I had passed clots through to my lungs (not a good thing). I was admitted to the hospital, administered blood thinners, and closely monitored. I was released the afternoon of Wednesday, July 1st.

Currently: I am taking blood thinners (Coumadin – technically an anti-couagulant) once a day, and as of Thursday, 7/9, my INR level (identifies the level of anticoagulant in my blood) was sufficiently high enough that I could discontinue the twice a day Lovenox shots I was having to do since being admitted to the hospital – Yay! I am still in a fair amount of pain with my leg, and have difficulty walking that varies in intensity depending on the amount of swelling I have at the moment, how far or long I have been walking, and the time of day (late afternoon and evening are generally the worst, as it “builds” throughout the day). I have shortness of breath when doing simple things (walking across the room) and coughing due to the clots in my lungs.

Cause:  I had been in pain for about 5 weeks when the clot was found…an ultrasound had been done 3 weeks prior that came back clear. The diagnosis at that time was a deep muscle sprain or bruise and give it 2 weeks (this was not from my primary care Dr…I came in to see her that Monday and that’s when the clot was found). Since I did not suffer trauma or have a recent surgery (primary causes for blood clots), the exact cause is unknown. Clots are not considered common in “young” people, so some blood was sent off for genetic testing (1 test came back clear, pending on the other still), and some warning signs for common cancers for my age were reviewed (clear on these as well). Basically it could have been caused simply from sitting immobile at my desk at work for a long period of time (yes Angie, I will be walking around more!). I will see a Hematologist once I am off the blood thinners for a few more advanced blood tests.

Prognosis: The blood thinners are not administered to dissolve the clots; they are intended to prevent additional clots from forming and attaching to the existing clot or passing through the heart and hitting the lungs again. The body will process the clots on its own:  the one in my leg will take around 3 months and the ones in my lungs approximately 6 weeks. I will be on blood thinners for at least 6 months…indefinitely if one of the blood tests come back positive. The clots in my lungs are not too large so that I will not suffer any long term damage to my lungs and my shortness of breath will subside once the clots are gone. I may have some lasting effects in my leg (swelling, limited motion) but that will not be able to be determined until some time in the future after the clot clears. I am having my blood tested every 2-3 days to ensure my INR level is where it needs to be and once I stabilize this can be scaled back some to once a week, then every other week. Can’t wait for that…already feel like a pin cushion!

I’ve noticed a little improvement in the week since I was in the hospital and should continue to see gradual progress as time goes by. I should be free of the clots in my lungs around mid August and the one in my leg around October. In the meantime I will be hobbling around, out of breath, taking blood thinners, and getting bruised at the slightest bump like all those 80 year olds that were on the videos they made me watch about blood clots at the hospital!