In August 2024, I experienced growing weakness in my legs after a hamstring injury. I had a pain in my lower back and almost complete numbness in my hamstrings.
Gradually these symptoms worsened to the point where I needed help to stand on my own. Around the beginning of March 2025, I made an appointment with the doctor, but I wasn’t able to walk down the stairs from my apartment.
We did a video call and I was given a prescription for muscle relaxers and steroids. That helped for about two weeks. On April 4, 2025, I noticed my left leg was extremely swollen and my foot had turned dark purple.
After icing it overnight and seeing no improvement, I went to the ER. The doctor immediately sent me to get an ultrasound and it revealed a large DVT in my left calf that extended to my thigh.
The surgeons explained that they were going to perform a thrombectomy. Once I was awake, they told me the surgery was a success, but what they found was not pleasant. The clot they removed was 20 centimeters (8 inches) long. I was told I was incredibly fortunate to have made it to the hospital in time.
I am doing well now. I’m in physical therapy, taking blood thinners, and monitoring the progress of my leg returning to normal. I’m still trying to come to terms with how close I was to dying.
I found this site and the info it provides has already helped me understand. I decided to write my story so maybe someone else can understand the symptoms before drastic measures are needed.
Resources
How is a DVT diagnosed?
Thrombectomy
Living Your Best Life on Blood Thinners
