Birth control
The Doctors Said I Was a Ticking Time Bomb: Mia’s Story
On a Friday afternoon at work, I suddenly started to feel incredibly nauseous. I didn’t think much of it at first. I went home, tried to sleep it off, and that night I felt feverish and sore. I took Panadol and managed to get some rest. By Saturday I felt lethargic, and on Sunday morning…
To My Amazement, I Finished a 10K Weeks After My DVT Diagnosis: Kathy’s Story
I’m a healthy, active 45-year-old who lives a busy, active life. In December 2025, everything changed when I was suddenly taken down by a massive blood clot in my leg (deep vein thrombosis or DVT). It started about a month earlier with what I thought were calf cramps. They never went away and slowly crept…
This Has Had a Lasting Emotional and Physical Impact: Jessica’s Story
I am a 24-year-old first-year medical student. On December 18, 2025, I was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening condition that requires prompt recognition and treatment. That day, I initially presented the emergency department with severe shortness of breath, near-syncope (fainting), and a rapid heart rate (tachycardia). I …
Trust Your Gut and Push for Answers: Elle’s Story
After an eight-mile run in November 2025, I had pain behind my knee/high calf. I thought I may have strained it, but after two days of rest, I could barely walk. I went to urgent care on the third day, knowing something was off. The nurse laughed and yelled at me and said I was…
My Risk Factors Created a Perfect Storm: Amelia’s Story
On December 15, 2022, I sprained my ankle and was checked at urgent care for a possible break. I was told that I had no break, but that I should not put any weight on my ankle for five days. After that, I was able to put some weight on the ankle, but I started…
I Was Incredibly Lucky—But Not Everyone Is: Hannah’s Story
I had a pulmonary embolism on September 10, 2025 at 24 years old. A couple weeks before, I noticed the left side of my back and neck were hurting. I thought I was just sore from Pilates so I took ibuprofen and didn’t think much about it. On September 5, I got engaged in Las…
Blood Clots Can Happen to Anyone: Susan and Lauren’s Story
As told by Lauren, a nurse practitioner residing in Rochester, NY, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice student at Duke University School of Nursing. It was after nine in the evening when my phone rang. It was my best friend, calling a little later than usual. I had “Married at First Sight” on TV—my guilty…
My Goal is to Raise Awareness and Promote Healthy Blood Flow Habits: Megan’s Story
In June 2024, shortly after turning 30, I was diagnosed with an unprovoked blood clot in my lower left leg (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT). The diagnosis and the sudden need to start blood thinners felt like a death sentence. I was terrified and didn’t know where to turn. Once the clot was discovered, I…
Always Pay Attention to Changes in Your Body: Kristian’s Story
In May of this year, I took a short flight, only about two and a half hours one way, and soon after, I noticed a cramping sensation in my right calf. I assumed it was just soreness or dehydration, so I ignored it for a couple of days. When the pain didn’t go away, I…
The Fear of Another PE Still Lives in my Body: Caitlyn’s Story
It was a couple of days after traveling when I first noticed something wasn’t right. I had switched birth control pills within the last several months. At my first conference talk after COVID, I realized mid-presentation that I couldn’t quite get through full sentences without pausing for breath. I told myself it was just nerves.…
