Birth control
That Instinct Ultimately Saved My Life: Lauren’s Story
That Instinct Ultimately Saved My Life A few days after my 29th birthday in April 2026, I experienced calf pain that felt like a pulled muscle. I was otherwise fit, healthy and active. Something Felt Wrong My gut told me there was something seriously wrong despite the lack of symptoms. That instinct ultimately saved my…
I Went to Yoga With 15 Blood Clots in My Lungs and Didn’t Know It: Laura’s Story
What I thought was a regular day led to a nightmare. The Vacation My husband and I decided to go on vacation — a very short flight (1.5 hours) to Mexico. During the flight, I felt the chills that wouldn’t go away, even once we arrived at our destination. I had to stand in the…
Birth Control Caused My Blood Clot — and I Had to Fight to Find Out: Lilian’s Story
Listen to Your Body and Be Your Own Advocate My symptoms began Sunday, April 5, 2026. I got up after sitting on our couch for a while with my legs folded and suddenly had an extremely sharp pain in my right leg that felt like a terrible charley horse. I began holding my significant other’s…
I Was Awake During My Thrombectomy — Sara’s Story
There Are Moments That Divide Your Life Into a Before and an After I’ve only heard the words “pulmonary embolism” a handful of times in my life. It was a term really reserved for the unthinkable — the kind of thing that happens to other people, not me or my loved ones. February 2nd On…
My Daily Birth Control Was the Cause of My DVT and 4 Pulmonary Emboli: Courtney’s Story
Three years ago, I woke up on a Friday with pain in my calf that felt like a cramp that would not go away. I had big plans that weekend, so I went along my way, but the pain never went away. Sunday morning, I iced and heated my leg, thinking I just pulled a…
The Calf Pain I Ignored for Months Was Actually a Massive Blood Clot: Melisa’s Story
I have always been a very avid runner and I was training for my 7th marathon when I developed pain and swelling in my left leg in August of 2024. I thought I had strained my calf and did physical therapy but I didn’t make any progress. I attempted the marathon but ultimately dropped out…
When a Headache Turns Serious: Jenna’s Story
On April 19, 2025, I began experiencing what I thought was a sinus headache—something I would normally treat with Tylenol Sinus. But this time, the medication didn’t work. The pressure in the front of my head wouldn’t go away, and it lasted for days. By the evening of April 22nd, I was still dealing with…
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 …
