DVT
“My Leg Went Stiff, Foot Was Grey and I Was in Tremendous Pain So I Went Directly to the ER.”
My name is Heather and I nearly lost my leg after a routine surgery took a scary turn. In March 2025, I had surgery for varicose veins on my right leg, and everything went well. Two months later, I returned for the same procedure on my left leg. It was considered a standard surgery, similar…
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…
The Nurse Said I Was Wasting Their Time: Elizabeth’s Story
In the summer of 2020 I started to have leg pain. It went on for a little while but I just assumed I hurt it somehow. It was peak COVID and I wasn’t about to go to a doctor’s office unless I had to. But, after a week or two I started to notice some…
I Was Skeptical About Getting Scanned — The Results Changed Everything: Amanda’s Story
In the summer of 2020 I started to have leg pain. It went on for a little while but I just assumed I hurt it somehow. It was peak COVID and I wasn’t about to go to a doctor’s office. After a week or two I started to notice some swelling. I was complaining to…
Postpartum Blood Clots Don’t Only Happen to High-Risk Patients: Kristelle’s Story
In February 2014, shortly after giving birth prematurely to my twin sons at the age of 34, I developed severe back pain. For about a week, I continued to go about my daily activities despite the symptoms. The pain and swelling were especially severe during physical activity and less noticeable at rest. Within days, my…
“I Never Expected a Blood Clot as a D1 Athlete:” Matthew’s Story
Around late February 2026, a few days after one of my collegiate rugby games, I started to feel a cramping feeling in my calf. I thought it was just cramping from the game or dehydration. I was having shortness of breath doing just basic things like walking up a flight of stairs. I went to…
Almost Went to a Hair Appointment Instead of the ER: Miranda’s Story
Two years ago, my life changed forever. I was a healthy 42-year-old who was very active and exercised daily. My symptoms at first were not typical of those of a blood clot. I had an ache in the back of my right knee for a few days, which turned into a cramp. I did not…
Black Women Are About 60% More Likely to Develop a Clot During Pregnancy: Ebony’s Story
Early in my pregnancy, I thought I’d pulled a muscle in my left calf. The pain was horrible for at least two weeks. I soaked it and elevated it, but the pain didn’t cease. I went to urgent care but they sent me home and told me to continue to take Tylenol, ice, and elevate.…
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…
