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DVT

Skinny Jeans Were a Mechanism For Torture: Kelsey’s Story

While I was on a 5 hour plane ride from Los Angeles to Manhattan, I felt a lingering ache in the back of my left knee that was uncomfortable, but nothing that caused me to feel immediate alarm. I am only 21 and have been an athlete my entire life, so I chalked it up…

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My Family Was Told I Probably Wouldn’t Survive: Caitlin’s Story

My name is Caitlin Augustine; I’m 22 years old and lucky to be alive.  I have already suffered through three DVTs, a life threatening condition.  Today, I made it my mission to raise awareness of this deadly health risk – one that causes over 100,000 deaths a year. The first time I ever heard of…

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I Had Two DVTs: Lotus’s Story

I noticed that I had severe cramping in my right calf in 2003, and ended up in the hospital for a deep vein thrombosis (DVT).  The birth control pills I was taking then were the likely culprit, and I know now at age 51 to avoid hormone based birth control or replacement therapy in the…

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Persistence Is Sometimes Needed to Get a Correct Diagnosis: Theresa’s Story

I was 30 years old and 6 months pregnant with my first child when I developed an acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT).  I had no prior knowledge of clotting disorders and had been on birth control for 10 years before I conceived.   It was a Thursday night when I first felt a tingling and slight…

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I Began Coughing Up Blood: George’s Story

George’s persistence helped save his life after his first pulmonary embolism was misdiagnosed and his initial DVT was not treated. I reported for one of my 24 hour shifts as a Firefighter/Paramedic in November 2007.  There was a carbon monoxide call that required me to be on a ladder for an extended time that meant…

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Put Your Health First: Elaine’s Story

I am a married 39 year old mother of two.  A year ago my busy life was put on hold when I developed a blood clot in the renal vein of my left kidney.  I started feeling dull pain in my lower back at work, and I felt winded and tired.   I work full time…

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My Baby Saved Me: Kelly’s Story

My name is Kelly; I’m a 35 year old wife and mother of 4 daughters.  I have been fighting my DVT for over a year now.  Despite my battle, I want everyone to know that I consider myself a victorious survivor.  I have had 5 surgeries, 3 stents implanted, had more scans and blood tests…

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I Should’ve Trusted My Instincts: Kara’s Story

September of 2010 was busy in the King household.  The kids had just started a new school year, I was neck deep in volunteer work at school, and I was teaching cooking classes on fall cooking techniques.  We were so busy that I never stopped to think about the weird pains that started affecting my…

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A Routine Sports Injury Was Actually a Blood Clot: Dan’s Story

I am a 56+year old male.  I have occasional asthma, primarily exercised induced.  If I notice asthma symptoms while working out, I can usually push through them and finish the work-out, although I do use a bronchodilator when I need to. I am an avid martial arts devotee – black belt in one style, brown…

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The Doctor Was Not Convinced That I Had a DVT: Pamela Lynn’s Story

My experience with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) began more than 30 years ago in November 1979 when I was 30, and pregnant with my second child.  I flew with my husband and 3-year-old daughter from our home in Texas to visit my husband’s family in California for the Christmas holidays the next month.   While there,…

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