Factor V Leiden
After being on hormonal prescriptions for over 10 years, I developed blood clots in my lower left leg, near the ankle. I thought I sprained it as I could barely walk. I went to the doctor who used a long needle to find fluid in my ankle. He found nothing and left me in pain as he kept removing and reentering my ankle. I left his office with the knowledge I didn't have phelbitis. I went in to see him several times during the next three months. I do all the outside work around my home, and one day while I was mowing the grass, I had to lie down flat on the ground and catch my breath. I laid there almost 10 minutes, took a couple of step and had to sit down on the ground and rest. The next day I was scheduled to go to see my doctor.
He wanted to do an Ultrasound, however, I don't believe that it is blood clots, etc. In April I went to my Gastro doctor who looked at my ankle/leg and said I has chronic phelbitis, and to tell my other doctor, but he still insisted it was not. After my last visit, I went in the next day for the Ultrasound--they had to admit me immediately as I had clots all the way up my leg to my groin and a couple in the right leg also. I was injected with Lovenox and they gave me Coumadin x 3 days. They discharged me, showing me how to use the hypo and how to inject myself x 3 weeks, also going in for Pro Times twice a week and staying on the Coumadin until the blood level reached between 2 and 3. This went on for about 1 and 1/2 months. Now I am told I have a genetic disease called Factor V Leiden which means the blood clots easily and I was taken off the Provera and Premarin. I used to smoke cigarettes but quit about 8 years ago.
I have asked my doctor to send me to a vascular doctor, he said he is doing all that needs to be done for me and can see no reason for me to go to one, should I insist? Also, at the same time, my sister in NY, was admitted with blood clots in her groin,the NY doctors were going to inject filters into the groin, however after a third Ultrasound, they decided she would be fine and let her go home on the Coumadin and baby aspirin. She also has to have a Pro Time q 2 weeks. My other question is this. Jan still smokes cigarettes, I have tried to explain the danger of smoking and blood clots to no avail. Can you or someone help in that area?
From:
andersondesigns@mindspring.com
