I am so lucky to be alive right now!

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I truly am fortunate to be alive right now, and just wanted to share my story so that some other family might be spared the heartache and worry.

I have been on birth control pills for about 11 years because of endometriosis. Over the summer I started to notice that I was getting short of breath, but I attributed it to me being overweight. I was working hard at getting healthier, lost some weight and did increase my stamina that the Shortness of breath with activity was getting better.

Last week Sat. I did a practice test for my black belt (very intense: 200 pushups in 10 minutes, 10 minutes in a squat position, 8 minutes static push up position, followed by 1/2 hour of techniques, forms and practice board breaking). (I was supposed to test next sat). I was exhausted afterward. and later in the day I became very short of breath with any activity. going up one flight of stairs I would have to stop, sit down and rest a couple of minutes. I still attributed it to recovering from the practice test.

Slight improvement on Sunday, but not much. Monday morning as I was getting ready, my right arm went numb, tingly and hurt like heck. 20 minutes later I called DH to tell him I was scared and asked him to take me to the hospital.

There they found MULTIPLE blood clots all over my lungs, the right side was REALLY bad. later in the day they found that I did have an arterial blood clot (10 cm long!) in my right arm. Ended up with emergency surgery in the middle of the night. They could not get my oxygen levels up after they intubated me. It took 8 minutes to get it up (started in the 60's, and finally got up in the 80's--- It should be 95+) After the surgery they couldn't get me off the ventillator for 12 hours, and I was in the ICU for 1 1/2 days.

I am finally home, resting, and thanking God for the miracle of me being alive. Had that clot not gone into my arm, but my brain or my heart, the prognosis would have been competely different. I am having a hard time wrapping my brain around what could have been. I am now on coumadin, plavix, and lovenox injections.

So PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE if you are on birth control pills and have any shortness of breath, GO SEE A DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY!

 

[Imzadi]

Glad you are still here.

 

[minniebeth]

It's really scary to hear these situations more and more. My DSIL's sister passed away from a similar situation.

I'm SO happy that you are ok, and I will keep you in my thoughts for a speedy recovery!
I celebrate you!

 

[DWGal210]

Oh, how scary!!! So glad that you are OK!!

 

[Buckalew11]

Princess Vija, you are the second poster in 2 days to report blood clots in their lungs from using birth control! The other woman was 28 yrs old with 3 kids and using a Nuvaring!

You certainly are lucky, fortunate, and blessed to still be alive. Pulmanary embolisms kill people! I hope you continue to heal quickly and they get all the blood just right. Hugs to you! I'm glad you are here too!! I'll be saying a prayer for you for healing and thankfulness.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Thanks everyone for your well wishes! It means alot to me!

It's really scary to hear these situations more and more. My DSIL's sister passed away from a similar situation.

It is amazing to me to hear these stories. So many people have told me now since this happened that they know someone who this has also happened to. Up until a few weeks ago I had NEVER heard of anyone having this. Ironically my DH came home from work a few weeks ago concerned because a friend of his at work just had this happened to her. He was worried because I was on the BCP's but of course I told him not to worry. If we had only known then... But like I said, I am so thankful!

 

[auntie]

Glad you're okay.

 

[arminnie]

Please - anyone - if you are having a major shortness of breath or chest pains CALL 911 immediately!!!!!

I had a friend die in her 40s as she tried to drive herself to the hospital. She died in the parking lot and was not found until a couple of hours later. I've had medical staff tell me that this happens way too often.

Years ago I woke up one night with horrible chest pains that did not go away. I did not have shortness of breath, but I lived alone so called 911 about 3 am. It turned out not be be heart (suspected esophageal spasm), but everyone from the emts to the hospital staff told me that I absolutely did the right thing.

 

[sayhello]

I also had a blood clot and "a spray of tiny emboli" (clots) in my lungs! And it was also attributed to BCP I was taking for endometrial issues. They always warn you that it's a serious possible side effect of BCP, but I think most people think it will happen to someone else. It's a real wake-up call!

To the OP, I'm SO glad you got to the ER in time, and that you're doing better now!

My doctor told me he's been seeing a huge increase in bloodclots lately. It's pretty scary.

Sayhello

 

[yoopermom]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I'm 43, just saw a gyn on Fri for "female problems" and one option he mentioned was starting back on birth control pills (after having a tubal ten years ago so I would NOT have to take them any more!). I said, "no thank you very much" because of stories like yours and others that I've heard.

Hope you're feeling great soon, and glad you dodged that bullet.

Terri

 

[monkeybug]

My Dr. always gives me a hard time because I won't go on birth control pills, but my good friend died at the age of 22, the day she picked up her wedding dress actually, of a pulmonary embolism and the suspected culprit was birth control pills. She was young and extremely healthy. I know it's a small risk, but because of what happened to my friend I've always been too scared to take them. Maybe when I'm done having kids, or if having another would put us in a tough financial situation, but until than I'm too chicken.

 

[DawnCt1]

I am so happy you are here to tell us about it. You sound like you are in great shape and so shortness of breath would be a real warning sign for you. Glad you listened to it.

 

[inkedupmomma]

that is terribly frightening! glad you are ok and caught that in time! I started a new BC and have been getting more leg cramps than usual, I plan on talking to my Dr. about it asap!

 

[donac]

Vija So glad to hear that you are okay.

 

[rie'smom]

I posted on the other thread that my 16 yo niece had a stroke last summer due to the pill. Ash was in the hospital for 1 month. She has had to be monitored ever since and has had to start cumadin. Ash also has to take shots in her stomach for the rest of her life.
She and my daughter were on them for female problems. I immediately took my daughter off her pills. Better to be a little off the 28 day cycle than to have a stroke.

OP, I'm very happy that you're still here!!!

 

[minniecarousel]

wow, Princess - glad you are OK. Sounds very scary. You don't think you would have to handle stuff like this when you're young.

 

[tiggerlover]

Oh my goodness, Vija, I am so glad that you are alright!!!! What a tremendously scary thing to have to go through, but what a blessing it is that you are here to share your story. I have been on BCP for years and will definitely keep this in the back of my mind if I ever experience anything like you have decribed.

 

[holycow]

I so glad you are still here! What a frightening experience.

Hope you heal quickly!

 

[dislaney]

Scary stuff! I am so glad you are doing better.

 

[superme80]

So glad you are on the mend. How scary. One of the many reasons I never took BCPs.