I am so lucky to be alive right now!

[MsDisney23]

So sorry to hear this, please get plenty of rest and feel better. So glad you you went to the ER.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

As a longtime cardiac nurse, over the years I've seen many similar cases. Most people think the pill is completely benign and don't think twice about taking it. Or, they know there's a slight risk, but either don't think it will happen to them (or their daughters) or don't understand exactly what it is that can happen.

I'm glad both of our friends here are doing better, and thank them and others for sharing their stories.

 

[TexasErin]

Thank the Good Lord that you are okay! I'm glad you took the symptoms seriously and got help.

I'm 38 and on the pill. DH has thought about having a vasectomy so I can get off the pill. Sounds like something to discuss further. Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[Arkansan]

So glad you are both ok and that the drs. caught it early enough!

My MIL died of DVT/pulmonary embolism over 10 yrs. ago. They attributed it to a combiniation of a long airplane flight and HRT. I know that HRT is not as common or prolonged now (she was 62 and we guess had been on it at least 10 yrs, maybe longer), but it is a risk factor as well. Her case was not genetic, so my DH and kids aren't at greater risk. I do know that after her death (she was so short of breath, she couldn't even make her bed in the am) several of her friends and friends of friends stopped their HRT and/or were able to be treated for blood clots because they caught it early and didn't dismiss (or let doctors dismiss) their symptoms.

Also, pregnancy can be a big risk factor. All during my 3rd pregnancy (after MIL had passed) I was worried over every ache and pain.

Thank you for sharing your stories! Continued good health to you both!

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Sayhello: Thanks for the link for the other thread!


I'm doing ok today. My INR level is actually a bit higher than what they want, so I need to decrease my coumadin, but the good news is that I don't need the lovenox injections!

I just read the other thread, and I have to say one of the posts on there really scared me. the one that the patient was in the hospital for 4 days, and a clot moved into her heart and died. I am so afraid a clot will move. I feel like I am on pins and needles with the slightest odd feeling.

I see my MD on Wed. I can't wait to go in and have them check me over to see how I am doing.

 

[Mommy2three]

Hi princess..i am so afraid of the same thing, the clot moving, and I discussed wit my dr. a while ago when he came in to let me know i wasnt going home today. He said the risk is very slim for the clot to move from the lung since the vessels start off wide but then keep getting more narrow so even if it does move it cant move very far. The only reason I dont get to go home today is because when they had me walk in the hallway my heart rate went up to 122, so the cardiologist is going to do a ultrasound on my heart to make sure there is nothing wrong with my heart, but they think that is just that my heart has to work a little extra harder...hopefully tomorrow I will get to go home.

and no my hubby wont give me the lovanex injections, he is terrified of needles..

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Mommy2three, thanks for the update. and thanks for the info, that makes sense about the vessels in the lung. My problem is that I also have a whole in the heart (PFO) that they also found and if there are any clots in the venous system, they could end up in the arterial system... which is what happened that I needed the surgery for my arm. But I do feel better learning what your doctor told you.

Hang in there, I know it stinks being in the hospital, but you are where you need to be right now, with all of the angels looking over you right now.

my continued prayers for you!

 

[Mommy2three]

thanks for the well wishes princess. we are hoping that tomorrow i will get to go home. i went for a walk in the hallway and my heartrate went up to 122 so they did an ultrasound on my heart today to make sure there is nothing wrong with my heart such as having a hole or a blood clot. they are thinking it is just the strain from the clots.\

i am not feeling short of breath, not like i was when i came in. I am in no pain anymore and havent had any pain meds for 3 days now and my vitals are all fine, although i have been nauseseaus (sp) and having major hot flashes and night sweats, which they are saying is my hormones so they have been giving me something if my stomach starts to feel icky.

my hubby and kids came up and sat with me pretty much all day until about 730 tonight. I found out that my insurance wont allow me to give myself the injections of lovanox so i have to come into the hiospital daily to have them done until i no longer have to be on them. how long were u on the lovanox? right now i am also on 10 mg of coumadin.

it really helps me to have someone who is going thru this same thing right now to talk to and compare notes with.

 

[dare2dream]

Hugs to you dear friend. God was looking out for you. I'm praying for your speedy complete recovery. Thanks for sharing to educate us all.

 

[disneymarie]

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

I am concerned as to what are the REAListic risk?

Does the FDA not keep statistics and warn us about the numbers risk.
I mean if there is 1 in a million, as opposed to 1 in 10, gee it is scary. I was using depo shots until 50 years old from 41, because of heavy periods. I had too thin a lining going on.

OP, Blessings on you new chance at life, and sharing the warning making it real.
I have a teen dd, and never thought about concerns for real risk because I never heard first hand stories like this.

 

[MomRN]

This is the problem I have with my step-daughter's mom putting her on BC "just in case" They (both step-daughter and mom) don't seem to realize the BC has these side effects. There's also the issue of the cooties that BC doesn't prevent. But, when I speak, it floats right over their head and into a brick wall.

I think as more and more young girls get on birth control "just in case" this will become more of a prevailing problem.

 

[Imzadi]

I am concerned as to what are the REAListic risk?

Does the FDA not keep statistics and warn us about the numbers risk.
I mean if there is 1 in a million, as opposed to 1 in 10, gee it is scary. I was using depo shots until 50 years old from 41, because of heavy periods. I had too thin a lining going on.

I have the opposite situation. My periods have always been super heavy when I haven't been on the pill. Then I have had hypothyroidism (undiagnosed) for the last couple years. It causes even heavier periods. Both those situations hae caused massive fibroids which my GYN wants me to get a fibroid embolization for.

I had been wondering if I had been on the pill for longer periods of time, whether it would have stopped the formation of the fibroids.

Considering what the OP has told us about her case, I'd rather have the benign fibroids than the lung clots forming.

 

[Mommy2three]

princess- just wanted to let u know that they released me and I am home now. my heart ultrasound came back fine, and the reason my heart rate was going up with me just moving around was because i was dehydrated. i go in every afternoon for now to get my lovanex shot and every day in the morning to get my blood drawn.

 

[Disney-Kim]

Mommy2three, thanks for the update. and thanks for the info, that makes sense about the vessels in the lung. My problem is that I also have a whole in the heart (PFO) that they also found and if there are any clots in the venous system, they could end up in the arterial system... which is what happened that I needed the surgery for my arm. But I do feel better learning what your doctor told you.
Hang in there, I know it stinks being in the hospital, but you are where you need to be right now, with all of the angels looking over you right now.
my continued prayers for you!

I am glad you are doing better !! Will you be having the PFO fixed? My Boss had this and he had a surgerty where they put a "plug" in it the hole and it grows closed. Supposed to be a great way to fix. His was very successful.
Good Luck with your recovery...and I have an obvious question...did they know for sure it was the BCP and did they take you off them? Did they offer a safer BC route for you?

princess- just wanted to let u know that they released me and I am home now. my heart ultrasound came back fine, and the reason my heart rate was going up with me just moving around was because i was dehydrated. i go in every afternoon for now to get my lovanex shot and every day in the morning to get my blood drawn.

So glad you are home and doing better and I am curious what BC method they suggested for you as well.

If we are to be worried about the BCP then what are the Dr's suggesting?? out of curiosity. thx !!

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Hugs to you dear friend. God was looking out for you. I'm praying for your speedy complete recovery. Thanks for sharing to educate us all.

So good to see you! Thanks for the hugs, prayers and friendship!

I am concerned as to what are the REAListic risk?

Does the FDA not keep statistics and warn us about the numbers risk.
I mean if there is 1 in a million, as opposed to 1 in 10, gee it is scary. I was using depo shots until 50 years old from 41, because of heavy periods. I had too thin a lining going on.

OP, Blessings on you new chance at life, and sharing the warning making it real.
I have a teen dd, and never thought about concerns for real risk because I never heard first hand stories like this.

I know what you mean about the risk, I know you were referring to another post, but wow, the numbers now are so much more personal.

I too have a DD, not quite a teen, but I will have a LONG conversation with her about BCP's. Very scary

This is the problem I have with my step-daughter's mom putting her on BC "just in case" They (both step-daughter and mom) don't seem to realize the BC has these side effects. There's also the issue of the cooties that BC doesn't prevent. But, when I speak, it floats right over their head and into a brick wall.

I think as more and more young girls get on birth control "just in case" this will become more of a prevailing problem.

That is so scary! I sure hope people are alot more careful, than "just in case" reasons. I hope that someday you can break down that brick wall and get through to you step-daughter and her mom. My niece is on them for medical reasons. Something to do with trying to save her ovaries. I did tell SIL to watch her carefully, I am so worried about my niece now.

I have the opposite situation. My periods have always been super heavy when I haven't been on the pill. Then I have had hypothyroidism (undiagnosed) for the last couple years. It causes even heavier periods. Both those situations hae caused massive fibroids which my GYN wants me to get a fibroid embolization for.

I had been wondering if I had been on the pill for longer periods of time, whether it would have stopped the formation of the fibroids.

Considering what the OP has told us about her case, I'd rather have the benign fibroids than the lung clots forming.

boy, I wish I knew then what I know now, because I would have dealt with the pain of endometriosis over this any day. I sure hope you find good solution to the fibroids. Hugs and prayers to you!

princess- just wanted to let u know that they released me and I am home now. my heart ultrasound came back fine, and the reason my heart rate was going up with me just moving around was because i was dehydrated. i go in every afternoon for now to get my lovanex shot and every day in the morning to get my blood drawn.

Mommy2three, YEAHHHHH! I am so glad that you are home now, that the heart rate wasn't anything serious!!!! And so glad that you were able to get someone to give you the lovanox shots. I imagine it is a pain to head out twice a day, but soon you will get good levels for your INR, and then no more Lovenox! Continued prayers for you.

I am glad you are doing better !! Will you be having the PFO fixed? My Boss had this and he had a surgerty where they put a "plug" in it the hole and it grows closed. Supposed to be a great way to fix. His was very successful.
Good Luck with your recovery...and I have an obvious question...did they know for sure it was the BCP and did they take you off them? Did they offer a safer BC route for you?

I have an appointment to see a cardiologist in 3 weeks. Then I will know more about the PFO. Great news about your Boss. A SIL of mine today called to check on me, and she works in the cath lab and told me about those closures. that sounded awesome, so much better than open heart surgery.

As far as BC route, we did not discuss that, because I really had been on them for endometriosis, the BC part was a bonus. I guess DH and I will have some talking to do about that! His friends at work apparently are teasing him about "snipping". Poor guy, he's got so much on his plate right now, still doing everything here (remember, I can't use my right arm), so he's even helping me with bathing and dressing, I sure can't go down that road of what to do for BC just yet.

 

[Mommy2three]

my doc said to talk to my gyn about the birth control, but the diaphram is an option since there is nothing in them, other wise my hubby can get snipped. but my doc also said that even the bc that have just the progesteron in them still have small amounts of estrogen in them so that is not even an option.