Last June my DGD graduated, and 2 weeks later came for a visit with siblings here in the Orlando area. She hadn't felt well for several months, and then had trouble keeping up with her younger siblings while at the parks. Her leg hurt and she was short of breath doing even minor tasks. She also had a bout with throwing up, so thought maybe a virus. She returned home to Dallas after 2 weeks, and within a few days got much worse as her left leg turned purple and was in severe pain. A visit to the first available doctor's office, and she referred her immediately to the ER as she suspected infection or blood clots.
There the ER doctor ran several tests and discovered that she had DVT in her left leg, and clots in her lungs. She was admitted to ICU and had her first surgery the next morning, and they inserted an IVC filter to catch the clots. I got a text the next morning and was shocked. Unknown to us, there was a family blood clotting disorder called Factor 5 Leiden. I flew in Saturday morning, and her 2nd surgery was Sunday. The surgery again was to open her veins and filter her blood to catch the clots. They were unable to get them all still and did a 3rd surgery Tuesday. There were problems with her surgery because of her age and reaction to anesthetic to keep her calm for the procedures, but she did great and was a trooper.
When I told family about Caitlyn's struggles, I found out I have a niece that had a similar situation years ago and at that time learned about Factor 5 Leiden (F5L). I had known that my paternal grandmother died of a blood clot in her lungs at 62, and my sister had DVT in her leg after a long airplane flight. I had no clue that this could all be related and that I could pass this on to my daughter or her family. I've read everything I can find online about F5L, and the chance of developing a DVT is 2 to 5 percent over a lifetime. I would encourage anyone with a family history of blood clots to be tested for a clotting factor disorder. Many have the DNA for it but never develop it. Before having any hormonal/estrogen treatments which can increase chances of a problem, check with your doctor.
Caitlyn visited this month and is doing much better. Just wanted to post this as a caution. No flames please. Thanks for reading.
There the ER doctor ran several tests and discovered that she had DVT in her left leg, and clots in her lungs. She was admitted to ICU and had her first surgery the next morning, and they inserted an IVC filter to catch the clots. I got a text the next morning and was shocked. Unknown to us, there was a family blood clotting disorder called Factor 5 Leiden. I flew in Saturday morning, and her 2nd surgery was Sunday. The surgery again was to open her veins and filter her blood to catch the clots. They were unable to get them all still and did a 3rd surgery Tuesday. There were problems with her surgery because of her age and reaction to anesthetic to keep her calm for the procedures, but she did great and was a trooper.
When I told family about Caitlyn's struggles, I found out I have a niece that had a similar situation years ago and at that time learned about Factor 5 Leiden (F5L). I had known that my paternal grandmother died of a blood clot in her lungs at 62, and my sister had DVT in her leg after a long airplane flight. I had no clue that this could all be related and that I could pass this on to my daughter or her family. I've read everything I can find online about F5L, and the chance of developing a DVT is 2 to 5 percent over a lifetime. I would encourage anyone with a family history of blood clots to be tested for a clotting factor disorder. Many have the DNA for it but never develop it. Before having any hormonal/estrogen treatments which can increase chances of a problem, check with your doctor.
Caitlyn visited this month and is doing much better. Just wanted to post this as a caution. No flames please. Thanks for reading.