I was hospitalized with a DVT in my left leg four years ago. They said I was very lucky I did not have a pulmonary embolism. Blood clots are no joke. Lovenox shots probably saved my life, and then I took Coumadin for about six months after. I am grateful that those drugs existed, as I was only 34 at the time. I never thought something like that would happen to me from my birth control pills; I was not in a high risk group. The leg has never completely bounced back. It is still a bit sore, a couple times to the point where they did a Doppler study just to make sure I had no new clots. I wore a support stocking for two and a half years to help control the swelling, etc., and I think I am going to buy a new one because although it was hot it did make the leg feel better. I have varicose veins now, not pretty, but I am alive and that's all I care about.

I elevate my leg periodially during the day it it starts to swell, and I have noticed that increasing my potassium intake via things such as potatoes, bananas and orange juice seems to help.

At least there ARE drugs that help. Blood clots can kill you. I know I won't hesitate to use them again should the need arise. I could've been dead at 34.

I have heard that metabolic syndrome, which I have, can increase clotting. Good luck on your visit to the new doc!

RainbowFaerie