You have not mentioned that the most common blood clotting disorder is Factor V Leiden, which can be with one marker…more serious…with two markers. No one tests for this. In the case of women, this can have serious consequences because women with Factor V Leiden can develop blood clots and die if they take certain forms of birth control.

I had a blood clot in my leg (medically called a DVT–deep vein thrombosis) and the only reason they even tested me was because of the severe leg pain and the fact that my affected leg was so swollen. If you have a swollen leg along with soreness and certain risk factors (recent flying; taking birth control; smoking), you should talk to your doctor. It’s miserable but I’m glad they found it and I was treated successfully.

I am sorry about the spelling in the previous post it is late that is supposed to say blood and for the life of me I can’t remember how to spell puliminary I know that is not correct again I apologize. Beth

Thanks for the info Nancy. How did your daughter die relating to blood clots? I am only 33 and within 1 month my body’s hormone balance shifted out of sorts. My OB says its just heavy bleeding due to the lack of progesterone. I don’t believe that. For my whole life my PMS was normal! I felt normal. I don’t take meds, my CBC shows no concerns, I exercise, etc, I am healthy. Now I feel I can’t leave my home because who knows when the bleeding will start again and it gives no warning. The OB said my body is shooting out blood clots to try to stop the bleeding but it works differently in the uterus. If anyone else has had this issue please share. I’m still freaking out and don’t believe this is a “normal” heavy flowing period.

In 2005 after knee surgery, I developed what the drs told me was a blood clot and it had traveled to my lungs. I was sure that I was going to die, but they treated me with blood thinners and I had some hard times, but managed to survive. After my last ET scan, the nurse looked at me and said,” I don’t know how you did it , but you are so lucky to be alive. She said,” you had six blood clots in your lungs and now you are all clear.”

Until age 56 I had been in excellent health, ran 30-40 miles a week, competitive running, advanced hiking, low cholesterol, non smoker and moderate drinker. In spring, 2007, I felt pressure in my right leg and discounted it as tightness from running. I ignored it for 2 months and went to the doctor after having to stop on a morning run because of extreme fatigue. Ultra-sound and CAT scan revealed a 20 inch clot in the right leg and clots in the lungs. Blood tests were negative for any factors. Was kept on Coumadin for a year and taken off it for follow up blood tests which were also negative. Hematologist recommended I could be taken off the Coumadin which made me ecstatic. Was off Coumadin for 11 months taking only a baby aspirin per day and then suffered a freak fall severing knee tendons. Operated on and a precautionary ultra-sound reveled clots forming in both knees. Back on Coumadin now for at least a year. PCP is recommending for life and hematologist is willing to wait until March 2010 and do blood tests again. I’m happy that there is no genetic factor that would require blood family members to be tested but obviously frustrated that I do not seem to fit into any of the risk categories and no apparent reason as to why clots have formed in me. I am now 58 and have recovered from the tendon surgery enough to be jogging 2-3 miles 5-6 times a week. Any research that relates to my condition would be greatly appreciated.

Factor V Leiden affects 5% of those of western european descent. It is hereditary meaning it is passed from one or both of your parents. Factor V Leiden is a protein in the blood that causes the blood to clot when there is a wound. Normally blood automatically stops clotting when the damage is repaired by the body. Factor V Leiden does not recognize the signal to stop clotting and attempts to clot the blood all the time. Combined with several factors, including being overweight and being inactive, it creates clots that eventually break loose, and move first to the heart, then through the heart and into the lungs, hence the name pulmonary. Once they hit the lungs, many people simply drop dead. If the signs are caught soon enough, a trip to intensive care and week in bed receiving heparin, a blood thinner, usually solves the problem. If you have Factor V Leiden, chances are you will get repeated embolisms (clots) until one finally kills you, unless you undertake a lifelong regimen of a blood thinner like coumadin or warfarin. That in turn creates a new risk for bleeding as you essentially become a hemophiliac, and can bleed to death or have major problems from simple things like a nosebleed. You must watch what you eat, be careful not to engage in risky behavior, take extra precautions if undergoing surgery and be under a doctor’s supervision and monthly monitoring for the rest of your life. I have survived two. I am hoping to avoid a third. As if life does not already throw endless curveballs, Factor V Leiden is one more to watch out for. It is the lottery you don’t want to win. And by the way, if you get the gene from both parents, it doubles your likelihood of having a clotting incident. My HMO did not run blood tests and discover this disorder until I had the second embolism. Don’t wait and don’t become a statistic. If you have one, get the test. It is cheap and may save your life.