Age: 76.0
Sex: F
Vaccine: COVID19-2
Symptoms: Joint swelling, Limb discomfort, Magnetic resonance imaging, Pain in extremity, Peripheral swelling
Clinical narrative: When I first got out of bed and put my legs on the floor, I couldn't stand up, because my left leg felt like lead and hurt. I then noticed that my left leg was swollen about three times the size of the right leg and discolored. I didn't know what was going on, so I researched my symptoms on the Internet, which advised me to go to the ER as soon as possible. I then called the ambulance, who then transported me to the ER. At the ER, the attending doctor saw my leg and immediately knew what the problem was. I underwent bloodwork and an MRI or CT scan. I was admitted to the hospital in the medical-surgical wing and hooked up to an IV. I was given intravenous blood thinners. I was in the hospital for four or five days. The attending doctor told me that I had a "massive blood clot" that had started in my left ankle and then extended all the way up my leg and into my torso to an unknown location. The doctor also told me that it would probably be at least a year before the clot dissipates. At the time, I thought the blood thinner would be the cause of the dissipation, but I later learned from my hematologist that the purpose of the blood thinner is not to dissipate the clot, but to keep new clots from forming. Ultimately, the body dissipates the clot on its own. I was released from the hospital after four or five days, and prescribed XARELTO. I was also given an anti-nausea drug, which constipated me, so I promptly stopped taking it. I was advised to take various precautionary measures. I was advised to not sit with my legs bent, but to have them elevated. I was also told to make sure that I kept walking; I have had to learn to pace myself to walk enough, but not too much. I also bought a wedge, which I use to keep my legs elevated as I sleep. I've also been doing some yoga exercises that are designed to help circulation and to maintain my upper body strength. On 12/17/2022, I went back to the ER, because my left leg and hip became extremely swollen and hot to the touch. The ER staff told me that I needed to use an ACE bandage for compression. Later in January 2023, I saw my hematologist for the first time, and he said that the ACE bandage was useless and that I should use compression socks. I have been doing this ever since on a daily basis. I've noticed that since I've been wearing the compression socks, I have had no more swelling or pain flare-ups. I underwent more bloodwork to see if I had an underlying illness or genetic factor that could be the cause of the issue, and those were ruled out when the results came back. He also took an inventory of my medical history. I was advised to continue taking the XARELTO, wear the compression socks, and continue elevating my legs and exercising in moderation. I was also advised to take every precaution against bumping my head or cutting myself, because those things could cause a brain bleed. My daughter has basically childproofed my home and given me a first aid kit with equipment to use in case I cut myself or bump my head. On 3/20/2023, I saw my hematologist again. During this visit, he showed me the images from the CT scan or ultrasound I had undergone at the ER in December 2022. He showed me that the blood clot extended from my left ankle all the way to my inferior vena cava and that there were clots in the lungs. He said that the clots in the lungs sometimes happen, especially if a blood clot elsewhere in the body is dissipating, and that I should not be alarmed. I am due to see the hematologist again in June 2023. He basically told me during the March appointment that I should resume my normal activities but do them carefully. I feel like I live in the land of ambiguity. I'm sleeping well and feel fine, but I have to take so many precautions against bumping my head, cutting myself, catching COVID-19, or catching any other contagion.