Stories

Factor V And Me: A Tale of Misdiagnosis

June 7, 2016

My name is Cortney. I’m a 37-year-old healthy mom. Six months ago I started feeling pain in my left foot. It felt like I stepped on a rock or something.

I tried not to worry about it, but eventually I ended up making an appointment with my primary care physician.

I was surprised when she told me I had gout, but went along with the treatment for it for about two weeks.

The pain got worse, it moved into my calf where I had constant Charley horses. My leg was swelling. She sent me to a bone and joint specialist. They did X-rays and told me I didn’t have gout and they didn’t know what was wrong.

They then had me wear a boot to walk in and told me to follow up in two weeks. That week my foot swelled so much, I couldn’t even close the velcro that secured the boot! I woke up the next day with piercing rib pain. I went to the emergency room where did a doppler on my leg and a CT of my lungs. I had multiple clots throughout my leg AND lungs! I couldn’t believe it!

I was immediately started on a heparin drip and admitted. I left four days later with lovenox injections and have been on warfarin ever since. I recently found out I have the something called Factor V Gene. It went unnoticed until I got a second opinion from a hematologist. I’ll now be on the medication for the rest of my life.

My daughter will have to be tested for the gene as well. I’m still having problems in that foot, I currently have stress fracture but I keep pushing on! My advice for others is to stay positive, know the signs and symptoms of a clot. Mine went unnoticed for over a month by professionals!

Did you have a similar diagnosis? Tell us your story below.

Stay Connected

Sign up for updates straight to your inbox.

FacebookTwitterInstagramYoutube