Ellie Bradford

My Journey with Thrombosis: VTE @ 16 and recurrent DVT at 24.

I hope this message finds you well. I’m reaching out because I’d love to share my journey with thrombosis on the Thrombosis UK forum. My experience has been both challenging and enlightening, and I believe it could help others feel less isolated in their own struggles.

I celebrated my 24th birthday in early March, but later that same month, I was diagnosed with my second Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)—the first occurred when I was just 16. Here’s a bit more about my story, from the beginning.

In January 2016, at 16 years old and gearing up for my GCSEs, I started taking the combined contraceptive pill. The doctors reassured me it was safe, citing that my mother and sister had used it without issue. However, within two months, I began experiencing severe lower back pain. This was unusual for me, a typically healthy and active teenager deeply involved in competitive football. The pain soon escalated, affecting my day-to-day life and introducing new symptoms like shortness of breath and sharp chest pains during routine activities. Initially, I attributed these to the stress and anxiety caused by my back pain.

When I sought medical advice, the possibility of these symptoms stemming from the contraceptive pill was overlooked, and I was misdiagnosed with constipation. With a holiday to Spain approaching, my doctor advised that I could wait until my return for further consultation. However, the pain became unbearable during the flight, and upon arrival, I noticed my leg had swollen significantly and turned purple.

A local doctor in Spain quickly sent me to the hospital, where I was diagnosed with DVT and later, bilateral pulmonary embolism. It was a frightening time—I was in a foreign country, translating medical terms, scared for my life.

The recovery was grueling. It included wheelchair use, a medically assisted return flight, daily use of compression stockings, and nine months on Warfarin. My active lifestyle was halted abruptly; I couldn’t play football, and my routine was replaced by frequent medical checks.

Years passed with minor symptoms until last October, when a new, unexplained lump appeared on my stomach. The local GPs were puzzled, and despite my extensive medical history, I felt dismissed and had to advocate strongly for proper testing. It took a private ultrasound to diagnose superficial thrombophlebitis.

Just this past March, I encountered another setback—a new DVT diagnosis. The process was disheartening; it involved miscommunications, delayed treatments, and a struggle to obtain the necessary scans. Frustrated with the public healthcare response, I opted for a private haematology consultation, where I finally felt understood. Although I was faced with the prospect of lifelong blood thinners and a potential end to my football playing days, my consultant offered a glimmer of hope. They were managing a professional footballer on Rivaroxaban, which meant I could potentially continue playing.

Sharing these experiences is vital for me. It highlights not only the personal impact of thrombosis but also the broader issues of medical advocacy and patient support. If you’re dealing with thrombosis or any other medical challenge, please remember that you’re not alone. Thrombosis UK has been instrumental in my journey, and I am here to offer support as well.

Thank you for allowing me to share my story. I look forward to possibly connecting with others through this platform.