Hi my name is Cathy Westveer. This is my story about how I found out how I have Factor V Leiden heterozygous mutation. Back in 2002, my daughter, Britaney was about four months old; I was on the pill, and smoking. I started having left calf pain. I went to the doctor and the doctor ordered an ultrasound. Everything came back fine. A week went by the pain and swelling got progressively worst. My left leg was at least two times the size of my right leg; I was starting to have a hard time bearing weight on it. At that point, my husband, Ken took me to the hospital; they did not order an ultrasound because the one I had a week before that was negative. They diagnosed me with a strain/sprain and put an ace bandage on my left leg, and send me on my way.
By the end of week two I could not bear any weight at all on my left leg. Ken was pushing me around in a wheel chair. Beyond frustrated, and in immense pain, it felt like someone was constantly jamming a knife in my left leg and hitting my bone with it, that is the only way I can describe the pain. When I hit week three Ken was getting frustrated and really worried, he took me back to the doctor, I put up a fight, because I was worried my doctor would think I was a hypochondriac at this point. My left leg was at least five times its original size and many different colors. I was in so much pain and having a really hard time nursing Britaney.
In our PCP’s office I was sitting in the wheel chair holding Britaney in my lap, my doctor looked at my left leg and said I might I have compartment syndrome. He told me for the length of time I had the symptoms and how bad my leg looked if that’s what it was, I may never be able to walk again. I sat there balling my eyes out, holding my daughter thinking to myself, I am only 26, and how could it be that I may never walk again? He immediately sent me to a Vascular Surgeon, Dr. R., he said the same exact thing my doctor said, however he ordered another ultrasound, his ultrasound tech did an ultrasound. And to my surprise, shock and horror, I had multiple DVTS the entire length of my left leg!!! Dr. R. asked me if I had chest pain, or a hard time breathing? I said no. He wanted to admit me; I said only if I can have Britaney with me. He said no! Ken and him talked a little bit, and agreed to let me go home, 72 hours bed rest, can only get up to go the bathroom. He put me on Lovenox and Coumadin. And for three weeks, he was having a lab tech came to my house every other day to draw blood to check my PT/INR. He also told me that I still had a chance of not being able to walk again, and the damage to my veins was permanent.
My PCP ordered a bunch of blood work! And they discovered that I have Factor V Leiden Heterozygous mutation. My PCP sent me to a Hematologist, Dr. K. During my follow up with Dr. K, he suggested me to not have any more children, but if I did I needed to talk to see him first, to talk preventative measures. About two years later we decided to have another baby. I went on Lovenox every 12 hours. We got pregnant. I had some bleeding and panic. I have had three miscarriages before my daughter, one of them I am pretty sure was a result of Factor V Leiden, because the baby had a heartbeat until 12 weeks, but that was before I knew I had Factor V Leiden Heterozygous mutation. Come to find out I had placenta Previa; I had to go on bed rest for a month. But other than that the pregnancy ran smoothly, other than the fact that my abdomen looked like a road map from the Lovenox shots, so many nasty bruises, definitely not a glamorous pregnancy.
Three days after Kenny was born, even though I was on Lovenox, Heparin, and Coumadin, I had left calf pain. Low and behold I had a surface clot. At this point my hematologist said, no babies, too much of a risk! He also told me I will never be able to go off of Coumadin. I had a hard time for years with this! But I am now okay with it. I have two beautiful children!! Two Factor V Leiden Heterozygous mutation miracles.
In 2013 I was really having a hard time with keeping my PT/INR’S where they were supposed to be. They were all over the place. It was getting to the point that the phlebotomist who was drawing my blood weekly told me she was going to call my doctor and suggest her to have something put into my veins, because they were not letting the blood out anymore. And thanks to the Factor V Leiden groups I found on Facebook, including Forever Deborah, I heard about the self- tester for PT/INR. I brought that to my doctor’s attention. My doctor refused it to let me have it. After a good argument she broke down and told me she was going to call one of her fellow Hematologists to see what he advises! Little did she know she called my Hematologist, and he was okay with the self-tester but he had something far better for me.
A new blood thinner, Xarelto, that was just recently approved for Factor V Leiden Patients, the only down fall with this new drug they still have not come up with an anecdote for reversing hemorrhaging, but there are not diet restrictions, and no blood work! I have been on it since March/April 2013, so far so good! And finally living somewhat of a normal life with Factor V Leiden Heterozygous mutation!
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