Blood clot symptoms?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-29-2006
Blood clot symptoms?
4
Mon, 03-20-2006 - 3:09am

I am a nonsmoking 24 yr. old woman with no history of high blood pressure/heart problems. I had started taking b.c. a few times and stopped (after taking them <4 months) because of weird symptoms.

About two years ago, I started taking the Nuvaring. I had stopped taking it because I experienced dull achiness in my arms and legs, a lot of spotting, pain during intercourse, low sex drive, and a little bit of chest pains (which might have been gas).

Fast forward two years...I had the bright idea of getting back on the Nuvaring because I wanted it to work for me so badly. I started on it January 1st. Predictably, I discontinued its use at the end of the month because of general achiness and fear of blood clots. After being off the ring for a month (and still experiencing some achiness.. I went to talk to my doctor and was switched to Alesse 28.

Early February (before getting on Alesse), I noticed that when I touched my right ankle, it hurt a little. I paid no attention to it thinking it was just a bruise. I started taking Alesse at the beginning of March. After two weeks, I felt my right ankle, and the bruise was still there (I figured that maybe it was a muscle knot or something). I massaged the area, put some ice on it and forgot about it. Three weeks into taking Alesse, my ankle still hurt when touched, I felt achy bascially all over (especially a few hrs after ingesting the pill), but mostly in my legs. I also had problems falling asleep, bloating, gas, and acid reflux...I think the pill made my IBS symptoms worse.

Anyway, yesturday afternoon, all of a sudden, my right upper thigh started hurting and it very painful to stand. It felt like little knots in my upper thigh and the area was very warm. After that experience...and still having random body aches... I decided to stop taking my pills.

Sorry for the long story, but does this sound like problems with blood clots or just a vitamin/mineral deficiency? I have not had problems with body aches or any form chest pains (caused by gas or whatever) while not on b.c. (other than this past February). Thanks for any insight.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 03-20-2006 - 6:28am

If you still have pain in your thigh, you should see a doctor right away--that could be a sign of a blood clot (with the heat, especially) and if you do have a clot it needs to be treated quickly so that it doesn't pass to your lungs or brain.


I think if you've repeatedly had problems with achiness when you take hormonal birth control, perhaps you shouldn't take it!

Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2006
Mon, 03-20-2006 - 11:51am
You have symptoms similar to those I've experienced on the pill. I've tried taking birth control pills several times in the past five years, but I just can't tolerate them; it aggravates my IBS and migraines, and also alters my mood and sex drive. Do you happen to suffer from migraines? I've noticed that the symptoms I get on B.C. pills (achiness, numbness, headaches, feeling weird overall, etc.) are similar to those I experience with migraines; hormonal changes can cause migraine episodes. I agree with the first message posted: you should definitely talk to a doctor about your symptoms, if you already haven't.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2006
Mon, 03-20-2006 - 1:58pm
Disclaimer: some of the symptoms that I experience with migraines aren't typical, such as numbness and weakness. Even if you do have migraines, you should still seek medical attention for the symptoms that you described, as was recommended in the first posted reply.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-29-2006
Tue, 03-21-2006 - 3:08pm
Thanks a lot for both of your input:) At least I know for sure that hormonal BC won't work for me and that I'm not alone with my strange symptoms. I'm definately going to see my doctor asap.