After a couple of years having issues with  my legs I finally made it last Friday to the doctors to get my vein in my leg checked out. Let’s go back a bit, with all three pregnancies I ended up with varicose veins but after Miss Ki’s birth the veins went away, then after AJ’s birth the veins went away as well, but then Baby K’s birth came and my veins only stayed as painful as they were while I was pregnant and a lump, small in size , started showing on the left leg inside of my knee area.

The vein wasn’t too bad if I elevated my legs while I went to sleep or during down times of the day, but during the last two years it simply got worse. I would do my EA Sports Active workouts daily and lost 13lbs and 11 inches in just 11 workouts, I was feeling great emotionally and my self esteem was totally boosted even more by being able to work out and see results! Eventually my work out routine had to die down because after just a few days of working out my left leg would hurt so bad that no elevation nor rest would stop it from hurting. I don’t have health insurance nor did I then so I was concerned how I would afford a doctor visit knowing that my Dad recently had to have an ultra sound run on his leg to ensure no internal clots were present. I knew an ultra sound would cost a lot of money, a lot of money I don’t have.

Finally I found out about a scholarship program and applied with 100% reduction in medical costs being the outcome! I was excited and made my appointment for last Friday where I saw a really nice doctor. I was informed that my left leg doesn’t appear to have any signs of an internal blood clot and since there wasn’t any warnings that would make them feel an ultra sound was necessary I was not ordered one. The end result of the appointment was that I have high blood pressure possibly due to my smoking cigarettes and sodium intake. I love salt, and smoking, well you know I have been trying to find the will power to quit that as soon as possible! I have an external blood clot and they actually said exercise would help increase blood flow, yet it hurts badly. I was recommended to wear a knee brace or ace bandage around my knee area to help support the vein while working out or during high activity times when it hurts the most.

I was also told about some injections I could have done but will leave scaring, they inject something into the tissue inside the leg so that the tissue around my problem vein is more supportive. I doubt I will have that procedure done, any surgery whether just injections or serious scares me. I plan to get an ace bandage and wrap my knee and start working out again to test drive the theory of an ace bandage being supportive enough to help the problem vein.

So there you have it, I have an external blood clot, which from what they told me isn’t like internal blood clots that can let loose and go to your heart. Hopefully I can get my vein in a position so that the walking and running with my kids all day doesn’t cause extreme pain all night long!

Anyone else heard about external versus internal blood clots? I am clueless really other than what the doctor told me! I tend to worry a lot especially when it comes to health issues so I find myself really pushing to quit smoking and follow the low sodium diet the doctor gave me. I also plan to see my doctor now every 30 days to keep a watch on the blood pressure. Oh my blood pressure was 132/94 which is not as high as it was last November.