What are the chances of a 17 yr old getting blood clots?

Question

I am somewhat of a hypochondriac but lately I've been getting weird pains in my left leg and I'm not sure what it means. It's like kind of a throbbing sharp-ish pain but really concentrated in one small spot, almost like a bruise. Except I keep feeling the same pain in different spots, like it's moving around my leg and it's really annoying and making me a bit nervous because I've heard of blood clots forming in people who don't exercise much.
It's summertime and I haven't been doing a whole lot, just kind of hanging around the house, sleeping in, watching TV. I'm not obese or anything, I just hate being outside.
But I'd really like to know what is causing these mysterious pains. I'm not sure about the likelihood of blood clots because I'm fairly healthy I guess, not a smoker and I don't have any circulation or heart problems but I do take birth control pills and I have family history of heart disease and diabetes and all kinds of crazy things.. any thoughts?

Oh and something else I just thought of: my feet fall asleep a lot very easily, not sure if that's relevant.

Madformac I do not take birth control because I am promiscuous. I happen to be a virgin. I take it for period regulation because I get debilitating cramps. And I am doing nothing because it is summer, I'm out of school and I'm only 17, no one will hire me anywhere. This is what teenagers do in summer. So thank you very much for jumping to conclusions.

Answer 1

I got blood clots before when I walked too soon on a badly sprained ankle. They didn't move around. They were just under the skin...it looked like I had a rose tattooed on either side of my ankle. When I was pregnant and they were checking my legs for blood clots, they said that a deep clot would usually be a slightly red, warm spot that was painful to the touch.

It's unlikely that your problem would be blood clots, but you could see your doctor if it would reassure you. Circulation problems in your legs could be a sign of diabetes...but if the diabetes in your family is type 2, it's not likely that you would have it at such a young age, if you're not overweight.

My family medical history is full of scary things too...sometimes it's really easy to get focused on something small and decide it's something major, because it runs in your family.

Why don't you try taking a little walk each evening...just down the block and back...or swimming...or even going to the mall and just walking around and window-shopping...maybe exercise would help your circulation if that's the problem, and if the problem is your imagination, then having something to do would keep your mind off of it.

EDIT: For the person condemning her for taking birth control at age 17, you don't know why she's on it. I started birth control when I was 15 because otherwise my periods lasted three weeks. It didn't mean I was having sex, it just meant that I didn't want to walk around bleeding for three weeks out of every month. For all you know, this girl might have a similiar reason for taking birth control.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I would seriously go to your doctor and get a check up. At first I thought it could be growing pains, but at 17 you should be WELL past that.

I'm more familiar with blood clots happening after surgery, and when they travel through you leg you get immense pain but then they have to catch it before it does any damage. For it to keep happening on and off I don't know if it is a clot. Could it be a symptom of RLS (Restless Leg Disorder)?

I'm glad that you DO think about your health, but do try to get out more.. maybe even volunteering for the summer. Granted there is no pay, but it can help you later when you look for colleges and scholarships plus the exercises will be beneficial.

Side note: I too stared my birth control at young age because my period hit me when I was 11 and my cycle was all over the place. I stayed a virgin till 19... because i met my future husband (8 years and counting!). Good for you still having yours... it shows that you know that sex isn't JUST about procreating and JUST about having a good time.

Answer 4

The chances are realistic and it is a valid concern that you should not hesitate to follow up with. You have some of the typical concerns; OC use, inactivity and possible dehydration.

If you ever have severe leg pain (frequently in the calf) while on the pill or patch, you should call a doctor.

Blood clots can kill you fast and without much warning.
** BOOM**
Dead.

Since it's no huge embarrassing secret that you're using OC medication, I think you should see a doctor. The possibility of having blood clots is life threatening, it DOES happen to women using the pill, and a doctor WILL take you seriously. In fact I bet if you called today and said, "I have symptoms of blood clots and I am using oral contraception" they will schedule you an appointment the same day.

Here are a few general links of the topic.

Answer 5

At first I thought DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) but at 17 this seems unlikely, even on Birth Control (which on a side note I applaud you for, never mind the hyperbole of that "other" poster).

Second guess was restless leg syndrome because you mentioned the pain moving around to different spots, but that is typically associated with a prickly sensation not throbbing (I think). If you have insomnia and feel the need to twitch your legs regularly maybe look into this.

And my third guess is a rare disorder where your limbs fall asleep for long periods of time. I cannot for the life of me remember how to spell or pronounce the name... something like "Cyrilmylingo" or something like that... only thought of this because someone I work with was recently diagnosed with this, he mentioned strange sensations in his legs before getting diagnosed but his other symptom, i.e. leg falling asleep for 10 hours you would probably have noticed by now.***

Basically even our best guesses can't probably help you too much. I would suspect that you are a perfectly healthy teenager that is being cautious. Maybe try some stretching routines and light excercise this summer. Certainly with the heat you might enjoy swimming or something

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*** for what it is worth I remebered the name of that disease, it was "Syringomyelia". After reading more about it though probably not related at all

Answer 6

Well, unless you smoke cigarrettes or have a pre-existing heart condition, yasmin is unlikely to cause a stroke. Even people who aren't stressed get palpitations at your age... still, if it worries you a lot or if the palpitations go on for more than a few minutes it wouldn't hurt to mention it to your doctor just to ease your mind. Perhaps they can help you figure out why you don't sleep well at night. Sometimes when people feel anxious and have weird sensations in their chests it has to do with their oxygen levels.

Answer 7

Well all things considered, if you're on birth control I would DEFINETELY get it checked out.
Could be a pinched nerve though? Not sure but it may be. In that case I think you would need surgery to fix it. But I'm really not sure.
But anyway taking birth control carries high risk of heart attack blood clots (i think?) and stroke, so I would definetely get it check out. I'm not doctor. :/

Answer 8

well, its possible that you might of banged it on something, but if its a big enough bruse that could be dangerous. and if you lay in the bed alot but you will usualy see this in the eldery the blood kinda "puddles" under the skin and its from not moveing in a long time, mabey you should do something like walking like go to the mall or something you consider fun like sports? and if you take any blood thinner you will also bruse very easy.

Answer 9

You are 17 and taking birth control? Wow, that is really young for that, how about respecting yourself and not having sex until you are in a committed relationship?

You are just laying around and sleeping and doing nothing? Why aren't you working or going to school?

Yes, those birth control pills could be causing problems, they are known for that. If you have a family history of heart and diabetes problems, I suggest you seriously consider changing your life.