Doctors were astonished to find a man was still alive after he went to the hospital believing he had a simple pulled muscle.
For most, minor aches and pains are common and typically resolve over time.
Some individuals might jump to conclusions, fearing the worst regarding their health.
However, one man’s hospital visit turned into a shock when medical professionals found that his leg pain was linked to a much more serious condition.
A Reddit user, EchoRespite, shared his experience in response to a thread asking: “What is the oddest thing you thought was ok/normal and ended up being a medical problem??”
EchoRespite detailed how he assumed he had merely strained a muscle while playing with his dogs. When the pain intensified, he decided to seek medical attention.
He recounted: “I thought I pulled a muscle playing with my dogs one day. One week later I finally go to the hospital because the pain is getting worse.
“Turns out I suffer from a genetic blood clotting condition and had a two-foot log clot in my leg and multiple pulmonary embolisms on my lungs. [The] doctor was legit surprised I was alive.”
This genetic disorder, Factor V Leiden thrombophilia, causes an increased likelihood of forming blood clots, as per Medline Plus. It is due to a mutation that leads to thrombophilia, raising the risk of developing deep venous thrombosis (DVT).
These clots are most commonly found in the legs but can also appear in other parts of the body such as the brain, eyes, liver, and kidneys.
The story left many social media users stunned, prompting them to express their thoughts online.
One person inquired: “Did they take a pic of the clot when they took it out? I’m surprised you’re alive, too. Multiple PEs is no bueno.”
EchoRespite responded: “If they did they didn’t show me, haha. I was in ICU for a week and it took a couple of weeks after that to be able to walk normally.”
Another shared a similar incident, stating: “I had the worst stomach pain for a few days, but chalked it up to indigestion and gas.
“It got so bad that I was in court and barely able to stand up to talk to the judge – breaking out in a cold sweat in the courtroom. So on the way back to the office, I went by urgent care… and a few scans later I apparently had blood clots in my liver and spleen.
“A few very painful injections and a hospital stay later, it was all good.”