Friday, February 11, 2022

Taking “birth control” can cause a stroke

“During her weeklong hospital stay, Kelly learned that she had Factor V Leiden, a genetic disorder that makes people more likely to form blood clots and deep venous thrombosis, according to the National Library of Medicine. Having that on top of taking birth control increased her risk of developing dangerous blood clots that can lead to stroke. “


Woman, 29, shares experience with stroke and urges others to know signs


“If you see someone exhibiting signs of stroke, facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulties — it’s time to call 911 because time lost is brain lost.”
Since having a stroke 2 years ago, Jayme Kelly, then 29, has worked to relearn how to speak, read and walk. She's thriving now and hopes to raise awareness of signs of stroke.
Since having a stroke 2 years ago, Jayme Kelly, then 29, has worked to relearn how to speak, read and walk. She's thriving now and hopes to raise awareness of signs of stroke.Courtesy American Heart Association Go Red for Women

When Jayme Kelly woke two years ago, she couldn’t feel her right side. The then 29-year-old suspected she slept “weird” and her right arm and leg were still asleep. When she tried to go to the bathroom, she struggled and fell a few times. She tried calling in sick to work as a pediatric nurse but couldn’t enter her phone password and then realized she couldn’t talk either.

“I’m freaking out. What’s wrong with me?” Kelly, 31 of Boston, told TODAY. “I didn’t know I was having a stroke because I didn’t fit into any risk factors.”


Her worried roommate rushed Kelly to the emergency department for treatment and she later learned she was having a stroke. For the past two years, she’s been recovering from it and is one of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Real Women. She’s sharing her story to help others stroke.   

“If I can have a stroke so can you,” Kelly said. “If you see someone exhibiting signs of stroke, facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulties — it’s time to call 911 because time lost is brain lost.”

A ‘bad morning’

At first, Kelly suspected that a terrible night of sleep caused her body to feel dull and heavy, like her right side was still asleep. After she struggled to call work, she decided to grab some more zzz's.

“I just figured bad morning. I thought, ‘Let’s just go to sleep and when you wake up, you’ll be fine,’” she recalled. “My roommate found me and she’s like, ‘Are you OK?’ and I couldn’t even talk to her. I couldn’t even mumble.”

When Jayme Kelly woke one morning and couldn't move her right side she figured that she slept on it funny. She later learned that she had a stroke at just 29 years old.
When Jayme Kelly woke one morning and couldn't move her right side she figured that she slept on it funny. She later learned that she had a stroke at just 29 years old.Courtesy American Heart Association Go Red for Women

Her roommate called 911 and rushed Kelly to the emergency room. While doctors treated Kelly for stroke, it took Kelly a few days in the neurological intensive care unit before she knew what occurred.


“It took me two days to even realize I had a stroke. I was so shocked,” she said. “It changed my life forever.”

Learning that she had a stroke was overwhelming but dealing with the lingering problems felt even harder at times. She couldn’t move her arm, walk or speak.

“The entire time I was in the hospital I couldn’t say anything,” Kelly explained. “I can’t feel my hand at all.”


During her weeklong hospital stay, Kelly learned that she had Factor V Leiden, a genetic disorder that makes people more likely to form blood clots and deep venous thrombosis, according to the National Library of Medicine. Having that on top of taking birth control increased her risk of developing dangerous blood clots that can lead to stroke.


Read the rest: https://www.today.com/health/health/woman-29-stroke-urges-know-signs-stroke-act-fast-rcna15569

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