by Donna W.

I’m a 57-year-old who had a sudden attack of a blood clot. I was ultimatly diagnosed with peripheral artery disease because that extensive clot caused me to be unable to walk 50 feet.

I learned from the PAD group on Facebook how to condition my walking pattern to improve symptoms. The pattern is about walking then stopping when the pain was pretty bad, then starting again and repeating the cycle.

I did this routine for 2 months, increasing my distance a little at a time. Was it easy?

No!

I cried!

But, I didn’t give up!

I wanted to save my leg as I’m 100 percent blocked in my distal SFA (thigh) through my popliteal (knee), a 10 cm blockage.

Pushing through was worth it because I can now walk an hour straight pain free.

I would had never known about this if it hadn’t been for The Way To My Heart.

I also changed my diet.

I never smoked, but I was around second hand smoke growing up, which may have triggered artery damage that caused the clots.

But I walk everyday, watch what I eat (yes, I have a cheat day here and there).

My entire family, including my parents and all four siblings, have PAD.

One member of my family is an amputee.

Another member has a pacemaker and defibrillator.

Another family member had had stents placed in his heart.

My father passed at 56 due to PAD complications.

My mother has several stents as well.

So, you get the picture.

What a wake up call for me!

Eating chickens wings, pies, cake, and sugary foods and being over weight early on was by my own stupidity.

But, here I am today with my limbs, pain free so far, taking my health into my own hands for some relief, but praying for a new technique to clear the clot without creating trauma and further damage.

It’s tough when your alone, living in poverty, and not much of a support system to rely upon.

My best advice is to insist that your PCP checks you thoroughly for this disease as it can save your life!