My diagnosis only came after I insisted that the doctors test for DVT. "Oh no, it's just a muscle strain." "Oh it will pass." One day I called the stand in doc, for my regular physician, describing severe pain in my chest and shortness of breath whenever I walked more than five feet and told here that I was waking up with deep pain in my legs and chest. "Wait until next week for your regular doctor's appointment". When I finally saw my regular doctor, it took her the entire time (30 minutes) to suggest that I might need to get an ultrasound for my left leg. SHe said there was an appointment later that afternoon if I wanted it, but it would mean a double commute or several hours hanging out in the city. I said I'll get the test when I come back from my trip to SF. I was flying out the next day. She asked: "Are you sure?" She did not mention the fact that a flight could actually cause a clot to loosen and potentially cause severe consequences. I told her that I'd wait unless she thought I needed to get it done immediately. She said OK. I went home and did more research, (The information provided by my docs at the clinic was minimal and consistently vague.) When I realized that I almost definitely had DVT and possible PE, I called the lab and asked for a test the next morning. Fortunately, there was a slot available. After the ultrasound the technician asked if I had any plans. I told her about SF. She was shocked and said," Oh no, you're not going anywhere by plane or travel for any long distance where you would have to be sitting for a long time. " Most of the major veins in my left leg were somewhat occluded with clots. She was the only one that seemed insistent that I take care of things immediately. Even after the results the other three doctors that were working with my were very nonchalant about the whole thing. They offered no information about, exercise, lifestyle, nutrition, possible long term issues; just, "Inject Enoxparin for two weeks and start Warfarin. We'll monitor your INR levels and adjust dosages as needed. " It was only after finding this site that I realized some of the long term challenges that I may face. Thanks everyone for posting and keeping the information out there. I forwarded this link to all of the practitioners that I have worked with and asked them to reconsider their procedures when someone comes in with deep leg and chest pain that feels like a muscle cramp or strain. We'll see!