Early signs or symptoms?

Were there any early signs of Acquired Factor VIII Inhibitor? Not that we were aware of at the time, but in retrospect, we now realize there were symptoms of the problems to come that we did not recognize.

Perhaps about a year before the diagnosis, Vicky would occassionally have small dime to quarter sized bruises. She couldn't remember how she got them, but dismissed them as being a result of clumsiness.

The first serious sign showed up shortly before her diagnosis. A large swelling on her upper leg, similiar to a charlie horse. Again this was dismissed as a result of being clumsy. At the time Vicky was painting the kitchen and was pretty sure she hit her leg on the ladder.

Within a week or so of this, Vicky's left arm began to swell painfully. A visit to the doctor's office and several blood tests gave us the knowledge that Vicky had Aquired Factor VIII Inhibitor.

Vicky's doctor informed us that this was very serious, and scheduled an appointment for Vicky in a few days with a doctor that was a specialist in problems with blood.

Unfortunately, Vicky's left arm and right leg continued to become more painful. Next the same problem showed up on her left leg. Due to the speed her pain level was increasing, we decided a trip to the Emergency Room was needed, though she was scheduled to see the blood specialist the following afternoon.

Upon arrival at the Emergency Room, we were given what I consider priority service, not what I consider a good sign. The doctors in the Emergency Room admitted Vicky to the hospital. At the time we didn't realize that Vicky would be hospitalized from 24 August until September 2nd.