I nearly died on a flight when I collapsed using the loo – a common pill created the ‘perfect storm' but I had no idea

The Sun

a day ago

A WOMAN has cautioned summer holidaymakers after her contraceptive caused a blood clot in her lungs during a 13-hour flight.
Emily Jansson, 34, was travelling from Toronto, Canada, to Dubai International Airport for a "girls trip" on February 5, 2025, when she started experiencing "weird chest pains" and "odd coughs".
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It came after the mum-of-two had slept for 10 hours on the plane and got up for the first time to use the bathroom.
Waiting outside the toilet door, Emily suddenly "blacked out" and fell unconscious for "five minutes".
She struck her head on the way down, bruising her eye and arm and from then on, "struggled to remember anything".
The plane landed two and a half hours later, and Emily was transported to Rashid Hospital Dubai.
A CT and angiogram confirmed she had a bilateral saddle pulmonary embolism - a large blood clot stuck in the main pulmonary artery that branches off into a Y-shape to go into each lung.
Because of the length of time to get to the hospital, doctors told her that "it was essentially a miracle" that she was still alive, and she was hospitalised for six days for treatment.
Emily said she later learned that several factors were "detrimental" to her health during the flight, including lack of movement while wearing compression stockings and taking birth control called Zamine.
The combined pill contains progestogen and oestrogen - which is known to increase the risk of blood clots.
She is currently on blood-thinning anticoagulant medication - to prevent further clots - for a minimum of six months.
Emily, from Kingston, Ontario, who works in IT, said: "Apparently, oestrogen birth control, compression stockings, and sitting down for 10 hours was the perfect storm.
"I was restricting my body's blood flow, which contributed to my clot developing.
"I had little idea about the danger I was in.
"After taking oestrogen birth control for six years consistently, I didn't know my risk of blood clots was so high.
"I'm an active person with the heart of an athlete from my intense cardio workouts."
She added: "It's important that people know about the risks of this particular birth control, Zamine, and the safety when flying.
"If you're on a long-haul flight, make sure you move around and let your body breathe.
"I was fortunate that there was a doctor on board and some very amazing, competent flight attendants.
"They essentially saved my life when it shouldn't have been possible."
I was vomiting profusely and sweating. I had no idea what was happening, but I was fairly sure this was a near-death experience
Emily Jansson
Emily had been seated for 10 hours before standing up to use the bathroom, prompting her to let out three "feeble coughs" before collapsing.
"I was waiting for the bathroom and I got this really deep, dull aching pain in my chest out of nowhere," she said.
"Suddenly, it was like the lights were on and then off.
"I had completely blacked out for five minutes and couldn't remember anything afterwards.
"I was given an oxygen tank, carried to business class and laid down.
"I was vomiting profusely and sweating. I had no idea what was happening, but I was fairly sure this was a near-death experience."
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Saddle pulmonary embolism - where a blood clot blocks the artery that supplies the lungs - only comprises two to five per cent of all PE cases.
If left untreated, they can result in heart failure and sudden death in 30 per cent of cases.
"I was terrified and partly in denial when they told me what I had," Emily said.
"I knew someone who had the same thing and how serious it was and I was just freaking out."
Contraceptive pill benefits and risks
MILLIONS of women across the UK use the contraceptive pill.
As well as preventing pregnancy, it does come with numerous benefits. But like any medication, there are also some potential risks to be aware of.
BENEFITS:
Pregnancy prevention - the pill is over 99 per cent effective if used correctly every time.
Menstrual health - the pill can make periods lighter, less painful, and more regular.
Acne - the pill can help with acne.
Cancer risk - the pill can reduce the risk of ovarian, endometrial and bowel cancer.
Other health benefits - it can also help with symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), endometriosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
RISKS:
Side effects - the pill can cause temporary side effects, such as headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, mood changes, and increased blood pressure.
Bleeding - breakthrough bleeding or changes to your period are common in the first few months.
Serious health conditions - the pill has been linked to an increased risk of some serious health conditions, such as blood clots and breast cancer.
No protection against STIs - the pill doesn't protect you against sexually transmitted infections.
Source: NHS
Emily remained in the hospital for six days and was treated with thrombolytic therapy and clot-busting medication.
"There were lots of different specialists coming to see me and they kept asking what birth control I was on," she said.
"Doctors said I was close to death because it was making me go into cardiac arrest.
"I had no idea how much danger I was in."
Emily stayed with her friend in Dubai for three weeks. She has since stopped taking birth control.
"I wish I had been told all of this before taking the pill," she said.
"There's not enough awareness out there about the risk of oestrogen birth control.
"I never knew how important it was to get up and move on long-haul journeys, but now I do.
"I'm still recovering from this episode and my body has been through a lot.
"But I'm hopeful my experience can educate people about the risks of blood clots, and act as a reminder that life is so precious and we should really appreciate it."
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