I was extremely anxious the first 3-4 months after the DVT/PE. I didn't want to go on anxiety meds but I needed help coping, so I got counseling. I think I went 6 times and it was a wonderful experience and it really helped me deal with all the stuff.

Meditation and positive visualizations helped me too. There's a good book called "Create Visualization," by Shakti Gawain. It's kind of new-agey, which isn't really my thing, but some of it was very helpful to me.

I was extremely anxious after my DVT\PE almost 2 years ago. It took me quite a while to get hold of it and had to end up going on klonopin and effexor xr. That helped quite a bit along with counseling. I actuallly went off the klonopin for a while but just recently started taking a low dose of it again as I'm approaching my 2 yr anniversary and that plus the winter months always get me down. I have to keep kicking myself in the arse to think positive and remember I don't have to pay attention to any of the bad thoughts that go through my head.

My anxiety is different. It's more like, "My God, if this is still bothering me after over four years, and still hurts so much sometimes, what will it be like in five or ten years?"

Those thoughts will never go away... but I don't have to linger on them, and I don't.

Also, I think about what MIGHT have happened, how much worse it could be. Hell, I could have been dead four and a half years ago... these years, they're all gravy!

And I remind myself of times when I feel fine, like, "Remember when you sat through that entire opera and it hardly bothered you? Remember when you caught that big wave on the body board?" Eventually, I realize that I am bigger than the DVT, it is not bigger than me.

If you're on coumadin, and your INR is near where it should be, statistically, you are in a much better position than you were a few months ago. That's a good thing to focus on when you get anxious...

--Catalyzt

I have issues with anxiety too - it's easy to "what-if" yourself to tears. I immerse myself in learning about whatever is worrying me. I felt like a walking time-bomb right after my dvt, until I learned what to expect. Knowledge really helps you take control of your fears and put them in perspective.

Distraction also helps a lot. I try not to spend ALL my waking hours focused on my worries. I'll take the dogs for a nice long walk, check out a comedy (movie or book- it's hard to worry when you're laughing!)or do something that requires either deep attention or physical activity (either a crossword puzzle or cleaning the house, cooking a new recipe, etc).

And finally I find support from other people who are in the same boat. It helps a lot to know you're not alone with those fears. It helps a lot to get AND give support - especially those times when you find it hard to calm your mind!

First off, anxiety after a DVT/PE is a totally common occurence each of us have faced. Each person finds a way to deal with it, my best advice is to not let the fear consume you. Symptoms of anxiety (panic attack) in itself can mimic symptoms of PE.

A lot of the coping mechanisms start with knowledge about your condition, what you went through, and what you are experiencing now. Being part of a support group like DailyStrength is the first step. Asking questions to others and reaching out.

Also try not to read to much out there in web world. As much as the web is a great source of information (it's what brought you here), it also has a lot of mis-information.

I turned my fear of having another clot into an action by becoming actively involved in raising awareness about blood clots. It first start back in the 90's by self-educating myself about my medical condition after surviving two DVT's and a PE, then slowly my advocacy worked spread to helping others. As you learn more, your comfort levels grow and the anxiety lessens significantly.

I know people today that have had a PE several years ago that still battle with anxiety. What methods works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another.

Sometimes just having someone to turn to who you can vent your frustration or anxiety with helps. Like I mentioned, we've all been there and know what you are going through.

Dero from this support group is trying to start a Patient Advocacy Group up in Canada. I've been able to help some, he is trying to find support and funding from the medical community up there. Short of that I don't know of a support group where you could join and get involved in. If something does come up, I'll keep you posted.

First off, Hi kiki!
I knew, I had to find out why my ears were burning...(have to follow Tom, he keeps mentioning my name)
Sorry I missed this post, been uber busy with work, so I've been absent for a while.
Aaaaaaawh yes the " Emotional Rollercoaster Ride" what to do?
Having DVT will consume your days with "what's next?" We all go threw that one and frankly it's a hard one to avoid, because none of us are knowledgeable about DVT /PE. How can we, even SOME doctors know less then we now know about DVT/PE?
Like Laura said knowledge about DVT/PE is essential for us, plus it keeps our brain busy as oppose to wandering aimlessly and worrying. Lets face it, we are our worst enemies when it comes to keeping our own sanity.
When I was diagnosed (aug/07) I was out there, a real nutbar, but then I started to do my own research as to what, why and when of DVT/PE and started to realise that in Canada it was as if everybody was trying to keep it as a national secret, all the info I was finding, originated from the USA, all of the major organisations were from the USA, (nothing wrong with that, but what about having a CANADIAN organisation that can answer to us Cannucks) so shortly after that I started what is now known as "Life After DVT" an internet forum administered by DVT survivors for DVT survivors. www.lifeafterdvt.forumotion.com
The way I see it there NEEDS to be more info out there about DVT/PE, more then DVT is cause by sitting in an airplane...
PLEAAAAAAAAAASE!!!! That is just the tip of the iceberg, it does not explain why sitting in an airplane might give you DVT, plus how many of you can say that they contracted DVT from an airplane ride?? Probably 1 out of 10, why do the other 9 have DVT it boggles the thinktanks, well it did,just recently, has the various medical associations been able to prove why so many people are contracting DVT and PE but it's still not out there.
NOT ENOUGH PROMO!!! How many of you can say that they knew what the doctors were talking about when they got diagnosed, I was totally ignorant to the matter, I had heard of blood clots, but DVT, PE, that is was fatal was unknown to me.
What I presently know about DVT/PE is what I have learned in the last year and a half, because I refuse to change my life for something I am ignorant about.
Yes I can flap my mouth about DVT and I say that ALL of us should, the more people that know about DVT, the less it will be fatal.
Ignorance is NOT a bliss!!!

Oh, that is a thing that you HAVE to realise and say it when you get in the dumps (it helped me enormously) you are alive and you can walk, it could be worst, you could be dead.

Everybody has their own ways of dealing with reality, we all have to find what OURS is and do it.

It's so easy to sit and cry and give up the fight...

I hope this helps you Kiki.

My baby mostly keeps my mind from consuming me with fear, but the realization that anything could happen to anyone at anytime, so why should i worry about something i can't control? i mean my hubby could get hit by a car while going to pick up my coumidin rx ( God forbid) but its true! None of us know what lies ahead-dvt- or not! I actually don't feel any less in control of what may happen to me then before my dvt. just TRY not to dwell and it and try to get back into your daily routines.

Do not be anxious about ANYTHING, bu tin everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,present your request to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philppians 4:6

Hi Kiki: You've read here that you are not alone; anxiety is the one thing doctors did not tell me would happen, probably to not plant the seed of worry, but worry and panic I did. I went to the doctor's office quite often at the beginning to have my oxygen level and INR taken for reassurance. Then went through a good spell for a couple of months. Christmas hit and I ended up going to the ER sure that I was having another PE. A whole series of tests later and I was reassured that I was fine. After that, I did a whole lot of soul searching and praying and accepting that I am mortal. So, I devised a lot of methods, depending on what's going on in my life and where I am, to counteract the anxiety issue that include taking walks (huge for me), a pile of good books to have at hand for diversion, breathing techniques, projects and hobbies to immerse myself in, a good cry every now and then and probably most important to me, recognizing what a gift it was to be given another chance to have life which means doing everything I can to enjoy each day. After my 19 year old son just went through this dvt thing, I also am overwhelmed with gratitude that I had gone through this!!!! Doesn't that sound outrageous? But, had I not, we would never have known that he could have a potentially life threatening clot. So, do the things you enjoy, be kind to yourself, spend time with those you love and after time, you'll find yourself feeling much stronger and confident but also much more appreciative of life.

Hugs - Julie

P.S. Yesterday, I went out and cleaned out my garden. I was amazed because last spring it felt so difficult and I was so tired but six months later, I cleaned that garden with no problem, separated and planted some perennials and was not tired at all. It was wonderful. Time is a good thing.