Pulmonary Embolism Support Group
By far the most common form of pulmonary embolism is a thromboembolism, which occurs when a blood clot, generally a venous thrombus, becomes dislodged from its site of formation and embolizes to the arterial blood supply of one of the lungs. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, pain during breathing, and more rarely circulatory instability and death.
Hello everyone, I am 4 weeks out from a bilateral Pulmonary embolism. I had no pain but the shortness of breath sent me to the ER. I was quite surprised when I was told I had PE in both arteries to my lungs. Was in the hospital for 4 days and sent home. I am now on Xarelto. I feel I am having difficulties with every day life. I feel tired and am dealing with heaviness in my shoulders and neck pain. I figure this is anxiety and started meds two days ago. (I do have a history of anxiety). The hard part is the Doctors tell me I'm fine, but I don't feel fine. I'm told I should push myself, but when I do, I pay for it the next day or two. I guess I just need assurances that life will someday get back to normal (whatever that is). I glad I found this site as it does help knowing that others have gone thru the same thing.
Your body has taken a major hit. Healing takes time and energy. Think of how long a cut takes to heal. It takes a lot of patience to go through the healing process.
Also, don't be shy to ask for help. I used to work as a care giver for the elderly. I used those skills I learned in asking my friends for specific things I needed help with, and they were happy to help out.
I'm over a year out, and I feel great. I'm doing all my long walks and enjoying my life. You will feel better, just give yourself time and love.
By the by, back when I was working an extremely stressful job I came across a simple but great tip for helping to release the tension in your shoulders - breathing with my stomach instead of my shoulders. It's how we breathe when we're relaxed, instead of tightening up and breathing through our shoulders.
My new goal is to listen to my body and get more rest.
I had a bilateral pulmonary embolism with lung infarction in May 2014. I have felt quite miserable in the first two months, then slightly better and better. I could not accept what happened to me suddenly, because I have always been a really active person. I could not accept not only not being able to run or lift weights at the gym anymore, but also not being able to take a few steps without being short of breath. I also had a lot of pain in my left lung and had to take opioids for an extended period of time.
I was lucky enough to have my family around, although in another country, and to meet understanding doctors (except one hema who was not really kind: but we can switch doctors, right?). Nobody ever pushed me. However, when I was feeling slightly better (though still having a hard time with many daily tasks), I did try to push myself little by little to go back to normal. Sometimes I did things that seemed heavy or difficult and, as you said, I paid for it in the next day or two. However, those little things (e.g. cooking lunch for my partner, or just walking outside in my garden) made me feel "alive" and a little closer to normal day by day. You should be the one who pushes if you feel like it. Of course, it is important to be aware of your own limits and not to do anything that is unsafe for your health. Listen to your body first!
You will become your old self again, or something really close to it. I am 1 year and 4 months out of my embolism and I can say I have a normal and fulfilling life. Unfortunately, there are still clots stuck in my left lung and I have to go to checkups every 6 months or so. Plus, I can feel that said lung is not 100% ok. in spite of this all, I have resumed my full time job and also picked up running races again.
You will be fine! Just hang in there!