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.
So this month marks my 6th month of being on warfarin after having a PE after having a surgery on my foot, and as you all know 6 months seems to be the magic number to come off of the blood thinners. I have an appointment to see my doctor next week and I am extremely nervous, as I will most likely be taken off of the warfarin. At first the hospitals anti-cougulation clinic was monitoring me, but my doctor has taken over for the last 3 months and honestly I think she is an idiot lol, so I would like to know what they look for that makes them determine that 6 months is long enough. I was told that I probably wouldn't be given another ct scan, so how do they know that the clots are actually gone? Is there anything that I should make sure my doctor checks for?
Also, how do you deal with being off of the warfarin. Other than slightly short of breath, I had NO symptoms when they discovered my PE, I was just still in the hospital recovering from my surgery when they checked my vitals and they were not right, so I am soooo paranoid I will have another one and not even realize it. My lungs for the most part actually felt alright until these last 2 months, when I sometimes have a little trouble breathing,so its like I have gotten worse, not better, and I think I will just be extremely anxious all the time if I get taken off.
Also, how do you deal with being off of the warfarin. Other than slightly short of breath, I had NO symptoms when they discovered my PE, I was just still in the hospital recovering from my surgery when they checked my vitals and they were not right, so I am soooo paranoid I will have another one and not even realize it. My lungs for the most part actually felt alright until these last 2 months, when I sometimes have a little trouble breathing,so its like I have gotten worse, not better, and I think I will just be extremely anxious all the time if I get taken off.
My PEs dissolved after about six weeks but both of my DVTs (one from 2005 and one from 2009) are still in my right leg. They don't bother me and haven't really caused any problems.
I've never had a repeat scan when coming off thinners, but some folks do.
Just be sure you ask the questions that are bothering you before you come off.
I volunteer for the local animal shelter, and I glad to be off comandin. I don't have to worry getting bit, or clawed by a cat or dog, and have to deal with the endless bleeding.
Good luck,
Carolyn