Ok I have been reading several posts on DS today and noticed we have several newbies posting right now. Welcome to our weird little roller coaster ride from Hell, yes it is an emotional roller coaster (normal), lots of us even those of us who had PE's years ago suffer from anxiety and need counselling or medication (normal), some of us are in denial (not normal but I'm in denial anyway). Some of us have developed other health care issues after having the PE's (normal), most of us old timers have gotten on with our lives (normal). We have kind of adopted the mantra not when are we going to be back to normal but when are we gonna let ourselves be normal again. Our diets are now foremost in our minds (normal) and we have totally cut vitamin K out of the diet (not normal) the experts recommend you continue your normal eating habits and adjust your Coumadin to your diet. Each one of us has taken different amounts of time to heal (normal) I think it all depends on the severity of the clotting event and our bodies ability to heal itself. Does it take time? Of course it does. Do other people make you feel like a total ass because your still hung up on the fact you could have died? Of course they do. Will they ever understand? Hell no they wont understand they haven't been through it. Do the Doctors whom you trust your life in their hands understand? Well some of them do and sometimes we have to give them a swift kick in the ass to make them pay attention. One of the things you will hear a lot of from the old timers on this blog is you have to be your own best advocate. So right now stop taking a back seat in your health care and move to the front of the line. Not just about your PE's or DVT's but about your health care period. Many of us have had several other medical problems after PE's and we found out the hard way that the squeaky wheel gets the most grease, In sorts we kind of paved the way for some of you, please learn from our lessons. We have finally stood up and said enough is enough, I want some answers and I want them now. I myself have had several surgeries after my first PE episode and have learned how to bridge off Coumadin and back again. I have learned when to back off too. I have learned how to know when I feel as if I have had another PE just by the way I feel. Your going to hear several of us mention that "feeling of dread" that does accompany the PE or DVT, listen to your body and your instincts. OK I'm gonna stop here as I know my good friends like RMB and TnT will also add some great advice. Best of luck to you newbies and remember Rome wasn't built in a day, your INR isn't gonna change in a day and yes you can have a normal life. And don't every feel alone as long as you have friends here on DS and don't be afraid to ask questions. knowledge is power!
Hugs
ferr