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.

1,102 Members
7,473 Posts
0 Online
Lungs & Respiration
/ Pulmonary Embolism Support Group

Another Trip to the ER

Donnarae
Donnarae
Oh dear! I had another 4 hours in the ER today due to, I guess, anxiety! Not sure why, I have been just fine for 2 months and then BP and pulse WAY high! Also had a bit of discomfort in my clot leg... having my INR low last time didn't help I'm sure! Anyway, they did a ultrasound, EKG, Chest Xray (not sure why exactly), blood work and was given a clean bill of health. The ultrasound didn't show a clot anymore .. I think.. and the chest xray was clear. My INR was 2.1 and everything else OK. My BP and pulse are still slighty elevated, but going to my primary care next week to talk about that. I guess that I'm stressing, but not sure what do to about that. I'm on BP meds and had been clocking in at around 115/70 for months and today it was 150/95 and pulse at 80... normally 62... better safe than sorry I guess. I'm very tired now and feel a nap coming on.
TossNTurn
TossNTurn
Yeah, I've had two of those "return" trips too. Both times it was anxiety. They ran all the tests (didn't blow me off, which I appreciate), gave me Ativan, and sent me on my way. Kind of a rite of passage!

No fun, but almost necessary in a way. Glad they didn't find anything serious!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Better safe than sorry, indeed!

I've had to ER trips (one that resulted in another hospitalization) since my first diagnosis and h'palization. Welcome to our little club :)
pattiannh
pattiannh
This was me 2 nights ago. I am also new here, but have following since I was diagnosed on Feb. 1 with DVT and massive saddle PE. I was just sitting, when I became lightheaded, heart felt like it was beating out of my chest and i was forcing myself to breathe. Went to ER, INR was 1.6 so new scan was ordered to make sure I wasn't throwing new clots and Ativan was given. Chest showed the saddle had completely resolved already! Leg ultrasound showed nothing had changed. See my primary dr. tomorrow, but I don't think it will really determine anything other than anxiety or maybe doing too much? Sure doesn't do much for my confidence, I WAS just starting to feel better about the whole recovery :(
deleted_user
deleted_user
I went in to the ER again too about a month or so after my PE.

They did more tests, though no new CT. Negative D-dimer, INR was around 2.3, xray didn't show anything either.

They gave me a "GI Cocktail" and ativan. Ativan through the IV seems to work better for me than the pills, LOL. I have an Rx for Xanax, but I hate taking pills so I only take them when I really need them.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Ya know, it's been 6 months since my PE, and I made 2 trips back to the ER similar to what you described. Light headedness, racing heart, had to "think" myself through every breath. I hear ya! Both times I got priority treatment and eventually a clean bill of health (both times they watched me for about 4 hrs just to be sure). The second time they re-scanned and it was actually a huge relief b/c it showed that most of the old PE's had resolved. As you said, better safe than sorry! I'm glad you're doing OK and I hope you get some rest. Hang in there! It DOES get better!
KS
jmac67
jmac67
i too made a number of trips back to hospital in the first few weeks following diagnosis - about 2 weeks after my first visit it was due to dizziness and being lightheaded, heart racing etc - i too had all the blood tests done, chest xray etc - outcome was a clean bill of health and SLOW DOWN - told i was doing way too much and expecting far too much from my body since it had been through a major trauma - i was overly anxious at that time too - slowing down did work - i had to take it extra easy for quite some time. hope you feel better soon - but just try some serious 'me time' and get yourself on your comfy sofa for a week or two.