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.

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Dating....and another question

philid1973
philid1973
So, I ended an engagement in the Winter and only started to date again before my PE, which kind of put a stop to that. Now, Im dating again, and I have yet to tell anybody what happened. I don't know why I feel weird about it, but obviously there are lifestyle changes that I have. Im not sure when i shoud tell somebody about it...I can't be on birth control, I can't eat the same foods, liquor, etc.

On a side note, I am having a very difficutl time regulating my INR. I have been back on Fragin 3 times. My INR is only 1.4 I am shopping around for another doctor in part because I just dont' feel a connection and there have been other issue (i.e. not telling me what my INR was for 3 days meanwhile, Im on Fragmin, spending hundreds of dollars per shot, trying to get off them....calling in wrong presription amount for my coumadin and so I went unproteced all weekend thereby also being on Fragmin.).

My question is...has anybody had to swtich docs mid treatment? Im not sure whether I should wait out the 9 months of treatment before switching, or switch mid treatment and go with somebody who hasn't known my history...
deleted_user
deleted_user
If you feel you're not getting the right treatment - switch.

They can get your notes from the hospital, etc and I'm sure you can give them a good verbal history that will bring them up to speed on your illness and recovery. Sure, a little more work during the first visit or two, but you'll be better off in the long run.
TossNTurn
TossNTurn
It should be pretty easy to bring a new doc up to speed, especially if you have a connection with a new doc. The right doc for you will "get it" in about ten minutes, whereas the wrong doc might never get it.

I'd switch. Of course, I would also stop by for an appointment first thing and grill him/her about their treatment for PE patients. The right doc just makes recovery that much easier. I wouldn't trade mine for the world!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Switch docs. Its not real easy to get therapeutic on Coumadin, but its easier than what you are going through. I started out on 5 mg, then 10 mg then 7.5 mg and I was therapeutic that fast. Then they lowered the dose to 2.5 to maintain me. Blood work is best 4-6 days as they is when the Coumadin builds up and starts to work. Anything sooner and they may not notice a difference. Best wishes.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have had 4 drs since december (not all by my choice) and im about to start a new one in 3 weeks. Take the time and find the right dr... I believe the stress of dealing w mediocre drs is one thing that messed with my INR so much. Word of mouth is a good way to find a good doc. I almost hate to admit it but i found my latest through facebook. A friend had a good doc and she knew someone who had her as a fb friend and voilla! I get in to see her 6 mos earlier than i could have by just calling for an appointment. Goid luck and do your research!

As far as dating, what a perfect reason to not drink and not have sex with someone you dont know well enough yet. When you find someone you have spent time with and trust tell them your 'story' until then just say no! ;) I havent had a drop since december, I'd be a cheap date LOL.
rmb
rmb
Yes, I did switch doctors. If it doesn't feel right with your doc, switch. I did that. And I swear, just the change in general made me feel healthier and more in control.

Dating.... well it's not like you have a terminal illness. If you want to mention it, mention. If you don't want to, don't. You can be on some type of birth control, you can eat what your want and you can have a couple of drinks. I suspect no one you would start dating would think, holy cow something is wrong with you.
TossNTurn
TossNTurn
Yeah, I would think any guy worth his salt would be able to work with these things, especially the birth control. I'd be insisting on a condom anyway!
rmb
rmb
Yeah, new relationships warrant a condom typically, not so much for pregnancy, but you know, other stuff.
deleted_user
deleted_user
For what it is worth I totally agree with the ladies. Get another doc. I have been very lucky my PCP and the pharmaris (sp) that manages my INR have worked out great. I think it is great that your dating. Go out and have fun. It is ok to have a glass or two of wine. As for the other dating stuff I defer to the advice from the ladies.I hope you fine a nice guy. Remember to make sure he treats you nice because you are worth it.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I switched with 5 weeks to go. I found a good doc and only wish I had changed earlier. Mine original doc also kept me subtherapeutic most of the first 5 months. One hospital stay was due to being 3 weeks below range. Good luck to you.
Ferr
Ferr
I have a perfectly wonderful PCP but I recently added a Hematologist to get a second opinion. It's actually a good thing I did because the Hematologist found some tests that my PCP didn't know to run and discovered the cause of my clotting. If your PCP gets angry for you getting a second opinion then he isn't worth the paper his license is printed on. I approached my PCP with the fact I wanted a new perspective on my PE's and he faxed all my records to the hematologist for me so the doctor knew right off what tests had been run and what had been done. He had my whole history in front of him when I had my appointment. My PCP still manages my Coumadin but now he has a better idea of what we are dealing with. I have a total of 3 doctors on my team now. My PCP, My hematologist and my pulmonologist. The PCP is who heads up my excellent team of doctors who manage my PE's and clotting disorder.
Hugs
Ferr
philid1973
philid1973
I don't know why I feel guilty or bad. Probably the same reason I stayed at a company that treated me like first for 10 years. And I put up with it and stay.

I have an appiontment a week from yesterday with the new doc and I have my list of questions and we'll see. I have been practically BEGGING to see a pulmonologist, and after 2 hospitals and a primary, and a hematologist, no pulmonogist. I had 11 clots in my lungs, 1 of them caused permanent damage, about 25 percent (not quite), and I have necrosis in one lung as a result. And I have asthma. I have had chest pain for 3 months, practically, and shortness of breath. My ashtam is now worse, and I as back in the Er with breathing issues (fear that I had another clot but I didn't). So, Im wondering what it does take to get a Pumonologist.

I hear everybody on here talking about it, and everybody seems to have one. Is it age? Im only 38. My ogxygen level was always in the 90s, even with the PE. But, I went from using my inhaler only when I exercise to daily. You would think that would be grounds for an expert.......
philid1973
philid1973
typo..in first sentence, it should say "dirt" not "first"
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