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 there,
I'm so glad I found this forum. I'm 31 and just had a massive bilateral PE (most likely caused by Yasmin, that notorious pill I had actually worried about when my primary care doctor suggested it for BC, but she shrugged off my concerns, saying in the US people sue companies at the drop of a hat). In any case, I'm apparently lucky to have survived it since I collapsed several times before getting rushed to the ER, and the clots were all over the place.
I've been out of the hospital for a little over a week, and am glad to report that my lungs and heart seem to be recuperating very well and speedily...I've been walking each day in 5-10 minute spurts, for a total of about 30 minutes, doing some gentle yoga, grocery shopping etc without getting out of breath. However, already being prone to both panic attacks and fainting spells, the major problem I've been having is anxiety. I've already had three panic attacks since my discharge from the hospital, and even though I can recognize them well, I also have a fear fluttering through my mind that it could be another PE.
I'm on 20mg a day of Previscan, the French equivalent to Wafarin, and my INR has been in therapeutic range since I got out of the hospital. I'm also wearing compression stockings since it all started out as thrombosis in my leg. I know that means I'm pretty safe I guess, but I can't shake this fear that somehow the remaining clot in my leg will travel back up to my lungs and cause my heart to stop. Being young and having a first life-threatening illness has really thrown me for a curve, and I'm having a big problem controlling my anxious fears about getting another PE/collapsing in the street or at home (I live alone). Just curious if anyone else experiences these panic attacks, and what you've done about it. I don't like to be on anti-anxiety meds and my GP agrees, saying Previscan is already pretty heavy as meds go. I've been doing meditation as always, but this is a tough thing to control. It almost feels like post-traumatic stress of some kind.
Thanks so much for your help and for listening, and sending you thoughts for a quick recovery.
"Kocici"-- paris, france
I'm so glad I found this forum. I'm 31 and just had a massive bilateral PE (most likely caused by Yasmin, that notorious pill I had actually worried about when my primary care doctor suggested it for BC, but she shrugged off my concerns, saying in the US people sue companies at the drop of a hat). In any case, I'm apparently lucky to have survived it since I collapsed several times before getting rushed to the ER, and the clots were all over the place.
I've been out of the hospital for a little over a week, and am glad to report that my lungs and heart seem to be recuperating very well and speedily...I've been walking each day in 5-10 minute spurts, for a total of about 30 minutes, doing some gentle yoga, grocery shopping etc without getting out of breath. However, already being prone to both panic attacks and fainting spells, the major problem I've been having is anxiety. I've already had three panic attacks since my discharge from the hospital, and even though I can recognize them well, I also have a fear fluttering through my mind that it could be another PE.
I'm on 20mg a day of Previscan, the French equivalent to Wafarin, and my INR has been in therapeutic range since I got out of the hospital. I'm also wearing compression stockings since it all started out as thrombosis in my leg. I know that means I'm pretty safe I guess, but I can't shake this fear that somehow the remaining clot in my leg will travel back up to my lungs and cause my heart to stop. Being young and having a first life-threatening illness has really thrown me for a curve, and I'm having a big problem controlling my anxious fears about getting another PE/collapsing in the street or at home (I live alone). Just curious if anyone else experiences these panic attacks, and what you've done about it. I don't like to be on anti-anxiety meds and my GP agrees, saying Previscan is already pretty heavy as meds go. I've been doing meditation as always, but this is a tough thing to control. It almost feels like post-traumatic stress of some kind.
Thanks so much for your help and for listening, and sending you thoughts for a quick recovery.
"Kocici"-- paris, france
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Look at what my best friend did with my picture!
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We all have 24 hours in a day. How we spend these hours is important. Watching a little bit of a video about how sitting affects us made me aware of how much sitting and laying down I do. Gonna have to work on that.Your turn. Tell me another truth.
My PEs were at the end of January. Multiple clots in both lungs. We're not sure what caused them, but I will be on warfarin for life. Although I've had two DVTs in the past, the PEs have been MUCH harder to deal with in terms of anxiety and fear.
I'm 35 now. Had my first DVT when I was 30 in 2005.
My first night out of the hospital, I slept like the dead and woke feeling great. About three hours later, my heart rate shot up and I went back to the hospital via ambulance. Nothing additional was wrong, and they thought it was anxiety. They gave me anxiety meds, which helped a lot but which I didn't take for very long.
The second night out of the hospital, I woke up about two in the morning and was convinced I could feel the clots moving around in my lungs. That was the end of sleeping well for a while. I was afraid to sleep, thinking I would not wake up again. I couldn't sleep at all if I was alone in the room, and often didn't sleep even when my husband came to bed with me.
My doctor did encourage anti-anxiety meds but I resisted for a long time because I just didn't want to take another drug. Finally, after about two months of horrible sleep, I did start taking some (Lexapro) and it was incredibly helpful! I didn't realize how much anxiety I was dealing with until I started to get it under control.
That said, taking more meds is definitely a personal choice and it isn't the right one for everyone. You might try finding a therapist who is good with health issues and trauma situations. Having a PE is incredibly traumatic and you do respond like a survivor. Post-traumatic stress can be real here.
Anyway, I'm feeling better and sleeping better these days. Still taking the Lexapro and I use a relaxation tape to help me drift into sleep at night. This forum has also helped a lot and I'm here almost every day.
Keep posting! Keep us posted and hang in there! It DOES get better!
My PE was three years ago today. And I lead a great life, am happy, am well adjusted. Life is good, so remember that this is all just a process you need to go through.
The only way out of it is to go through it.
Hang in there!
I am happy you found this site. There are amazing people on here that have great advice or are always willing to listen.
My PE was July 12th and anxiety was a huge part of my recovery. I worried every second of the day that I would have another PE and like many PE survivor's, have problems sleeping. I was prescribed Zoloft for the anxiety and it seems to take the edge off a little. I still have problems sleeping at night, but during the day all I do is dream about sleep. I actually am seeing strobes from lack of sleep. I am hoping in time it will go away.
Feel free to vent to me any time. Talking to people that have been through it actually takes the anxiety away for me. Have a great weekend!
Carrie
You are totally not alone! I have had pretty bad anxiety problems since diagnosed with my PE's/DVT. The most I had dealt with in my life before the clots, were the stomach problems I've had since I was 4 years old but having something life threatening happen to me and nearly dying from it, well it has made me a mess.
I can't sleep at all hardly anymore and when I do I have nightmares nearly every other night. I literally force myself to stay awake at night until I have no choice but to crash. Here it is 1:45am and I'm still up. I guess part of the reason is because I first felt the clots at night and I was told that if I had went to sleep that night instead of going to the ER I could possibly be dead. So now I get scared and don't even want to sleep at night. I do take small naps daily though, day time I'm not as scared.
I've tried hard to control the fears to no avail. I haven't gone the anxiety med route yet and I just don't like the thought of more meds added to the mix but if I can't control my fears soon then I may go for the meds because honestly I needed some restful sleep.
Good luck and once again welcome!
I am now off my warfarin, it's been about 11 days now. I still worry about getting more clots but I know what to look for (I think) and try to take care of myself. You sound like you are doing the right things in terms of staying healthy and fit. I say keep doing what you are doing! You might be able to get something from your doc for panic attacks if you feel one coming on.
I hope you recover quickly and remember, you are NOT alone! I try to come on this site a few times a week, and these men and women on here have helped tremendously in my mental recovery. Everyone has good advice and knows what you are going through. Hang in there!
Thanks again and many thoughts to you all for a quick healing process. My partner (who's German) called me a "medal-winner for valiance" (funny german word meaning brave), and you all are on this forum.