You know, it seemed that way for me too. Lots of weird things. I have ulcertative colitis that had been in remission for years that acted up again several months after the PE. I also have a lot of body aches and headaches, but they can be related to the ulcerative colitis. But honestly, stress plays a huge role in our immune system so I think for me, the stress of the PE set a lot of things in motion. Stress can literally make us sick.

Hi,

I'm 1 year post PE now and am getting stronger and stronger. I had an emotional meltdown around the 5-month mark as I was so disappointed with not being well- I kept getting sick for 6 months after my PE. I'd get back to "normal", be OK for a week, then pick up something else: flu, tonsilitis, strep throat, UTI, colds...
I think that rest is really important, give yourself time. And when you ARE feeling well, don't spend all your energy. It was the best advice I got!

Good luck, you'll get there!

I am sorry to hear you have been unwell since PE. Unfortunately, I am in the same boat as you and thought it may be a coincidence. However, I do believe the PE and DVT has affected my immunity. I picked up C-diff, had pneumonia, the flu, an ear infection, and a cold and cough. Needless to say, I've been miserable for most of the past few months. I am hoping with the end of winter coming I will stop picking everything up. I am curious to hear what others have to say about this issue. I hope you get well shortly,
Lydia

I had my PE about 8 weeks ago. It was a 5 days after emergency c-section with my son. I've been sick non stop. After they released me the first time, I had to go back with an infection in my uterus (caused by their treatment to try and stop postpartum bleeding). Was there a week on antibiotics. I've had a yeast infection, UTI, flu, cold that turned to bronchitis, and now the antibiotics they gave me seem to not be working Saturday I'm getting worse instead of better 2 weeks after. It has to be related since I'm not the only one. I hope you feel better. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

It's been 9 weeks since my PE and I still have bad days when my energy seems to vanish and that ugly pain in my left side comes back. I had been home from the hospital for about a month when something weird happened to my brain. I could remember people, their names and what they meant to me, but I had no idea of what was happening around me. I'd ask my wife what we were doing and she would tell me and I'd ask the same question over and over and over. My family doctor said I had a Transient Global Amnesia event. But now I'm starting to go places by myself and life is getting back to normal.

I would wonder about how much hypoxia (diminished blood oxygen to body tissues) you are having. A doctor should be able to test. Response to a PE is very individual. Some people with small PEs have gone into shock, others with large PEs seem to be relatively OK. It sounds like you are having immune 'aftershocks' to your event. Again, a doctor can evaluate whether a shot of gamma globulin might help you; the question is if that would interfere with your anticoagulation therapy.

Just pointing out that this original post is 8 years old.

The original post might be 8 years old but the issue is still relevant now!

I am 4 months post-SSPE and the last 2 months particularly have been filled with non stop illness. I travelled for part of it and thought I was just unlucky - I had previously had bad luck with travel bugs in some trips, but this time was different. I got a blister from too much walking which got infected and just would not heal for weeks - then I got mouth ulcers, and a general sore throat. THEN food poisoning!!

When I got back I went on antibiotics, and I needed TWO courses to clear up my throat, the blister did finally heal, but then I started getting mouth ulcers again!! I usually get strep every couple of years of so, but never mouth ulcers. My mouth was also getting dry overnight, and then I realised that I must be sleeping with my mouth open, which I don't normally do. Turns out, some medication can cause you to do this - I'm on Xarelto. So I taped my mouth at night with medical tape, and the ulcers cleared up in a week.

THEN I got an ear infection! I never get ear infections. Like I literally cannot remember ever having one before. So at this point I started looking into it.

Turns out anticoagulants DEFINITELY mess with the immune system. So be a bit OTT about washing hands, protecting yourself from infections, stay away from sick people if you can, you will pick up anything and everything!

Can't wait till my next specialist appointment next week, hoping I will be cleared to come off the Xarelto.