If you're currently on coumadin and in your therapeutic range, it would be really unlikely that you've gotten new clots in your lungs, but I'm still not surprised at your symptoms. I personally think there is more that happens on a level which isn't seen on any scans which damages our cardiopulmonary system, because honestly many of us are never quite the same following a PE, we'll have moments of pain or breathlessness when we exert ourselves more than normal. Things like allergies and colds seem to affect us more than previously, so is there any chance that could be a factor? Also, is this really the first physical work you've done since getting PE? I think sometimes we forget that as we get back into more normal activities, that we're just out of shape too after months of recovering from PE. It'll take some time for your body to get used to the activity again, even if it doesn't seem very active in comparison to what you were used to doing, Since your heart scans came back good, then you should be able to continue reasonably pushing yourself toward normal. A lot of us here say we have a 'new normal' after clotting, so it's not to say that you will feel just as you did before (although some seem to get there too), but you'll still improve from how you're feeling now. When I think of eight months into recovery, well there's still a lot of improvement that can be made past that.

I'm not sure what you want to know about the filters. Usually they're put in when someone has an immediate risk of a DVT causing and embolism. I have a permanent filter which was part of my initial emergency treatment. I'm not really aware that it's there in any way that I can feel. Evidently they are occasionally put in when someone who is a high risk for repeated clotting cannot take coumadin, but even at that I've been told it's a very imperfect "solution" because clots can form on the filter over time - I've had doctors who weren't concerned about that, and others who felt like having the filter itself was enough reason for me to stay on anticoagulants. As it is I've clotted several times so I'm permanently taking coumadin. Honestly, if you're going to stay on it, I can't think why you'd really need a filter, though.

Try to listen to your body. If it's telling you it's too much, then just pause for a moment, take a break for a day or two, and slowly build yourself back up.

Hi Bill - A year after my DVT & PE's my breathing was still very compromised. Had some breathing tests, and found out some of it was due to asthma. The inhaler that I use helped a bit, but didn't solve the problem completely. I seriosly suspect I have some permanent lung damge. It doesn't take a lot to make my breathing become rather labored. I try not to let it limit my activities, but it does hamper me bit. I just do things at a slower pace. It's great to still be around, even if things are't the same as they used to be.

I had bouts of extreme exhaustion and SOB up until about 11 months out in recovery. Doesn't necessarily mean that there's anything wrong with you, just that you're still healing.

For a while, I got hit with the exhaustion when I was trying something new: going for a long walk in cold temperatures, being outside in humidity, just had a long day. The bouts got less and less over time, but the last one I had was on Thanksgiving Day after a long walk with the family after dinner. My clots were at the end of January, so it was about 11 months later.

Take it easy for a day or so and see if you start to bounce back. If your symptoms aren't continuous, I would think it is more just part of the healing process than anything else.

That said, if you're off warfarin and really concerned that your clots are coming back, go get yourself checked out ASAP. Better safe than sorry.

If you're on warfarin and getting these symptoms, I would really chalk it up to the recovery process. I know eight months seems like a long time, but you still have plenty more time for recovery. I'm more than three years out at this point and I've still seen improvement over the last couple of years.

Can't speak to the filters. I don't have one and don't really want one.

If you're on warfarin long term, not sure that a filter would be necessary. I have one, but I had it inserted within two days after diagnosis, due to the severity and size of my clots. Just an extra precaution, particularly at the time when I was only going to be on warfarin for 6 months.

I have no issues with my filter and like ShilosMommy, forget I even have it. It's not a guarantee of anything really, but it's one added safety net for some folks. I actually was happy to have my filter when I was off warfarn for a while. So in that sense, it was a nice to have. Now I don't think it matters much since I'm on warfarin for life.

I did not get a filter during my initial treatment. After 6 months of Coumadin, it was discontinued. A month later, I became severely short of breath after exercising. A new clot was found, stress test, echo, cath lab and IVC filter followed, along with Coumadin for life. Like the others, I don't feel it and forget that it is there.

I have the same shortness of breath you and others describe. I notice it most when talking, on exertion, when it is extra hot, cold or humid and sometimes for no reason I can identify.

From my initial CT scan, one of my docs estimated 40% loss of lung on the right and 30% on the left. Although coronary vessels were found to be without disease, my diminished lung capacity resulted in not enough oxygen during increased demand and irritable heart tissue does not conduct normally.

That's my story and some of it may apply to you as well. The stand out points of your post to me were "fertilizer" , "cough" and the unexpected change in your condition. Particulate matter that might not have bothered you much before PE, when coupled with exertion (even moderate) and stamina chances from recovery inactivity could be responsible with or without whatever psychological factors increase our awareness of such things. I think the development of cough favors irritation. Respiratory protection (dust mask) is essential for folks like us.

I fight every day to increase my stamina. It seems to work some days better than others but at this point I don't see any better choices. I try to be thankful for the struggle rather than resting in peace. I wish you the best in your recovery.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I think you are correct in saying that the healing can be slow and I may have new normal for now. After considering all of your comments, I actually think that I am pushing myself too hard and I need to listen to my body and stop expecting to be back to where I was...for now anyway.

Thanks.