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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Lungs & Respiration
/ Pulmonary Embolism Support Group

Hello, my day to be new

CivilizedRedneck
CivilizedRedneck
Well not really Ive been lurking oh wait I mean looking for about 3 weeks. This site has been a great source of info. Its good to see people willing to talk about what can be a private health matter. That takes guts; I say that only because I myself am private. But since my big event Ive kinda changed my mind on that issue. Word needs to get out about this problem.
Let me first say this is the first time Ive ever joined a group so there will be a learning curve. And just as an FYI I cant type worth a lick. No laughing please OK a little laughing just tell me so I can laugh too.
Enough of the chatter on with my story: For about two months I had I had a pain in the back of my left leg. Went to docs had an ultrasound that came up normal. The whole time I was limping around on a bum leg. I thought I had pulled a muscle. Two weeks later a ride in an ambulance after passing out at home. ER room, cardiac arrest (25 Minutes) dead on the table. Wife watching everything. Kinda wish she didnt see that now she is scared as h3ll that this could happen again. Spent the next 2 1/2 days semi conscious in CCU. I can't remember anything that happened those days). Docs didnt expect to live. But I DID. They told me I was very lucky to be alive and that I had a DVT that caused 14 bi-lateral PE's in my lungs. All my clots are gone except a small one in the left lung.5 days there 6 days in PCU. Released home PT and a nurse for 3 weeks now going out for that. Taking Coumadin they (the doctor) said I maybe a lifer. Exercise, walking, rest and a lot of sleep.

Thanks Ive learned a lot even before signing up.
Get ready I got a lot of ???
deleted_user
deleted_user
I am so happy that you made it! I was recently diagnosed with a PE even though I first had my DVT last month. I probably wouldnt have known I've had a PE except that I am a slight hypochondriac so while I was in the hospital, I read everything about DVTs and knew PE was a possibility. I went to the ER a couple of days after being discharged from being in the Hospital for a month a half from pancreatitis, with Shortness of breath, and a massive panic attack that felt different from the first PA I had a couple of days after being let go. They gave me a CT scan and found small clots in my left lung. So far I am on Warfarin for 6 months and have had a filter placed in my chest (but this was done while I was in the hospital. They suspect the PE happened before the filter but we aren't sure) I am the type of person that asks questions about every little thing and so far everyone has been very patient here regardless of how repetitive or dumb they might seem so Do not be afraid to ask because truly, the only stupid question is the one that is not asked,

-Nina
CivilizedRedneck
CivilizedRedneck
Thanks glad to be above the dirt line. The doctors didn't tell me too much when I was in the hospital got most of the info from the nurses Guess they wanted to keep me calm Mrs. Redneck was on them about getting info but didn't tell me much wanted me to rest.When I got home I looked up DVT's, PE's, anything related to what had just happened. But it made me to queasy too much too soon. Had to wait several weeks till I could handle it.I don't have a filter didn't know anything about them till a couple of weeks ago.Sounds like you been dragged thru the fire.You made it this far you just gotta keep pushin.
We shall go on to the end..........We shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength.........We shall never surrender
Winston Churchill

Thanks again take care
CR
deleted_user
deleted_user
It's strange to say welcome to this group, but welcome anyhow. This board has some amazing survivors and people who've been through so many things. It was invaluable in my recovery from massive multiple PE's with lung infarction. As a survivor I had tons of questions from why me, to warfarin/coumadin side effects. This is definitely the place to not feel alone in your journey and meet others who know what you're going through. Don't be afraid to keep asking questions until you're satisfied you learned enough about your condition.

I'm now post warfarin, PE free and loving life again. Hang in there through all the ups and downs and the best part of this whole experience is you really learn to value and appreciate life. I'm grateful to be alive, and glad you are too.
CivilizedRedneck
CivilizedRedneck
Ariel, thanks for the welcome. Its strange to be here I was one of those people that walked around thinking nah that wont happen to me & when I heard that something bad happened to someone else even if I did not know them it would give me a jolt of yeah it could. When I woke up in the hospital Mrs. Redneck & my Father told me that I had blood clots in my lungs & a cardiac arrest. I will tell you the truth the only thing I knew about blood clots was nothing, and thought that there was no difference between a heart attack & cardiac arrest. This board is very informative just by reading previous post I have answered some of my questions. I am glad that you came out of life alive to help those of us that come behind you. May you have more UPS!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I felt the same way. I honestly didn't really know what a PE was nor that BC pills could cause that for anyone. I was always thinking that if you're under 35, not a smoker, not obese, active ect that it wasn't really going to be an issue for me. I certainly learned a valuable lesson!

I definitely feel a debt of gratitude to some members who no longer post here who helped me along the way in this crazy post PE survival world. If there's ever anything I can do to help anyone going through what I have, I'm happy to help in any way I can. I hope you have many ups to come as well =)