I think that 6 months is the usual course. Some doctors will say 3 months if the reason for the clot is very clear---- like say a surgery. My SIL had an operation on the shoulder, developed a DVT in the arm but only had 3 months warfarin and no PE.

The word atelectasis (had to look it up) --- partially collapsed lung- might have been caused by a PE, which your report suspected. That MAY mean a six month course----- but your doctor decides.

Six months is pretty standard. There are a few folks that do three months and then off, but usually, like cave said, they have a very clear cause.

Some folks go longer because their docs want their clots to disappear completely. It isn't really necessary to do that (clots pose no danger even if they are still there after six months or so) but some docs (and patients!) are more comfortable with it.

Also, sounds like it is time for a talk with your doc. Make an appointment to see whomever is managing your INR and get some info about how long you'll be on. No reason to be in the dark ... it is your life, after all!

My DVT/PE is thought to have been caused by a combination of birth control and surgery. I was on bc pills up until the day before surgery and developed a DVT in my pelvis (it was pelvic surgery) post surgery. One hospital doc said 6 months, the other said 3 since I had 2 major contributing factors. My Primary care doc said 3 months should be sufficient, but given my extreme anxiety after 3 months has agreed that I can stay on for 6 months. Just my experience, but it seems to me the number of contributing factors plays a role in the decision.

Yes, the number of contributing factors does play a part, as does just what your doctor 'thinks' of the entire thing.
My only risk factor according to them was the pill, though I took a very long car ride about two months prior.
My course is supposed to be 6 months, but I am not sure how long I am going to stay on it. My doctor has left it up to me.

Hi there. I was on for a little more than 6 mos andd then asked dr. about coming off. They saw no reason not to take me off. Turns out I did have Factor V but because I had never had problems with other surgeries I am on low dose aspirin every night.

I guess my advice would be talk to the drs. and when you come off have your thromophilia workup. Good luck!

3-6 months is standard but I'd just come out and ask your doc, hey what's the plan?

Thank you all for the replies. I'm comfortable being on warfarin for the full 6 months even though I absolutely hate the drug. Im at the point where as much as I want this to all be over I want to know I'm "good to go"; to say the least.
TNT- I've ask the pharamcist taking care of my inr and warfarin dose and she has no clue. She actually asked me in turn what the hospital told me course of action is! I'm on a referral list to get in with a hemotologist but still waiting to hear from them. Saw a internal specialist once and he didn't even know why I was there to see him. I had to give him background info on what happened he listened to my chest/lungs did a EKG then said try to keep my inr between 2-2.5 and do frequent inr checks. (at that point I was already going2-3 times a week so thought he was crazy to ask me to go more often) I'm now going 1-2 times a week and today inr is at 2.5 so my pharmacist is happy.

I'm having tightness in both my calf and sharp twinges in my thighs and left upper arm since being basically bed ridden for 36 hours. Talked to the lady monitoring me about it and her only advice was walk lots today and see how my legs and arm feels by the end of the weekend. If its still lasting then go to the er and request a Doppler of both legs and left arm.

Not having a dr to talk to or monitor things is driving me crazy. I have gotten more information about pe's and recovery from this support group than I ever have gotten from any medical professional at this point.

I was initially down for 3 months, but this was extended to 6. I think 6 is right, because you can then spend more time recovering (in months 4,5 and 6) with confidence that you won't get more clots.

w.r.t. hating warfarin. I hated it too, but once off it, my hatred of warfarin became a fear of getting more clots. I'm still living with this fear. But what makes it easier is that I'm pretty sure all clots were well and truly gone after 6 months on warfarin. I figure that if I'd only done 3 months then I'd have worried more. Keep up the gentle exercise, drink lots of water, keep wiggling your legs etc. and best of luck to you.