Hello,
I have filter, for the most part it has been life saving for me. Besides a few problems here and there like getting a clot, small must have passed through.

Physically the most difficult part is putting it in, then you dont even know it is there. You still will have to take blood thinners cause it will not block all clots.

I got a filter in the ICU after the TPA treatment failed to resolve my massive leg clot, which was still increasing my PE--one event was quite scary so it probably saved my life. I've only had it since November but no problems, don't even know it's there.

I asked the interventional radiologist to give me a little extra anesthesia/pain killer when he put mine in because I'm a bit of a baby about needles and procedures and I ended up actually sleeping through the procedure.

I had a permanent filter put in while I was in the ICU. It was inserted through my groin. They gave me some nice drugs to relax me but I was awake through the whole thing. For me, it was a really easy procedure. It didn't hurt at all and the actual insertion was very quick. I've had no issues with my filter and forget I even have it. I've had it for over two years.

The nurses gave me before and after x rays to show my vena cava vein without the filter and then with the filter. They put the x rays in a side by side frame and called it my "Glamor Shots." Actually, they gave it to my husband because he had his birthday while I was in the hospital and I hadn't gotten him a present. So, they wrapped that up as a gift for him from me. I thought that was really funny and he, well, not so much.

My IVC was putting in after I suffered a mild stroke on Dec 28th. They put me under and inserted it in right side of my neck into my vein. It still hurts a little when I wake up just because of the way I sleep.

I had an ivc filter placed in 2003. Now I am experiencing dvt in both legs, difficulty breathing, dizziness, light headedness. When I go to the toilet for a bowel movement my legs get extremely tingly and painful. When I try to wipe i can hardly raise up. My arms become unresponsive. I get cramps simultaneously in numerous parts of my body cramps in chest behind left breast and side and back upper left .

I had an ivc filter placed in 2003. Now I am experiencing dvt in both legs, difficulty breathing, dizziness, light headedness. When I go to the toilet for a bowel movement my legs get extremely tingly and painful. When I try to wipe i can hardly raise up. My arms become unresponsive. I get cramps simultaneously in numerous parts of my body cramps in chest behind left breast and side and back upper left .

Breathishope, I don't know about all the symptoms you say you're having, but if you're regularly having cramping feelings on the left side of your chest and back, you should talk to your doctor above the it and maybe have a cardiac workup.