I get that light-headed feeling too when talking but I'm only 2 weeks out. I do have a saddle embolism as well though. My problem is I feel fine sititing, especially if my clot let is up but as soon as I get up I get sweaty, nauseous and light headed. Can't imagine talking and walking!!

I'm only a month out, but I still can't talk and walk at the same time. I have heard that is one of the things that comes with time. As they tell me, everyone is different. But I've also been told by my doctors and several articles that it can take a year until you feel back to your self. As I said, I'm only a month out now and I still get frustrated. I had a great day yesterday and today I am just worn out. I think the frustration to be back to "normal" is harder than getting back to normal.

melmobarrie--it sounds like you might have orthostatic hypotension, which is something I developed about three months after my PE. I was great while sitting or lying down bu when I got up and started moving, I got queasy and sick feeling. Basically, my heart wasn't compensating for gravity and when I started moving, the blood would drain from my head and my BP would plummet and I felt horrible.

The fix was pretty simple actually ... I increased my liquid and electrolyte intake. I added Magnesium and potassium pills to my diet, started eating a banana every day, and made a point to drink tons of hydration drinks. I felt like a new girl in about four days.

As for talking and walking, it does come back eventually. When you're only three months out, you still have LOTS of time for healing and improving. Where you are right now is not where you will be in another month or another three months. Hang in there!

Yup, walk'n and talking = light-headed here too.
It's interesting to hear that others have it too. I've been fighting light-headed spells and fainting spells. Lately, it's just been lightheadedness. I didn't think it was orthostatic hypotension (as TNT suggested to me too) but... it's seems that just might be right! If all it takes is drinking 3L of gatoraide a day, I can do that! I still don't get why my heart isn't compensating, but the low BP does seem to be the culprit causing my light headed spells, since increasing my electrolyte intake has lead to increased BP and fewer spells. So, it's worth a shot.

I'm just over 3mo out myself, and it's slow going. Hopefully we'll both be better soon.
KS

I've got the light-headedness, but not the low BP. In fact, BP stays about the same, but my heart starts to race and the doctor says it's part of the process. She is waiting to see if I'm left with pulmonary hypertension from this. Right now, my pressures are high when they did the echo. But I do get light-head when I walk and talk. Also, get lightheaded standing in a line, like the grocery store. I can't stand too long.

Ya talking too long, moving too much, standing too long can get me a little light headed or definately out of breath. I get winded doing laundry or at work I put 3 sets of sheets on a massage table and had to sit and rest for a good while. Or I love how every patient seems to know what happened and they want to know how I'm doing... I have to repeat the story over and over again and that tires me out too. My boss keeps asking me when I'll be back to normal, my answer is I have no idea, I have good days and bad, and I will do what I can, but I make no promises.

Thanks everyone for your replies! Makes me feel slightly more normal - at least I know others have had it too. I've been pounding gatorade and other salty things to help boost my electrolytes - sometimes I've noticed that having caffeine will make it worse- has anyone else experienced that? It's weird though, i've only ever had it a couple times before and they were really spread out, but I've had it for the last three days on and off so I'm wondering if maybe I'm coming down with something and that's adding to it. I was feeling really crappy on Wednesday night before the whole lightheaded thing started.

I am nearly 6 months out and had a similar experience a few weeks ago. I sing with a Women's chorus and at rehearsal one night I kept getting lightheaded as I sang. I would have to stop singing a bit and breathe normally for a while. I wondered at first if I was clotting again, but my INR was 4.6 the next day! It only happened that one time, and not at rehearsal since, although I know my breath support is not what it was and have talked to our director about the fact that I may be taking unauthorized breaths for a while!

My electrocardiologist said no caffeine. It can cause you to be more dehydrated and if your heart is having trouble maintaining a regular rhythm, caffeine can make the problem worse. That said... did I listen to that advice? Well... sort of. I try to be careful with my caff consumption, but I still have a diet coke or two a day. However, I have noticed that if I'm having an "off" day, caffeine doesn't help (like it used to) and sometimes can make it worse. So, if you can bear the withdraws, I'd say lay off of it and see if that helps. I need to listen to my own advice (as I have an open can sitting in front of me!)
KS

Caffeine. Still my last hold out. I did switch to diet pop. But I still have one a day. Maybe something to look at.

Yeah ... can't .... put down ... Mtn. Dew ...