I had infarction in the bottom lobe of one of my lungs. I really don't have any problems but it was/is small.

My left lung infarcted, the entire bottom lobe is "dead" and I still have pain. this happend in January. It hurts off and on, when I do a lot, lift things, etc. Sometimes it just plain hurts for no reason. My doctor has explained that the pain comes from scar tissue and sometimes it can actually rip or a new area of the lung will start to airate and that can be painful. He said it never completely recovers and that the only way to tell will be with the ct scans. The pain can last for years and as more scar tissue builds, for life. Sorry, that isn't great news.

I'm getting a new and interesting pain in the general area where I know there was some infarction...I'm hoping it's because the lung in that area is trying to start working again? That would be nice.

I was told that a portion of the damaged parts would eventually repair themselves, but that there would be some amount of permanent damage.

I had lung infarction in my left lung along with several clots. My PE was officially diagnosed in June 2008- so I'm six months out and I think it really occured earlier, but I wasn't properly diagnosed. I went to my daughter's soccer game today, grocery store with lots of bags, staying up too late right now and I continue to have pain in my left lung area. It's always been pretty consistent.... it is the worst at the end of the day. I guess I should figure this out and slow down a bit, but life goes on and I need to get stuff done. One of my doctor's told me that with lung infarction a person can have continued pain in that specific area for many years or it can slowly heal. Just interested to find out if there are any other PE survivor's that had infarction? thx!

I had a lung infarction with my PE, which occurred in Aug. 2008. My PE was considered relatively "minor" in terms of size (although, as I quickly learned, there's not really such a thing as a "minor" PE!). Both the PE and the infarction were diagnosed via CT. The lung infarction pain was literally mind-blowing. Every attempt to breathe created the most horrific pain -- I was wailing (couldn't really scream given the breathing issues) so loud that my husband (who was down on the street pulling the car up to the front door of our apt building to rush me to the hospital) could hear me even though our apt is on the top floor. My doctors have all confirmed that the pain of a lung infarction is truly some of the very worst pain that a person can experience....

I am no longer in consistent pain, but every once in a while, I get a "zap" right where the infarction was (sort of on my side/back). It literally feels like an electric shock. Usually happens to me when I'm sitting in the car, which was also the most uncomfortable position for me in the weeks following the PE.

After my six week check up my lung specialist told me that he couldn't understand why I was still in so much pain. Sort of like a husband not understanding that childbirth really hurts I guess. But reading your comments I feel like I am not imagining it. I have so much pain in the back of my rib cage and feel like I have steak knives in there when I take a deep breath. Has anyone had those symptoms? What explanation have you been given about this pain?

I am about months out & still have up to moderate pain at times.. now mostly in upper chest area on left side & pain down left arm (but thankfully heart looks Good!) Also have pain in center of chest & breathing & talking aggravates worse. Pulmonologist & PCP medical team agree that even if clots are dissolved (may or may not be), the lungs need to heal & re-pressurize so to speak..also addressed that trauma makes lungs 'air hungry' ...maybe y i gasp & yawn so much.. I was advised that I could be sob up to 6 months...

Even tho my body sends me mixed signals now... I have learned that I still have to listen to it =)