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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kocici 10/01/2010

I've been doing pretty well a month out from my massive bilateral PE, and am going into the office tomorrow for the first time. However, I contemplated making yet another trip to the ER today because I've been having a weird, albeit mild, throbbing/mild pain in my left arm and shoulder. I barely notice it during the day when I'm working and preoccupied, but at night I start to think about it and worry I may have somehow thrown a clot there even though I'm on the equivalent of Coumadin and am in therapeutic range. The office is quite stressful (I'm a journalist) and am worried about this mostly because I'm going back into a situation of pressure tomorrow. Any recommendations? It's barely even pain-- more like a feeling of pressure and occasional throbbing, with some pain off and on in my left shoulder. I recently had scans of my DVT leg and my lungs and both were clear of clots. I want to relax and stop fretting but anxiety keeps creeping up on me as soon as I think I have it under control. Thanks so much for your advice.

TossNTurn 10/01/2010

I actually developed pain at four weeks out that I hadn't had at diagnosis. It wasn't major (maybe a 3 on a scale of 1 to 10) but since it was new to me, it really freaked me out.

I had almost no pain on diagnosis, just a little on my breastbone. But four weeks out I developed pain along my spine and along my shoulders. I discovered (since then) that when I get really tired or have been pushing myself too hard, the pain comes back. I've gotten used to it now and it is becoming less and less frequent the farther out I am from diagnosis. (My clots were in January.)

I would keep your doctor apprised of the situation, but I don't think it is worth panicking over. However, if it is keeping you up and you can't relax, go see the doc. Peace of mind is worth a million bucks!

kocici 10/01/2010

thanks toss, you're always so wonderful about lending good advice and reassurance. your cat is adorable by the way: although now I think of you as the cat! ;-) Talk about avatars, lol.

deleted_user 10/01/2010

Stress and anxiety definitely play a role in post PE recovery. I'm a year out from massive PE and lung infarction this month actually. In the beginning weeks and months I definitely felt hyper sensitive to any twinges or chest pain. I think it's a survivor thing where you suddenly become paranoid about your body betraying you again. I think it becomes obsessive for some of us to worry constantly that another clot is going to happen. These types of pains and anxiety escalate in times of pressure and stressful environments as well. I had pain and heaviness in my chest.arms and back increase whenever I felt very stressed out or over did things physically. If you have had a recent clean scan, are theraputic on coumadin then I'd say you really need to find a way to destress and calm down. For me that was doing meditative breathing exercises, talking walks in nature, relaxing baths, and herbal supplements. When i was further out I added massages and aroma therapy. You have to find what works for you to take some time out everyday to feel grateful for life and enjoy it. If nothing natural seems to help with your fears, a counselor or anti anxiety meds have worked successfully for many PE survivors here.

I do have to say, it does get better. My life has resumed normally off warfarin, no further clots, and my energy has returned, I'm traveling again and enjoying being alive. Hang in there!

deleted_user 10/02/2010

I Agree with everything that the others say, it is such a stressfull time and nobody takes you seriously.
I think I am doing ok and then all of a sudden I get pain ......somewhere!
If it makes you feel better get to the er.
I went to my dr who seemed to fob me off then as I was walking out I saw a giant poster regarding neuropathic pain - why didnt she mention that????

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