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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Monthly Doctor and Don't Scrub the Floor

Lynnedz56
Lynnedz56
I saw my pulmonologist Tuesday. She won't repeat an echo of my heart for pulmonary hypertension until at least June. My pressure at the time of diagnosis was 75 and it should be around 35. Anyway, she told me as she usually does, it takes a LONG time and she doesn't feel as if the clots have gone yet. But she is also hopeful that the pulmonary pressure will come back to normal. I already had a pre-existing heart condition before this. Right now, pollution, pollen and wind storms are making my progress slow down. Everyone with asthma out here is having a bad time. She also told me she didn't think I was ready to mop my kitchen floor yet. I have a small apartment with just the kitchen, a little bathroom and some by the front door. I didn't work this week and have felt lazy all week and I'm tired of that. I do my walking around Walmart and go to the mail and I want more. I want my life back. Tonight I mopped the floor and I know why she told me NOT to do it. My heart rate went up to 135 and I had pains in my lungs and chest. And it took about 2 hours to calm it all down. We will, however, see how I feel tomorrow. Actually, feel pretty good now. And starting Sunday, I am going to do my 40 hours at work next week. I have the apartment the way I want it, so I can work and crash if I need to. Time to get back in there.Even though it's only been 4 months now.
jan11965
jan11965
You should take advantage of dr's orders to not mop the floor! Kind of like when my allergy dr told me not to dust, vacuum or mow the yard. Darn! ;-)

Seriously, glad you are feeling better.
cave76
cave76
Lynne------ As long as your job is mostly desk work---- I hope you can manage it. Best of luck.

And----- use my criteria for when a floor needs mopping--- when your shoes stick to it. LOL
jmac67
jmac67
i dont know how you manage it! 40 hours is a lot of work to do - dont you think you are taking this on too quick - if you cant function with normal housework how are you going to manage working full time aswell? I am all for getting back to normal but i think you perhaps need to take a little longer to do that - i only work 20 hours each week over 5 days and my DR recommended a phased return over at least 3 months - this is my 3rd week and i have done 8 1/2 hours this week over 3 days - before i work a 5 day week i have to return to my dr (thats at the beginning of may) so that she can agree if i am ready for this. My PE was in the beginning of Oct. I didnt go back to work until i could cope with the daily house stuff - i felt that if i couldnt cope with all of that how could i possibly add any extra to my day - i cant stand a messy house (im one of those that leaves the house perfectly tidy, makes the beds, does the laundry, straightens the cushions on the sofa etc before i go out!) Wish i could follow cave's instructions but i cant! Maybe thats why its taken me until now to re-start work but it was seriously low on my list of priorities. Having PE's has changed the way i see the world - well apart from housework! lol
deleted_user
deleted_user
Wow, you've been off work for 4 months?

I'm at two months (with a 3 day period in there before I went back into the hospital - ha!) and thought I was taking a long time. I'm stir-crazy, though, and I can't stand just sitting around not doing anything except knit and read and sleep.

Do what you can do, and don't worry about the things you can't do. My mother watched what was giving me pains while she was staying with me and realized it was cross-body arm movements - guess what movements you do when mopping a floor? :)

If you're able to do the dishes by hand, then maybe try washing the floor by hand, instead of with a mop? And just do one room at a time, not the kitchen and the bath and the hall!

I vacuumed my downstairs last week (not that big - two and a half rooms, and I did a half-assed job) and I was out of commission that day and the next.

Good luck with working. But DON'T overdo it. If you need to stop work for a bit, or lie down, then you need to. Listen to your body.
rmb
rmb
I think the length of time depends on the extent of your PE and any other health issues you may have.

I think wanting, and attempting to gain some normalcy, even when it kicks your butt a bit, is really important. You do what you can do, and sometimes there's a price to be paid, but psychologically, having a clean house while I was recovering from my PE was really important. And I'm not even a neat freak. But I know I do better when my environment has some order; it makes me feel better. So Lynn, I get why you wanted to do that despite your doc saying not to.

Good luck with going back full time!
cave76
cave76
One thing I do (when I stick too bad to the floors) is use the Swiffer. They even have a 'wet' one. Light weight.
TossNTurn
TossNTurn
It might be worth it (if you can afford it) to pay someone $100 to come in once a month and give your house a good once over. Drops your anxiety level over the dirt and keeps you from pushing too hard. You can always do spot cleanings in between ...
deleted_user
deleted_user
Toss that's exactly what I do! I have someone come and clean everything that's hard for me to do. I know some may not be able to afford it. I have to save my money in order to do it but it helps a lot! When I first got out of the hospital I had someone come more often and it helped a lot!

Lynne -good luck tomorrow and week at work! I'm sending good vibes your way!
Lynnedz56
Lynnedz56
I felt good the next day. No lasting side affects from mopping. Actually, the Swiffer wore me out too and didn't do a good job. Funny, I live alone and it still bothered me. However, due to other medical conditions plus the PE I'm back to cooking everything from scratch and now and again something hits the floor. I do have a sit down job; However, I talk 8 hours and that makes you lose your breath or I start to cough, can't stop and finally have to get off the phone and take a break. I'm going to do what I can. To be honest, it's a money issue....no work, no pay. And I can't do that anymore. My PE was the end of October. When I first was diagnosed with my heart condition, I worked my 8 hours and came home and slept. So, might have to go back to that theory. We will see. My motto is "one day at a time". And today, my son came up and did some of the things I can't do. And in fact, he would have done the floor but I have no patience.
cave76
cave76
Lynne---- I know about 'no work, no pay'! it's a tough spot!
You having asthma on top of PE and others certainly makes your life difficult.

That's why I'm going to say this, while ducking and running!;
***, he would have done the floor but I have no patience.****

Perhaps time to let others help you??
I'm outta here! (grin)
Lynnedz56
Lynnedz56
Seems to be my biggest problem...I have always been the one who does it all. I find it VERY hard to ask for help. I don't need anyone. By the way, 8 hour days is not working out. Did 2 days and today made 7. My doctor actually sent a letter to my company recommending 7 hour days and possibly more time off if I have a bad day. So, I will be working 7 hours for the next 4 months and see how that goes. I also have time off for doctor appt. and that now and again, rough day. I came home the first night and took a 1 hour nap, next night it was 2 hours and then up for 3 and back to sleep. Today, worked 7 hours, took a 3 hour nap and am ready for bed again. And since I talk on the phone 8 hours at a time, my cough is coming back. I've had to get off the phone a couple times each day because I was coughing so hard I couldn't hardly breathe.
cave76
cave76
Lynne-----That's rough! I don't know how you do it. I'm sure you don't want to be fired from your job (esp. in these time) so you're toughing it out and not complaining to your employers.

If it were me, I'd keep a record of my naps/breathing difficulties etc.

Not wishing you any employment problems, but IF you were let off (for not being able to do the job) you'd have something to look back on. Worst case scenario (again not wishing this on you!) disability insurance. (If you're in the U.S. If you're in the UK, do they have something similar?)

But JUST IN CASE ---documentation by you, although self reported, would aid your memory. And you'd be able to show your documentation to your doctor. A few months later after an incident, we all forget the details.

But--- looking at a more positive side----- this may pass and you'll start feeling better.

Asking for help was anathema to me. I understand your dilemna---- but please try.
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