I am still short of breath...and I am almost 2 weeks post PE. You will get there, though. Just be kind to yourself and your healing body.

Because of the severity you may have a lot of recovery pains this time. They may be intense for a short bout, like a week or so, or they may last longer, intermittently or steadily. Some people regain from SOB surprisingly fast, feeling up to 95% "normal" after a month. Others have longer bouts, again whether intermittently or steadily. One way or the other nearly everyone has some kind of situation that did not cause windedness before but chronically does so after. Mine is climbing steps. Can still climb them but it takes a few extra breaths. With being on Warfarin long-term my humble suggestion would be to investigate doing your own INR testing with a home meter.
www.inrselftest.com
Getting untethered from blood INR appointments is the next best thing to being off the drug. Typically you can regain 80% to 90% of your freedom from medical supervision. Depending on your health outside of this matter, you may not have to see a doctor but once or twice a year.
None of us long-termers care much for staying drugged but it is part of survivorship, worse things happen to people, and it is easier to manage than ever before.

MoreToBe, sometimes, I have to chuckle because you make it sounds like life is THIS close to being over if you don't use a home tester. I don't test at home, I'm a lifer, and believe it or not, I have as much freedom as you describe if not more since I actually probably end up testing less than you. I test at a lab and I only see my doc when I'm sick. I never see him for warfarin related issues. I just talk to his nurse or him when my INR results come in so they can let me know my INR, if there is a dosage change, and if I need to test sooner than a month. I've been doing this for 4 years.

For everyone, a home tester is a wonderful thing and if it helps you physically, emotionally or mentally cope with being on warfarin better, go for it. But your life is completely manageable if you don't test at home. When you're first on warfarin and trying to work out the dosage it's annoying at times to test so often, but once you're used to being on the stuff, and you're more stable on warfarin, it's so not the ball and chain some people make it out to be.

Not everyone may have access to a home tester, can afford a tester, or their doctor may not support testing with a home tester. So,I hope people don't feel like they will lose so much personal freedom and power if they don't have a home tester .

Welcome to the club of long term RX warfarin. So sorry you had to go through round two of PEs. Everybody is different as when the sob gets better. But from what I read you seemed to have a more severe episode so be patient with your self and give yourself some time to heal and recover.

lynne- i am just over 2 months from my pe event. I just went back to work this week. I still get a little short of breath sometimes. Mostly when I am walking up hill or up stairs. Recovery took awhile for me. Had a lot of pain and swelling in my leg. Could hardly walk after I got home from the shower. Ended up back in the hospital due to severe pain in my chest. Each week things got a little better. I am now even able to work out at the gym (though not as hard as before) and the doc says i can start running again. My advice would be to take things slow. You will recover but it takes time. One thing I have learned on this site is that everyone's recovery is somewhat different. Your doc said 6-8 weeks to dissolve - here I am at close to 9 weeks- went to get a doppler done today and I still have quite a blockage in my thigh, behind my knee, and calf. Sometimes they don't dissolve and become part of the vein. As hard as it can be sometimes- Listen to your body and take the time you are given to relax and gain strength. Keep us updated on your progress!

I am 4 months post my PE and I had pretty bad symptoms, as well, and suffered a pulmonry infarction with 25% necrosis in my right lung (perm. lung damage), and had clots in both my left and right lung. I also have asthma.

And I did struggle for a a few months. June and July and August were pretty bad for me. I was out of breath for everything. Tired. But, as time went on, I got better. Im now just over 4 months post PE and feel almost 100%. Even wit the lung damage, I have 100 percent breathing capacity and am going off coumadin next month.

so, hope is out there.

I felt much better when I first got out of the hospital, but crashed after 3 weeks. Lots of symptoms and depression at not being able to resume my life. 12 weeks out and I'm feeling better. I'm functioning which is more than I was doing. Happy to be moving around and participating. Still not doing everything I want to or use to do, but I'm getting there. Thank God when I have a good day, kindly ask for another. Pray for strength and patience on the not so good days. Easy to say I know...but hang in there!

I've had ups and downs for sure and only been out of the hospital a little over a week now. Today, I feel pretty good. Was tired this morning, but was able to do a little shopping and didn't feel too bad. Now, I think it's time again for a nap. Thanks again, for the support.

Small steps lead to bigger ones,,,well done lynne,you will get there,wishing you all the best.