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.
i had GB surgery the end of May and 6 days later had horrid pain in my side . Thought I'd pulled a muscle because I was doing so well , walking etc after surgery . Long story short 3 days later my surgeon convinced me to go to ER cause my shortness of breath was getting worse . Sure enough , multiple PEs in Right lower lobe. Was in hospital for 4 days and discharged on Eliquis for 3-6 months and a take it easy . Was also told I had a pulmonary wedge infarct . It's been 2 months since and I am still easily worn out after exertion , have trouble sleeping , feel foggy headed , not much appetite . I take one trip a day just to keep my strength up. What I'm wondering is what is a pulmonary wedge infarct , how long am I going to feel like this and anyone have side effects from Eliquis . I'm a 61 yr old non smoker , active 140 lb . Thanks for any info
It's been three years since my clots and I feel really good. I can't speak to Eliguis, since I take coumadin,( it turns out I have a genetic factor that makes me more likely to clot, so I'm on anticoagulants " indefinitely".
PEs are really a tough thing to experience. Don't be afraid to reach out to people for help. I'm single and am lucky to have great friends that helped with practical stuff. Also, don't be shy to contact your doc with any questions. Take care of yourself.
As far as the cardiac workup goes your symptoms sound like pretty stereotypical post-PE symptoms so I don't think I would unless you have other reasons to be worried. Also the PE itself can put quite a strain on the heart and the doctors tend to give it 3 months to heal after the PE before they start looking at the heart for other problems.
Then again I also had relatively invisible symptoms, plus major relief over finally getting a diagnosis more than a year later, plus being way better off than my sister who died of a late diagnosis of the same thing. If I had had a more traumatic experience of sudden severe pain with a real fear of immediate death I might have a harder time taking it in stride.
Funny you should mention rt sided heart strain . I go tomorrow to see a pulmonologist because I still feel short of breath almost 3 months later and had an echo which the pressures in rt ventricle of heart are up . It is a very scary thing . Did they check you for any clotting disorders , particularly Leiden Factor 5 ?? 23 is awfully young to have a PE . I talked with a nurse practitioner friend of mine and she said they will probably just re echo me in a few months and a lot of people are telling me it will take a long time to feel better . I'm just. Tired of not being able to do anything without being out of breath . From what I've read from past posts , anxiety is very common BUT as scary as it. Is I look at it this way , at least I am not sitting on the mantle in an urn !!! It will get easier as time passes .
3-6 months and I was expecting too much of myself . Also suggested I wear a finger pulse oxygen reader for peace of mind . And yes I do have pulmonary hypertension which he said was normal after PE . Will e echo me in a month or so then if pressures still up will do cardiac cath . I slept on a gazillion pillows as well , just so I could sleep.