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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Lungs & Respiration
/ Pulmonary Embolism Support Group

PE recovery

Mrjsa
Mrjsa

Hi there


I suffered with pulmonary embolism that shot to my lungs, the physician says there was to many to count I was in ICU on a ventalator for a week, total period in hospital 3 weeks, I battle to fall a sleep at night, also battling with the mental side to over come what happened,I feel anxious at times  advice shall gladly be appreciated regards J

notsopatient
notsopatient
Hiya. Sorry to have you join the PE club but welcome. Is it shortness of breath or your thoughts keeping you from falling asleep?

If it's the physical side - I was on a CPAP machine in the hospital, which increases the air pressure in your lungs, but one came home with me and it was very helpful to sleep. It's the same machine they give people with sleep apnea. Others have mentioned that they found they had to sit up or only partially recline while sleeping when they first came out of the hospital.

If it's the anxiety side, a lot of people have a harder time dealing with the emotional side than with the physical side. It's a pretty scary event and if you are able to access a counsellor to help you manage the anxiety that would be a great idea.
Mrjsa
Mrjsa
Hi there
Today has been a Bad day the anxiety and shortness of breath has snuck up,
How do you explain to your loved one's what you are going through.
drgps
drgps
Mrjsa, we have something that is invisible to everyone else around us, especially since we look and act just fine. When I have a bad day, my husband can sense it now and is very supportive, but that took awhile. I had to tell him what I was feeling/experiencing for him to realize that recovery takes awhile and everyone is different. I do try to keep it to myself more now (4 months post-PE) and take extra special care of myself when I'm in pain and feeling low. But, I've learned to remind myself that "this too shall pass" and the good days do outnumber the bad ones. Hang in there and just be good to yourself. You will heal and move on in time.
TGrove
TGrove
Time is the only thing that really heals. The pain, anxiety, being uncomfortable, all of it will be around for a while. Then it will slowly get better. Stay strong!
jmy1155
jmy1155
Hello
I had my PE's (both lungs) in May 2015 and am still recovering. I use a CPAP with oxygen it really helps me to sleep. As far as the the anxiety only time will heal that issue, it did for me. I also have COPD which doesn't help my breathing situation at all. Hang in there, your loved ones understand more than you know.