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
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Pulmonary function test?

clarkjulieann
clarkjulieann
Has anyone gone through a pulmonary lung function test after their PE? I'm booked june 12 plus an ECHO the same morning with an internal specialist but wondering what they are trying to find/rule out with these tests. I was only able to talk to the receptionist who booked the appointment so she couldn't tell me much.
cave76
cave76
I haven't (yet) but is certainly sounds like a good idea. Please keep us posted.
TossNTurn
TossNTurn
I did a ton of tests about six months after my PEs. I think, basically, that they were just trying to figure out if my lungs were permanently damaged and, if I DID have some damage, what could be done to correct it. It pretty much turned out anti-climactic for me, since it showed no permanent damage and just identified the minor asthma that I already knew I had.

Call the receptionist back and get the exact names of the tests you are scheduled for. Then, hit the Mayo Clinic site or similar and get some details. Write down questions and figure out what you want to know.

Also, don't be afraid to talk to the person administering the test. I'm always the patient who is like "What are you seeing," "Why are the lines on the screen different?" "What is this testing, exactly?" I try not to ask big picture questions (are my lungs forever jacked??? am I gonna die young???) because those are really best done with a doc, but it is interesting to see how they administer the test and what they are seeing on the screen as they do it.

The echo, they are just looking at your heart function and making sure everything is normal. I think the pulmonary function test is the same for the lungs. But yeah, ask some questions so YOU feel comfortable with it all!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I had a few tests for pulmonary function, including the echocardiogram, a few months after my PEs. The Dr said he wanted to rule out pulmonary hypertension. And they did! So that was a relief since I am older and had reason to wonder as well.

My clots had not dissolved after a year and now it's 2 1/2 years so I am going to ask for a CT scan to see if a miracle occurred and they are gone!

Sounds like you are getting thorough treatment but do keep us posted.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I had a few tests for pulmonary function, including the echocardiogram, a few months after my PEs. The Dr said he wanted to rule out pulmonary hypertension. And they did! So that was a relief since I am older and had reason to wonder as well.

My clots had not dissolved after a year and now it's 2 1/2 years so I am going to ask for a CT scan to see if a miracle occurred and they are gone!

Sounds like you are getting thorough treatment but do keep us posted.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I had a few tests for pulmonary function, including the echocardiogram, a few months after my PEs. The Dr said he wanted to rule out pulmonary hypertension. And they did! So that was a relief since I am older and had reason to wonder as well.

My clots had not dissolved after a year and now it's 2 1/2 years so I am going to ask for a CT scan to see if a miracle occurred and they are gone!

Sounds like you are getting thorough treatment but do keep us posted.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I had a few tests for pulmonary function, including the echocardiogram, a few months after my PEs. The Dr said he wanted to rule out pulmonary hypertension. And they did! So that was a relief since I am older and had reason to wonder as well.

My clots had not dissolved after a year and now it's 2 1/2 years so I am going to ask for a CT scan to see if a miracle occurred and they are gone!

Sounds like you are getting thorough treatment but do keep us posted.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I had a few tests for pulmonary function, including the echocardiogram, a few months after my PEs. The Dr said he wanted to rule out pulmonary hypertension. And they did! So that was a relief since I am older and had reason to wonder as well.

My clots had not dissolved after a year and now it's 2 1/2 years so I am going to ask for a CT scan to see if a miracle occurred and they are gone!

Sounds like you are getting thorough treatment but do keep us posted.
cave76
cave76
Cindy---- dont'cha just hate that when it happens? LOL

DS must be playing with their site again----I had a duplicated post earlier,
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi, I was admitted to hospital 24th March with my DVT/PE's and they said I would need to have a follow up ECHO after approx 3 months. I have been sent the appointment for 11th June but nothing about lung function tests. On my contrast CT lung scan, it showed blood flowing backwards in the heart I believe (something about the contrast being present in the IVC) which I think - or hope - is normal when you get a PE but I guess I will find out after with the ECHO. The ECG showed right side heart strain with palpitations. I think the lung functions are just trying to see what damage you may have in there so I will ask the consultant when I see her if I have to have these lung tests also. I'm still getting odd feeling in my chest - not so much pain as perhaps tightness. It seems that the clots can take quite some time to go.
rmb
rmb
I had massive PEs in both lungs and never had a lung function test, just the Echo. So it's not always a standard test ordered. I think it just depends on your doc/hospital and your specific situation and health as to whether they order the lung function test.

I like Toss' advice.
rmb
rmb
I had massive PEs in both lungs and never had a lung function test, just the Echo. So it's not always a standard test ordered. I think it just depends on your doc/hospital and your specific situation and health as to whether they order the lung function test.

I like Toss' advice.
rmb
rmb
I had massive PEs in both lungs and never had a lung function test, just the Echo. So it's not always a standard test ordered. I think it just depends on your doc/hospital and your specific situation and health as to whether they order the lung function test.

I like Toss' advice. And Cindy, you have a great picture so I don't mind seeing it repeated!
rmb
rmb
I had massive PEs in both lungs and never had a lung function test, just the Echo. So it's not always a standard test ordered. I think it just depends on your doc/hospital and your specific situation and health as to whether they order the lung function test.

I like Toss' advice.
rmb
rmb
I had massive PEs in both lungs and never had a lung function test, just the Echo. So it's not always a standard test ordered. I think it just depends on your doc/hospital and your specific situation and health as to whether they order the lung function test.

I like Toss' advice. And Cindy, you have a great picture so I don't mind seeing it repeated!
rmb
rmb
Ha, and I DON'T have a great picture, sadly for you all!
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