gottabreath, I know exactly how you feel. I was diagnosed 3 weeks post-op too, I had a large fibroid removed. This was 4 months ago now, and my panic has only gotten worse in that time. I am also on xanax, which helps a little, but I hate having to take it. I am now seeing a psychiatrist and therapist in addition to my primary care doc. I finally broke down and agreed to go back on antidepressants, which I hadn't taken for quite some time. I am still in the start-up period, but hoping they will help. I still have days where I feel like I ran a marathon if I walk up a flight of stairs. but at least now those days usually only follow days I have gone for longer walks and pushed myself a little. The first few weeks I was afraid to go to sleep, I was afraid to stand up and walk across the room even, so I'd say if you're out and going to church already you're a HUGE step ahead of me after only a week! I'm sorry you're going through this too, but... the one positive... at least with a hysterectomy you won't have to deal with having a period while on warfarin...that's loads of fun. I'm starting to wish I'd gone the hysterectomy route! :) Best wishes to you!

Yeah, I've really thought that in some ways, the mental recovery from PE is SO much harder than the physical recovery. For weeks after diagnosis, I couldn't try to fall asleep if I was in a room by myself. I was anxious and noticed EVERY ache and pain.

I finally started therapy with a gal who specialized in folks who had survived traumatic events. A few weeks after that, I went on anti-anxiety/anti-depressant meds (Lexapro), which I took for about two years. Just came of them about a month ago, in fact.

I had a history of depression, so my doc was watching me closely. I have to say the anxiety I felt was nothing like the depression I've dealt with in the past. Really different, but similar treatment. The meds helped me get my equilibrium back, but I really resisted going on them. Probably didn't start them until six months or so after diagnosis. I just realized that I'd rather spend my energy healing instead of dueling with the mental demons.

Hang in there! My doc told me once "I'd be surprised if you WEREN'T anxious." For some reason, that helped me a lot.

I am laying here now just freaking out because I have a little pain I don't know what's normal what's not I know I am therapeutic and I was in the ER again 2 days ago being scanned head to toe and all came back fine. I don't want to eat because if I get indigestion I am have pain so I am saying do I need to go to the ER. I am so happy I live 3 minutes from the hospital I timed it when I was rushed there with hazards on and just about running red lights. My doctor misdiagnosed me and dismissed my leg pain as as she is snug in her be I am in utter agony she goes on with her life and I gasp for air my 9 children almost lost their mother on Mothers Day no less. I am angry I cant work I cant pay my bills I am so angry

I know how you are feeling, though it is my husband with the PE, I am still afraid of every pain he has. Still recovering from shoulder surgery, he often groans are takes a quick breath when he has pain in his arm. I nearly drop everything wondering if he is OK. His first day home from the hospital I bought a pulse oximeter and checked his O2 every half hour through the night. I got no sleep. Today was my first day back to work with him at home, I text him every half hour. I feel so paranoid at times. Its hard, but that's what these boards are for.

Becky

The further I get away from my diagnoses (also 3 weeks out from query) and the closer to coming of the coumadin, the more anxiety I feel also.

It hits randomly, about when I think I am doing well! I hate that this is something we all have to deal with, however from what I have read & heard...sadly, it is all very normal.

I worry I will need xanax as I start coming off the blood thinners (hopefully in August)...are you guys seeing a difference when you are on them?

I found that I got indigestion as a side effect of the warfarin if i didn't take it with food. But the anxiety is a little harder to fix. You are alive though that is a big positive in this situation that can't be overlooked - let that positivity spread. I have found setting personal and fitness goals allows me to work towards something and re-gain confidence in my body. The first goal I had was just to be able to walk my dogs around the block, so take it small at first.

I think eventually you do find a happy medium. I guess because I will be on Coumadin for the rest of my life I look at it differently. Plus the fact I have been on Coumadin since 2005 and my last clotting episode was 3 years ago. Yea I get the little aches and pains and yes the excruciating chest pains too, but after surviving 4 massive bilateral PE's I have learned to recognize when it's a PE or maybe something else. I did find out something interesting about the syndrome I have (Antiphospholipid syndrome) pleurisy is a common thing with it besides throwing clots, so that explains some of my chest pains from time to time. As far as being afraid to do anything while on Coumadin, I'm not afraid anymore because when it's my time it's my time. God had me survive 4 PE episodes for a reason, I just haven't figured it out yet. Take care and relax a little, it does get better besides all worrying has ever done was give a person ulcers.
Hugs
Ferr

I was diagnosed with multiple PE's in my lung and there is no reason that the docs can find why I have them :( I feel like every morning I wake up I am already winning my fight to live :) I have constant pains in my chest and it feels like there is a constant weight on the middle of my chest. It is very scary but luckily for me I have a great support net of friends and my dad. I have found this site to be very helpful although most of the people I have spoken to all have reasons to why they have the PE and to not know is so scary. If you feel like you need to talk email me I am still getting my head around things as I have known now for a week and a half. Keep your chin up things have to get better :)