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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Thoughts before Hematology Visit?

pubbypaws
pubbypaws
Hmm.. well my special visit to a hematology visit is coming up Wednesday. Kind of looking forward to it, and kind of not. In the last week or so, i've been feeling more SOB and chest tightness than usual. I almost cant discern the difference between how i am feeling now vs how i've felt when i first was diagnosed with the PE. This is definitely not anxiety related as i've finally learned to relax and prevent panic attacks. I've also stopped relying on xanax for anxiety as well.

I've done some a little more cardio / walking / jogging recently but i dont notice any more SOB than normal and i dont get WINDED like i remembered when i was first diagnosed with PE. All I know is the chest tightness is definitely there and bothering me, and minor SOB comes and goes. Should i raise this concern on my visit wednesday and perhaps request a CT scan for a peace of mind. I do feel "off" at the moment, and i haven't felt like this in months. Thoughts?
rmb
rmb
If it's concerning you, then mention it and see what he says. Sorry I know that's a quick answer but I guess I look at doctor visits as my chance to talk about my concerns, my docs thoughts on those concerns and then what are the next steps, if any.
StephanoodleXD
StephanoodleXD
Unless it's something where you literally feel like you will pass out or, knock on wood, die from, I don't think a CT scan is necessary. Maybe a D-dimer could help rule out something just in case? My only reasoning is because it's a lot of extra radiation to get one of those, and I ended up getting an unncessary second CT scan the week after I was released from the hospital because of that, even though my D-dimer was fine. I know better now, unfortunately.

Also take into account weather. I know that the weather really affects me, so if you're out doing more stuff, maybe something in the air or just the fact that you're doing more is pushing your body more.

I would definitely bring it up with your doctor, and maybe have them listen to your chest to see if everything is good, but I would personally avoid any unneeded radiation if at all possible. I occasionally get a tight chest in addition to my regular on/off chest pains and SOB.
pubbypaws
pubbypaws
I caved and it kept bothering me at work.. Called the doctors office and they told me to go to the er immediately. Left work and spent 5 hours at the e.r Got an ekg ddimer ct scan.. Everything came back negative which made really happy but I was diagnosed with pleurisy.. Was told to get plenty of rest and lie down on a side that isn't painful.. I knew going in the ct scan as unnecessary but it's given me a peace of mind that I definitely thought I might be clotting again. The sad thing was my gut was telling me otherwise because I was still able to jog and run without much shortness of breath. Once I get those chest pain twinges ya you know that exact same PE pain, you think otherwise.. It's been quite raw the last few days in Boston. Mid 30s and tons of rain that's been on and off putting stress on my breathing. Thanks guys I will follow up with hematologist and will update shortly
ShilosMommy
ShilosMommy
Wow, I'm sorry that you've got pleurisy. I've had it too, and know it's quite painful. I'm so glad you know what it is, so you don't have to worry. When I still lived up north, I learned to really keep extra layers over my chest when the temperatures were low, and it seemed to help with both pleurisy and costochondritis.

I hope you'll feel better soon!
pubbypaws
pubbypaws
they discharged me and told me its not that serious and to get plenty of rest/fluids.. when i looked up pleurisy, its could be caused by PE..

im guessing this is just like a temporary infection of some kind.. granted they didnt give me any antibiotics.
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