For me, I think I really came out of the PE fog somewhere between 6 months and 11 months, although I think I dragged some of the emotional side effects around for longer than that. Plus, I didn't really get back to normal activities for longer ... I'd gotten used to not doing much and I just kept on with that. I wish I'd been more active.

For me, also, my SOB and pain came and went. I could find triggers after a while (cold/hot/humid air, cleaning solutions) and tried to avoid those if possible. I had my last major "attack" of symptoms about 11 months after my PEs after a walk in sub-zero temperatures. After that, only minor tweaks here and there.

I'm almost five years out from my PEs at this point, and I've definitely been back to my old self for quite a while at this point. But, it really has been an incremental journey. I didn't wake up one day and feel normal ... but I can look back now and say I've been "normal" for a while.

Where you are in recovery sounds pretty normal, based on what I've seen on these boards and my own experience. I'd expect the lung heaviness and SOB to continue to come and go, getting less and less frequent over time. Unless something suddenly gets a lot worse, I think I'd continue on with avoiding the CT scans. Give yourself some more time, it sounds like you're well on the road to recovery at this point.

TossNTurn: I am grateful for your reply, your input, and your encouragement. It helps to know I am not alone. Doctors certainly don't offer much assistance regarding recovery. I was not prepared for this road. But I'm learning.

I didn't feel like myself until probably 18 months after my PEs. My lungs were NOT happy or cooperative. I also had extreme anxiety that definately didn't help my recovery. I'm almost 3 years out now and STILL struggle with really cold air, but otherwise I would say I'm back to normal. I hadn't used my inhaler in so long I didn't even think about my lungs the first time I walked out in below zero weather. Definately a rude reminder that my lungs still arenot quite what they used to be. Now I'm smart enough to wear a heavy scarf and carry my inhaler when it's cold, but that's nothing compared to a couple years ago.

I'm 11 months out and still have pain, especially in my right upper should blade. It kind of feels like a rotator cuff injury as well. I am going to an ortho doctor next week to rule that out. I feel horrible every day and just wait for the day that I will feel like my old self. I'm prayerful that will be soon. I've been told it can take up to 2 years to feel anywhere near like my old self.

Ingermac,

Im at the ortho office right now with the exact same symptoms. Ill let you know what they tell me today. My rotator cuff is acting up, and every once in a while Ill get some lung type pain in the lower left lung near my front ribcage.

Best of luck rytheguy71...please let me know how things turn out.

Well, my ortho took some xrays and did some physical movement checks. Turns out I have some bursitis in my shoulder, but nothing that bad. Also have arthrotis in my neck which is leading tto some of the tingling in the arms.

Hard to say, I'm sure this varies from person to person .. I'm been off my therapy for almost 5 months and I still have shortness of breathe, and twinges in my chest area. It got so nerve wrecking I went back to the e.r about 2 months back which tests showed up negative. I've been really babying my body and exercising and it's helped feel normal.

I think I felt like doing things at about 1 month out but only because I am a stubborn jack ass who refuses to believe that I am mortal! In reality it took me several months before I could actually get past the shortness of breath. As far as the emotional baggage I think we all carry it around a long time we just compartmentalize it well, at least I do, comes with that immortal status. I still have issues sometimes thinking about the fact I am on anti coagulants and if i get in a accident, or fall down or hit my head or, or, or but I try to make life go on and try like crazy to not worry about it and still try to live life to the fullest. Some days are easier than others. LOL ask TnT, Shilosmommy, RMB, Dero, Retired navy and many others that have known me for years, Yes I said years as this support group is not just for short duration's but the friendships you make here are lifetime. LOL and yes they also bring me back to earth on occasion and remind me I'm not really one of the immortals. But life does go one and I still try to live my life to the fullest in spite of set backs. I look at it this way. You have two choices. Make the best of the hand God dealt you, or the alternative which is give up and die. I myself have way to many adventures i haven't been on yet, and to much I haven't accomplished yet.

Like the steps of grief recovery, I think there are steps of PE recovery which should go something like this:
1. Shock and possibly denial
2. Treatment and recovery
3. Depression and fear
4. Anger and motivation - this is the step I just entered and I think I like it.