Just got out of hospital. I had a gastric bleed, lost a lot of blood then fell and broke my collarbone. They found a PE at the hospital. I am short of breath and wobbly. Will I be short of breath the rest of my life??
@flipflopluvr
I'm sorry you had to go through all of that, but it is not likely that the shortness of breath will last for the rest of your life unless you have some type of underlying condition like COPD. Fortunately, with medication, inhalers, rest and physical therapy if needed...we all get better. It just takes time.
Be patient with yourself. Sending a big hug to you today.
I have clots in both of my lungs secondary to ovarian cancer. I just got the PE diagnosis yesterday. I'm on blood thinners now, so my list of worries has gotten longer. I'm afraid to just sit down for too long.
Hello,
After few days' hospitalization and discharge in early Sept this year, I was told to return to the ER 8 days later after I'd called about a hematoma from a stab wound and slight shortness of breath. Honestly, I was more concerned about the hematoma--it was hard and not going down. I just attributed the shortness of breath to just laying around for a few days in the hospital not realizing that it could "cause" embolisms but nobody said anything during my stay. During that initial stay my HGB was 7.9, then 8.1 a few hours later. It was back down to 7.8 the 2nd admission. I was inpatient a couple more days, given blood thinners on discharge intravenously and then Pradaxa pills for 3 months. I was told for the next 3 months to be careful with sharp objects, bumps and bruises, and stop riding my bike (lol... bummer), take up swimming and walking. I am praying it's JUST for 3 months and not life long. The issue now is that those were ER doctors. Saw my primary care doc and was told to schedule with a hematologist. The problem is, getting specialists WITHIN the 3 months (now less) has been hell. I'm afraid that by the time I'm to come off Pradaxa I still won't have a doctor to advise me. How will I know I can stop? What will stopping it suddenly do to me? Won't I need another CT? Anyway, sorry it's so long but thanks for starting this post. How are you?
Again, I have been diagnosed with pulmonary embolisms. Beginning of the month of September, I flew home from NC with extreme heaviness in my body. I was unaware of my condition while I was in NC. It was said that at night I would get out of bed and lay and stretch out on the floor of our hotel room grunting, moving around on the floor while asleep . Asleep answering how unwell I felt. I continuously did this for 1 week. When I flew home, the heaviness I felt became extreme and I took myself to the hospital. I was diagnosed with 2 pulmonary embolisms in my upper right and left lung. Inpatient for 3 weeks on a blood thinner that I had been on since my 30’s. After being released, for not even 3 hrs, I brought myself back to the ER complaining about my hip. Sent home with muscle relaxers. 3 days later I presented myself to the ER, at another hospital, and was diagnosed with 2 more embolisms in the lower quadrant of my left and right lung and a DVT in my left leg. Still in the anticoagulant that I have been taking for @ 30 yrs.
Here now, today, I am sitting in an ER. My chief complaint is extreme chest pain. More acute with exertion. To include just walking, breathing, and moving my body. Sleeping has been out of the question. When I lay down I feel like I am suffocating. I am out of hospitals to run to because now I am being told that they do not know how to help me. To be honest, I don’t know how to help me. I know it takes years for our bodies to heal from blood clots. I understand that it’s not the anticoagulants that breaks down the clots, it’s our body. So, knowing this isn’t helping how I am feeling physically. I need to know what I can do for myself to have a quality of life that I can enjoy with a reasonable amount of discomfort and pain and minimal ER visits. I need to know how to mentally adjust with constant flare ups of clotting and its residual side effects.
Hello,
After few days' hospitalization and discharge in early Sept this year, I was told to return to the ER 8 days later after I'd called about a hematoma from a stab wound and slight shortness of breath. Honestly, I was more concerned about the hematoma--it was hard and not going down. I just attributed the shortness of breath to just laying around for a few days in the hospital not realizing that it could "cause" embolisms but nobody said anything during my stay. During that initial stay my HGB was 7.9, then 8.1 a few hours later. It was back down to 7.8 the 2nd admission. I was inpatient a couple more days, given blood thinners on discharge intravenously and then Pradaxa pills for 3 months. I was told for the next 3 months to be careful with sharp objects, bumps and bruises, and stop riding my bike (lol... bummer), take up swimming and walking. I am praying it's JUST for 3 months and not life long. The issue now is that those were ER doctors. Saw my primary care doc and was told to schedule with a hematologist. The problem is, getting specialists WITHIN the 3 months (now less) has been hell. I'm afraid that by the time I'm to come off Pradaxa I still won't have a doctor to advise me. How will I know I can stop? What will stopping it suddenly do to me? Won't I need another CT? Anyway, sorry it's so long but thanks for starting this post. How are you?
Hi beancat!
I understand your frustration. I am going through something similar myself. I just was released from the hospital a week ago for 4 embolisms and 1 DVT. My first appointment with my hematologist is in late December. Please hand in there, and know that you are not alone. Prayers to you. 🙏🏾
Again, I have been diagnosed with pulmonary embolisms. Beginning of the month of September, I flew home from NC with extreme heaviness in my body. I was unaware of my condition while I was in NC. It was said that at night I would get out of bed and lay and stretch out on the floor of our hotel room grunting, moving around on the floor while asleep . Asleep answering how unwell I felt. I continuously did this for 1 week. When I flew home, the heaviness I felt became extreme and I took myself to the hospital. I was diagnosed with 2 pulmonary embolisms in my upper right and left lung. Inpatient for 3 weeks on a blood thinner that I had been on since my 30’s. After being released, for not even 3 hrs, I brought myself back to the ER complaining about my hip. Sent home with muscle relaxers. 3 days later I presented myself to the ER, at another hospital, and was diagnosed with 2 more embolisms in the lower quadrant of my left and right lung and a DVT in my left leg. Still in the anticoagulant that I have been taking for @ 30 yrs.
Here now, today, I am sitting in an ER. My chief complaint is extreme chest pain. More acute with exertion. To include just walking, breathing, and moving my body. Sleeping has been out of the question. When I lay down I feel like I am suffocating. I am out of hospitals to run to because now I am being told that they do not know how to help me. To be honest, I don’t know how to help me. I know it takes years for our bodies to heal from blood clots. I understand that it’s not the anticoagulants that breaks down the clots, it’s our body. So, knowing this isn’t helping how I am feeling physically. I need to know what I can do for myself to have a quality of life that I can enjoy with a reasonable amount of discomfort and pain and minimal ER visits. I need to know how to mentally adjust with constant flare ups of clotting and its residual side effects.
Again, I have been diagnosed with pulmonary embolisms. Beginning of the month of September, I flew home from NC with extreme heaviness in my body. I was unaware of my condition while I was in NC. It was said that at night I would get out of bed and lay and stretch out on the floor of our hotel room grunting, moving around on the floor while asleep . Asleep answering how unwell I felt. I continuously did this for 1 week. When I flew home, the heaviness I felt became extreme and I took myself to the hospital. I was diagnosed with 2 pulmonary embolisms in my upper right and left lung. Inpatient for 3 weeks on a blood thinner that I had been on since my 30’s. After being released, for not even 3 hrs, I brought myself back to the ER complaining about my hip. Sent home with muscle relaxers. 3 days later I presented myself to the ER, at another hospital, and was diagnosed with 2 more embolisms in the lower quadrant of my left and right lung and a DVT in my left leg. Still in the anticoagulant that I have been taking for @ 30 yrs.
Here now, today, I am sitting in an ER. My chief complaint is extreme chest pain. More acute with exertion. To include just walking, breathing, and moving my body. Sleeping has been out of the question. When I lay down I feel like I am suffocating. I am out of hospitals to run to because now I am being told that they do not know how to help me. To be honest, I don’t know how to help me. I know it takes years for our bodies to heal from blood clots. I understand that it’s not the anticoagulants that breaks down the clots, it’s our body. So, knowing this isn’t helping how I am feeling physically. I need to know what I can do for myself to have a quality of life that I can enjoy with a reasonable amount of discomfort and pain and minimal ER visits. I need to know how to mentally adjust with constant flare ups of clotting and its residual side effects.
Sorry you’re feeling so bad. Were you referred to a pulmonologist? I had a massive saddle pulmonary embolism in July 2019 & spent a week in the hospital. The saddle pe also put me in congestive heart failure. My care team told my family they didn’t normally see anyone survive what I did as they were normally in the morgue. When I was discharged, I was sent home with prescription for xarelto & a referral to see my pcp, my pulmonologist & a cardiologist. I’ve had chest pains & shortness of breath since. My pulmonologist ordered a pulmonary function test but after 2020, that was delayed due to Covid. However, my pulmonologist had prescribed an inhaler. After I was able to have the PFT, I was diagnosed with moderate persistent asthma. I still have a piece of the blood clot in my left lung that never dissolved but has remained stable. My cardiologist has put me on meds to reduce the chest pain but I still have some chest pain. My cardiologist recently did an angiogram ct which was ok. I see my pcp 2x a year & right now due to asthma issues, I’ve been seeing my pulmonologist every 3 months but normally see him every 6 months - just depending on how I’m doing. I hope this helps you and hope you can find a good pulmonologist & cardiologist that can figure out how best to treat you. Prayers for you & your family.
Sorry you’re feeling so bad. Were you referred to a pulmonologist? I had a massive saddle pulmonary embolism in July 2019 & spent a week in the hospital. The saddle pe also put me in congestive heart failure. My care team told my family they didn’t normally see anyone survive what I did as they were normally in the morgue. When I was discharged, I was sent home with prescription for xarelto & a referral to see my pcp, my pulmonologist & a cardiologist. I’ve had chest pains & shortness of breath since. My pulmonologist ordered a pulmonary function test but after 2020, that was delayed due to Covid. However, my pulmonologist had prescribed an inhaler. After I was able to have the PFT, I was diagnosed with moderate persistent asthma. I still have a piece of the blood clot in my left lung that never dissolved but has remained stable. My cardiologist has put me on meds to reduce the chest pain but I still have some chest pain. My cardiologist recently did an angiogram ct which was ok. I see my pcp 2x a year & right now due to asthma issues, I’ve been seeing my pulmonologist every 3 months but normally see him every 6 months - just depending on how I’m doing. I hope this helps you and hope you can find a good pulmonologist & cardiologist that can figure out how best to treat you. Prayers for you & your family.
I am very grateful for this site. There are some beautiful people in here. Mentally, this site helps me to know that there are others fighting this fight. Awareness in always key!🙂
I am also very sorry for your troubles. Your story as well as @beancat425 were my first to see. I just entered this site yesterday. I am challenged to make the most of this illness when I am able to read others stories. Thank all who use this site. Thank you for your honesty and willingness to share your experiences as well as thoughts. My prayers are to all.
My first pulmonary Embolism was a saddle clot (@30yrs ago) I was transferred to a cardiac hospital, 4 hrs away, after I was told I had a heart attack. No X-rays were taken. Just labs. When they began taking x-rays they had to stabilize me on the exam table. I was told that I had a clot, and the clot was huge. My skin, I was told had turned an olive color and I, of course, didn’t have a clue I was sick. No symptoms I was aware of. I had an IVC filter placed, that very same day. After that big one, I have been continuously developing them ever since then.
Medications changed, starting with the most common, Warfarin. I went through the alphabet ending with Xarelto. Still developing clots. Mostly PE’s, then about 6 yrs later, I started developing DVT’s. My IVC had to be replaced which was done at Northwestern University Hospital in Chicago 🙏🏽 a few years ago. Blessings to them, they were my Godsend.
To answer your question, I do not have a pulmonologist. I was told a few yrs back that I did not need one. I will inquire about one again today. Also, a consult was put in for me to see a cardiologist. I have not scheduled that appointment as of yet. Today hopefully. Thank you for reminding me!
I wasn’t as hopeful this morning till I read your message a few minutes ago. I came home a few hrs ago from the ER after spending a good 13 hrs there. Findings that I was not having heart attack or stroke. Well….
I am taking a turn for the better realizing the tips you gave me. I do still have things I still can do for myself.
I am reaching out to my PC and asking for a Pulmonologist and I am calling today to schedule an appointment with the Cardiology Dept. at my hospital.
Thanks again!
To all of you who read my post, please try and stay positive. Be kind to yourself. Know that I know, that this disease is not an easy one to master. Read the posts to gather insight, learn and help others. Know that you are not alone. This fight is all of our fights, as well as our families and practitioners.
Stay True.
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@flipflopluvr
I'm sorry you had to go through all of that, but it is not likely that the shortness of breath will last for the rest of your life unless you have some type of underlying condition like COPD. Fortunately, with medication, inhalers, rest and physical therapy if needed...we all get better. It just takes time.
Be patient with yourself. Sending a big hug to you today.
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3 ReactionsI have clots in both of my lungs secondary to ovarian cancer. I just got the PE diagnosis yesterday. I'm on blood thinners now, so my list of worries has gotten longer. I'm afraid to just sit down for too long.
-
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Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHello,
After few days' hospitalization and discharge in early Sept this year, I was told to return to the ER 8 days later after I'd called about a hematoma from a stab wound and slight shortness of breath. Honestly, I was more concerned about the hematoma--it was hard and not going down. I just attributed the shortness of breath to just laying around for a few days in the hospital not realizing that it could "cause" embolisms but nobody said anything during my stay. During that initial stay my HGB was 7.9, then 8.1 a few hours later. It was back down to 7.8 the 2nd admission. I was inpatient a couple more days, given blood thinners on discharge intravenously and then Pradaxa pills for 3 months. I was told for the next 3 months to be careful with sharp objects, bumps and bruises, and stop riding my bike (lol... bummer), take up swimming and walking. I am praying it's JUST for 3 months and not life long. The issue now is that those were ER doctors. Saw my primary care doc and was told to schedule with a hematologist. The problem is, getting specialists WITHIN the 3 months (now less) has been hell. I'm afraid that by the time I'm to come off Pradaxa I still won't have a doctor to advise me. How will I know I can stop? What will stopping it suddenly do to me? Won't I need another CT? Anyway, sorry it's so long but thanks for starting this post. How are you?
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1 ReactionHave your primary care doctor call a hemotologist and make the appointment for you. Generally you get faster results that way.
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1 ReactionThe Hematologist office has been contacted. Supposedly they'll give me a call. Fingers crossed.
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1 ReactionAgain, I have been diagnosed with pulmonary embolisms. Beginning of the month of September, I flew home from NC with extreme heaviness in my body. I was unaware of my condition while I was in NC. It was said that at night I would get out of bed and lay and stretch out on the floor of our hotel room grunting, moving around on the floor while asleep . Asleep answering how unwell I felt. I continuously did this for 1 week. When I flew home, the heaviness I felt became extreme and I took myself to the hospital. I was diagnosed with 2 pulmonary embolisms in my upper right and left lung. Inpatient for 3 weeks on a blood thinner that I had been on since my 30’s. After being released, for not even 3 hrs, I brought myself back to the ER complaining about my hip. Sent home with muscle relaxers. 3 days later I presented myself to the ER, at another hospital, and was diagnosed with 2 more embolisms in the lower quadrant of my left and right lung and a DVT in my left leg. Still in the anticoagulant that I have been taking for @ 30 yrs.
Here now, today, I am sitting in an ER. My chief complaint is extreme chest pain. More acute with exertion. To include just walking, breathing, and moving my body. Sleeping has been out of the question. When I lay down I feel like I am suffocating. I am out of hospitals to run to because now I am being told that they do not know how to help me. To be honest, I don’t know how to help me. I know it takes years for our bodies to heal from blood clots. I understand that it’s not the anticoagulants that breaks down the clots, it’s our body. So, knowing this isn’t helping how I am feeling physically. I need to know what I can do for myself to have a quality of life that I can enjoy with a reasonable amount of discomfort and pain and minimal ER visits. I need to know how to mentally adjust with constant flare ups of clotting and its residual side effects.
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi beancat!
I understand your frustration. I am going through something similar myself. I just was released from the hospital a week ago for 4 embolisms and 1 DVT. My first appointment with my hematologist is in late December. Please hand in there, and know that you are not alone. Prayers to you. 🙏🏾
OMG... I'm so so sorry. I'm praying for your miracle.
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1 ReactionSorry you’re feeling so bad. Were you referred to a pulmonologist? I had a massive saddle pulmonary embolism in July 2019 & spent a week in the hospital. The saddle pe also put me in congestive heart failure. My care team told my family they didn’t normally see anyone survive what I did as they were normally in the morgue. When I was discharged, I was sent home with prescription for xarelto & a referral to see my pcp, my pulmonologist & a cardiologist. I’ve had chest pains & shortness of breath since. My pulmonologist ordered a pulmonary function test but after 2020, that was delayed due to Covid. However, my pulmonologist had prescribed an inhaler. After I was able to have the PFT, I was diagnosed with moderate persistent asthma. I still have a piece of the blood clot in my left lung that never dissolved but has remained stable. My cardiologist has put me on meds to reduce the chest pain but I still have some chest pain. My cardiologist recently did an angiogram ct which was ok. I see my pcp 2x a year & right now due to asthma issues, I’ve been seeing my pulmonologist every 3 months but normally see him every 6 months - just depending on how I’m doing. I hope this helps you and hope you can find a good pulmonologist & cardiologist that can figure out how best to treat you. Prayers for you & your family.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsI am very grateful for this site. There are some beautiful people in here. Mentally, this site helps me to know that there are others fighting this fight. Awareness in always key!🙂
I am also very sorry for your troubles. Your story as well as @beancat425 were my first to see. I just entered this site yesterday. I am challenged to make the most of this illness when I am able to read others stories. Thank all who use this site. Thank you for your honesty and willingness to share your experiences as well as thoughts. My prayers are to all.
My first pulmonary Embolism was a saddle clot (@30yrs ago) I was transferred to a cardiac hospital, 4 hrs away, after I was told I had a heart attack. No X-rays were taken. Just labs. When they began taking x-rays they had to stabilize me on the exam table. I was told that I had a clot, and the clot was huge. My skin, I was told had turned an olive color and I, of course, didn’t have a clue I was sick. No symptoms I was aware of. I had an IVC filter placed, that very same day. After that big one, I have been continuously developing them ever since then.
Medications changed, starting with the most common, Warfarin. I went through the alphabet ending with Xarelto. Still developing clots. Mostly PE’s, then about 6 yrs later, I started developing DVT’s. My IVC had to be replaced which was done at Northwestern University Hospital in Chicago 🙏🏽 a few years ago. Blessings to them, they were my Godsend.
To answer your question, I do not have a pulmonologist. I was told a few yrs back that I did not need one. I will inquire about one again today. Also, a consult was put in for me to see a cardiologist. I have not scheduled that appointment as of yet. Today hopefully. Thank you for reminding me!
I wasn’t as hopeful this morning till I read your message a few minutes ago. I came home a few hrs ago from the ER after spending a good 13 hrs there. Findings that I was not having heart attack or stroke. Well….
I am taking a turn for the better realizing the tips you gave me. I do still have things I still can do for myself.
I am reaching out to my PC and asking for a Pulmonologist and I am calling today to schedule an appointment with the Cardiology Dept. at my hospital.
Thanks again!
To all of you who read my post, please try and stay positive. Be kind to yourself. Know that I know, that this disease is not an easy one to master. Read the posts to gather insight, learn and help others. Know that you are not alone. This fight is all of our fights, as well as our families and practitioners.
Stay True.
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Helpful -
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6 Reactions