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Pulmonary embolism symptoms - help!

11 replies

2greykittens · 10/06/2015 21:31

I'm 8 weeks pregnant and the doc mentioned I might have a pe but to wait and see if the symptoms get worse... Has anyone had this? What were your symptoms? Tia x

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cloudjumper · 10/06/2015 21:39

Hi there, I had a PE a few years ago (but wasn't pg when it happened). I developed shortness of breath, which kept getting worse and worse - struggling to go up the stairs by the end of the day. The main symptom was what felt like a strained muscle on my right side - again, the pain kept gradually increasing, and painkillers didn't do much. Lying down flat was agony!
If you have symptoms that might point to a PE, I wouldn't wait, even if you're not sure. You are at an increased risk for this when you're pregnant!
Do call 111, don't wait and see what happens. Good luck!

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IfYouWereARiverIdLearnToFloat · 10/06/2015 22:34

Seriously? If your doc thinks you might have a PE they should be sending you for more tests. Our hospital has a rapid access pathway for any patient who's GP suspects a DVT or PE.

Have they taken blood to check your D-dimers?

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justabigdisco · 10/06/2015 22:36

D-dimers are no good in pregnancy as the pregnancy raises the level.

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PullTheBricksDown · 10/06/2015 22:43

What sort of doctor has told you to 'wait and see' if symptoms get worse? Get someone to see you at A&E. A PE could leave you in immense pain (it's possible to mistake it for back pain, at least initially, as you don't always think of your lungs being at the back) and unable to breathe properly. If you have back/side/abdominal pain that gets worse on an in breath, doesn't respond to painkillers and where you've previously had calf pain, I would seek help quickly. You can have anti coagulant injections in pregnancy and these are used to treat clots.

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2greykittens · 11/06/2015 08:22

Yeah exactly! I was in so much pain last night that I couldn't sleep, also have a cough so going back to see the doc this morning. They did no tests at all yesterday, not letting that happen today!

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Charleybarley · 11/06/2015 08:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cloudjumper · 11/06/2015 09:25

Definitely demand more tests, and if your GP is still hesitant, I suggest you go to A&E.
If you're pg, your GP's alarm bells should be ringing - have you spoken to your midwife? She might take a more sensible approach to this.

To be fair, PEs are not always easy to diagnose - I had been in hospital for a week before they found mine, which had been shadowed by pneumonia. But I wasn't pregnant at the time. You definitely need to get checked out!

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Skiptonlass · 11/06/2015 15:12

Can I just second the pp s above? Get yourself seen - I am gobsmacked they'd take a wait and see approach !

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2greykittens · 11/06/2015 19:50

The gp did send me for tests today, luckily it turns out to be a bad chest infection, something the doc didn't even consider yesterday!

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33goingon64 · 11/06/2015 21:23

I had suspected PE at 24 weeks - it turned out to be pneumonia but blimey they didn't half take it seriously. Seriously I would go to hospital asap.