Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

Please help Pulmonary Embolism

83 replies

cabrillolighthouse · 04/08/2021 20:05

I'm so scared. I know no one can help but I need a hand hold. My 18 yr old DD has been admitted today following severe chest pain, blood in phlegm a contrast CT has shown a clot in each lung. She had a heavy cold around 10 days ago but seemed on the mend (all Covid tests negative), then started with a cough 2 or 3 days ago. Saw GP this am after the pain got much worse and he sent her straight to the hospital. She's had a blood thinning injection and is now in a side room on a ward. I was able to drop off some stuff to her before she moved up to the ward so saw her briefly and she's in so much pain. I'm so terrified. She's only 18 but having to deal with this all alone. It is inhumane that I cannot be with her. I only know what is happening when she texts me and in between i am worrying myself sick.

My mum died of a PE only 3 months ago following hip surgery.

I just don't understand how this can be happening. I'm sat in the car park at the hospital and don't know what to do with myself.

OP posts:

Original poster

cabrillolighthouse · 04/08/2021 20:07

Have name changed as long term poster

OP posts:

CormoranStrike · 04/08/2021 20:09

Oh what a worry for you. Will they not allow you to be with her?

Can you call FaceTime or phone?

VariantL1130 · 04/08/2021 20:10

I'm sorry this is happening to your DD. If it helps, my 65 year old DF had a PE year before last. He's overweight and drinks loads. He's fine now. Your DD has a much higher fighting chance than him. The medical tools we have are incredible and she is in the best place.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health

Fiestyfish · 04/08/2021 20:11

Oh lovely I didn’t want to read and run. What time are visiting hours? I can totally understand why you’re so worried, but she is in the best place. It might be worth calling the ward and asking if you can be with her?

skybroke · 04/08/2021 20:11

Oh gosh poor you.

Original poster

cabrillolighthouse · 04/08/2021 20:12

I asked the nurse who was taking her up to the ward if I could come in and they said no visitors are allowed on the ward due to
Covid

OP posts:

skybroke · 04/08/2021 20:12

She's in the best place & strong. Have you pushed to spend more time with her?

skybroke · 04/08/2021 20:12

Ask the doctors & cry if needs be. I was allowed to see a relative twice in April whilst they were in hospital.

NatriumChloride · 04/08/2021 20:13

Big hand hold here. Now that it’s been diagnosed and she’s been given blood thinners the clots will break up. She’s in the right place with the right monitoring, OP. It must be so so difficult not being able to be there. Can you face time each other, or is she in too much pain? We’re all here for you.

Sunbird24 · 04/08/2021 20:13

Oh OP, it’s so hard for you not to be with her! My dad had one at the start of last year, he was 72. He’s fine now, just bought himself a bike and started cycling 5 miles a day, but does have regular check ups and some drugs to keep taking.
I hope DD is comfortable soon and able to come back home to be looked after

Original poster

cabrillolighthouse · 04/08/2021 20:14

DD has text to say she's in her bed and about to watch a film. She hasn't had any pain relief yet and said she isn't hooked up to any monitors or anything. Having not been able to speak to any drs myself I don't know how bad this is. Surely she should be on monitors.

OP posts:

Starshapeddreams · 04/08/2021 20:14

I'm really sorry that you and your daughter are going through this. It's so tough patients can't have visitors at the moment.

PEs can happen to anyone who has been unwell for a few days and less active/bed bound. More common in woman, smokers and those who take the pill. She could be unlucky and have caught covid but tested negative.
Most people respond really well and quickly to blood thinning medications. She may need some investigation after to see if there's a reason she got one.
But the likelihood is she will be fine, I know that's not helpful at the moment for you or her. In the morning ring the ward and ask to speak to a doctor - someone on her team should be about and able to update you. I hope she feels better quickly!

Original poster

cabrillolighthouse · 04/08/2021 20:16

She said they think most likely caused by the pill, which she only started a month or so ago, but she also has a chest infection so it could also be caused by a virus (?). I just don't understand.

OP posts:

Intherightplace · 04/08/2021 20:16

DH had a PE. Once it's found and they're in hospital they can be monitored and treated.

I had to give DH daily blood thinning injections because he was too much of a wuss to do them himself for a while and then he moved on to tablets.

I also know a man who did nearly die with one when he was in his early 30s, he collapsed in the shower after ignoring chest pain and was in intensive care for weeks. He now runs Ultra Marathons.

skybroke · 04/08/2021 20:17

I would phone the ward & ask when she will have pain relief & ask for a doctor to phone you.

Intherightplace · 04/08/2021 20:18

Sorry, my point about intensive care was that DD won't come to that because she's now in the right place, but even so, he's recovered to live a very active life.

Original poster

cabrillolighthouse · 04/08/2021 20:18

Thanks for your replies. I don't have anyone to talk to in real life. It would have been my mum. I can't tell my dad because he is still coping with the shock of what happened to mum. I darent tell him this now. DD's dad died when she was little. I just can't do this again

OP posts:

VintageDressmaker · 04/08/2021 20:19

Sending good vibes OP.

I though it might be helpful to hear a happy story about someone who has a PE when a similar age as your daughter…

I had a double PE aged 19 following taking the pill and being immobile in bed for a week with the flu. It was a scary experience but pumped full of blood thinners and close oversight they got me sorted.

A thromobophilia screen shortly after the PE showed I had two abnormal clotting factors so I have been taking anticoagulants ever since (going on 24 years now).

Rupertpenrysmistress · 04/08/2021 20:20

As a nurse, we would monitor closely but not necessarily put her on a monitor, she is in the best place with the correct treatment, she should get pain relief too. Don't be afraid to ring the ward as much as you need. My trust allows visitors 1 hour per day so worth trying to speak to the nurse in charge tomorrow, some allow extra visiting, especially as she is so young.

MauveMavis · 04/08/2021 20:20

I'm sorry you find yourself in this position but she is 18 and conscious.

Therefore from the hospitals point of view an adult.

The medical and nursing staff cannot give you updates without her permission.

She doesn't need to on a monitor- they will be doing regular observations.

VintageDressmaker · 04/08/2021 20:21

She’s in the right place. The challenge with young people is often the PE is missed because they are rare… she’ll now be getting what she needs.

Original poster

cabrillolighthouse · 04/08/2021 20:22

@VintageDressmaker thank you. That sounds so similar to her, I guess she had been spending more time in bed due to feeling under the weather with her cold and only recently started the pill. I

OP posts:

Northernlurker · 04/08/2021 20:24

I would ring the ward and ask to speak to nurse in charge and stress your recent bereavement and past history and your (understandable) concern.

fairynick · 04/08/2021 20:25

I’m 24, and I had a PE aged 20. The best reason they could think of is that I was on the pill for only about a month before. In the end my haematologist just said unfortunately I think you’ve just had bad luck.
I take blood thinners as a precaution for life, but not those horrible injections that sting, just tablets.
For me, it felt like just a chest infection, and they kept me in hospital for the five days in order to do the injections even though I felt stupid for taking up a bed.
Then after five days you can go into tablets. I feel super fit a couple of years on, and I’m sure your DD will feel back to normal in no time!
The whole thing definitely traumatised my poor DM more than it did me, so I understand how worried you must be. But honestly, I’m sure she’ll be out in no time. :)

fairynick · 04/08/2021 20:26

Also want to add I was on no monitors, just normal observations every four hours like everyone else :)

Flip

1 2 3 4

Swipe left for the next trending thread