Anyone had a pulmonary embolism?

[ALongHardWinter]

I was diagnosed with this last week (Thursday). I had been feeling increasingly breathless over the previous 10 days but was reluctant to see the doctor as firstly,I'm overweight,and I thought the doctor would put it down to that (although I knew myself that it wasn't normal for me) and secondly,I've had a couple of negative experiences with the NHS where I've not been taken seriously when it was something that turned out to be serious.
My DD eventually persuaded me to get an urgent doctor's appointment and to my surprise,he referred me to the hospital,saying that I should go 'as soon as possible'. I was put on an observation ward and had numerous tests (blood tests,chest x-ray,E.C.G, and a CT scan). Anyway,it turned out that I had several small clots in my lungs. I was given 2 blood thinning injections and was also prescribed anti-coagulant tablets,which I have to take initially for 3 months,then be reviewed.
What I'm wondering is,why did I get the clots in the first place? I don't appear to be in any of the high risk categories (recently undergone surgery,been bed bound and immobile for a long period of time,been on a long haul flight or similar journey). Admittedly,I'm overweight,but would that on it's own be enough to cause it? Anyone out there got any experience of this? And when did you start to feel better? I've been told it could take up to 8 weeks.

You need to be referred to a haematologist to have this investigated. They’ll take a family history and specialised blood tests. Were you on any contraceptives or other medication?

Yes. I was on the pill, no other risk factors at all. It may depend on your area, but there was no option for investigation in my case. It was a case of 'you have this, take these pills for 6 months, we can't give you contraceptives any more just in case.' I found the experience very difficult because the HCPs all took it so casually as they work with dozens of patients every day!

Do get plenty of rest and be ready to not feel 100% for anything up to a year. Also be aware that you may have some lung scarring although this can resolve over time. I'm not telling you that to scare you, but because my doctors seemed to think I should be fine in a couple of months and didn't even address the possibility of impaired lung function.

This was in 2010 by the way and I am fine and have never had a recurrence! So don't worry too much

I don't take oral contraceptives (I know they can increase your risk) as I'm too old! (54) I have a Mirena IUS which I've had for coming up to 6 years. I had it put in for pain and heavy bleeding,and I'm due to have it removed in a couple of months. Other medication I'm on is tramadol slow release tablets for arthritis and fibromyalgia pain,and doxazosin and irbesartan for high blood pressure. To my knowledge,no one in my immediate family has suffered from a PE.

I had a pulmonary embolism after being on the pill for a few months (I was probably overweight as well). Took a while to be diagnosed (I was a teenager), but I was in hospital for a week and a half and on blood thinners for six months. I seemed to recover fairly quickly afterwards, though I recall it occasionally hurting to breath in deeply for a little while.

Nobody seemed to want to investigate it, but I was advised to tell a doctor before I wanted to conceive - I did when I got to that stage and not a lot happened despite being referred to a haemotologist.

I had a Mirena in my early twenties - I don't think they can cause blood clots otherwise they wouldn't have let me have it!

Yes I had one, was misdiagnosed as a chest infection and it was only picked up when I collapsed in the street.

I was tested for genetic stuff right at the end of treatment when I came off medication. I have a slightly increased risk of blood clots because of a genetic factor and have had one DVT since. But like you I am not aware of anyone else in my family having anything similar.

I hope you make a good recovery and feel better soon. I went back to work after about 6-8 weeks I think. But started off very part time and built up to full time.
All the best

I had two, one on each lung, that gave me a resting heartbeat in the late 120s.
I was sent to hospital and go back on 11th June. Part of the process is to discover why they happened. Have you been told what will happen at the review?
I am on 5mg of apixaban twice a day.
Generally 8 weeks is a good recover time. I started back at work part-time after 8 weeks, I have a desk bound job. I get tired quickly and unexpectedly and of course bleed more than usual if I cut myself.
Walk about until you get out of breath and then sit down. I have been told not to lift anything heavier than a packet of Quavers and to avoid stress.

I have heard anecdotally of a few cases of PE occurring in patients who are on Tramadol, these were people who were otherwise healthy and low risk for VTE. I don’t think there’s much evidence to prove a link, but your the 3rd case I have heard about in the last year

*you are

Thank you all for your replies.

SilverDragonfly - thanks for the warning and the reassurance. A year!

HopelessWithNumbers - thankfully I don't have the added stress of getting fit to go back to work as I'm on long term sickness benefit due to my arthritis and problems with my shoulders.

Quickerthanavicar No,I've not been told what will happen at the review! I'm on something called Rivaroxaban,2 x 10mg for 3 weeks,then 1 x 15mg a day until my review. I'm trying to build up my physical activity by gentle walking meandering (about half a mile a day at the moment). I wasn't advised about the heavy lifting or stress though.

DH had had two. The last one was very serious. He very nearly died and was in intensive care for some time. He has a blood condition which makes his blood clot too easily. He is on life long rivoroxaban. As others said it takes a while to get better. Even a simple cold can floor him

Good luck OP

Scoogle Sorry to hear that. Good luck to you and your DH too.

Peterrabbitscarrots That's interesting,can't say I've heard of that. I will do a bit of research on it.

My sister had one, turns out she has a protein c deficiency, which in her case was genetic. It's quite serious and she has been on blood thinners for about 15 years. It might something to look into.