Pulmonary embolism

[Itscurtainsforyou]

I'd like someone to tell me everything will be ok please

My dad has complained of chest pains, shortness of breath etc for a couple of weeks. Gp said it was muscular (didn't do an ecg, which I was surprised about, but I'm not a medical professional...)

Yesterday his leg started to swell and he was getting severe pain in his side. He went to a&e, they kept him in, did an ultrasound today which showed a blood clot in his groin and is now waiting for a CT scan to see if he also has one in his lung (seems likely). He's quite short of breath and in pain, has had pain relief but it's not touched it.

I can't understand it as he's fairly active, hasn't flown for a good month or so, doesn't smoke, no family history and is already on blood thinners after a mini stroke earlier this year.

I'm hoping that they'll give him blood thinning injections and that will sort it, but what happens if they don't? Not sure I can cope with the alternative...

Sorry to hear about your dad.

I've had a pulmonary embolism, although different circumstances as it happened when I was pregnant and went on a long haul flight (I even wore the compression stockings and made sure to walk around!).

Is he still in hospital? As soon as it was even suspected that I had a clot, I was admitted and instantly put on clexane injections. I felt much better within a day or so. I injected twice a day, then once a day after I gave birth, for a total of about six months.

Once they had discovered the clot, I was discharged from hospital and told to lead a normal active life - I was encouraged to go back to work, exercise, etc.

The only long term effect it's had on me is that I have to have a clexane injection before any long haul flight (anything over 4 hours). Otherwise it's not affected me in any other way.

I'm not sure how relevant that is for your dad as my PE was related to me being pregnant, but I hope he feels much better soon.

Thank you!
Yes he's still in hospital. They're reviewing his ct results, so hopefully will have a treatment plan soon.
I'm hoping that they've caught it in time.

He now has developed pneumonia and something very similar to pleurisy- they seem to be treating the pain but not the cause (the PE). I believe that there are drugs that can break down the clot but all they're giving him are blood thinners (apparently different things).

I had multiple PEs about this time last year. I only had blood thinners (dalteparin injections). They said my body would naturally break the clots down over time, but the blood thinners would prevent the clots from growing or new ones forming.

I am sorry to hear about his further issues. I hope they can get it all under control soon

Thank you. I'm just concerned that the clots aren't breaking down yet (due to the location of the pain and pleurisy-type issues) and causing knock-on effects like pneumonia. Not sure at what point they'll offer anything other than anti-clotting meds (he's been on them a week now).

I had multiple p.e.'s but didn't have anything else like your df has. I was in hospital for a week and given heparin injections, then on warfarin for 6 months. The cause was unknown.

I hope he feels better soon, I'm sure they'll be giving him everything he needs. Could you speak to the doctor tomorrow?

Oh and the chest pain didn't ease off for a few weeks.

You wouldn't do anything other than blood thinners unless he became much more unwell with low blood pressure, which is thankfully rare. It may just take a bit of time for the pain to settle.