Embolism and getting headaches above left eye

[embolismquestions]

So I am 42 have a PE.I don't have any follow up appointments until mid Feb when I have a call from the Thrombosis department. I am on Apixaban. I am relatively low risk - low heart rate and not obese. The clot has apparently restricted blood to one lung meaning and stopping some function but I've not seen the scan. I get breathless randomly but am trying to get out to walk the dog for at least an hour a day. I have cut out smoking from 5 a day almost completely. Yesterday I did have one after a stressful time and my heart rate shot up (usually around 70) to 100bpm and my face started to tingle, I felt sick and very dizzy. I made it to my bed and it took about 15mins to get back to normal but I felt shaky and stayed in bed scared it would happen again. The day before this I had a terrible headache all day above the left eye. I am over-thinking that I might have a clot on the brain. Obviously I see it was linked to the smoking, which I won't be doing again, but it seemed quite a big reaction and I am worried it's a sign of something being very wrong and verging on a problem?

I've now got the fear and don't want to risk driving to go out and am a bit scared about taking the dog out. I live alone and am worrying i'll collapse in a remote area and be left there.

Please can someone help me feel a bit more normal as I am usually very independent and this is getting me down and I can feel myself spiralling a bit. I can't get through to the GP as there is just a voicemail saying they aren't taking any new appointments.

Could you ring either 111 or thé clinic. Either may bé able to give you some réassurance. On the good side you're giving up smoking.

Thing is as soon as I say I have trouble breathing 111 will call an ambulance and I'll be taken in again for a whole day and night. I can't keep doing it because I have no one to care for the dog each time. Really I feel they should have checked everything already but I've had no advice, just to wait for the next appointment and keep taking the drugs when they found it.

I don't want to be causing it myself through panic either - I have had panic attacks and the breathing feels like that at times. I just don't know if I should actually be worrying or if I'm making the symptoms worse. It didn't help they mis-diagnosed it first time around and sent me home. I know they are stretched but is this what most people get? A diagnosis of large PE with reduced lung function then just sent home alone with just the drugs and a call from the hospital 4 weeks later?

You must stop smoking.

You need to call 111 and get advice. It would be worse for the dog if you collaspe at home and he’s on his own. Get yourself checked out.

Even the doctor said 5 a day was a minimal amount to worry about, but yes, obviously after yesterday and what happened I'm not going to put myself through that again.

I'd rather find out if I am about to die to be honest!