Hás anyone had a pulmonary embolism while pregnant?

[Mfsf]

Hi , I’m almost 27 weeks pregnant and 3 weeks ago I noticed my resting heart rate was always high ( 115 to 160 ) , midwife send her of a ECG and as it was ok heart wise told not to worry . The following days I became extremely fatigued, breathless , often dizzy but I just carried on and 4 days ago I had enough and I called the GP thinking I would be fobbed off . I literally just told her , it’s my 5 th pregnancy , I know I’m supposed to be tired but I can’t function well I feel like I’ve run a marathon 24/7 , it’s affecting my whole day . She got concerned send me in , tested me for diabetes , another ECG , urine and took bloods and blood pressure . An hour later hospital called me to go in . They think I have a pulmonary embolism , this was Thursday afternoon , it’s now Sunday . I’ve had all tests repeated , plus a x Ray ,VQ scan and I’m having a more complex scan tomorrow. I was started on treatment that is injections twice a day . I’m still feeling awful .
If anyone had it , did you improve how you feel after you started treatment ? I’m feeling so down right now , all I can think is how all this is affecting the baby and the kids at home , I have a complete phobia of hospitals ( I was a clinical negligence solicitor a few years ago and saw all that can go wrong and it’s hard to not be in control ) .
Thanks I’m advance

Sorry to hear you’re having such a tough time. The injections will mean you are safe, and shouldn’t have any more clots develop in your lungs, but they don’t break down the existing clots in your lungs, and it can take some time for these to be broken down by your body. But your baby should be okay, the injections are safe to take in pregnancy and the baby shouldn’t have been impacted by your pulmonary embolism, and now you are being treated you should be in safe hands. You should start to feel better but it can take some time. I hope that reassures you a little.

If it is a pulmonary embolism they will be able to pick it up in a CT scan. I had a similar visit to A&E for chest pains and dizziness, lack of energy etc. turned out to basically be nothing and they put it down to my body just being knackered from pregnancy.
Hope you start feeling better soon OP.

Thank you both . I’m told it’s common not to pick it up on x Ray or the VQ scan ( the one they inject dye ) as pregnancy makes it harder to diagnose . They seem to have picked up something as they said inconclusive but I was told I definitely need a pulmonary angiogram tomorrow .
Just worried with all the radiation for the baby .
How did you do with the injections so long ? My legs are completely bruised from only 6 .

The injections get easier, they aren’t much fun but if you can think that you are safe now you are on them, it makes it easier. It is difficult to pick up the blood clots on scans in pregnancy especially, but it sounds like you have great doctors looking after you. I know the radiation is worrying but they will have protected the baby so don’t worry too much if possible. But it is all going to be a stressful time for you so look after yourself. If you want to drop me a message feel free to. Hope it goes well tomorrow.

Hi, I was diagnosed with a PE at 24 weeks pregnant. Didn’t really have major symptoms so to find out I had this was a complete surprise. Like you I was filled with worry. I started the injections straight away and now being 11 weeks post partum I am due to finish on the 21st of this month.
From my experience the rest of my pregnancy went really well and didn’t have any symptoms after I found out. I had an elective c section and it all went really well. Easier said than done but try not to worry and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy. You are in good care and now you are taking the injections you will be fine. The bruising isn’t nice at all, I injected into my stomach and bruised quite bad but got used to it.
I’m actually worried to stop the blood thinners more than anything with anxiety of the clot still being there 🙈. I have been told 6 months on blood thinners will have dispersed the clot now though! Xx