Blood Clot Anxiety - Can anyone please help?

[brittany1995]

I'm terribly sorry to post something similar for the second time. I just really need some reassurance. I have myself throughly convinced that I have a blood clot.

For the past week I have had difficulty breathing accompanied by chest pain and exhaustion (Yes, I am aware that these are all anxiety symptoms also). But I can't get the blood clot scenario out of my mind, it's eating away at me. I've been waking up in the middle of the night every night because I can't sleep - I wake up trying to take a deep breath and I feel as if something is lodged in my throat. I have no idea why I'm experiencing this symptoms.

I went to my family doctor once - who then referred me to the ER and then I visited the ER a second time (two days later) on my own. Both times they did a test called "D-Dimer" which supposedly if it comes back negative they are absolutely certain you do not have a Blood Clot. Both my tests were negative. I also had a Chest X-RAY done and the doctor told me it appeared that my lungs look fine (even though I know you can only diagnosis a blood clot through a CT Scan - which they would not do because they deemed it unnecessary). I'm 18 years old and have been on birth control for about 3-4 years which I know elevates your risk for blood clots.

Could anyone with any blood clot experience whatsoever please help to calm me down? Or if something doesn't sound right to someone could you please also tell me that too. Can a D-Dimer blood test truly completely rule out the possibility of a blood clot? Please help me. I just need somewhat of a decent sleep tonight.

[brittany1995]

Thank you so much for this post......it does sound as if we are extremely alike. It is reassuring to know someone in my position who has also researched what I have researched is telling me that a negative should make me feel hugged. Thank you so much, it honestly means the world to me.
I get so scared sometimes and to be completely honest I am still scared and worried right now that I have a blood clot. I've been so close to going to the ER and demanding a CT Scan serval times today but I've resisted and tried to calm myself down.
I want to believe that 2 D-Dimer negatives should make me confident enough that I am in the clear but with such a tight throat and difficulty breathing as well as this on and off stabbing chest pain (not to mention the dizziness and lightheadedness) I just can't stop thinking about it and complete over analyzing it.
I know all my symptoms are hugely related to anxiety which is why I'm trying to tell myself i'm okay but I just don't know this time :(

Thank you again for replying to me. Thank you so much.

Brittany

[sunrain36]

Hi Brittany.  I feel for you.  I just had a similar thing happen this week too.  I have a mean cold and one night I woke up suffocating.  Couldn't catch my breath for a while and when I finally did only lasted a few good minutes then back to gasping for air.  This kept going on every few minutes the whole day until I went to urgent care.  I will spare you the details but I had to have a CT scan because my d-dimer was high.  YOurs came back normal twice.  That is extremely reassuring.  I believe the reliability when it is negative is close to 100%.    In my case fortunately, PE was ruled out.  So, it was a mean cold plus some stress.  To cope:  I have found that laying face down in bed, pushing my thorax gently against something, and bending over at the waist help me catch my breath.  All counterintuitive.  I went to a dif doctor and he said this all mimics a hug and makes you relax.  If you truly feel like you can't even relax on your own, perhaps ask for a short acting anxity pill.  If it works, you got your answer.  Just be careful because they can be habit forming.  You sound so much like me, I feel for you.  I will tell you to relax but I know it is easier said than done.  Just can tell you from all the research I've done lately, the d-dimer findings in your case are very reassuring. Consider yourself hugged.  (oh, how about going out with some friends?  If you get busy and can forget about it, that is also a way to tell yourself that you are physically fine.

[jbtwentytwo]

it will take 3-4 days to rule asthma and anxiety out. The inhaler will be taken when needed (when you have an episode) and the benzos need to be taken 2-3 times a day for 2-3 days depending on which one you are prescribed. If you do not have a reaction when on them then you can rule out a blood clot.

[michigan07]

If d dimer is neg you don't have a blood clot. If you had a blood clot in your lungs you would be spitting up blood or suffering from excruciating chest pain. The lump in your throat and waking up at night is due to the stress and anxiety your body is going through. If you are still worried I would recommend seeing a therapist so you can develop ways to combat your anxiety.

[brittany1995]

Isn't a blood clot in the lung lethal? How would I have time to try out an inhaler and going on anxiety medication if there was a blood clot in my lungs? Would I not be dead?

[jbtwentytwo]

I'm surprised that you are not reassured after performing the test twice.

Nevertheless, if I was in your shoes, I'd try ruling out asthma first. See your GP about a prescription for a salbutamol inhaler. Use the inhaler during your next episode and see if it helps at all.

Secondly I would try ruling out anxiety. See a psychiatrist and tell him of your concerns (that it may be a blood clot) and that you would like to rule out anxiety with benzodiazepines. These are short term anti-anxiety medications and if you do not have episodes when you are on them, then it is a safe bet that it really is anxiety.

Do try to be objective if the episodes return and evaluate whether there is the slightest of improvements with the inhaler/benzo's. If both fail then you have all the evidence you need to demand further investigations from your healthcare provider.