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Continued pain following pulmonary embolism

I'm a 34 year old male and was diagnosed with a "small" PE 10 weeks ago after i was rushed to my local hospital - i couldnt breath - my lips were blue and i'd collapsed with the "classic" sharp stabbing pain in my ribs (coughing up blood also).  My question is this although i am aware other people have normally made a full recovery by now, i am still struggling with pain.  I was told by my consultant that i would maybe have pleuretic/muscular pain and i am aware of that; however sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between the sharp muscular pain and the pain when i collapsed (it is similar but nowhere near as severe!).  There does not appear to be any underlying cause - i have had most of the tests echocardiogram etc - i have not however had the sticky blood test because i am still on warfarin.This has really hit me hard mentally as well because of my relatively young age and because i have a young family - i am tending to think of this as a death sentence because i have been told that im more at risk of further pe's.  My INR however has always been in the therapeutic range and i believe that this means that further clots are unlikely - how unlikely?
My heart rate also appears to have increased in particular during standing/exercise (resting rate can be anywhere from 68 to 110 - although on average is in the 90's) but this goes to the mid 120's (on av during exercise).  I am worried about sec pulmonary hypertension but my consultant laughed this off from the echo/other tests.  I am really anxious and am that scared of dying that i am not living, will i fully recover?
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Avatar universal
Dear Strat,
I rushed my partner to the A&E last Friday with the same symptoms you describe - ie coughing blood, pleural symptoms.
They took arterial blood gases, central line precautions, chest x-rays etc.

I'm not a medical specialist, but my partner (the patient) is currently finishing his PhD in Heart Research within the Molecular Biology sphere - so we're well informed. In addition to that, his cousin is an Oncologist at a leading London hospital

It is still a terrifying thing to deal with - and this is why I wanted to answer your question.

I agree with everything that NJC-R.N. - DC told you

Your risk of recurrent PE is now extremely low, unless you smoke.
If you would like some statistics on INR and recurrence rates, then go to gpnotebook.co.uk
As long as you look after yourself, there is no clinical data which shows you as a high risk.

You are not going to die.  Enjoy your family and have fun


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Avatar universal
Thanks for responding - i really appreciate it.  Obviously i am concerened by what you say, i am however located in the UK where everything is a lot slower paced in the medical profession.  This is partly dictated to by funding etc.  I wish to add that i am not due to see my consultant while the end of July.  My pain is now resolving but i am concerned that i still  dont feel like my old self and my heart rate is a worry.  Hopefully in July i will get some answers and may even print off this thread to assist me when i go.
Helpful - 0
251132 tn?1198078822
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The description of blue lips and coughing up blood suggests that this was not a "small PE".  With so much at stake your evaluation must be extremely thorough.  It should begin with very rigorous attempts to determine if the clot came from the veins of your legs, your arms or your pelvis.  You should have a spiral CT scan of your lungs done now to see if there has been resolution and/or recurrent clots since your original pulmonary emboli (PE).  The evaluation of your blood coagulation must be state-of-the-art.  Also the search for other diseases that can predispose you to PE must be state-of-the-art.

You should seek a second opinion from a specialist with special interest and expertise in the occurrence of clots in a young, seemingly healthy man.  You may have to consult with your doctor or call the local university medical center to find such a specialist.  However the gravity of the situation demands that you make the effort.

An INR in the normal range is a reasonable but not absolute guarantee of protection against clot formation.
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