Blood Clots High D-Dimer and Chest CT High Anxiety Please Help
Posted , 28 users are following.
Ok, so down a week on the celexa and nothing has seemingly changed..not feeling any better but not really surprising...What is surprsing, blood clots....It has been my main concern for about 4 days now and i can't seem to get over it like most stuff..I went to the er after a dull chest pain in my muscle after a day and it would hurt when i would deep breath...So of course right of bat they do an ekg...wait around doctor comes and said te ekg looked good, now he wants blood work cause of my family history of heart disease..blood work down, and then they come out and tell me i need a chest x-ray...at this point im really losing it...wait some more and they come and get me and say my d-dimer test was high and i need a CT Scan now...so we get all hooked up and back we go..my d dimer came back at around 308..not terrible but he said with my history he wanted it check for peace of mind...so we go back ct scan 5 minutes and the waiting game begins...2 hours later the doctor comes in and says, no clots everything came back fine and your free to go. No reason behind my d dimer being high nothing...so my anxiety subsides for a night til dr google comes out in me of course. Now i'm experiencing what i feel is leg pain, heart palpatations probably from the anxiety, and chest pain, but not when i deep breath...just looking if anyone has gone through anything similar? Would they be able to tell if i had any clots off of the blood work and the ct scan anywhere in my body? Do i have anything to stress about? Any advice is welcome...Thanks and i hope you guys have a good day!
2 likes, 44 replies
m32563 mharley
Posted
Hello
I just went thru the exact same thing went to the er for chest pain weakness and dizziness they did the whole work up on me everything was normal but the D Dimer test and they did a ct scan. So i go to my pcp and ask him about the test and said D Dimer was in fact elevated i ask should i be worried he said no because i had a normal ct scan it didnt show anything. I wasnt put on any meds or anything. But wat i have done just as a precousious is taking baby asprin. Idk if they would be able to tell if u had a blood clot by blood test
I too deal with anxiety as well so of course im tryna stay calm and not worry about the "what if" .
Hope this helps, just try to stay positive. Knowing ur not alone.
candie46751 m32563
Posted
Hi I to just went through the same thing last night, I wanted to know did your symptoms subside and how are you feeling now? As I am still feeling on edge a bit and haven't slept much at all. Feeling very anxious right now, still having heart palpitations and fluttering in my heart. If you do get this please respond and give a update of how you are doing. Thanks
alee05902 mharley
Posted
Just this past Thursday I went to the hospital for chest pain that radiated to my left breast and made my left arm weak. They did the whole testing, MRI scan, chest X-Ray, blood work after another since the time I was there till the time I was about to be discharged. Chest X-Ray and MRI were both cleared but my d-dimer was elevated. Worst part is, the nurse or the doctor failed to inform me what a d-dimmer was, and what it meant; I too also struggle with anxiety/panic disorder. Great news about the test, no clots in my chest meaning no strokes, cardiac arrest or heart attacks including any future ones that can occur. But still, that wasn't good enough for me, I needed my mind to be at peace and I needed myself to be at ease instead of worrying myself and making my anxiety worst. So I went back in a few days after, no one was really able available to talk to me but they called me as soon as I left and this nurse told me the same thing. Which was, no clots in my chest, I didn't need to worry myself about any future strokes heart attacks or cardiac arrest. That put me at ease, and seeing this post I don't feel so alone. I was wondering how are you doing so far since. I hope this puts you at some ease, just know you're not the only one with the same outcome. Hope all is well.
candie46751 alee05902
Posted
Hi Alee05902, my name is Candie and I just stumbled across this as I to have went through everything you all have been through. I was at the emergency room from 11 last night until 7am this morning. I to have high anxiety and panic attacks and they did blood test, ekg, x-ray, all of that came back fine then they decided to do the d dimer test and it came back positive as well so they did a CT Scan. Well after waiting hours the CT Scan came back fine said no blood clots that they could see but they wanted me to do one more test and it was called the vscan and I said I can't because I had to get home to get my son off to school so they told me to come back if i didn't feel any better and have the test just to completely rule out everything. I'm still a bit nervous still feeling a bit of heart palpitations and fluttering. But I can relate to everyone on here. I just want to know how everyone is doing? They also didn't send me home with any medicine for anxiety and I feel I truly need something to help me get by. Please someone respond if your still on this site. Thanks I truly hope everyone is well. My sister also thinks I should go to another hospital and have a second opinion to make sure all is well. Have a blessed day
alee05902 candie46751
Posted
Hi candie46751
How are you feeling by far? I'm glad to hear everything came out negative but as far as a Vscan..are you going to get it done? Or have you had it done? As for me, my d-dimmer was slightly elevated so when they ordered the MRI everything was clear and normal; I was sent home with Tylenol codeine 3 ( I never took it..too strong for my little body lol ) for the pain or inflammation. I was told since I have fibrosis breast disease, that could be a factor of my chest pain, then it can also by my anxiety Or it could be a bad muscle spasm; he also told me to avoid any emotional upsets or anything else that may cause the chest pains again. So far since, I have been doing better; my anxiety seems to be under controlled; when it does occur or when I feel it happening while I'm at home, I soak myself in warm water with dr teal's comfort &a calm with chamoille epson salt. I also drink 1 cup of chamomile tea each night before bed or sometimes pepermint tea. However, I do still worry about things out of my control like my health especially. I stay away from energy drinks, alcohol or caffeine...recently I'm starting to drink Starbucks again but not finishing it entirely. I'm trying to get back into my old ropes of being active and energize. I hope you're doing well or better.
Lonesage30 candie46751
Posted
Hi, I know this post is a bit old, but writing to let you guys know you're not alone. I've been suffering from a mystery ailment for months. Head pressure, chest pain, bulging veins on my Temple and palpitations that are extremely scary. Recently had an episode at work with heart palpitations and high pulse, dizziness. Hospital said my d dimer was high, but cat scans were negative. Hard to believe this is all caused by anxiety, going to the cardiologist next week but I'm still so nervous 😭. Hang in there, hopefully all of our symptoms will pass
diane18487 Lonesage30
Posted
BabyGurl7 Lonesage30
Posted
Hello How are you doing? Praying all is well. I know its been some years..Could please update how your doing? Going through the same. Would love to know how your progressing. Did you find out anything new regarding your situation? Thank You
candie46751 mharley
Posted
I truly hope all is well with you, I know that's it's been quite some time since you posted on here. But I to experienced the same thing you did and went into the er last night. They did a complete work up and everything came back fine. They also did the d dimer and it came back positive so they did a CT Scan that didn't show anything at all. But they wanted me to do one more test called the vscan just to rule out everything and I didn't stay for it because I was already there from 11 last night until 7am this morning. They said I could come back and do the test if I don't feel any better. I still have anxiety of course still feeling heart palpitations feeling a bit on edge. Please tell me how your doing to this day if you get this message. I truly hope and pray that all is well.
christine232 mharley
Posted
Hello mharley
If you have had a DVT they would have detected it. They can usually tell if one leg is fatter than the other. I had one Mar 2016 & it has been a roller coaster of issues, including breathing problems, allergies to certain blood thinners & kidney issues. So don't worry. The CT scan with contrast would definitely have picked up pulmonary embolisms in your lungs. I had my 4th recently to rule out breathing problems.
I developed Blood clots in my lungs as well as a DVT. After 6 months treatment I came off blood thinners then developed a massive clot in my left lung & several small ones in my right. This means I have a propensity to clot so I need to be on blood thinners for life.
Since April 2017 I have been on Dalteparin (injections) as I have allergies to the NOAC drugs & Warfarin.
If you are unsure ask your GP/ Practice Nurse. They will receive a letter from your hospital attendance.
Stressing about what's happening to you will definitely make you paranoid & anxious. Accept you are ok and try to move forward.
Hope this helps.
Good luck for the future.
Christine
christine232 mharley
Posted
Hello mharley
You are getting yourself into a pickle. I can tell you through my own experiences, have had multiple pulmonary embolisms(blood clots) in my lungs & dvt in my right leg. If the medical professionals at your local hospital suspected that you had any of these things you would be on treatment, immediately. I have to inject Dalteparin for life has I have a propensity to clot.
All your tests are negative with a slightly raised d-dimer. This is what you have written above. No need to worry about anything.
Far to many people are using Google as a diagnostic tool for medical conditions. Google is not a trained, fully qualified, medical professional. It's ok once you are diagnosed but then only use the NHS website to research issue, or better still ask your GP/ Nurse at your Doctors Surgery.
The reason I say that is America & other countries do not always prescribe the same medications or treatment. In the UK some of what is use in other countries is banned.
So, you do not have reason to concern yourself. Stressing after looking on Google is not surprising.
Forget about it now. I presume you are a young person. Celexa is an anti-anxiety medication, isn't it.
The first time I took any serious drugs in my life was at 58 years of age. Don't become a prescription addict if you can help it.
All the best to you. Stop stressing they found zero. Get on with something on a happier note.
Regards
Christine
jeannisha97114 mharley
Posted
Well I see that I am not alone lol and we all are going through the same thing.. I have been diagnosed with stress depression and anxiety and I must say anxiety is a B.... I have been trying to cope with it without meds and I have been doing ok except on Wednesday randomly I started getting a burning sensation in my left upper arm .. went on google which was a bad idea seen stroke and heart attack and instantly panicked.. I called the ambulance I really didn't want to go to the hospital I just wanted to know if I was ok . They check my heart rate it was 183 and they said they really wanted to take me to the er to get checked out. After them running test the doctor comes in and says my d dimer test was positive and they wanted to do a ct scan my heart rate went from 109 to 152 instantly I'm crying thinking I have a blood clot and I'm dying .. so they do the scan and she comes back and says she didn't see anything and I'm good to go i am just really stressed and my anxiety is getting the best of me just need to figure out some was to cope with my anxiety..!!
candie46751 jeannisha97114
Posted
Yes you are definitely not alone believe me alot of us have experienced the same thing. Anxiety is definitely a b**** it will get the best of us if you let it. I not that long ago myself went through the same thing with fast heart rate, heart palpitations, feeling dizzy, thought I was dying so I decided to go into the ER which turned out to be an 8 hour visit. They did a lot of testing and my d dimer came back positive as well and I freaked out and thought it was the end of the world and everything came back fine. So I do know what your doing through you are not alone and it's a scary thing dealing with anxiety, but you have to remember anxiety is all in your head. I've dealt with anxiety since I was 13 years old and I'm 33 now, I'm not on no meds either I talk myself out of my anxiety and it works I tell myself Candie this is all in your head and I take slow deep breaths and I instantly feel so much better. It will get better you just have to learn to control it. I hope all is well with you, and if u ever need to talk feel free to email me anytime. Hugs Candie
jeannisha97114 candie46751
Posted
Guess my depression got my crying to your response lol .. but it feels so good to know I'm not alone I really have no one to talk to about it because they don't understand I have one guy friend who does but sometimes when u panic u need more that one clarification to know you are ok and with him and you and other stories I am reading it's helping me cope soooo much better with this and I will make it THANK YOU so much
moneymoo mharley
Posted
OMG I am so glad I found this here. I flew to Africa on September 1 and came back on the 12. I had a really bad pain in my left thigh and went straight to the ER. They did an ultrasound but no clot. My d-dimer was elevated at 630. I went and had it re-tested 2 days later and it was 540 so it was coming down. I had it tested again on Wednesday and got a phone call to go immediately to the ER. I went but they said it was too non-specific since I had no pain, no redness, no swelling and no shortness of breath. Okay - The d-dimer was up to 783. I went and had a cat scan done this morning and negative. I am happy for that but don't know how to find out why my d-dimer is so high. Who do I go see? I take .5 of zanax lately to sleep because of the stress of all this and wonder if that is pushing my number up. Has anyone had a d-dimer that stays high? I know there are other causes but have absolutely no idea of where to start. The stress is killing me. I had read that if you are over 60 which I am, on albuterol for asthma which I am but no other medicine and have high cholesterol which I have, that it could be high. My cancer doctor that I'm friends with from 20 years ago said that any inflammatory illness could push it up and he checked my inflammation in my body and there wasn't any - just at a loss.
candie46751 moneymoo
Posted
You are not alone yes it is very scary to go through all of this and I can imagine that your anxiety must be through the roof. Do you have a regular doctor that you see on a regular basis? I would contact your doctor and ask why your d-dimer levels keep changing they should be able to give you an explanation of why this is happening. At least your test we're negative which is a very good thing. I myself still have no clue why my d-dimer was elevated and I still wonder myself. This is a very scary exp and I'm glad that you are on Xanax because that will definitely help if you are experiencing anxiety attacks.
carrie51571 candie46751
Posted
I wanted to add yet another to this discussion. you ladies aren't alone at all. I have had shortness of breath now for 3 wks. Along with dizziness, lightheaded, constipation, fatigue, interrupted sleep, and sometimes nausea when I eat. I went to my regular dr & saw the PA. She asked me if I was depressed. She ran labs for my thyroid- negative. I asked for additional labs since my mother was diabetic & it caused her death 3 years ago. All negative. I was sent to a cardiologist, had an EKG-negative. I went back to my regular dr and told him I KNEW that something wasn't right. He told me maybe I should see the thyroid dr, maybe I had good labs, but still had an issue. Said he would run more labs. Lyme disease- negative. Premenopause- negative.D'dimer- 1.45 on a range of 0-0.50. So I get a call in the morning to be at the facility at 1130 for a chest CT. They make a big deal about my levels and that they ordered this STAT and I will know more by the end of the day. Results come back negative. They say that it must be "inflammation from a virus" The next morning I get labs back that show I have no signs of inflammation or infection. I went to the thyroid specialist who tells me "I treat you by the labs not your symptoms" so waste of another copay. Now they want to send me to a pulmonary specialist. According to my regular dr "we will just go system by system to figure it out." The appt isn't until the END of February. Thats 10 wks from now. I feel defeated at this point. I am exhausted, can't sleep, can't breathe...and nobody seems to have any idea of what is going on.
moneymoo carrie51571
Posted
Carrie - hang in there and don't feel defeated - I've gone through the whole gambit of tests and no one can explain why my D-dimer is 786. I'm just going to move forward and say - that's just what it is - the baseline that they use is for a DVT or a PE and not anything else that could be going wrong with your body - I think they need to ditch the D-Dimer unless they have proof that you have a blood clot.
emily12025 carrie51571
Posted
I know this is 3 years later, but did you ever find out what was wrong? I am having the same exact symptoms and had all of the same tests done. All came back fine.
emily12025 carrie51571
Posted
I know this is 3 years later, but did you ever find out what was wrong? I am having the same exact symptoms and had all of the same tests done. All came back fine.