PE still difficulty breathing 7 weeks out

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I had Bariatric surgery  May 9 and a week later got re-admitted to hospital with a massive PE in my lung.  They never found that it started fro my leg, they presume it may have come from another source maybe in pelvic area.

I have been on Xarelto now for 6 weeks , the last CT scan showed the clot has dissolved, however now I have a nodule on my lung.  I am going to a pulmonary Dr in 2 weeks.  I still have shortnes of breath and have not been back to work as of yet.

Also the last echo cardiogram is showing a slight strain on the right side of my heart.

Has anyone had these type of symptoms? 

The heart Dr wants me to try a cardio rehab which I am still waiitng on a okay from my insurance company.

My big question is could the PE have damaged my lung? Will my heart ever not be strained?

Maria

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Maria,

    Be prepared to ask a lot of questions, as it is the experience of many (most?) PE sufferers that we are given little information.  I am not sure it is a deliberate policy, just that PE's don't seem to "belong" to any specialist in the medical community. You could be seen by cardiology, respiratory, haematology or all of them and a few others besides.

    Prior to your next visit, make a list of questions - always helps that blank mind moment....

    As for the symptoms - yes, I was breathless at six weeks in and for quite some time afterwards. Improvements were a bit slow, but when they happened they were in fits and starts - nothing for weeks then a sudden improvement.

    Finding things in your lungs? Yes indeed, I think the only things they didn't find in mine were a ship in a bottle and a bouncy castle.....  The problem with lungs is that they are seldom looked at, so all sorts of old stuff turns up..

    Heart strain going away? You really need to ask the cardiologist for that, but it can. Like any muscle, take the stress away and it will recover.

    The most important thing is that you are on anticoagulants, so covered. Don't push it too hard - if you feel breathless, take some time out.  You may feel anxious as it seems to be an effect of the condition.

    Hope that helps and good luck with the appointment with the pulmonary guy.

    All the best.

    Peter

     

    • Posted

      Thanks Peter!

      I read too much stuff on internet, so I have myself having all sorts of things in my lungs!

      I am looking forward to my pulmonary Dr visit.

      Thanks for the info!

      Maria

  • Posted

    I had a right strain too back in november when i had my pe. I jad an echo a few weeks ago and it did not show a strain.
    • Posted

      Thanks great news!  I guess it takes months to be back to normal!

      Thanks for the info!

      Maria

  • Posted

    Hi it all sounds very much the same for me I have a nodule in my lung been there since I had my PE 2 yrs ago my dr is keeping an eye on it I agree they just don't tell us all the things that can happen to us 

    good luck with everything the breathing does get easier but in my case never goes away 

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