Worried About Pulmonary Embolism

It's not chest pains I'm having, I sometimes, not always get zaps I would call them and they come once or twice and then gone.

Also, I have an oximeter which reads 96-98% SPO2 regularly, so not sure if that is a good or bad thing?

I also have a very stuffy nose that always feels blocked, but can breathe through it just feels full.

Spo2 normal is 95 to 100. So your good on that. Mine is between 95 and 98 sometimes. I understand the zaps. It might be anxiety or like someone else said the beta blocker. I was on metoprolol and it gave me a hard time breathing so they switched me.

They can to a degree tell with a stethoscope, if anything sounds abnormal then tests would be organised, the usual set is D-dimer blood test but is unreliable unless numbers are right off the chart, then the contrast CT scan.

Funny you should say the D-dimer test is unreliable, because people had mentioned it on here I asked my GP for one 2 days ago and he said the same thing. He said they always come back positive, the only way to tell if you are clear is a CT scan.

Sorry for late reply! Yeah? I've been on the Propranolol for about 3 months now, and I'm super tired on them also, which isn't helping my energy levels, especially being Hypothyroid as well (on Eltroxin 50mg for that). My breathing hasn't been too bad last couple of days, mild feeling of tightness and my back shoulder blade hurts but that's it, I don't have any chest pains or anything, so don't know, still worry about PE's though.

Thanks for replying!

Really? Yeah, I had also thought the stethoscope could pick up any abnormal sounds breathing wise I mean. Sorry, I'm going to sound stupid here, but what is a D-dimer blood test? I've never heard of them.

Thanks for replying!

The D-dimer is a blood test which detects bits of clots that have broken away according to the NHS website. My doctor said they always come back positive and not really worth me having it done.

I right, thank you! 

I wouldn't say everyones test would come back positive, it's just that there are so many variables/healt conditions to cause a low to mid range positive, if it was off the charts, well then blood clots should be considered and the contrast CT scan as next port of call.

That is what my GP said last friday when I asked for a D-dimer blood test. He said I could have one if I really wanted or another CT scan but, I do not believe too many scans, x-rays are good for us especially as they put a dye into you for a CT scan. I thought a blood test would be the safer option to see if my clot had gone.

Thats crazy cuz Im having all the symptoms of PE and have been to 3 different ER's and all only gave me the d dimer test and sincd they were negative THEY WON'T give me a ct scan!!!! Im sooo scare Im gonna die!! Any advise??

And... I actually asked the xray tech about scans and radiation... He said even if you have 100 of them done in a month.... Cancer is rare... And if ya do get it.... You'll be well aged and probably already gone from being elderly. When it comes to your health... Its worth it.

Christine,

Do you eat drink a lot of anticoagulant foods, there are lits out there. My doctor advised my to drink ginger tea made with root ginger I have 2 cups per day, ground flaxseed in my breakfast cereal, garlic capsules, cayenne pepper, olive oil and drink lots of water and exercise. Natokkinase is a clot buster.

As apixban made me ill, I am much more aware now of my blood and taking lots of natural blood thinners.

To be honest christine if there was not a risk the technicians would not stand behind a screen or be in another room. They cannot say 100% x-rays are safe and other professionals will say they are not. Personally, I cannot see how they can be safe and everyones body reacts differently.

What exactly are your symptoms and how long have you had them for? Also exactly what tests for your chest pains have you had?

Stabbing pain in left sidd of chest... Sometimes when I breath in... Back pain and like pinching. The doc just did a xray and d dimer test

Does it feel like you have the beginning of a chest infection but you never actually get one? Do you have a gravelly scratchy feeling in your chest when you cough? I don’t know if this is what everyone gets, but it is what I personally had. Also my symptoms got worse when I was ovulating and just before my period. 

You have said in some of your posts they won’t give you a CT scan, I had to get mine done at a private clinic because they didn’t think to give me one either. If you really think there maybe something wrong, it might be a good idea to get one. It might not be PEs but something else. You could have pleurietic pain for some other reason. A CT scan with contrast is not pleasant though, you can have a reaction to the iodine.