Shortness of breath after non-massive PE

[Torrente01]

Hello, I’m 43 year old male, non smoker, training 5x a week for past 25 years. 10 days ago admitted to ER due to sharp chest pain and shortness of breath.

Diagnosed with PE on both lungs and a small lung infarction.

PESI class 1, HAS- BLED score 0.

Non-massive PE, low risk, no leg swelling, no deep vein thrombosis, all veins on ultrasound are clear. They don’t know the cause of thrombosis

Got released from hospital 3 days ago, was put on apiksaban 2 x 5 mg.

Doctor said I got lucky and should make full recovery, just to take it easy with getting back to my training (running, boxing, lifting weights).

Chest pain went away after few days in hospital.

What I’m concerned about is my breathing. I still sense shortness of breath, even when I’m sitting and doing nothing. I can take deep breaths, have no chest pain, but despite deep breaths, I still sense lack of oxygen. It is making me anxious and I cannot fall asleep at night, since it is forcing me to take deep breaths every minute or so.

My doctor says it is relatively normal and that it will go away in few weeks or months.

Did any of you had something similar, what to expect in long term, how long will last this shortness of breath? I have a feeling that I’ll never be back to normal again with my breathing.

[Brookiebiceps]

Yes, this is normal and should settle soon. Get a pulse oximeter to measure your 02 levels. This will give you peace of mind. Be well.

[bikebabe]

Totally understandable that you feel anxious because the PE came out of nowhere. Have they done any haematology checks to see if you have an underlying blood clotting disorder such as factor v Leiden.

A pulse oximter is a good idea for reassurance. Don’t get too obsessive with it - just log the result twice a day. My normal is 93 at night and 96/97 daytime. I was told to go to docs if <90.

Your body is brilliant at healing itself so try to distract your mind to let your body get on with that healing. Anxiety stops you doing that. New hobby - musical instrument, family history, games, reading walking - whatever

Finally try introducing a new routine of breathing using your disphragm to pull the air in as you push tummy out and focus on using alternate nostrils to breathe in and out. Like an Indian yogi. You can learn this at a class.

Best wishes

[KAustin51]

I was reading your story? I too have trouble with shortness of breath! I had a PE in 2019 that put me in the hospital for a week! After that I can't do much even walking to the back door to let the dog out is very hard for me! I now sleep with oxygen 3.0 letters at nite for the rest of my life! I'm on Eliouis 2.5mg 2x daily! It helps keep me from having more clots! I hope that you regain most of your lungs back? The worst thing is not being able to just get up and do whatever because I can't breath thru it? Some notes I wake up to use the restroom and hurryed a bit to fast and now having to get back to my oxygen just to catch my breath it's quite scary...Good luck to you❤️

[TonyGtMissenden]

Hi Torrente, I was running 25km-45km per week and doing lots of cycling when I took had an unprovoked and quite extensive PE. As I am asthmatic I at first thought it was just an asthma episode.. I even went for a run feeling ill before my diagnosis which in hindsight doesn't bear thinking about! That was 3.5 years ago. I have been on apixaban since then -like you on 5mg and then now on a maintenance dose of 2.5mg. I have made a full recovery- my vo2 max back to what it was, I am running half marathons and last year did a 200km single day cycle ride. I only say this to perhaps provide some reassurance that there is a path back to full fitness and a normal life for you. It is entirely normal to feel a little breathless- your lungs are damaged and needs time to heal. Apixaban as I understand it does not heal lungs, rather just prevent further clots. You need to give your body time. If you are struggling to relax perhaps try some mindfulness exercises or other drills to help redirect your attention. Recovery for me was a matter of months not weeks so perhaps you may need to be patient, but you will get there!!

[Torrente01 in reply to TonyGtMissenden]

Great, thank you. Sound pretty much like my situation. I am beginning to feel somewhat better regarding breathing, I am aware it will take months probably. When did you start to train again after PE?

[TonyGtMissenden in reply to Torrente01]

I started off by doing some walks to build up my confidence and began running (gently) 3 months after the PE. I even went skiing 4 months after the PE. Note though that in my case I also went for an echocardiograph before I did any aerobic exercise so I had some confidence that the clots had not damaged my heart. Follow your doctor's advice...

[Torrente01 in reply to TonyGtMissenden]

I understand...I have also booked appointment at cardiologist and pulmonologist, will do some tests. My doctor didn't forbid me training, just said to take it easy, saying that I am the one how konws my body the best.