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Still breathless 6 months after pulmonary embolism ?

Puffthemagicdragon profile image

Theotherdragon is still recovering from the pulmonary embolism, it has been six months now, she is still very breathless, she has been advised on another site to ask her doctor for an inhaler, but is there any there suggestion which might help her?

Has anyone else had a similar experience ?

Thanks.

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Puffthemagicdragon
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24 Replies
cofdrop-UK profile image
cofdrop-UK

Sorry to hear TOD is still struggling. Sorry I am not much help at all but please send hugs and hope she feels better very soon. cx

huggs profile image
huggs

Sorry to hear about the other dragon Puff. You don't mention what aftercare she has had, or if she has had another scan. As you know this is a serious condition, and like other diseases and conditions recovery time varies from patient to patient and it also depends on how long the clot or clots were present before diagnosis and how severe they were. It can take some people a number of months to recover, while others recover in a couple of weeks. If she has not had a recent check up then I would strongly urge you to get this done as soon as possible. Like tomorrow. If she has been recently checked to make sure that there are no further pulmonary embolisms then you can relax a bit. However, in some cases once you have had one P.E. then you are slightly more vulnerable to getting them again. That is why it is so important to have regular checks. If the breathlessness becomes worse, or she faints or has pains which worsen when coughing or moving about then that would be a worrying sign that another embolism has occurred. On saying all this however, I am sure that you will have all the bases covered and I have just been detailed with my answer because I don't know what aftercare the other Puff has received. If she is getting regular checks and everything is ok then I am sure that it won't be that long before things improve for her. I stress again though, that she should have further tests done immediately if this has not already happened. I myself have not had a pulmonary embolism but know plenty of people who have. Even if the other Puff has had recent checks then it might still be worth going back to your doctor just to ease your mind. As we all know, your health is not something to be mucked about with. My apologies if I have got my he's and she's mixed up! I hope the other Puff improves very soon and I am sure you are looking after her very well. Take care. hugs xxxx

Puffthemagicdragon profile image
Puffthemagicdragon

Thanks for the replies. She hasn't had any more scans since the original one. She is booked up for an endoscopy and also she is having a heart monitor on her for 7 days in the next couple of weeks. I hope it shows something that can be sorted easily as it's distressing her quite a bit.

I'm a " he " by the way so you got it right ! :)

huggs profile image
huggs in reply toPuffthemagicdragon

Hi again Puff. I still think she should have another scan to make sure there are no further embolisms. However, your doctor is probably eliminating other causes of the prolonged breathlessness which is good. The endoscopy will not show up anything wrong with her airways or lungs, unless she has acid reflux which makes breathing problems worse. Is she on any blood thinning medication? Hope things get better soon. hugs xxxx ps. Glad I got my he's and she's right.!!

Puffthemagicdragon profile image
Puffthemagicdragon in reply tohuggs

She isn't on any blood thinners only soluble aspirin. As an aside she says her throat feels as if it's a bit blocked and triggers the urge to retch even though she doesn't be sick. No acid reflux. She doesn't have any stomach problems.

huggs profile image
huggs in reply toPuffthemagicdragon

Hi Puff, Its good she is taking soluble aspirin, which does thin the blood as you know. It sounds like they are doing the endoscopy to find out why she is feeling the need to retch. All the best for her, and hope all goes well. It sounds like she is being well looked after by the medical profession, and of course by your good self! Take care, hugs xxx

moneal profile image
moneal in reply toPuffthemagicdragon

Hi

I have just been to doctors with the same symptoms, a blood test shows low vitamin D and high calcium. This can become a serious condition and I suggest you talk to a Doctor a.s.a.p. Mine has referred me as 'urgent' to a consultant she also gave me some pills to ease the nausea and stop the wretching

Have a look at patient.co.uk/health/hyperp...

. I also feel very tired suddenly on occasions but have had none of the stomach problems they mention on the web site.

There are four little parathyroid glands in your neck and a harmless tumour (benign) grows on one will cause everything to go silly. The tumour I am told is smaller than a grain of rice and requires a small operation to remove it

Maybe coincidence but some time after I had pulmonary embolism, I noticed that I had a feeling of something like a small lump deep in my neck, it felt like a small ball bearing, usually felt if my head was at a certain angle, the doctors said it was caused by coughing too much, but now we may know what it really was. I also have the feeling of food sticking in my throat, it has caused a loss of appetite and eating dry food like chicken breast or chips would trigger the gagging and wretching

Good luck

Puffthemagicdragon profile image
Puffthemagicdragon in reply tomoneal

Very interesting reply moneal. In the early days she would lay down and it would get rid of the retching feeling but now it seems to be there all the time. We will mention about the glands to our doctor. Thanks for the info.

Sorry I can't help but would like to wish her a speedy recover with much love TAD xx

Puffthemagicdragon profile image
Puffthemagicdragon in reply to

Thanks TAD.

hubpages.com/hub/Recovering... all I could find puff, how is todd? give her my love,xxx

Puffthemagicdragon profile image
Puffthemagicdragon

Thanks TS. I'll pass on your message. :)

longlungs profile image
longlungs

Hi Puff sorry to hear the other dragon has been so poorly.Firstly Im concerned she is not on warfarin or something similar most are on these for life after a PE or is there a good reason as to only aspirin,andis she taking a high dose of this?Im glad she is having a check up she should be! fairly frequently to begin with.I have a friend going through recovery after a PE and she was on oxygen for 6 weeks after and has been told her recovery could take 1-2 years ! Of course like us with our varying lung conditions everyone is different and ofcourse as we get older recovery does take longer unfortunately.I would say its early days fothe other dragon,but I would be keeping your finger on the button as you can be more prone to another. Hound the buggers Puff make sure everyone is doing what they should be for your wife.I do hope things improve with her breathing soon.Keepwell the two of you :) Janexx

Puffthemagicdragon profile image
Puffthemagicdragon in reply tolonglungs

I've thought about oxygen but her sats are very good. Apparently the clot has cleared but, like you say, I think she should be checked more often. She is on the same aspirin as me at 75mg.

I am sorry to hear about the other Puff. I can't help either but please wish her all the best from me and hope she feels better soon. xx

Puffthemagicdragon profile image
Puffthemagicdragon in reply to

Thanks coughalot1 . :)

Offcut profile image
Offcut

nhs.uk/Conditions/pulmonary...

Nice info on there. I would of thought when the otherdragon was in hospital they gave her heparin? and may of suggested Aspirin? or even Warfarin?

From what I have read it can take some time to be absorbed?

Be Well

Puffthemagicdragon profile image
Puffthemagicdragon

She was on Warfarin at the early stages until her INR read properly.

seems this needs checking soon. heart and lung problems both cause breathlessness as you know. the blood has its natural anti-clotting mechanism but if that doesnt work well or in time, embolism follows. hence warfarin and aspirin help. dosage is greater for tackling embolism I believe than it is for maintenance and avoidance of embolisms. push for help soon. x

peege profile image
peege

Hi, best wishes to TOD and very sorry to hear about this. I can't help in any way but have you thought of calling BLF?

xxx

Puffthemagicdragon profile image
Puffthemagicdragon in reply topeege

I'll give my oxygen lady a call later then the BLF if needed. Thanks.

I'm not sure just try your best to get her an inhaler i hope she feels better soon

Suzy6 profile image
Suzy6

Hello puff I can't help at all my knowledge is very limited on health matters. I hope you find the answer soon and Theotherdragon receives the help needed. Best wishes to you both xx

Puffthemagicdragon profile image
Puffthemagicdragon

Thank you all for your ideas and best wishes. She can read the forum but not post but I will still pass the messages on, just in case.

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