Can anyone help please?

[Dot21]

Just had knee surgery and discovered I have multiple small clots in one lung. Am in hospital recovering but am very anxious and scared and pretty sure my fast heart rate and tremors are down to worrying more.I'm convinced I'm going to die please help

[Nicholatracy]

first I hope the knees are doing okay. Secondly they found the clots before they could do any major damage and I’m sure will treat you for them. Thirdly, you’re going to be okay. Stay strong 🐞🐞

[Issy22]

Hi I hope the knee gets better. Hopefully you are having blood thinners. I had 8 blood clots around the lung and heart last year and Iam still here. I know it’s hard not to worry but you have to be positive.

[Shirazmataz in reply to Issy22]

you are in the best place at the moment Issy - i expect they have put you on anticoagulants which thins the blood so less chance of more clots and gradually the clots you have in your lungs subside. I had several in my lungs too about a year ago, i agree it was scarey but they do know yours were due to the knee operation. I had had a fall and broken ribs so the clots were put down to that. I remember being so keen to go home i didnt ask them enough about what to do when i got home re exercise, so do ask the doctors about that. It is a situation where a lot of reassurance really helps, and you want to know that the clots have gone. Tell the doctors how you are feeling. Try not to worry - all the best Sally.

[Shirazmataz in reply to Shirazmataz]

sorry Dot, my message was to you, but i have put Issy's name by mistake! Apologies.

[Daffodil77]

Hi Dot21 please don't be scared. Breathe.... You are in the best place where you can be treated probably with Warfarin or other blood thinning tablets. Stay positive & listen to some meditation on YouTube if you can.It is scary because I have been through this

When I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis they also found blood clots in my lungs while I was staying in hospital for pneumonia & I was so short of breath sometimes with pain but I did get better. I was on 500mg Amoxicillin for 6 months & also on Warfarin & I had to have a blood test every week to see if my blood is not too thin or thick. You will be fine & you are lucky they found blood clots. I stayed in hospital for two weeks for my pneumonia.

The 4-7-8 breathing technique involves breathing in for 4 seconds, holding the breath for 7 seconds, and exhaling for 8 seconds. This breathing pattern aims to reduce anxiety or help people get to sleep. It is a form of pranayama, which is the practice of breath regulation.

Take care ❤️

[Millyboo710]

I had multiple clots in both lungs in 2012 due to chemotherapy. I also had lung clots in 2021 and a 15cm clot in one leg in 2021. I’m still here!

In 2012 I was on Heparin injections (self administered when I got home) and then Warfarin for 6 months. In 2021 I was given Heparin in hospital and then put on Rivaroxaban for life.

You will be given exercises to do for your knee so that should help as will being mobile. Have a chat with your consultant and nurses about your worries

Good luck!

[Thepainterswife]

You’ll be fine . I’ve been on blood thinners for three months now after a clot in the vein leading to my heart was discovered At the time I was really struggling with breathlessness and I was told the clot was almost completely blocking the entrance to the heart and it was imperative to start on the thinners asap !!. Three months on my breathing is so much better 😃, I’ve been told it will be some months before the clot is completely dissolved and healed but it’s under control and improving every day as yours will be .

[LissacFrance]

Hi, I think plenty of others have given you the medical advice, but to help with the stress, have you tried meditation? If you have a mobile or an iPad these can be downloaded and used at will. My wife who has severe brocnchiectasis uses various meditation websites and finds them most useful for relaxing. Relaxing and sleep is good medicine. Take care, Chris.

[Alberta56]

I hope these answers have reassured you that you are not going to die. You need to concentrate on getting the knee better, which is quite hard work, I'm told- by a neighbour- and requires quite a lot of discipline. I used to see my neighbour walking up and down, holding on to his trusty stick. He has now made a good recovery. It sounds as if the medical staff have the blood clots in hand and that the little blighters will eventually disappear. Good luck.

[Kate124]

following a heart attack 3 years ago I had a massive blood clot in heart. I was given warfarin. 6 weeks later clot had gone. I’m sure with the right medications they can get rid of the clots.

[Dot21]

Aww thanks everyone. Yes I'm on the thinners they give in to the stomach.I walked 40 meters for 1st time on crutches today ,on 1litre oxygen with the physio in a very hot hospital. My sats dropped as they do but were back to normal in 20 seconds . Is that good?

My thing is I'm thinking I can't breathe and then I end up hyperventilating and getting out of breath. ..I do hope I can get my life back xxx

[Bevvy in reply to Dot21]

The fact your o2 levels return to normal quickly is good. Your body is going through a lot and you need to be patient. Hospitals always check for blood clots of any patient not moving around and it’s good they found yours. It is highly likely that once the blood thinners have done their job and after a few months you won’t need medication anymore. If not then it simply means taking a medication every day and this shouldn’t affect you long term.

Now wanting to get your life back, the simple answer to that worry is in regards your knee surgery as opposed to worrying about blood clots. I have known several people who have had knee surgery and some have recovered well and some not so well. The key to successful recovery is to follow the exercises the physio gives you especially once at home. Sometimes your knee will hurt and sometimes you won’t feel like doing them but seriously the people who have recovered the best have exercised as they were told!!

All the best for a safe and speedy recovery.

[Dot21]

Hi guys you're all so beautiful on here. Thankyou so much.Out of curiosity, where are you all geographically?

I'm in South Yorkshire uk

[Bevvy in reply to Dot21]

London.

[Daffodil77]

North West UK.

[Dot21]

Good morning everyone! How are we all today? All fine and dandy I hope Well it's exactly a week since I arrived here to have my knee surgery and you know the rest. I've been wondering can any one tell me how long it took themselves to be shut of the blood clots? . I wasn't looking at the bigger picture yesterday I was just one huge anxiety attack which I haven't had for years!!

All I could think of is I've got blood clots I'm going to die. I'm sure some of you will have felt similar at some point. Isn't it horrendous?

So the only thing keeping me here now are my sat levels going up and down and blood pressure. I suspect I'm part of the problem worrying as soon as I see the blood pressure cuff go on.

I soo want to go home.

Oh and will I always need oxygen now?....thanks again you lovely people xx

[Issy22]

Hi Dot 21

I hope you are feeling a bit better. Relating to your question when do the clots disappear it really depends on your body, everyone is different. My clots took 9 months to disappear, I had blood thinner injections at first and then was sent home from hospital with blood thinner tablets, which I still take to prevent any more clots coming back. I was only on oxygen in hospital I didn’t need it at home Even though I was short of breath on exertion and that has not changed as I still have a collapsed lung.

Try to not get stressed , this will only cause more problems with your blood pressure and sats readings. Look away when the cuff goes on your arm and go to a happy place. That’s what I used to tell my patients, I was a nurse. Hopefully you will be going home soon. All the best and I wish you a speedy recovery. 💕 Issy

[Dot21]

Thankyou so much issy x

[Pipswhips]

They say us yorkshire folk are made of strong stuff.I live now in not so sunny Scarborough but originally from west yorkshire around the leeds area.

My late mum was born in sheffield and my dad was born in Bridlington.

Hope you soon feel better soon if you need any advice or want to talk to some obe about your knee try Arthritis uk they might be able to help you

You can a aid called a flutterbye its a pipe shape and in the cup is a ball baring with a cap whic screws on to the holder. What you do is breath in then out then take a deep breath then blow out into it and it should sends vibrations into your lungs to help shift mucus and keep your airways open

Hope the info helps you Stay strong