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February 10, 2012

Patient Discussions: Pulmonary Embolism (Blood Clot In The Lung) - Describe Your Symptoms

Question:Please describe your symptoms of pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung).

Comment from: kevins wife, 45-54 Male (Caregiver) Published: May 04

My husband has been diagnosed with pulmonary embolism and is being treated with Coumadin (warfarin). Since being put on this, he has become confused, weak, trembley, staggers, and at times can barely speak clearly (garbled). He has been off work for almost three months now and the doctor says there is nothing wrong with him. I am not able to leave him alone for very long since he may become confused and do something very risky. Is this normal? I am at my wits end and our financial situation is going down the drain as well. He is only 45 years old, but is increasing becoming more of an invalid than is expected. I need someone else's take on this condition.

Related Reading: warfarin

Comment from: 45-54 Female (Patient) Published: July 08

Most of the comments here mention pain. However, pain is not a requirement! I had the flu, and about a week and half later, I had a lot of trouble breathing. My heart was just pounding. I thought it was pneumonia and went to the doctor. Thank heavens he was overly cautious! I had clots in both lower lobes of my lungs without any pain. Four days later, I'm home from the hospital. I have no pain, and I am slowly getting my breath back.

Related Reading: flu

Comment from: Donna, 55-64 Female (Patient) Published: June 16

I was having trouble with breathing. I have asthma so for two weeks of taking steroids I was put in the hospital. After tests they found a clot in my right lung. Now I am giving myself shots and taking a pill.

Comment from: 45-54 Female (Patient) Published: June 16

Up until now I was a fit and healthy catering manager always on the go, don't drink smoke take drugs, I was admitted to AE in February with pain in my upper leg, after 4 days I was told that I had blood clot in my left leg, pelvis and left lung, Warfin does not work. I was on 35mg per day and I only reached 1.1 at best. I am now on Tinzaparin injections. I get short of breath chest pains and light headed pass out, my GP is concerned, but I cannot get the doctor at the hospital to do any thing, my GP thinks that they should operate on me.

Comment from: kind girl, 45-54 Female (Patient) Published: May 20

I am a 45-year-old female, who is reasonably healthy. I was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism two months ago. I was placed on warfarin (Coumadin) tablets each day. I go for weekly blood tests to check my INR levels. The trouble is, the INR levels are very erratic. I am presently taking 12.5 mgs of warfarin each day. The doctor would like INR levels to stay between 2.0 and 3.0 (target), but warfarin 12.5 doesn't seem to be able to keep the INR levels stable. They bounce up and down from 1.1 to 3.1 Apparently, diet is a big contributing factor.

Comment from: jess, 25-34 Female (Patient) Published: April 08

I'm 28 years old and otherwise very healthy. However, I was on medroxyprogesterone and had a pulmonary embolism. As a result, I had an infarction on my lower lobe of my lung, which then resulted in a lower lobectomy. For the past three years, I have had ongoing medical treatment and have been diagnosed with chronic pleurisy. I have, as they tell me, severe nerve damage and am constantly in pain.

Related Reading: medroxyprogesterone | pleurisy

Comment from: Julia, 45-54 Female (Patient) Published: September 01

I have shortness of breath, severe pain in chest when trying to take a breath, I had a tingling down my right arm, a feeling of your chest being crushed. Prior to this I'd suffered no injuries or had any pain in my legs, I just went to bed one night, woke up with this pain in my chest and thought it was a bit of indigestion at first, until I tried to move. I realized it was something more serious and called the emergency doctor out. He immediately called for the ambulance on seeing the pain I was in. It resulted in a two week stay in hospital. I was only 35 years old at the time. I suffered another pulmonary embolism two years later and have now been on Warfarin for 16 years.

Related Reading: indigestion

Comment from: na, 25-34 Male (Patient) Published: August 26

I slept in my car overnight because I did not want to get a DUI. I slept in the front seat of the car with my feet trapped under the pedals because I am too tall. The next morning, I could not walk correctly because I had a cramp in my leg. I went to the doctor and the ultrasound showed it in my leg. Over the weekend it was in my lungs. This is something to take serious because since I got blood clots. I had to give myself needles in the stomach not cool.


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Pulmonary Embolism (Blood Clot in the Lung) - Treatments Question: What treatment has been effective for your pulmonary embolism?
Pulmonary Embolism - Symptoms Question: What symptoms did you experience with your pulmonary embolism?

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