My DH had PE in both lungs, diagnosed 5 days ago. He is still in lots of pain - it took them a week to diagnose and the doctors said today he could easily have died.
We have DC3 due in 5 weeks and are struggling to get info about the long term effects. If you've had PE please comment! Any info e.g. how long did shortness of breath/pain last? Have you had lasting lung damage? Is it a hassle taking warfarin? And anything else you want to say!
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General health
Pulmonary Embolism - Experiences??
7 replies
londonkiwi · 18/07/2014 11:51
OP posts:
marriednotdead ·
19/07/2014 07:11
My DH had one this time last year. He was in hospital for 4 days after initially refusing to go to A&E cos he was being a dick while I worried myself sick. The injections to thin his blood (while the warfarin got in his system) left his tummy black and blue and he had to go back on them a couple of times in the first few weeks while his INR levels stabilised.
He returned to work after a fortnight, on light duties for about a month.
The pain went within a couple of days but he was short of breath and tired very easily for a few weeks.
The shock of it all made him re-evaluate how he had been treating his body generally, and he ditched the junk and fatty foods. He lost over 2 stone by Christmas. Alcohol was limited to 'a beer a day' because it thins the blood too much, but he got used to it. It helps to keep yourself hydrated and eat regularly, things he was normal neglectful about but after realising the impact that had on his INR levels- a couple of injection sessions- he got to grips with it.
Taking warfarin isn't a hassle in itself but your INR levels have to be checked regularly- twice a week initially which for DH was at the local hospital. Over time, the gap between appointments lengthened until they were a month apart.
After 6 months he was referred to the haematology clinic where they did scans and blood tests as his PE was unprovoked, and they wanted to see if there was any underlying cause. All his test results came back clear and he was taken off warfarin a couple of weeks ago 
The only issues we've had have been that he could only take paracetamol and amoxicillin safely, most medication affects the INR level so even over the counter stuff has to be checked out and is usually not ok. He recently had a couple of teeth out and didn't completely stop bleeding for 3 days. He's also had to be really cautious about cutting himself as anything big enough to need a plaster would probably also require a trip to A&E.
If I'm honest, I thought it was the end of the world when it happened so I know how scared you feel right now, but it's not all doom and gloom and the outcomes are usually good long term 
marriednotdead ·
19/07/2014 22:15
The thing to do is keep the blood flowing! No sitting for long periods or doing restrictive things like crossing your legs. Flight socks are a must for long journeys and we were advised that DH should get up and walk about every hour or so.
Exercise is fine, but pace yourself and if you feel tired or breathless, stop for a rest.
Just remember that the oxygen supply is restricted until the PE dissolves so less fuel is available to the body.
Hopefully by the time your newest arrival puts in an appearance, your DH will be feeling much better
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