Pulmonary Embolism

• By shamrock7
• Reply 3491573
• October 26, 2012 at 1:09 pm
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Dupreymac,

If I were you I would be calling 911. Don't take any chances please. You already had an MI and you are describing the pain to be somewhat similiar, So what are you waiting for? Shamrock

• By Dupreymac
• Reply 3496240
• October 28, 2012 at 12:27 pm
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I didn't wait. I went to the ER. I learned my lesson from the MI believe me.

• By rudownwithjc
• Reply 3497451
• October 28, 2012 at 8:59 pm
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Yes, I am dealing with Pulmonary Embolisms right now too and man does the pain suck!!!! OUCH!!!! I was tooken off my plavix and put on Coumadin though. I understand that is stronger than plavix, but...my sister had a heart attack caused by a blood clot and they just put her on plavix too...so maybe if you are already on blood thinners they have to go stronger. I was told my Coumadin treatment would be for 9 months. What have you been told??? Right now I have had issues keeping the therapeutic level so they keeping checking weekly once was bi weekly and my level went too low so they went back to weekly. I understand from others on Coumadin usually they get checked monthly:-) I hope I arrive there some time...but with my luck I will be a weekly visitor for a while!!!

Anyways count yourself lucky they think the Plavix will work for you, because this Coumadin is a pain in the rear!!! Hope you start feeling better soon!!! I get relief from the pain and then find out my level is way too high so they have to get it lower and then the pain returns!!! Hope your ordeal is not this bad. I do know my sister said she still feels the pain similar to her Heart Attack and its only been about a couple of months ago, but since I am still experiencing pain too I think that is probably normal. Everytime I call about the pain and not feeling too well I get the idea that is to be expected with what I am going through!!!!

Best wishes,

Cindy

• By Linda51
• Reply 3497696
• October 28, 2012 at 10:59 pm
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Hello,

I had a pulmonary embolism 10 days after my open heart surgery. It was a terrible complication and I was in the hospital for quite awhile and then released on Plavix, Coumadin and the usual heart cocktail . It is good to let others know about the possibility of this potentially serious complication.

Hope all is well now, Linda

• By redcop
• Reply 3500485
• October 29, 2012 at 10:39 pm
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Dupreymac,
Here's the deal and if it's clear as mud, please let me know, okay??? Plavix and Coumadin are two TOTALLY different drugs that sort of do the same thing in that they thin the blood. Coumadin does that by interfering with the remarkable system we have that helps clot our blood. It is easily reversible. Now, here's where it gets a bit more complicated. Plavix prevents ANOTHER (and totally different) kind of clotting that happens when we have an MI, or a CABG, or other rude things. Some of us are lacking an ingredient in our body that helps Plavix to work. I wonder if your MD has tested you for that ingredient. It would be some good info for you to have. Here's a good website for you if you're wanting to read more about Plavix (or Coumadin for that matter):http://www.rxlist.com/plavix-drug/patient-images-side-effects.htm#whatis
My husband had a pulmonary embolism due to a DVT (that is a WHOLE nother story) and damn near died. The very first symptom he had was the feeling of having a "catch" under his ribcage. That was in the afternoon. By morning he was in respiratory distress and hanging on for dear life while the blood was foaming and coming out of his mouth. Thirteen days of utter hell followed. The clot was so large that it infarcted his right middle and lower lobe. It's been two years now and after many MD appointments he is Coumadin-free for a year; just 325 mg of ASA. He is lucky to be alive.
I wish you all the best!!!

• By corby
• Reply 3501071
• October 30, 2012 at 9:49 am
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Hi all, I had two pulmonary emboli about four years ago. the pain was awful - like being in a vice grip. I thought I was having another heart attack - I was 6 years post MI . I don't know what caused it . It could have been a long trip - sitting etc. I had several blood tests done with a hematologist and she recommended coumadin for life. I also quit the asprin regime and am on warfarin. Now my stomach and esophagus is being affected by the reflux and I am sure the blood thinner. When I woke up with the chest pain I walked around the house a little, then decided to call 911. They were very careful with me and in the hospital they confirmed with blood tests and Ct Scan that I had two pulmonary emboli. This is nothing to mess around with. They wouldn't even let me use the bathroom. I had to stay in bed until they started the heprin drip and felt I was stable - about four hours or more. I hope all goes well with you and that the doctors are taking good care of you. Take Care - Chris

• By Dupreymac
• Reply 3501772
• October 30, 2012 at 2:07 pm
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No PE. Yes Plavix is used for clots but not the type in your lower extremities. I'm being tested for an aortic dissection.