Pulmonary Embolism

[Colleen71]

As per my previous lengthy post I have a few more questions.  I'm currently taking 10mg of Warafin a day and think my INR is finally stable.  I'm wondering what the chances of recurrance are while having a therapeutic INR?  Everyone i've seen believe the PE was caused from a Strep B infection that left me septic.  I've been reading up on Septic Pulmonary Emboli and it makes sense.  However I'm having a horrible time dealing with the whole thing.  I worry constantly about dying even though I have no predisposing factors and no hereditary factors not to mention that the dr's keep telling me i'm fine.  I still get some dull aching in the left lung and can work myself into a frezy if I think about it to much.  I've been trying to find survival rates for people that are being treated with PE's and have found nothing to go on.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  As well, i'd love to hear from anyone who has/had PE's that could tell me their story and how they have been doing.  My email address is ***@****.  Thanks again for all your help!!

[Lady Lightbringer]

It sounds like your doctors are on top of things and you already won a major battle recieving a proper diagnosis and treatment. So many are unfortunate and are missed or improperly diagnosed.

More than likely, within a few months your body will dissolve the clots and you will be on Warfarin 6 mos or more, depending on your doctor's philosophy and approach. Since you have a well defined reason why you got the clots, and it is a fairly uncommon one..I imagine any sign of throat pain will send you right to a doctor's office now. ;) It is vey likely you will not need to have extended therapy past that.

I am a "worst case" scenario in that my body won't dissolve the clots on it's own. Something like a 1% of 10% of everyone who gets PE. Very rare. I will need surgery to remove the clots from my lungs. With luck, I will get off O2 and have a normal life, but I will always have to take Warfarin. Even in my situation, I have every reason to look forward to a decent outcome.

You are a very lucky lady and should look forward to the day you can hang up the Warfarin and move past this trying time in your life. You have already beaten the odds and you should stop living in terror. Good luck to you and embrace life!!

Blessings,

Tracie

[National Jewish]

The chances of recurrence are very low while your anticoagulation state is in the therapeutic range.  In circumstances such as yours where the cause is known to be septicemia, the likelihood of recurrence is also remote.  Once you have completely recovered and you are no longer taking warfarin your likelihood of recurrence will continue to be very low.  This is especially so since you have no predisposing factors and no hereditary factors.

Your outcome is very favorable.  You should work hard at living a normal, active life.