pulmonary embolism aftereffects

[heather401]

After major knee surgery I developed a blood clot in my lung.  Two years following the event I developed asthmatic symptoms.  For the past 5 years I have had acute reoccurring bronchitis. Doctors have recently prescribed serovent and flovent to prevent the bronchitis from reoccurring. Since the initial preventative medication I have gotten bronchitis twice and would like to know if there could possibly be a link between the PE and the bronchitis.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[National Jewish Health]

Wheezing, characteristic of asthma, can occur due to pulmonary embolism, which are clots to the lung) but there is no confirmed relationship between asthma and emboli.  It is sometimes difficult to distinguish acute bronchitis from asthma, unless the former is accompanied by cough productive of discolored sputum.

Asthma and deep vein thrombosis, most commonly in the legs, leading to pulmonary embolism are very common diseases, so that when they occur together, one needs to be cautious in suggesting that they are somehow related.  That the asthma symptoms did not occur until 2 years after blood clots would also favor the lack of a relationship between the 2 conditions.  Nevertheless, in your case, it would be important to be sure that the episodes of "bronchitis" are actually a reflection of recurrent pulmonary emboli.  Your doctors might want to check for signs of blood clots, the next time you have bronchitis.

Recurrent acute bronchitis is most commonly associated with chronic bronchitis, due to cigarette smoking.  It can also occur with just passive inhalation of someone else's cigarette smoke or in response to a great number of occupational exposures.  You should carefully consider all your environmental exposures, in seeking a cause of your acute bronchitis.

Good luck.

[ritaelwell]

A related discussion, ie chest pain after pe in both lungs was started.

[sandy552]

I had pulmonary embolism in both lungs from 2 blood clots in my right leg.
it had gone to both lungs and being having problems ever since. The night I had this pain I ran fever and pain in chest and ribs and presure in chest and it kept getting worse where It hurt to breathe. I went to doctor and I was Addmitted to hosptail for PE.
Ever since the PE i had chest pain and i felt i could not breathe. after that  i was told from a breathing test I had little COPD and Xray Showed small amount of emphsmia, I had not smoked in 8 years I was a very light smoker, and I had xrays done before and there were no signs of any lung damage of any kind including COPD and emphsmia. What is causing this chest pain and rib pain and presure and still have shortness of breath it is beyond me.  I went from my regular doctor to lung doctor to heart doctor and now to a gastrenterology specialist. the doctors had seen me do not know where all the is coming from. I have been on pain pills since jan 4th 2008. please someone out there offer any help or what direction i should go am so tired of this pain!