Pulmonary Embolism Support Group

Well you cant really drink much on those meds. I still go out though. I dont drink but I hang out with my friends and am the designated driver!LOL! At least I'm good for something!LOL! It takes time to get back to normal. Take it easy at work. What does your doctor say? I would do what makes you comfortable. You know better than anyone what you are capable of. About how long does it take people to bounce back you ask? Well there isnt a magic time for you to bounce back! Everyone is different and heals differntly but I can say a week is quick to go back to normal activities! Are you short of breath or in pain? I would think so but like I say everyone is diff. You need to listen to your body. What kind of job do you have? Does it require a lot of excertion? or is it a desk job. and welcome to ds!

Hi, I had my PEs two weeks ago and ended up back in the Hospital last Tuesday and came home this morning (My PE in left lung was blocking my blood supply and they needed to get my INR level up faster) I am now at 2.1. I also am adjusting to not having a glass of wine now and then. I am not sure what the results are if you do drink, but I believe it will mess up your INR levels....so probably not worth the risk.

I appreciate all the information from this group. Prior to logging onto this site, every little pain was worrying me, now I realize I will have to put up with the discomfort for a while and then it will pass. Thank you for listening and good luck in the next few months.

hey there, yeah welcome to the group. my PE was almost 6 months ago now, and I'm also 22 and had a very lively social life. ugggh its been tough!! like MSM said, everyone is completely different and there is no set time scale. but yeah, take it easy. you know your own body better than anyone, and if you truely feel up to working then why not.

I'm actually still not working yet, lol. god im so bored though!!! i tried going back to work 3 weeks ago, and after 4 days I was back in hospital as I'd collapsed. i knew it was too much soon, for me, and shouldn't have taken the risk. ah well.

I'm now off warf (thank god!!) and am now trying to thin my blood with plenty of vodka....

take care, and keep us updated with your story!

Thanks so much for the welcome and all of the input! I'm feeling okay so far. Still some pain and shortness of breath (walking up the stairs is rough...), but as of right now I think I'm okay to work. I probably won't be pulling any late nights, though. My INR is still wayyyy too low, though. But hopefully the blood test tomorrow will solve that. I don't think I can handle another Lovenox shot.

Thanks again for the input!

Hi taramcdramatic,

My PE situation sounds similar to yours - I took a 12 hour long-haul flight and was on birth control pills. The PE happened 6 days after the flight. The PE was discovered just over two weeks ago.

I was in hospital for 4 days and an outpatient for 4 more. Now I'm off the needles and taking Sintrom, an anti-coagulent.

Like you, I'm a workaholic and I tried to go back to work on Monday. Mistake! I only lasted 5 hours. My doctor decided I should take another 10 days off.

I'm wondering how long recovery will take. I notice on this forum that it really varies between individuals. I really want to feel normal again!

Hey There,

I understand the work thing. I'm a workaholic too and my job is quite stressful and I'm one of those freaks who NEVER takes sick time. I had massive PEs in both lungs and yet somehow thought I'd be fine going back to work a week after being discharged from the hospital. For me, I really should have taken at least 3 weeks off, as the fatigue really caught up with me.

I have a supportive employer who allowed me to work from home part time, which helped. I know not everyone can negotiate that sort of deal, but if you can do it, I'd recommend it. This sounds nuts, but I actually like to be at work. I like my coworkers and I like my work, so it was hard to not be there. I was like a kid who felt like I was missing out on something.

I’m 43 years old and my husband and I still like to go out to see bands, play pool, etc. I was not a big drinker before the PE, but I like a couple of cocktails when I go out. Now, I still go out and have a great time; I just don’t drink. I have club soda with lime which looks sort of cocktail-ish, so it gives me the feeling that I’m having a drink- without the impairment and feeling like crap the next morning. It’s kind of refreshing to enjoy yourself without the hooch, actually.

Anyway, I think everyone is different and recovery probably depends a lot on the severity of the PE, the cause, the treatment, etc. But take your time with work and just pay attention to how you’re feeling. You’re body will tell you everything you need to know about what you can and can’t do right now. It’s the mind that gets in the way.

Rachelle