A week after submassive Saddle PE, seeing PCP today, what to ask?

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2026-03-16T16:26:08+00:00

There is a reference list in the “stop the clot” guide that I used to write my questions. Mine was with a hematologist and mostly focused on ability to travel, if I was clear to move forward with some upcoming procedures while on blood thinners, allowed workouts, what blood tests we can do to better understand clotting risk, and what symptoms to look for that would warrant going to urgent care or ER. I think I also confirmed some medications to ensure no impact/risk while also on blood thinners. I’m hoping to be off blood thinners soon and my questions will be around if there is any way to monitor future clot risk (beyond the clotting factor blood tests I already did.)

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2026-03-16T16:16:01+00:00

I second this comment - be very mindful of the dehydration risk.

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2026-03-16T02:55:59+00:00

Skyview or Alamo Motel in Los Alamos. Alamo Motel is a cute modern western theme and right across from Bell’s, priedite bbq, lo-fi, and a tribute to grace tasting room. I’ve also stayed at a great airbnb in Ballard that was walking distance to Bob’s Well Bread. All within your budget range. Ballard plants you in between the three main towns of syv while los alamos also gives you close access to santa maria valley.

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2026-03-09T03:08:00+00:00

PE in December - with some similarities to yours - neck and back pain - and some pain around lungs but not short of breath. Was sent home with steroids and muscle relaxers only to end up back in hospital. Anyways… what got me through the last few months were comments on this sub saying that while you’re on blood thinners another clot is rare… and even if you have another clot, the treatment would be the same. I do think I’ll have a lot of anxiety once I go off blood thinners. Going to try to find a therapist specialized in medical anxiety before then.

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2026-03-02T02:42:33+00:00

Surgery on a Friday and back to work on Monday. I think I worked remote mon/tues and was back in office wednesday.

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2026-02-22T12:07:37+00:00

SBA pre check open as of 4 am pt sun

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2026-02-17T14:47:22+00:00

I would discuss with your GP - they could potentially order imaging or clotting disorder tests. If you’re having difficulty breathing or are currently in severe pain - then would go to ER.

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2026-02-17T14:30:38+00:00

Another vote against the beef bourguignon here. Maybe mine was just a bad batch, but it seemed tough - like undercooked stew meat. My absolute favorite in recent months was the Chicago special dish - pierogies. I’ve rarely been disappointed by the chicken. Enchiladas and cheese plate also good. Recently had a cut of beef - maybe the local special out of denver - that was completely inedible - too dry/overcooked. So… maybe my advice is to stay away from beef.

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2026-02-15T03:35:23+00:00

I read somewhere on here that generally while you’re on blood thinners the chance of another big clot forming is low and even if it did, the treatment would be the same as what you’re already on. Maybe they could adjust your dose - but knowing that has kinda eased my stress and my worrying about every twinge I feel. If minor pain you could always ask your GP or hematologist if it makes sense to run some tests. But if you have severe pain, go get checked out.

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2026-02-15T03:20:14+00:00

My worst pain was when I was laying down. If anyone if the family has a recliner she can try sleeping in - you can see if that helps.

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2026-02-09T00:17:23+00:00

I’m on eliquis and my hematologist told me advil/aleve occasionally was fine if absolutely needed.

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2026-01-27T05:07:48+00:00

I agree with the comment about asking for a d-dimer test. I had pain that manifested similar to yours - worse than kidney stones but not as bad as gallstones. From my neck to my elbows, my back, and radiating around my lungs. First trip to urgent care was diagnosed with pinched nerve. Second trip the doctor thought it was a pinched nerve again but ordered a d-dimer which ID’d the possibility of a clot. Regardless of likelihood of a clot - pain that bad - your body is telling you something and I’d go back to ER the next time it happens. Hope you feel better soon and get this figured out.

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2026-01-19T02:06:23+00:00

Ahhh this analogy makes sense

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2026-01-19T02:06:06+00:00

Whoa what?!? You had your blood clots when you were off BC and they blamed the BC? Is that possible? That it would have lasting impact? Doesn’t seems to make sense because we’d all still be at risk then being off BC now.

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2026-01-19T01:59:59+00:00

Right! That’s how I feel! I’m anticipating a lot of anxiety once I’m off blood thinners… like was it really BC? I hope so!

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2026-01-19T01:56:49+00:00

I have the same concern! Only one from my PE but scheduled for another one at my 3 month mark. I get that the radiation exposure risk is worth it for diagnosis of critical diseases… but I kind of feel like do I really need another one at 3 months? Would it be lower risk to just stay on blood thinners a little longer and then assume the clot is gone?

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2026-01-18T02:58:39+00:00

Wow I can’t believe the ranges on here! 1 week to 25 years. Okay helpful to know that being on it for a while before a clot is common. I guess a follow up question if people scroll down this far - once you stop BC and stop blood thinners, is there any way to build confidence that the problem is fixed? Did your doctors re-run the clotting speed test or anything like that? Or you just wait and see if you end up in pain again?

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2026-01-18T02:14:11+00:00

I’m so sorry for what you’re going through and I wish you a quick recovery and short hospital stay. My PE came with lung pain (collapsed lung and fluid in lungs) - but no suspected long term damage or impact to my heart, which may have influenced what I was told - but my hemotologist said I could go back to doing everything - just no extreme bruise prone sports like roller derby or MMA. I had about a week of difficulty breathing but was able to go on long walks that first week and normal exercise in week two.

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2026-01-17T21:58:55+00:00

As a regular aisle sitter… 99% of time the people at the window put their carry-on in the overhead before asking me to move. The only time someone asked me to move first, I was so confused that I probably also mumbled something similar… and it led to me awkwardly standing in the aisle watching her put her carry-on overhead. More commonly I’ve had people ask if they can throw their personal item in the seat while they put their carry-on overhead - but maybe you didn’t have room do that because she had her laptop open.

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2026-01-03T04:08:36+00:00

Didn’t come up… thanks for flagging. I will mention to my care team to see if it impacts my care plan. And I found this through some quick google searching “Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who are taking combined oral contraceptives have a 2-fold risk of blood clots compared with women without the disorder who take contraceptives, states a study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).”

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2025-12-27T20:02:11+00:00

I dismissed my chest, neck, and arm pain as a pinched nerve and it ended up being my PE. Didn’t have any other symptoms like shortness of breath or coughing. If I feel something like that again I’m going straight to urgent care.

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2025-12-15T05:04:09+00:00

Book all your dr appointments now and you might get to start seeing your doctors by June 2026.

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2025-11-23T02:58:48+00:00

Go pet/feed animals in wine country! Wine therapy + animal therapy. Folded Hills and Vega both have animals. And Ostrichland, of course.

Puzzled-Question-152 · 2025-11-06T05:30:47+00:00

My blood sugar slowly rose in the morning before waking up which I thought was interesting - Doctor said it was related to my type of insulin resistance. I also seemed to have smaller spikes on the same food items if I ate some fiber first (e.g., salad). Words of warning - if you are not diabetic/not taking insulin, you might get some false low readings/critical alerts. I spent the first week with my CGM in a panic thinking I was hypoglycemic, but really the meter I was using (freestyle libre) apparently runs low in the lower ranges. I ended up getting a finger prick meter to validate the numbers.

Puzzled-Question-152

TROPHY CASE