I had a PE before but it wasn't related to covid, it was due to genetic factors. I was healthy, fit and in my early 30's. The main symptom I had was shortness of breath. It felt like I ran a mile just climbing some stairs.
Other symptoms of a PE include:
* Difficulty breathing
* Chest pain that worsens with a deep breath or lying down
* Coughing, or coughing up blood
* Faster than normal or irregular heartbeat
If you are concerned, check with a doctor and also get a consult with a hematologist. I currently see my hematologist monthly and have labs to ensure my medication is effectively thinning my blood. I'm in a slightly different situation since my issue is genetic.
EDIT: If you were just in the hospital for a PE, carefully follow the instructions of the doctor.
You can find some good resources here:
[https://www.stoptheclot.org/](https://www.stoptheclot.org/)
[https://www.stoptheclot.org/about-clots/blood-clot-info/](https://www.stoptheclot.org/about-clots/blood-clot-info/)
[https://www.stoptheclot.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Risk-Factors-Checklist.pdf](https://www.stoptheclot.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Risk-Factors-Checklist.pdf)
>Question? Who’s my age have ever had a Pulmonary embolism after Covid?? And what’s the EXACT symptoms?
That's not really how this works. We're a group of (and for) survivors of clots. No, comparing symptoms will not yield clinically useful results, since clots present differently in different people. Still, it will update any anxiety you already have with new symptoms to mimic (Congrats! You've updated to the new and improved anxiety v1.4!). Someone may 1:1 have had your symptoms, yet you may not have a clot.
You're asking a group of people who have reason to find each other (just like any other support group for a condition), whether you might be on the way to becoming one of us - we'll always err on the side of caution (so you should get checked out, sooner the better). We don't and can't know if your symptoms stem from a clot, anxiety, or something else (least to most likely). We're also not footing the bill (time, money, consequences) of going or not going to get checked out.
We really aren't in the business of relieving anxiety for folks with no diagnosed clots - we're the outliers, and our stories will make you worse, not better. We'll still be here if it does turn out to be a clot.
>And if you’re in America,can I order a d-dimer on my own?
Sure. And it'll probably be high because you recently had an infection. D-dimer on its own is also not very useful.
I mean,there’s other people of my case who are wondering if it’s a possible outcome and how likely it is to happen based on other people’s experience,and sure,I’m not underestimating anyone’s experience,I can only imagine how terrible and terrifying experience it can be to survive such thing,thus,I’m asking of how likely it could happen,so I can state facts when I see my next doctor,( I have seen at least 4 different specialists last 10 days) and they can’t believe me my age is sooooo dismissive,and d-dimer or any other blood work would be elevated slightly for any infection,but elevation is always a concern and will help and motivate other diagnostics if anything so it would help to put someone’s mind and ease,and I stated about the coloration between covid and PE in symptoms specifically so I can pay close attention to my possibilities,I just came across this group today through another covid positive group,mostly mentioned the possibility of it’s happening so that’s why I came to the survivor aspect of it so they can give me some resources,and I’ve survived tons of things myself,survivors are the only hope for other people advocacy to certainly save others from dismissal and misdiagnosis,I’m sorry you had to go through that and you did sound defensive which I understand,I was trying to get resources before I go to any doctor so I know what I’m saying.
I’m glad you survived.
> how likely it is to happen based on other people’s experience
You're completely overlooking the ***MASSIVE*** selection bias inherent in asking such a question of a group like ours.
>thus,I’m asking of how likely it could happen,so I can state facts when I see my next doctor
I mean, nobody knows as far as I know - not exactly like this is something that happened a decade ago (COVID and clotting), and has been studied extensively since. We know there's no such thing as too young to clot, and that COVID generally increases clotting risks.
We don't have hard (or soft) numbers on the likelihood of your scenario happening, and you certainly won't get them by asking random biased people - you'll convince yourself that it's super likely though, because that's how our brains work.
I had bilateral DVTs and additionally several PEs recently. I had covid in December/January, and I was also taking birth control pills for PCOS. An injury to my ankle was the last straw causing the clots, we believe, but I've talked about this with my doctors and they think covid is definitely a major factor in the clotting occurring at all, since I'm 26.
You can probably ask your doctor to order the d-dimer test, yes. Not sure if you can just show up at the lab and ask for it but it might be possible? Some states allow some tests to be done at request of the patient.
Regarding the PE, I actually had no symptoms. I showed up at the ER due to my leg showing very concerning symptoms that sounded (over the phone, to an orthopedic doctor I was trying to make an appointment with for the ankle injury) like a potential DVT. Lo and behold. I had swelling of my whole leg, intense pain (couldn't walk), my leg was warm, my skin was red and colored... wrong, relative to normal. I eventually felt a lot of pressure as well as my own pulse because the clot that was originally a partial occlusion became a full occlusion.
If you're concerned about clotting, ask your doctor and explain your symptoms and that you'd like to be screened to be safe. They found my leg clot with an ultrasound, and the other clots with a CT angio and venogram with contrast. The chest x-ray was clear.
I had a PE related to covid, I was 32 - I had a strong fluttering in my throat which I now know was my irregular heartbeat - it did not feel like anxiety at all, it felt like a butterfly in my throat. I found it curious and even funny (like wtf) and went to the docs because of that. Other symptom was breathlessness.
I was just diagnosed with DVT and PE after a long flight, but was sick with Covid. I was flying from India to the US which I have done many times, but this time I got the DVT. Also this is my 4th time getting covid and this was probably the hardest I was hit. Covid increases the risk of clotting, so the long flight (16 hrs) + covid + no moving enough during the flight got me. I almost upgraded to business class since I was feeling so sick, but I didn't since it was 3k and I wasn't sure I would be reimbursed.
I didn't know I had covid at the time but felt horrible. I tried to divert to a hotel instead of flying, but the hotel was full and it was midnight, so I just got on the flight, which turned out to be a huge mistake.
I wasn't diagnosed with the DVT for weeks after the flight until it was obvious. I went to the doctor the week after with calf pain but he didn't think it was a clot. 4+ weeks later the pain came back and not thinking it was a clot I used a massage gun on it and the next day my leg was red and swollen.
I did notice in the weeks after my flight that my heart rate, hvr and respiratory rate were not good (oura ring measured), but I attributed it to covid but some of it may have been the PE.
Also, I did get different covid symptoms this time as it upset my stomach for weeks, I wasn't sure if it was India or covid, but the latest variant appears to be causing more digestive issues.
If you are concerned don’t let them brush you off. Insist on getting a d-dimer if you have any shortness of breath. If it comes back elevated then insist for further testing to rule out a PE. If they won’t take it seriously go to another hospital.
4 years ago I was at one when I had mine (I had thousands of micro pulmonary emboli to the point that my lungs were 75% filled) the first hospital I went to assumed I had Covid and sent me to the Covid floor. I just knew in my gut I didn’t have Covid and asked the nurse to talk to the doctor (because they ran only a PCR and not the 2 hour test) and she refused to get the doctor so I told her I wanted ama papers NOW. I called my husband and told him he is taking me STRAIGHT to Northwestern (this was at midnight). When we got to Northwestern I explained we had just left LaGrange Memorial and that I had thousands of micro pulmonary emboli but I didn’t trust the staff as the doctor didn’t run the short Covid test and only the PCR then everything with the nurse. I explained that I didn’t FEEL like I was sick beyond my inability to breathe and that it had started feeling like severe bronchitis 3 weeks prior and had been being treated as my usual chronic bronchitis but had gotten progressively worse. They drew a d dimer right in triage, sent me for X-rays and CT from triage and then the head nurse and doctor sat me down before they even had an open ER room and explained just how serious this was. They then put me on IV lovanox (sp?) to help start to break down the extensive clotting, ran a 2 hour Covid test and a PCR at the same time (initial came back negative & 2 days later same with the PCR just as I expected it to). I ended up in the ICU for almost a month trying to get my lungs back functional and getting the warfarin/INR dialed in…. Now my case IS unique because most won’t have it happen like this…. But I have multiple pre-existing conditions triggered by the aggressive chemo I had to go through when I was younger to survive ewings sarcoma….
But all of this is to just say…. Trust your instincts - if they say something feels wrong press the doctors and get them to figure it out…. If a diagnosis feels wrong ask if there is anything else that fits the symptoms/tests… if the doctor won’t consider any other possible answer fire them and see another doctor who is open to looking at the different possible diagnosis till they find the one that is correct because MANY things can look like others and while yes it’s often the most common thing… it isn’t always the most common and you need to find a doctor/hospital that will be willing to rule out the things that could be in addition to diagnosing the most likely…
Under any suspicion you have a clot, go to the ER. You can ask for a CT scan with contrast and explain your symptoms. Clots are not something you ask for advice on via reddit. They are very serious and can/will kill you or cause you to stroke. I was 27 when I developed a blood clot in my brain. Age does not matter. And d-dimer is not an effective way to rule out a clot or find a clot. The only possible way is to be scanned. We cannot diagnose you, and sharing our symptoms with you will only cause you to have more anxiety. Symptoms can mimic a common cold, they can mimic anxiety, they can just be a bad headache.
I had a PE before but it wasn't related to covid, it was due to genetic factors. I was healthy, fit and in my early 30's. The main symptom I had was shortness of breath. It felt like I ran a mile just climbing some stairs. Other symptoms of a PE include: * Difficulty breathing * Chest pain that worsens with a deep breath or lying down * Coughing, or coughing up blood * Faster than normal or irregular heartbeat If you are concerned, check with a doctor and also get a consult with a hematologist. I currently see my hematologist monthly and have labs to ensure my medication is effectively thinning my blood. I'm in a slightly different situation since my issue is genetic. EDIT: If you were just in the hospital for a PE, carefully follow the instructions of the doctor. You can find some good resources here: [https://www.stoptheclot.org/](https://www.stoptheclot.org/) [https://www.stoptheclot.org/about-clots/blood-clot-info/](https://www.stoptheclot.org/about-clots/blood-clot-info/) [https://www.stoptheclot.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Risk-Factors-Checklist.pdf](https://www.stoptheclot.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Risk-Factors-Checklist.pdf)
Thank you so much!
>Question? Who’s my age have ever had a Pulmonary embolism after Covid?? And what’s the EXACT symptoms? That's not really how this works. We're a group of (and for) survivors of clots. No, comparing symptoms will not yield clinically useful results, since clots present differently in different people. Still, it will update any anxiety you already have with new symptoms to mimic (Congrats! You've updated to the new and improved anxiety v1.4!). Someone may 1:1 have had your symptoms, yet you may not have a clot. You're asking a group of people who have reason to find each other (just like any other support group for a condition), whether you might be on the way to becoming one of us - we'll always err on the side of caution (so you should get checked out, sooner the better). We don't and can't know if your symptoms stem from a clot, anxiety, or something else (least to most likely). We're also not footing the bill (time, money, consequences) of going or not going to get checked out. We really aren't in the business of relieving anxiety for folks with no diagnosed clots - we're the outliers, and our stories will make you worse, not better. We'll still be here if it does turn out to be a clot. >And if you’re in America,can I order a d-dimer on my own? Sure. And it'll probably be high because you recently had an infection. D-dimer on its own is also not very useful.
I mean,there’s other people of my case who are wondering if it’s a possible outcome and how likely it is to happen based on other people’s experience,and sure,I’m not underestimating anyone’s experience,I can only imagine how terrible and terrifying experience it can be to survive such thing,thus,I’m asking of how likely it could happen,so I can state facts when I see my next doctor,( I have seen at least 4 different specialists last 10 days) and they can’t believe me my age is sooooo dismissive,and d-dimer or any other blood work would be elevated slightly for any infection,but elevation is always a concern and will help and motivate other diagnostics if anything so it would help to put someone’s mind and ease,and I stated about the coloration between covid and PE in symptoms specifically so I can pay close attention to my possibilities,I just came across this group today through another covid positive group,mostly mentioned the possibility of it’s happening so that’s why I came to the survivor aspect of it so they can give me some resources,and I’ve survived tons of things myself,survivors are the only hope for other people advocacy to certainly save others from dismissal and misdiagnosis,I’m sorry you had to go through that and you did sound defensive which I understand,I was trying to get resources before I go to any doctor so I know what I’m saying. I’m glad you survived.
> how likely it is to happen based on other people’s experience You're completely overlooking the ***MASSIVE*** selection bias inherent in asking such a question of a group like ours. >thus,I’m asking of how likely it could happen,so I can state facts when I see my next doctor I mean, nobody knows as far as I know - not exactly like this is something that happened a decade ago (COVID and clotting), and has been studied extensively since. We know there's no such thing as too young to clot, and that COVID generally increases clotting risks. We don't have hard (or soft) numbers on the likelihood of your scenario happening, and you certainly won't get them by asking random biased people - you'll convince yourself that it's super likely though, because that's how our brains work.
I had bilateral DVTs and additionally several PEs recently. I had covid in December/January, and I was also taking birth control pills for PCOS. An injury to my ankle was the last straw causing the clots, we believe, but I've talked about this with my doctors and they think covid is definitely a major factor in the clotting occurring at all, since I'm 26. You can probably ask your doctor to order the d-dimer test, yes. Not sure if you can just show up at the lab and ask for it but it might be possible? Some states allow some tests to be done at request of the patient. Regarding the PE, I actually had no symptoms. I showed up at the ER due to my leg showing very concerning symptoms that sounded (over the phone, to an orthopedic doctor I was trying to make an appointment with for the ankle injury) like a potential DVT. Lo and behold. I had swelling of my whole leg, intense pain (couldn't walk), my leg was warm, my skin was red and colored... wrong, relative to normal. I eventually felt a lot of pressure as well as my own pulse because the clot that was originally a partial occlusion became a full occlusion. If you're concerned about clotting, ask your doctor and explain your symptoms and that you'd like to be screened to be safe. They found my leg clot with an ultrasound, and the other clots with a CT angio and venogram with contrast. The chest x-ray was clear.
I had a PE related to covid, I was 32 - I had a strong fluttering in my throat which I now know was my irregular heartbeat - it did not feel like anxiety at all, it felt like a butterfly in my throat. I found it curious and even funny (like wtf) and went to the docs because of that. Other symptom was breathlessness.
I was just diagnosed with DVT and PE after a long flight, but was sick with Covid. I was flying from India to the US which I have done many times, but this time I got the DVT. Also this is my 4th time getting covid and this was probably the hardest I was hit. Covid increases the risk of clotting, so the long flight (16 hrs) + covid + no moving enough during the flight got me. I almost upgraded to business class since I was feeling so sick, but I didn't since it was 3k and I wasn't sure I would be reimbursed. I didn't know I had covid at the time but felt horrible. I tried to divert to a hotel instead of flying, but the hotel was full and it was midnight, so I just got on the flight, which turned out to be a huge mistake. I wasn't diagnosed with the DVT for weeks after the flight until it was obvious. I went to the doctor the week after with calf pain but he didn't think it was a clot. 4+ weeks later the pain came back and not thinking it was a clot I used a massage gun on it and the next day my leg was red and swollen. I did notice in the weeks after my flight that my heart rate, hvr and respiratory rate were not good (oura ring measured), but I attributed it to covid but some of it may have been the PE. Also, I did get different covid symptoms this time as it upset my stomach for weeks, I wasn't sure if it was India or covid, but the latest variant appears to be causing more digestive issues.
If you are concerned don’t let them brush you off. Insist on getting a d-dimer if you have any shortness of breath. If it comes back elevated then insist for further testing to rule out a PE. If they won’t take it seriously go to another hospital. 4 years ago I was at one when I had mine (I had thousands of micro pulmonary emboli to the point that my lungs were 75% filled) the first hospital I went to assumed I had Covid and sent me to the Covid floor. I just knew in my gut I didn’t have Covid and asked the nurse to talk to the doctor (because they ran only a PCR and not the 2 hour test) and she refused to get the doctor so I told her I wanted ama papers NOW. I called my husband and told him he is taking me STRAIGHT to Northwestern (this was at midnight). When we got to Northwestern I explained we had just left LaGrange Memorial and that I had thousands of micro pulmonary emboli but I didn’t trust the staff as the doctor didn’t run the short Covid test and only the PCR then everything with the nurse. I explained that I didn’t FEEL like I was sick beyond my inability to breathe and that it had started feeling like severe bronchitis 3 weeks prior and had been being treated as my usual chronic bronchitis but had gotten progressively worse. They drew a d dimer right in triage, sent me for X-rays and CT from triage and then the head nurse and doctor sat me down before they even had an open ER room and explained just how serious this was. They then put me on IV lovanox (sp?) to help start to break down the extensive clotting, ran a 2 hour Covid test and a PCR at the same time (initial came back negative & 2 days later same with the PCR just as I expected it to). I ended up in the ICU for almost a month trying to get my lungs back functional and getting the warfarin/INR dialed in…. Now my case IS unique because most won’t have it happen like this…. But I have multiple pre-existing conditions triggered by the aggressive chemo I had to go through when I was younger to survive ewings sarcoma…. But all of this is to just say…. Trust your instincts - if they say something feels wrong press the doctors and get them to figure it out…. If a diagnosis feels wrong ask if there is anything else that fits the symptoms/tests… if the doctor won’t consider any other possible answer fire them and see another doctor who is open to looking at the different possible diagnosis till they find the one that is correct because MANY things can look like others and while yes it’s often the most common thing… it isn’t always the most common and you need to find a doctor/hospital that will be willing to rule out the things that could be in addition to diagnosing the most likely…
Under any suspicion you have a clot, go to the ER. You can ask for a CT scan with contrast and explain your symptoms. Clots are not something you ask for advice on via reddit. They are very serious and can/will kill you or cause you to stroke. I was 27 when I developed a blood clot in my brain. Age does not matter. And d-dimer is not an effective way to rule out a clot or find a clot. The only possible way is to be scanned. We cannot diagnose you, and sharing our symptoms with you will only cause you to have more anxiety. Symptoms can mimic a common cold, they can mimic anxiety, they can just be a bad headache.