PEs are like car wrecks. Some are horrible and kill you instantly, more often they are a semi big deal, and a lot of the time they happen and are lame but you werent really at risk of dying on the spot. But regardless, if you tell someone youre in a wreck theyll gasp and ask if you were ok.Sounds like you had a small subsegmental PE which as you said couldve been provoked by your medication. Take your eliquis which will prevent new clot formation and your old clot will dissolve with time
I (22F) found out I have a pulmonary embolism on november 2nd. It is in the posterior basilar segmental pulmonary artery of the right lower lobe. Its acute (d-dimer at 1,170), I wasnt really concerned honestly. I have been in and out of hospitals my whole life (Im not very lucky when it comes to my health) and ive gotten to the point that I dont stress out whenever I get diagnosed with something new. The ER doctor suspects it was caused by my BCP (combined) along with post-covid stuff (I had covid in july/august of this year).I work as a phlebotomist and recently added an MA type position to my job role at a preventive cardiology office. So I am in the medical field but I dont know a lot about medical stuff - moreso just what I learn from patient situations and what I hear around the office.The first day back at work, a lot of co-workers were extremely concerned and worried about me, some said things like im so glad youre alive!. I appreciated all of the kind words from everyone but it got me a little nervous about how serious this is??Should I take this more seriously? And be more aware of my symptoms? I can take my vitals daily at work and do little things like that. I am so lucky that this happened while working at a cardiology office as the doctors there are keeping an eye on me and basically just told me to monitor my d-dimer at the office and refill my own prescription for eliquis etc etc. Obviously giving them the blood work results if there is anything concerning.The only thing I have changed in my life is that Im constantly wearing a mask in public as I really dont want to risk getting sick right now. When I started eliquis while I was in the 2 weeks of 10mg twice daily, I sneezed and got a nose bleed (I havent had a nose bleed in a good 10+ years so thats not normal for me), so I really dont want to be constantly coughing or sneezing. I used to try to wear a mask out in public whenever I remembered to bring a mask with me and I avoided large crowds as I am immunocompromised anyway, but I wasnt extremely strict with it. Ive also been wearing compression socks since I started this recent BCP.Should I be more careful in other places? Is this something I should be really worried about? I feel like Im doing enough but the comments I get whenever I mention my PE to someone kind of scare me.Medical info : 22 Female 5ft8 ~155lbs White. Diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis at age 2 (arthritis, psoriasis, and uveitis). PCOS, endometriosis, and a septate uterus (the main reason Im on BC). Hypermobility (probable EDS). Frequent concussions (recently got a referral to see a neurologist for this). Guillan-barr episode in October 2020 due to an insect bite on my neck. Paralyzed from the neck down, was in the ICU for a week for precautionary reasons but never needed a ventilator. GB isnt reoccurring and not on any medications for it. ADHD (along with depression and anxiety) and PTSD.Humira bi-weekly for uveitis. Eliquis 5mg twice daily. Falmina (BCP). Prazosin for PTSD (nightmares). Cymbalta for depression. Vyvanse for ADHD (not taking currently due to concussion and PE. Vyvanse makes me extremely tired and Im already tired from my PE so I dont want to make myself even more tired). Pred-forte eye drops for uveitis (SIG changes constantly, currently on twice daily in both eyes).Extremely light drinker (last drink I had was sometime in September). Occasional marijuana use for humira side effects and pain (~4 nights a month).