PE (pulmonary embolisms)

Dh is only on 3mgs daily which is no problem until a couple of weeks ago when he needed a tooth out. We had to make an appt at the warfarin clinic as a reading has to be taken within 24hrs before the extraction and has to be below 3. In his case this was ok but we would have had to have it repeated weekly until it was right.Perhaps a minor inconvenience in the great scheme but a niggle all the same.

Both my parents were killed by PE. SiL is on Warfarin at the moment so I know how difficult it can be but it certainly bets the alternative!

My DH had PE about ten years ago - he is an asthma sufferer but he knew it was not just a bad attack. An MRI scan showed he had lots of little ones around the periphery of the lungs. Initially he went on 8mgs for about seven months and then taken off. Within four months he had them again so now is on Warfarin for life. Each time he needed any operation he was taken come off the warfarin about two days before and taken into hospital. Heparin was given intraveanously.
Here in France he is taken off the warfarin five days before any surgery and has the nurse come each morning to give a heparin injection. It is normal practise here that after an operation everyone is given heparin for a number of days. Last time DH had a daily dose for about three weeks and needed a couple of INR tests before they were stopped. He still takes 8mgs and at times more. Many other people take much less to have INR within spec.

This will sound funny but it was very fortunate that my DH had a PE about a month ago. The reason being that his scan showed a shadow on his lung and although we have not had absolute confirmation yet the consultant said that he's almost sure it is cancer. I can't fault the NHS - he has had wonderful attention. At the moment he is on the equivalent of Warfarin but by injection. As they think they will have to operate on him they think it best to keep him on this.

They've tried all ways to confirm the cancer without actually giving him a biopsy - because of the blood thinning. Last week it was a PET scan and this week an endoscopy. The PET scan covered the whole torso and this picked up that his sleeping prostate cancer looks to be rearing it's ugly head. The lung cancer is stage 1 and the prostate cancer probably hasn't got far. So as you can see - all these tests and investigations have, we hope, been a life saver!!

Bad luck Nansypansy - I am sorry you have had to contend with a PE. Thank goodness for the excellent treatments now; and as felice says, there are lots of different anti-coagulants and you will I am sure find the right one for you. I know lots of people on warfarin who lead entirely normal lives, so panic not!

I have an artificial Heart valve and have also survived a Pulmonary Embolism. I take an anti-coagulent called Sintrom which is given in Flanders and seems to be easier to control than Warfarin, with less side effects.
There are a lot of Anti-coagulents available and if anyone has a problem with one perhaps should ask to try another.

I have a daily dose of 5mg Warfarin each day for AF. I only need a blood test every 3 months and in the 5 years I have been taking it the dosage hasn't changed. I have had no problems and lead a normal life. It gives me peace of mind

Warfarin is a definite alternative to pulmonary emboli! You will get used to the regime and forget about it once you have been stabilised.

My sister and BIL are both on Warfarin and lead a normal life, both in their mid 70s they still travel the world and have not altered their life style at all. Medication is very advanced now.

My DH is on Warfarin. Its just become part of life for him. He goes for regular blood tests and the dosage has levelled out. It was a shock to the system for him. He'd always seen himself as the healthy one. However its just part of life now. Lots of people are on Warfarin -its better than the alternative!