Chemo triggering pulmonary embolism

Hi Nonetheless 

I had a different cancer, and different chemo, but my chemo gave me a pulmonary embolism too. I didn’t have shortness of breath, but some chest pain and my leg felt very heavy-I felt as though something were wrong and we called an ambulance because of the chest pain. I got a ct scan in hospital which identified the embolism which went into my heart and then to my lung. 

I was at the end of my chemo -I’d had 4 sessions- but was still having radiotherapy which continued. I was put on blood thinners for 5-6 months-originally injecting at home, and then I moved to tablets. 

I had no lasting effects and was only in hospital for one night when it happened but it was very scary at the time! 

Sarah xx

Hi Nonetheless I developed large bi lateral pulmonary embolisms after my surgery. I was struggling to recover and short of breath - my doctor thought it might be sepsis but it turned out to be the above. I’m on blood thinners for life now. My cancer consultant seemed to think it was a side effect of the cancer however the lung consultant said that due to the size of the clots and the fact that I developed them while on blood thinners in hospital then he wanted me to stay on them for life.

Back then chemo was given after surgery so once I’d recovered I started chemo

I'm so sorry to hear what you went through! It looks like I'll be on blood thinners for life too.. Did you go on to have chemo anyway? My oncologist is deciding now whether it's safe for me to continue or not. 

Sorry to hear this and hope you receive the right care - I had 5 days of radiotherapy after my surgery in May 23 - I was told that during COVID they trialled increasing the strength of the radiothepy to be able to reduce the number of days that patients had to attend the hospital. I thought nothing more about it until last year I was sent to A&E by my GP as my breathing was laboured and aftea few tests and a scan I was told I had pulmonary embolisms - some clots (still don’t know how many) in each lung - I’m on blood thinners till May for now- I have my 1st appointment next week I’ll pefully know more then - but it was suggested at the hospital that my radiotherapy was the most likely cause for the clots  good luck with everything 

Hi Nonetheless Yes. I was in hospital from the PE for 2 weeks from 13/1-27/1/17.Saw the oncologist who told me I looked like **** (loved how honest she was) and there was no way I was up to starting chemo. Eventually started it 3rd April! Are you on one of the newer blood thinners like Apixaban/Eliquis?

Thanks, it's so awesome to chat with others who've been through the same! 

I'm on Eliquis which is great - I was worried it would be injections to do at home so I'm just relieved it's pills instead.

I have to go for a CT scan and ultrasound of my heart in a couple of weeks, then I'll have a better idea of if and when I will be starting chemo again. I'm dreading it tbh as it made me feel so sick... But obvs I'm also worried about stopping chemo because I don't want the cancer to come back! What a mess. Just need to be patient and take one day at a time : )

Was yours also colon cancer? 

When they put me on the Apixaban they said it was relatively new so hopefully I wouldn’t have a reaction as there was no real antidote! Much easier than something like Warfarin though. 

I had rectal cancer and 2 out of 17 lymph nodes affected. The oncologist said they were both close to the tumour so she wouldn’t have been too concerned if I didn’t feel up to the chemo? 6 months chemo seems long for only a couple of lymph nodes? Did you have any EMVI (veins affected?) I only ask because a recent trial showed 3 months to be as effective as 6?

At the end of the day the tumour has been removed and you are cancer free - this is the belt and braces so try to keep that in mind and remember that you’ve still had 4 sessions? 

Take care

Karen x