Is it possible for pulmonary embolism to recur?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 30-year-old female. For the past few weeks, I have been experiencing unrelenting back pain between my shoulder blades. Additionally, I have a sharp, tearing pain in my chest, located above my left breast and along my sternum on the right side. This sharp pain lasts for a few minutes and then subsides. At times, it radiates to my shoulder. During these episodes, my pulse and blood pressure increase for a few minutes, and I feel short of breath. What could this be? I had a pulmonary embolism ten years ago, but the pain feels different this time.

Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

After reviewing your health query, I want to emphasize that there could be a range of possibilities. Given your past history of pulmonary embolism (PE), there is a chance of a relapse. The pain and other symptoms may also mimic issues originating from the heart muscle. When the blood supply to the heart muscle is compromised, it can cause pain that radiates to the shoulder as well. Infections affecting the outer coverings of the lungs can also lead to similar pain, which we need to rule out. Some patients presenting with this type of pain are later found to have stomach ulcers, which are caused by erosion of the inner stomach lining due to persistently high acid levels. This erosion is often linked to an infection caused by a bacterium, which is fortunately curable with proper medication.

Your use of Omeprazole raises some suspicion regarding ulcers. Additionally, some patients may develop infections of the pancreas, which can cause similar pain, as the pancreas is located behind the stomach. The symptoms of elevated blood pressure and increased pulse rate are likely due to pain and discomfort, and severe pain can also lead to a feeling of shortness of breath. As the next best step, you should consult your primary care physician (PCP) and obtain referrals for consultations with a pulmonologist, cardiologist, and/or gastroenterologist. Your PCP is capable of conducting preliminary assessments and can refer you to one or more of these specialists based on their evaluation.

Once potential issues are ruled out, we can provide better assistance, and hopefully, this can all be managed effectively.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to ask if you need further assistance.