Why does a patient with pulmonary embolism experience lightheadedness and occasional breast pain despite taking medications?

Question

Hello doctor,

I recently got discharged from the hospital with a diagnosis of PE in one submental right basal lobe and the other submental medial middle lobe. I have been asked to take Xarelto 15 mg twice daily. After discharge, I have felt lightheadedness several times with occasional pain in the center near the right breast. I also want to know if a hard lump can develop under the skin from a Clexane injection site. I underwent certain tests which have shown positive D-dimer and positive VQ scan. Currently, I am taking Sifrol, Nexium, thyroid medications, Crestor, and Symbicort inhalers.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understand your concern.

You have been correctly prescribed the anticoagulants. Sometimes because of the various medicines and the recent onset of pulmonary embolism (PE), you can feel lightheaded. Do not worry about it. Just take adequate rest and drink lots of fluids. The pain in the center near the right breast can be just musculoskeletal or secondary due to some localized trauma. Be careful if any lump or mass has developed there. You can rule that out by performing a self-examination of the breast or visiting a local surgeon who would examine the same. Sometimes a lump and a bluish-black discoloration can develop under the skin at the site of the Enoxaparin injection. You need not worry about that. You can apply ice packs to it and it would settle down.

I hope this has helped you.

Thank you.