[grypx831]

I was in the ER all night last night because I felt absolutely AWFUL, and after I had been cleared in L&D I was sent to the regular ER where to make a long story short the doctor ordered a CT scan for a suspected pulmonary embolism (sp?). I was so upset over the radioactive dye they were going to have to inject that I signed out AMA and came home.

I don't know what to do. Everyone I've asked is freaking out at me to go to teh hospital and have the test done, but I don't want to.

I've had 6+ ultrasounds at this point which, 90000000 blood tests...I'm tired of it. I'm sick of testing. Wouldn't I be dead at this point anyway if that's what I had?

I don't know what to do.

 

[Mrs_Hos]

Are you having pain? Difficulty breathing? What is causing them to THINK Pulm. Emb?
I know most DRs (ESPECIALLY ER DRs) err on the side of caution...if you FEEL fine I'm not sure why they would want to run tests that could negatively effect the baby...however, if they are suggesting that, it sounds like they know a WHOLE lot more than I do!

After looking on line a bit (and not knowing your entire story) it does look like this is something that you should be tested for. There are a few drugs used to treat PE, but they are rated a "B" and are to be used only when the benefits outweigh the risks

You've probably done all of this research already...but here is a link I liked:
http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/20...00/sellman.htm

Getting thru the pg is more worrisome since some treatments aren't good for pg patients...others like I mentioned above are to be used only when the benefits outweigh the risks. The good news is that one of the best drugs (not to be used during pg since it crosses the placenta and has a cancer causing and/or neurological effect) is Warfarin and it doesn't get past the great 'filter' that is our breasts and isnt' secreted with breastmilk! So...you can still nurse!

From that website:
Diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis with Doppler ultrasonography of the lower extremity poses no health risk to the fetus, but other radiographic studies pose a low radiation risk to the fetus. Because anticoagulant therapy poses a greater health risk to mother and fetus than does the radiation required for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, clinicians should aggressively pursue objective evidence of venous thromboembolism. Once the diagnosis is made, anticoagulation with intravenous unfractionated heparin or subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin should be used prepartum followed by warfarin therapy after delivery.

Hope this helps a little!