I was diagnosed June 15, and also was very active pre- pulmonary embolism. I had blood clots in both lungs, and wasn't able to lay down and sleep the first couple weeks, due to pain.
Exercise is a big part of my life too, so know what you mean Toffee- it is so hard to take time off from that! I exercised 6 days a week.
After the first week of taking it easy, and about 8 days post being on warfarin, I walked 5 miles and my lungs felt fine. The next day I then went back to running, and completed a 1/2 marathon last Sunday while in vacation in Missoula. Montana. I don't have the speed I did pre-PE, but will work on building that back up now. I did beat my 15 year old daughter ;-), but she hadn't trained. I had signed up for this marathon before health issues, and fortunately the marathon was full or I would have signed up for that, and don't think I could have done it.

I'm signed up for the Marine Corps,Marathon which is in October, so will continue training for that.

As Jules said each person is different, and the extent of healing required due to how involved the PE became. My biggest worry down the road is when I go off warfarin and worrying about a repeat PE. I don't have any recollection of any blood clots in my legs...

Toffee, I give you a lot of credit getting back in spinning- that's a real work out! New pains after exercising are concerning, I have not had that. I couldn't think it's an issue as its been 6 weeks since you started warfarin.

I think you should lIsten to your body, and don't push too hard - remember your body has suffered a fairly major event and needs time to heal. The fact that you are young and fit will help this happen more quickly.

I am only (!) in my forties and pre PE walked twice every day with two large dogs, swam twice or three times a week, cycled and did free weights.

When I came out of hospital on 16 April I cold barely walk to the car. Over the next couple of weeks I increased the amount of walking I could comfortably do and was lucky that the pain and sob and went away quickly. Within a month I was back swimming but had to do 4 x 10 lengths instead of my usual 40 straight off. I did find I was more tired in the evenings when I had exercised.

I am now back to full exercise with hardly any pain or tiredness. I am convinced exercise helps your recovery both physically and mentally, so with Doctors ok I would recommend to everyone.

Just as a point of interest, my warfarin dose seemed to have to be increased each time I upped the exercise! I have been told the younger and more active you are, the more you need!

I believe that exercise is very beneficial to the recovery and may help reduce permanent disability. My nurse adviser told me at first exercise 3 times a day for 5 minutes and then build up. But at first be able to exercise and be able to sing a song , That way we wont over do it at first. I was at the gym in a month working hard for 2 -1 hour work outs.

It was good to see someone else who's an avid spinner who also had a pulmonary embolism. I was recently diagnosed on New Year's Eve 2013 and have also wondered if it would be alright to resume spinning. I've begun Bikram yoga and thought I was going to pass out the first time in 105 degrees but I made it through and have been going three times a week for the pass two weeks. I'm still working on getting my INR level situated. I hope I'm doing the right things to aid my recovery. Anyone recently contemplating whether they should exercise?

I was diagnosed about two months ago (Nov. 11, 2013). I started my spinning class back up two weeks ago. Doing this seemed to cause my chest pain to come back, which kind of freaked me out. So I saw my pulmonologist and asked him a ton of questions and realized that the exercise is good but not listening to my body as far as intensity goes is the problem. It's difficult because, as many of you have said, it's hard discovering that you can't do the things you did before your PE at the same level as you once did.

I feel so much better knowing that I'm not the only one struggling with this. It's been really helpful reading about everyone's experiences. So, my plan is to slowly increase intensity with the hopes of feeling pretty decent once cycling season is here (which is in March) and I start riding outside again. And hopefully I won't get too discouraged if I'm not there yet.

My chest hurt for 4 months but eventually stopped. It took a long time though for me to be able to walk up stairs without SOB and even longer to be able to get back to riding as fast as my friends.

i can relate CathieRH..my first time back swimming..my chest hurt that night..nothing bad. After that night i have been ok. It's been about a week now

I was admitted to the hospital on New Year's Eve, 2013 with a pulmonary embolism. Shortness of breath was with me for months before I finally complained about to my physician at which point he told me to go to the ER. Pretty scary. I was doing spinning class before this and asked my MD if it'd be OK to go back and he said give it some time. I think I'm ready for it again. I started doing Bikram yoga (Hot Yoga) to keep my body limber but the heat is really challenging. I'm going to continue with it; it's getting a little better two weeks into it. Anyway it's good to see that there are a lot of us struggling with questions about exercise. Thanks to everyone for their input.

Bobbyw57..i think the best advise like others have said is listen to you're body. I had a good hr walk yesterday, swam 30 lenghts last night..walked for about 1 1/2 hrs this morning snowblowing driveways. I feel pretty good. I will lift today..takes me about 1 hr..i just make sure that i try to eat healthy before i work out so i have enough energy.

Thanks for the input, weather. It sounds like your rocking and rolling with your exercise routines. I'll get there, just need to be a little more patient.