Hi All. Im new to this wesite. I had PE with some thrombosis in Right lung Aug 2017. I had surgery Jul 31 2017. Negative genetic testing. Pulmonologist is thinking must have been from surgery :( So, Im back in the gym,light lifting, elyptical,) T9ok me awhile to get strength back,had to heel deom surgery and PE!!! Sooooo...Im a flight attendant on leave of absence. Any flight attendants out there that had PE and are back in the air!! My Pulmonologist says I can go back November 1 2017. Im just concerned wirh air quality, and my airline, we have long days up and down. 5 flights per day????, Any suggestion would be great!! Healing to everyone .....very very scary time!! T

To Douglas831: it took me a while to get my lung capacity back, but I was determined to get back to normal, & as soon as possible, so I did a little each day, & worked myself back up to full capacity. You have to know when to push & when to back off, & it's not always easy, but it's a great feeling when you can say you are back!! Worrying is very normal after something like this, but don't let it rob you of living your life!

To Pflo, I'm not a flight attendant (& not on thinners anymore), but have flown a lot since mine & before I started flying, talked to my docs about the best way to handle it. I think if you are on thinners still, that's a layer of protection that will benefit you more than someone not on them. I never considered air quality a concern, it's what I can do to keep my circulation going that is important. You can check into compression hose/stockings, they will help for anyone on their feet all day anyway (& don't cross your legs, not good for us). I'm not afraid to take naps, but every couple of hours I either walk the plane, or do mini jumping jacks in the bathroom. Even when sitting I'm always wiggling my feet. Stay hydrated, & I use hydration tablets for the electrolyte benefits, & take baby aspirin. My routine is 2nd nature to me now, just something I have to do so can keep traveling. :)

@douglas831 I just had mine one month ago (plus diagnosed with APS so I will be on blood thinners for the rest of my life) so I know how you feel. This has been scary and I do worry but like Moolar said we can't stop living our life. Just make sure to know your body and get checked out by the doctors as now we need to be seen more. I wish you all the best, God bless.

@Pflo welcome to the group. Sorry about your PE.... This is very scary and like you I feel the same about going back to work. I should be going back November 1st as well but if I am not ready I will not go back. My doctor was wonderful and told me this is a life changing event in my life and healing will take time especially emotionally. He said if I am not ready to go back to work he will work with me until I am ready. I am a payroll manager and sit for many hours a day. I know now what I have to do but it will always be in the back of my mind but I don't want this PE to take control of my life. I will pray for you that you can heal soon and we can get back so somewhat normal life again.

Thanks you guys for your heartfelt messages!! Getting stronger everyday. Do you guys feel tired after a workout? Working out use to help me with energy, now, I just get tired. My Primary physician is very intuned to how I feel, and told me this will forever change my life, however, my pulmonologist is soooo carefree, "Sure go back to flying, you're fine. Got second opinion from another pulmologist, he had same attitude,"No worries, you're on zaralto, you are fine to go back to flying. (Flight Attendant). Suppose to go back to work Nov 1st??? Just don't know if I am ready???? Scary!!

It will change your life forever in some way, as you will always remember it if nothing else, & yes it's very scary, probably the worst scare in my entire life. I went back to work at my desk job because I wanted to feel normal again, just half days at 1st then worked my way up to regular hours, just like the exercise. I was as tired as heck from working & working out, but in time it got better. The thing with this illness is that you don't just wake up one day feeling great, you feel a little better a day at a time, so realizing it's over kinda creeps up on you. The mental scars were there long after I'd healed physically & took a lot longer to get over, so I'd recommend counseling if it's available to you as this was a traumatic event. It is actually safer flying on thinners, & I was terrified of flying at 1st because I wasn't on them anymore & I felt like my security blanket was gone, but you will have to adjust your "flying lifestyle" so to speak forever regardless. Like Greeneyes48 said, you always worry to some degree, but how you deal with it is going to be key. Hang in there!

Douglas831 - I hope we hear about you doing Ironmans again!! My brother in law is doing a half one soon, & I'm exhausted just thinking about it. :)