Drink lots of water. It has two effects .... keeps your blood from getting too "thick" and also makes you get up to pee every so often. The activity will be good for you. Also, if you're really worried, you can keep your legs elevated to keep blood from pooling in them. You can also set a timer so that you get up and walk around every 60 or 90 minutes (or whatever you're comfortable with).

Really, you're on an anticoagulant, so you shouldn't have any issues even if you do sit for a while. However, it's just a good idea to try to get some movement and activity in there. It'll help with stamina and conditioning after PEs and it'll make you feel better mentally.

Also, just a thought, but do consider going outside even if it is just for five minutes. I know the weather is awful... its been cold here too. However, I'm terrible about using weather as an excuse not to get any exercise. This past summer, I made myself go for walks, even if it was 90 or more outside (and I *hate* the heat.). The last couple of weeks, my husband and I have been going for walks, even in temperatures well below freezing. If the cold air bothers your lungs, put a bandanna or scarf over your nose/mouth.

Just taking a little control back will work wonders for you. Think about what you're comfortable with a go for it!

Put your coat, boots, hat and gloves on and just go outside for a minute, just stand outside. You don't need to drive anywhere, or walk anywhere. Just take the first step of putting your stuff on and moving to leave your apartment. Do that today, several times a day, just to redirect your thinking. Do it tomorrow too, and the next day, and the next until you feel you can do more, like walk around the apartment complex, or even walk up and down the hall way of your complex.

When I had my DVT, i literally would just walk to the garage and back to the house several times a day. My leg was too painful to do more than that but walking is important for your leg to recover. Then I started walking around my yard. And then I started walking down the block. Start setting small goals, ones that will not be hard to meet. That will help you stay on track and build confidence.

Thanks for your help toss and rmb, yeah-I'm freaking out. Too much alone time again. Our apt is tiny, just a stand-alone structure in the boondocks. Nowhere inside to do a good walk, so I keep getting up to get water/pee like a crazy person.
What are your thoughts on those little floor bike pedal devices? I know it doesn't flex the calves like how they say you need to do in order for the blood to flow upward, but wondering if it would help at all to do in small increments each hour or so?

I think those floor pedal devices is not a bad idea. I mean, the goal is both being mobile and getting your blood pumping back up towards your heart and the best thing for that is walking or a stationary bike.

I know it's cold out. It was minus 15 with the wind chill this morning when I took the dog out. Like I said, you don't need to go for a long walk right now. Just doing a quick back and forth outside or inside, even if it's across your apartment's parking lot. I think getting out of your apartment will help you mentally, even if just for a minute. I wouldn't look at it like you don't have enough room to do a big walk. To start, smaller, frequent walks at first is going to be better than long walks that may fatigue you or be painful.

I have one of those floor pedal devices. I have lost a ton of endurance since my PE in Sept. Stationary bike and that floor pedal is about all I can do right now.

Thanks renaec23, about how long/often do you think it's wise for me to do when apt bound? I'm guessing at least 10 min every hour? But it's so hard to estimate bc each dr told me something different....one said don't worry bc I'm taking bloodthinners, one said just getting up to go to the bathroom is fine, etc...

I think you're probably fine, the advice seems to be to get up every hour or two and it sounds like you're doing that. Since you're limited in moving space you could also do a few of those in-flight exercises they recommend to prevent DVTs like this http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/us/en/travel-information/your-health/inflight-exercise.html

Thanks notsopatient, yeah I'm quite the basket case. Already wondering if I'm lucky enough to be taken off thinners someday, will I need to do even more? Really overthinking now :/...

Yeah the doctor told me to get up every 45 minutes. I was the exact same way when I first had to go on blood thinners I was hoping maybe the doctor would let me stop taking them after 3 months. I'm on Eliquis and wasn't thrilled about that because it's a very new drug but then again wasn't thrilled with the thought of Coumadin either. Then after being on it I just know I for sure want to try and avoid another PE.

Yeah renaec23, it's such a terrible conundrum in my mind...Being on such a powerful drug scares me, yet I'm more scared of getting another clot. It breaks my heart for everyone that has to deal with this.