The doctor's say that technically mine was unprovoked. But I think the fact that I was in a car for over 18 hours (stopped a total of 3 times) and I sit all day at work AND i'm overweight are definitely factors for me.

I too sit too long with my job on the computer. I need to lose some weight. AND I understand I snore...so perhaps a have a little sleep apnea?? IDK...just grasping for any reason for this stupid condition :)

The only solid risk factor I had was smoking. Other than that, no surgery, no birth control, no traveling. I DO sit a lot during the day, on my laptop, but I also get up at least once an hour if not more. I don't really exercise though (trying to change that). Like you, I am grasping for some answers.

As for the sleep apnea, it might be worth looking into. I was diagnosed about 3 yrs ago with severe apnea. I totally blew it off after the first sleep study and didn't go back for the second. After all of this happened, I finally did. My doctor said it very well could have played a major role in my clotting. I am now using the cpap machine, and I have to say, I love it! I had put it off thinking there was no way I was going to sleep with a mask on my face every night! However, within a week of using it, I hated sleeping without it! Oddly enough, and much to my surprise, I now find it very comforting. So again, might be worth going to have a sleep study done.

what is sleep apnea?
i too had pe's that were totally unprovoked - and i agree theres not much on the internet to help with these answers.
i do sit at work and spend a few hours each night on my laptop at home - dont do much exercise - was probably a bit dehydrated the week leading up to my pe and was working long hours (sitting in a training room that was stifling hot with rubbish aircon) i then came home and sat on the sofa every night because i was so tired after work! I wonder if this has contributed however i will never know,. I dont sleep well at all - get to sleep ok but then wake up after sometimes just 3 hours and then continue to toss n turn until its time to get up again. whilst off work with my pe's i would sometimes get up really early and then return to bed once everyone else was up - and then sometimes sleep for hours although i try hard to break that cycle so that i can sleep properly at night - some nights are better than others and i probably have about 3 good nights sleep in a week, Incidentally - i never ever had any leg pain that would indicate a dvt but over the last couple of weeks (im 5 months out since pe) i have had some discomfort in my left leg just above my knee - has anyone else started to get leg pain after such a long time? (what a rambler i am!!)

Sleep apnea is when you stop breathing during sleep. In my case (and this sounds really funny, but it is true) my tongue apparently is too large! LOL As in, it is too thick towards the back, so when I am sleeping, it cuts off the airway. During my first sleep study, I had 40+ instances per hour where I stopped breathing, anywhere from a few seconds to over half a minute. So basically, I would think I had slept for let's say 8 hrs, but in reality, I was only fully asleep for half of that time, or less. And I was exhausted all of the time!! The first sign for me was the snoring, which apparently was very loud! LOL I would also often wake up gasping for air, another sign. And then as I mentioned, the constant fatigue. Sleep apnea can affect so many parts of our body! Unfortunately, it often goes untreated. My ENT told me that it affects your entire vascular system, thus, felt it was a big part of my clotting. Who knows?

My first DVT was blamed on regular BC.
My second DVT was blamed on progesterone-only BC.
My multiple bilateral PEs had no known cause.

I've been tested twice for genetic factors and I'm negative for everything.

They are not sure with me, either pregnancy or a blood clotting disorder but they won't do any more tests until I have given birth now (aug)
Even though it can be common in later pregnancy or after c-sex apparently it's unusual to get it it the first trimester which I did