Hi @marywilkinson, welcome. You're asking all the right questions. I'm sure you have many after being recently diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, also known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT.

To help you get answers, I moved your posts to this existing discussion:
- DVT (deep vein thrombosis) prevention and treatment https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/dvt-treatment-for-age-70/

I did this so that you can read previous posts and connect easily with members like @jwb1948 @thankful @mayofeb2020 @brenda1231 @carriebythesea @kbrowne @nodvt4me @mercuryrose @hortgirl @theswede1387 @loribmt @gingerw and others. They may have tips about food, alcohol, travel and exercise and stretching to share with you.

Mary, what has your doctor suggested about safe travel for you?

Hi Mary, I haven’t had any DVTs but I do have a history of varicose veins…work related. I had surgery a few years ago which worked amazingly well to help with the circulation and beautify the ‘road maps’ on my legs. 😅

My doctor has encouraged me to always wear compression stockings when I sit or stand for any length of time. They don’t have to be TED stockings or full tights. Calf sleeves work wonderfully. You can have them fitted at a medical supply store. To fit properly, the guides on the boxes will have you to measure ankle and calf circumferences. I actually have sport sleeves that runners use. They’re thin and comfortable but not tight around the top of the calf. You don’t want to shut off circulation. (Just google runner’s calf sleeves).

If you ride in the car, make sure you move your legs a lot. I actually do ‘bicycles’ every hour when riding in the car…you know, mimic peddling while I’m sitting in the passenger seat…much to my husband’s amusement.
You can also put your feet flat on the floor then pump your toes any time you’re sitting.
This next one is only if your doctor feels exercise is appropriate:
Another good thing to do is stand next to a chair or countertop, then raise up on your does and down rather quickly at least 25 times…several times per day. My vein doctor said to think of your calves being a second heart. You can pump those calf muscles to encourage your heart to pump harder and the blood to circulate.
Staying hydrated is very important and so is walking. As far as a little drink or two, I found these articles about drinking while on blood thinners and home care after a DVT:
https://www.healthline.com/health/high-cholesterol/alcohol-blood-thinners-ate
https://www.healthline.com/health/dvt/home-treatment#What-is-deep-vein-thrombosis-(DVT)?
Hopefully some of the members @colleenyoung mentioned can give you some first hand experience about being on Eliquis…and having a normal life style.
Personally, I’d go and have a great time. Did your doctor give you any guidance about traveling?

@marywilkinson, Greetings Mary!
Back in 2021 my annual ECHO showed a clot in my heart and was put on Warfarin immediately. The thing about Warfarin is that there are a bunch of blood work involved so your INR #'s stay in a good range. I was taken off Warfarin after being on it for 4 1/2 months because my heart MRI showed no clot. I had another ECHO late last year and I was clear so continued off any blood thinners. I had my medical records sent to my new Cardiologist here in AZ and he viewed my 11/2022 ECHO and although my Drs in OR saw no clot, my Dr. here saw something and out of an abundance of caution placed me on Xarelto till after my heart MRI this Tuesday.
I'm hoping for good news!
I think both Xarelto & Eliquis are very similiar and I was told to be careful especially about falls. I am very active and work with my carpentry tools often so I also need to be extra careful while using sharp tools. I enjoy a glass of wine a few times a week and was not told to abstain. Everything in moderation!
I think some of the advice you were given I would agree with. Driving or flying you just want to get up every once in a while and stretch your legs and stay hidrated. I would definitely go on the cruise!

Sorry to hear about your blood clots, but this happens frequently following surgery. Usually compression socks are recommended for this problem, but this is a good question to ask your doctor. Eliquis is a pretty good blood thinner. I had to stop because it caused too much thinning and I developed a nose bleed. I was also on Warfarin for a period of time, but this was too much checking and visits to the clinic to have blood tested. I have been on baby aspirin for about 10 years now. I had an embolism following knee surgery. I was told to eat green vegetables in moderation because of the Vitamin K . You should avoid sitting for long periods of time. Get out of the car frequently, and if you travel by plane get up and walk the aisle frequently. Good luck, life is good and you will be just fine.
Gina5009