This article was posted on the Yahoo Support Group Site for North Texas GenderFriends recently. The "patient" was treated with Warfarin (Coumadin), a powerful maintenance anticoagulant medication, it also requires frequent blood level checking to maintain the level in the "therapeutic dosage" range. The first drug of choice is Enoxaparin (Lovenox), and one can not take Enoxaparin, Heparin is given Intravenously (IV) in a titrated (adjusted as needed to maintain therapeutic level) drip, followed up with Warfarin as a maintenance medication.
If one experiences the signs/symptoms of Venous ThromboEmbolism (VTE); Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or Pulmonary Embolism (PE), if in the U. S., dial 9-1-1 immediately or have someone take you to the nearest hospital Emergency Room (ER), if outside the U. S., contact your local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) network or have someone take you to the nearest ER.
PE is a
MEDICAL EMERGENCY! It can be
FATAL!. Twelve years ago I found an article posted on Yahoo concerning unconfirmed causes of death in Trans Women, although autopsies were not performed, the cause of death was listed as "Unknown". A good guess that VTE/DVT/PE was the cause!
This is a good reason for NOT SELF MEDICATING HRT!Also, if you are on HRT, check with your provider concerning taking Aspirin (ASA) as a preventive measure.
This is the single most important risk to taking ESTROGEN, for both Cis & Trans Women! I have included links to several very good sites and articles on VTE;
http://www.stoptheclot.org/learn_more/blood_clot_symptoms__dvt.htmlhttp://circ.ahajournals.org/content/119/15/e480.fullhttp://www.medicinenet.com/deep_vein_thrombosis/page4.htmhttp://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/facts.htmlSandraJane, News Staff
