So I am a 19 year old FtM and about 5 1/2 months on T.
I am a huge hypochondriac. And "cyberchondriac".
I have recently been worrying about blood clots after the dermatologist said "I see a lot of people taking testosterone being hospitalized for blood clots".
The next day I started feeling sick and my leg was hurting and twitching, and I actually went to the ER, and they ran every test they could and told me it was anxiety (lol really?).
Yes I have horrible anxiety and horrible panic attacks, but I still can't shake the idea that I have a blood clot.
So I am almost done with a 23 hour drive and I notice that a spot right below my calf on the inside of my leg is hurting. No swelling, no discoloration, just hurts to the touch. Doesn't hurt when I walk or stretch. Just makes me nervous because I've done a lot of sitting down... We stop every 2-3 hours.
The day before my trip, though, I played about 2 1/2 hours of tennis. I don't remember hitting my leg on anything, but I don't know. :(
So, please just ease my anxiety...
It's not a blood clot, right?
What is the actual risk of having a blood clot on testosterone (I've heard that testosterone actually thins blood)?
Sam
The pain you're experiencing honestly doesn't sound like the pain I would associate with deep vein thrombosis (aka, a clot in your leg). 2-3 hours of sitting does not lead to clotting in young people. Now, if you had been unmoving on a plane for 18 hours, I might be a little more worried, but the fact is, a little movement every couple hours is enough to keep your blood flowing.
Also, clotting in testosterone users is usually associated with a condition called "polycythemia" --- where the body makes too many red blood cells. If you do, in fact, have polycythemia, it can be treated by donating blood. No big deal. However, at 5.5mo on T, this is likely something you would already know.
I totally understand your stress. My father is a doctor, and when I was studying for my exams last spring, he kept warning me about DVT. By the end of the night, I was totally having phantom pains myself. It's easy to get anxious about that kind of thing, especially when you have an underlying anxiety disorder. But in this case, I sincerely do believe that anxiety is the culpret here.
Feel better!
Thank you! I feel much better. :)
I'm really glad! Take care, man. ;D