This week marks 13 months since I started HRT. After a blood clot scare in the last month some things have changed.
Blood Clot
I was on oral form of HRT for a year before I got diagnosed with a blood clot. I have written about it in last week’s post. I have since been put on patches.
I’m still on blood thinners for the blood clot I had at the time of writing this post. My recovery is going well, according to the blood clinic and GP.
Lessons
I know a lot of people can not afford to go private like I have. If you are self medicating I would strongly recommend 2 things you should do.
NOT use oral form of HRT, use the gel or patches.
If you feel anything is wrong, go and see your GP. Don’t ignore it, listen to your body.
How am I doing?
Apart from the blood clot, I am doing fine. Using patches instead of tablets is a bit strange, but I will get used to it. The doctors, I think, at one point wanted me to stop HRT, but I said I wouldn’t be here if I stopped HRT. This is how crucial HRT can be for transgender people.
Patches, while they don’t eliminate the risk of blood clots, substantially reduce it. From what I’ve researched, they reduce the risk back to your baseline level.
While getting a blood clot was scary, it never even entered my mind that I would come off it. My GP even said, “Are you willing to take the risk of more blood clots?” and I didn’t hesitate; I said yes. I even asked the blood clinic doctor if I should stop, there answer was “If you feel its right for you, do it, but do it with the right information”. I can not argue with that advice.
I’ll be closely examining the results of my blood test, which is due next month, and discussing them with GenderGP.
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