Wondering about - Stress

[KymmieL]

It started about 2 weeks go yesterday. Thur Apr 5. I started getting a pain in my right are just above the elbow. Thought it was a pulled muscle. put ice and heat on it. The Following Sunday, Apr 8. I started getting a slight pain in the left side of my abdomen towards the back. I figure crap I must be getting a cold. Monday Apr9 I had to work at another store due to shortage of people. Closing which I do at my own store. shift is 2:30-10 starting about 7 the pain in my side&back is growing as is the pain in my arm. I struggle through the shift drive the hour home. I am off Tuesday, The pain is getting to me so I head to the VA ER an hour away. I get seen. I go for a ultrasound of my arm. but just a xray of my side. Prognosis on the arm, blood clot. OH swell. I get meds and go home.

Wednesday I close the store by then I am really in pain my side is hurting every time I breath can't take a deep breath. Pain like when I had 4 broken ribs. I get thought work come home to sleep for the second night in the lazyboy. Can't lay flat with out coughing up a storm. which hurts. Thursday, I wind up calling in. Relax as best I can. back still not getting any better. After my wife gets off work we head back to VA ER. They do a CT scan of my lower abdomen low and behold 2 more blood clots one in each lung. 

I wind up in the local hospital, VA doesn't have the specialized DR.s. ICU no less. I get poked and prodded. IV this shot of that. Get discharged last Sunday. feeling better. have to give myself shots twice a day. For now, until my clotting level is where it needs to be.

While I do have family history of blood clots. All my blood work is normal. Lately I have been, don't know if stressing is the right word. Thinking of my gender. I don't think it is work. It ain't that hard. Could the "stress" of my thinking of gender caused my blood clots?

Read kymmie's story in introductions. for more info on me. 

Thanks for letting me post my problems. I do in hopes to maybe show other what can happen.

 

Kymmie

[tracy_j]

I think the person best suited to answer this would be a doctor qualified in such things. That said, stress can affect us in many way (for example the link with stress over a long period supposidly contributing to heart attacks). Stress, though, is something which is said to be good for us in small amounts. Do you have headaches or dizziness which are often linked with stress? The more I think of this, the more I think professional help is the key. If your blood is clotting there must be some issue causing it, and if your bloods are normal, is there some other issue (other than stress) causing it?

 

Tracy

[Charlize]

I have coronary artery disease and am on medications that significantly reduce the chances of a clot which would be potentially be fatal for me.  Having had two heart attacks i'm lucky to still be here.  I know too well some of the symptoms you describe.

I do my best to keep stress down.  There are theories that say it is a major cause of various health issues.  Unfortunately it is difficult to measure and research.  

As to gender and stress i can only speak from experience.  When i hid my issues, dressing in secret, fearful of being discovered it did cause me stress.  Honesty and openness has allowed that issue to disappear although as i opened up to others about my gender issues the stress level grew for a difficult period of time.

Perhaps as well as medical advice you might want to consider a gender therapist.  Mine helped me through that stress time of coming out to loved ones.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Jani]

Kymmie I am glad you took this seriously and had it checked out.  I have nothing else to add to what Tracy and Charlize have said except to say stress acts in mysterious ways on our bodies.  Please continue to rest and de-stress.  All will be well.  

 

Jani

[KymmieL]

After seeing my therapist a week ago. I finally found out how serious my condition was. It was deadly. OH, great. Finally got my level where it needs to be so I am off the shots. I have not came out to my therapist about my gender problems. Really not sure how to bring it up. Almost to scared to do it. I have thought about seeing a specialist here in town. That would mean insurance and some out of pocket. Where I don't have any of that with VA. Thankfully my stay in the hospital will be fully covered. SO that is nothing to worry about.

 

Kymmie

[Jani]

I would just bring up that you have something to add to your discussions, then say it.  A good therapist will not be judgmental.  They need to know you fully in order to help address your needs.  

 

Hugs, 

Jani

[KymmieL]

Jani, you are right I should get it out. Some of the stress I am feeling could be not bringing it out.

 

Kymmie