I'm looking for some advice or maybe just some shared experiences regarding blood clots for those of us using PEDs.
I actually dealt with a minor DVT recently, though I'm not even 100% sure if it was the gear that caused it since my blood work didn't show anything wildly out of the ordinary. From the research I've done, it seems like once you've had one clot, you're at a much higher risk for a second one down the line.
I know this might sound a bit reckless to some, but I'm trying to figure out just how dangerous it really is to keep cycling if I'm being as careful as humanly possible. I'm currently on doctor-prescribed Eliquis (Apixaban) and an ACE inhibitor for my blood pressure, plus I'm taking all the standard health supplements. Some people have described this as "managed risk" rather than being totally safe.
On top of the meds, I'm also getting my bloods done every 8 weeks to keep a close eye on everything.
I have to imagine there are high-level bodybuilders running grams of gear who run into these same issues and just keep pushing through, right? Any insight or help would be great.
man thats heavy stuff to deal with but your definitely not alone in the "managed risk" boat. truth is plenty of guys are pinning while on thinners but they just dont talk about it much because of the stigma. as long as your watching that bp like a hawk and staying on the eliquis you're doing more than most.
honestly once you hit the DVT stage the game changes forever. you can keep pushing but you gotta accept that the margin for error is basically zero now. if i were you i would stick to "dryer" compounds that dont bloat you out and push your pressure up too high.
the bloods every 8 weeks is a smart move but remember that bloodwork doesnt always catch a clot forming in real time. pay super close attention to any leg swelling or weird shortness of breath. dont ignore the signs just because the lab work looks "fine" ya know?
i know its not what you want to hear but "grams of gear" with a history of DVT is a literal death wish. the pro guys doing that usually have a death pool going for a reason... just be careful man. if your gonna stay on keep the doses moderate at most.
eliquis is pretty effective but just watch out for any bruising or if you get a cut and it wont stop bleeding. pinning can be a bit sketchier on thinners too since you might get some internal bruising at the site - maybe use a higher gauge needle to keep it clean.
ive known a few guys who had clots and they basically switched to a permanent trt+ cruise and stopped the heavy blasts entirely. they still look great but they aren't risking a pulmonary embolism just for an extra 10lbs of muscle. something to think about.
the fact that your on an ACE inhibitor is good since high bp is the fastest way to aggravate a clotting issue. just make sure your staying super hydrated all day - thick blood + dehydration + gear is the perfect storm for another clot.
theres a guy at my gym who had a DVT and he still competes but he stays away from stuff like EQ or high dose test that really spikes the red blood cell count. he basically just runs low test and some primobolan and he's been "safe" for a few years now.
its "managed risk" for sure but everything we do is a risk lol. just dont get complacent thinking the meds make you invincible. if your blood gets too thick even the eliquis might struggle to keep up. keep donating blood if your hematocrit gets high!
are you doing much cardio? keeping the blood moving is huge for preventing a second DVT. even just a 30 min walk every day can make a massive difference in keeping those legs clear. stay safe out there brother.
