Hi Nightnurse,
I started testosterone a long time ago, and I did feel unpleasantly jittery at the beginning. It helped to start my dose lower and work up. It felt like it took a few months for my body to adjust, then the jitteriness gradually went away. I coped in the meantime by keeping it away from caffeine. I worried initially when I was jittery that my dose was too high (this can happen), but when my blood levels were tested my clinician actually thought my dose was still too low.
I did also notice, if my estradiol was too low, the testosterone caused more jitteriness. I'm not sure if this is the same for others. If the jitteriness continues after you've been taking it for a while, it is something to consider.
I noticed effects on libido almost right away, more consistent improvement after a few months. There is information about the benefits of testosterone over time online that suggests some benefits may be cumulative (things more like muscle and mood, not libido).
I have never heard of putting it on your foot, although my clinician told me I could put it on the inside of my arm if I preferred. I put it on the inside of my thighs after reading about placement. The peach fuzz there does get a little bit fuzzier, but it is nothing gross, even after about a year of use. I don't know the data for this, but you might get better results with different placement -- although you are obviously absorbing it if it makes you jittery.
I never had the abdominal aches. I did have other initial side effects, more anger, hot flashes right after dosing occasionally, sleep disturbance if I applied it too late in the day. But lots of positive effects on energy, libido, and muscle, as well as mood.
Hope it works better for you over time!
Warmly,
Kara