Hi everyone
I am new here and have some questions about Estradiol in pill form. Have been on HRT for 4 years now and tried different routes of administration through a doctors supervision. When I first started HRT, my doctor wanted me to use injections becaue of the good results it gave to transgender people, I was reluctant in taking teh injections due to not being able to get to the office every two weeks, I am blind and live about 20 miles away from the clinic where I went. I told the doctor I wanted to try the pills instead. He allowed me to take the pills and was started on a low dose. Gradually I was worked up to a normal dose of estradiol and taking Finasteride as my anti-androgren. We did try Spiro in the beginning but had to go off that medication since it dropped my blood pressure down to dangerous levels, so much that I had to go to the ER for a low heart rate and blood pressure. I passed out one night. While on the Estradil pills I did experience some cold feeling but nothing I could not handle. After 2 years of being on the pills I did not notice much of a change in breast size or feminization. I decided to go on the injections, so the doctor put me on a low dose of Estradiol Valerate IM having shots every two weeks. I did manage to get down to the clinic with public transportation. While on the injections the coldness did go away and I did notice my breasts becoming sore and growing some. Body hair was not diminishing though and my libido increased. The third year I found a endocrinologist that was closer to where I lived that was willing to see me for HRT therapy. Started to see him. When I first came in to see him he stated my dose was too high for the injections, mind you I was on a pretty low dose as it is, yet he still thought I was on a too low of a dose. His thinking is that my estrogen levels have to be equivalent to a post menapausel woman's level, that did not seem right to me. He also suggested I go on the patch instead of the injections at a very low dose as well. He convinced me to start the patch. After one month of taking the patch, Veville Dot, I started to become very irritable, agressive, short tempered and all body hair came back. I mentioned this to the doctor and he put me back on the pills at a low dose. Since taking the pills, which he has increased to a little more higher dose, I am having severe blood circulation problems in my hands and feet, so much that it is painful and interferes with my everyday life. Saw him last week and told him about this and asked to be put back on the injections. His response was that he did not want me coming to his office so often to have the injections and instead increased the dose of the estradiol pills. I will admit taking the pills has diminished body hair and softened the skin somewhat, no breast development though, not even sore anymore. I did make an appointment with the community clinic a month ago where I first started my HRT, they will not be able to get me in until May though. Has anyone here experienced this side effect of poor circulation in your hands and feet while taking the pills? I do not know where to turn or do now. I am continuing the pills for now and trying to deal with the circulation problem, I also get dizzy and the back of my neck is always achy. As I am typing this my hands and feet are freezing, it is a warm day today, so it is not because of the weather. Oh the other side effect I have too is lower back pain constantly. I did not have any of these side effects with the injections.
Susan
