What are the experiences with the various types of estrogen therapy?

[Tori]

I don't know if you followed any of my other posts, I have severe allergic reactions to estradiol. I'm happy for you that you can take estradiol, I don't have that luxury. I'm not an idiot, I've done a pile of research, tried about a dozen different forms of estradiol and feel lucky I found -some form- of estrogen I can finally tolerate. Please don't lecture me on these meds..

The only point of my post was saying for THE MEDS I TAKE, transdermal is said to be 10X as effective. I highly doubt transdermal meds of the same type are 100-200X stronger but then again I'm not a doctor.

From what I have seen in this thread, Axelle was not trying to be your doctor, but rather giving a personal response to the subject matter of this thread. 

You were allergic? My God!!

I had no idea!

[pebbles]

From what I have seen in this thread, Axelle was not trying to be your doctor, but rather giving a personal response to the subject matter of this thread. 

You were allergic? My God!!

I had no idea!

She probably wasn't allergic to the estogen per-say otherwise she would have lupus, and a continual allergic reaction against her own bodies fat cells its more likely she was allergic to some kind of bulk agent used in the tablet (usually lactose)

I take injections but I have very little to compare it with. Overall the highs and lows aren't too bad emotionally you get used to it and it's just part of the flow. More irritatingly is the nausea and  aching breasts that follows the injection and generally feeling rubbish and unmotivated before taking the injection.

[Stephe]

She probably wasn't allergic to the estogen per-say otherwise she would have lupus, and a continual allergic reaction against her own bodies fat cells its more likely she was allergic to some kind of bulk agent used in the tablet (usually lactose)

I take injections but I have very little to compare it with. Overall the highs and lows aren't too bad emotionally you get used to it and it's just part of the flow. More irritatingly is the nausea and  aching breasts that follows the injection and generally feeling rubbish and unmotivated before taking the injection.

Please don't tell me how my body reacted or what caused it. I highly doubt a DOZEN different forms of estradiol all have the same "bulk agent". I had massive migraine headaches, so severe I couldn't leave the house and after about 3 days felt like I needed to crawl out of my skin. Even VERY small dose transdermals did this same thing. Sorry if I'm not trans enough for some of you to sit in a dark closet crying so I can take estradiol..

Like I said, I'm glad you have minor side effects and can tolerate it, I can't.

Please, unless you are -MY- doctor don't tell me what is going on with my health.

[Tori]

That is horrible Stephe!

I can't begin to imagine the inner strength required to make it as far as you have.

[Stephe]

   Sorry if I seem overly sensitive on this but I went through hell over this and yes I get upset when people try to "explain" or minimize what happened to me and why, when they have no clue. Don't assume how YOU react to any medication will apply to other people and vice versa.

Way too many people seem to enjoy playing internet doctor with other people's health.

[Tori]

You could seem overly sensitive because I highly doubt Pebbles intended to provoke the response she got from you. Pebbles has been through her own various Hells. I imagine she has things that trigger her emotions too.

But, Stephe... wow. I know how hard it has been to get to the point where I am. And I am Pre-HRT. A prescription would mean the world to me... and to have that fail? And fail? And fail?

Wow.

Many would have given up.

The strength of some of this community's members sometimes makes me feel like I have it easy. That is NOT something a dysphoric personality gets to feel every day.

[Stephe]

But, Stephe... wow. I know how hard it has been to get to the point where I am. And I am Pre-HRT. A prescription would mean the world to me... and to have that fail? And fail? And fail?

Wow.

Also I can't tolerate electrolysis. 3 different very TG experienced people tried and all said the same thing. Never seen anyone react like I did and they all agreed it would ruin my skin and deform my face if I continued. I'm lucky I don't have much if any beard shadow that shows but it still sucks to have to shave everyday. People who can tolerate this have no idea how lucky they seem to me. I;m sure they just take it for granted.

This isn't an easy hand any of us have been dealt and there is no cookie cutter path to where we want to be. When I see these lists of "You HAVE to do this first", all those do is set people up for disappointment if, for whatever reason, then can't check that item off. Many people take it for granted everyone can check off each item.

I cried all afternoon each time I failed at electrolysis but I realized that IT doesn't define me.

I spend months suffering with trying many different types and forms of estradiol, wait a couple of weeks, try another, fail, wait a few weeks to recover, try another and fail, rinse and repeat. This was very painful AND depressing. Not to mention the money I spent to end up with basically nothing.

I did learn that HRT doesn't define who I am either.

I guess this is why I was SOOOO excited to have found I can tolerate estriol (almost a year after starting HRT or trying to start) and don't need someone telling me I should be on blank because what I'm on is 10X less effective etc.

[MacKenzie]

   I think injections and transdermals estrogen's are def the most effective method. Although a friend of mine is taking those estrogen pellet things and she is pleased with the results. From what i've read it's like a little pill shaped pellet that your doctor inserts under your skin which over time (depending on doseage anywhere from 3-6 months) slowly dissolves into your blood stream giving you a steady supply of E without the high and low levels from injections.

   I'm gonna ask my endo about switching me over from injections to pellets on my next appointment. 

[Bea]

Thank you everyone for the input 

I chose the shot just to get started for now, in fact it has been roughly 30 hours since I received my very first HRT therapy shot and will say that the major thing I noticed right away was the calmness I felt. Basically I have always been on edge, having to do something to keep my mind occupied; now I actually feel relaxed.

The shot regimen that my Endocrinologist has set up for me is once every 14 days (2 weeks) with a daily pill of Spiro~something... Again so far I feel fine and don't have a big fear of needles but I can respect those that do 

I checked the pricing for the under-the-skin tablets versus the shot and it's a no brainer if your on a tight budget; we talking $250 every three months versus $80

We all need to get where we are going and as long as it is safe then go for it!

Happy Valentines day everyone!

[Joelene9]

Breanne,
  Happy Valentines day!  Like my long-lost sister with her soft Texas drawl said to me, "You'll be in for a ride"!  I love her.
  Joelene

[xxUltraModLadyxx]

Also I can't tolerate electrolysis. 3 different very TG experienced people tried and all said the same thing. Never seen anyone react like I did and they all agreed it would ruin my skin and deform my face if I continued. I'm lucky I don't have much if any beard shadow that shows but it still sucks to have to shave everyday. People who can tolerate this have no idea how lucky they seem to me. I;m sure they just take it for granted.

This isn't an easy hand any of us have been dealt and there is no cookie cutter path to where we want to be. When I see these lists of "You HAVE to do this first", all those do is set people up for disappointment if, for whatever reason, then can't check that item off. Many people take it for granted everyone can check off each item.

I cried all afternoon each time I failed at electrolysis but I realized that IT doesn't define me.

I spend months suffering with trying many different types and forms of estradiol, wait a couple of weeks, try another, fail, wait a few weeks to recover, try another and fail, rinse and repeat. This was very painful AND depressing. Not to mention the money I spent to end up with basically nothing.

I did learn that HRT doesn't define who I am either.

I guess this is why I was SOOOO excited to have found I can tolerate estriol (almost a year after starting HRT or trying to start) and don't need someone telling me I should be on blank because what I'm on is 10X less effective etc.

i'm just curious, but is laser also a no?

[Stephe]

i'm just curious, but is laser also a no?

Getting some laser done but most of my facial hair is gray now. At least it doesn't show

And bad news on the estriol this week, broke out in hives in multiple places earlier this week and seems to be related to this med.. *screams*

[Tori]

Adolescence.



Sweetheart, it will work out for you.

[xxUltraModLadyxx]

Getting some laser done but most of my facial hair is gray now. At least it doesn't show

And bad news on the estriol this week, broke out in hives in multiple places earlier this week and seems to be related to this med.. *screams*

you must have a very hypersensitive body. i'm just glad the way i am with meds. nothing i go on ever gives me the known negative side effects, it's just too bad my ocd meds don't do what i would like them to, so i guess life is all give and take.

[Stephe]

you must have a very hypersensitive body. i'm just glad the way i am with meds. nothing i go on ever gives me the known negative side effects, it's just too bad my ocd meds don't do what i would like them to, so i guess life is all give and take.

Yes and in the past I have had unknown side effects lol.

I sometimes have the opposite reaction to meds as well, pills that should make me drowsy make me stay up all night etc. I have a HORRIBLE time with antibiotics, one caused my liver to shut down and I almost died. Another made me CrAzY!!! I serious lost my mind, had no idea where I was. This last surgery they did it with zero antibiotics because of this. Lucky I very rarely get infections or if I do I can fight them off. Even epinephrine in novacaine sends me to the ER.

I'm about to just give up on ever being able to take E and look for any other "physical changes" made via surgery, like a BA.

[Naturally Blonde]

Hello all, hugs

I have been out of this for awhile dealing with the X-wife, moving, and my therapist. All is getting better now since I received my HRT letter on Sunday and on Monday I had my Physical with my Endocrinologist. I was told that my options were either by-weekly shots, a pill, or a slow-release tablet placed under my skin that lasts about 3 months.

The doc said the injection would give me the quickest result, with the only bad part having the lows and highs.

I am curious what sort of testimonies or experiences or advise anyone may have.

Thanks again!

- Breanne

Hands down I think shots are  best but I can't get them because they are illegal in the U.K. If anyone lives in the U.K and knows how I get legally get shots please let me know?

I've tried several forms of oestrogen pill over the last 14 years including premarin, ethinyestrodial and estrodial valorate, the latter seems to work the best for me.

I've also had the slow release tablet under the skin you mention which is an implant. The problem is the implant is suppose to dissolve after several months but mine hasn't and it's like a hard lump under the skin, so I wouldn't recommend that one. That has now also been withdrawn from the U.K.