My six months on low-dose hrt

[Joelene9]

Jaime,
  I hope you get better soon as well.  An angioplasty is done through a blood vessel in the groin or the arm.  No rib cracking here.  The procedure is quick.  Link: http://www.heartsite.com/html/ptca.html
  Joelene

[Jamie D]

Jaime,
  I hope you get better soon as well.  An angioplasty is done through a blood vessel in the groin or the arm.  No rib cracking here.  The procedure is quick.  Link: http://www.heartsite.com/html/ptca.html
  Joelene

Thanks.

I have had two balloon angioplasties, one with a stent, both before bypass.  They only partially worked.

I have little faith another one would do any good.

[Stephe]

The hrt really knocked down the dysphoria.

I will grin and bear it. I coped for 40 years, I can cope for a few more weeks or months.

It's sort of like getting the rug pulled out from under you ...

I can truly relate. I've had an extremely frustrating time trying to deal with HRT. Doesn't make in any less of a woman tho.

[Jamie D]

I can truly relate. I've had an extremely frustrating time trying to deal with HRT. Doesn't make in any less of a woman tho.

Thanks, Stephe.

I have described myself an androgyne who is physically 90% male, but mentally 60% female.

I feel I need to coax my body to better fit my mind-image.

The low dose estradiol and T-blockers gave me a real sense of peace-of-mind.

[luna nyan]

I have had two balloon angioplasties, one with a stent, both before bypass.  They only partially worked.

That's very disappointing.  Still might be worth a try if it means there is a reasonable chance you can avoid open chest surgery again.  Have the docs worked out why you're so prone to blockages?

[Jamie D]

That's very disappointing.  Still might be worth a try if it means there is a reasonable chance you can avoid open chest surgery again.  Have the docs worked out why you're so prone to blockages?

Genetics; lifestyle; fate

[Stephe]

Thanks, Stephe.

I have described myself an androgyne who is physically 90% male, but mentally 60% female.

I feel I need to coax my body to better fit my mind-image.

The low dose estradiol and T-blockers gave me a real sense of peace-of-mind.

I can understand. It's why I got my nose done, getting body laser and probably some body sculpting/BA work later. You can do some things that don't require HRT.

[Jamie D]

I appreciate the encouragement, Stephe!  This is why you need to stick around and visit from time to time.

I have an appointment with my PCP this week.  I will know better then what my options are.  I have my fingers crossed that I can resume my aspirin therapy (to avoid thromboses), and get back on my Climara and AAs.

I can really feel the effects of the T-levels returning and the E-levels diminishing.  I don't like it.

[Joelene9]

JaimeD,
  I had the same T thoughts when I had an appointment with my doc today.  He said no way after examining me.  I showed him a health fair blood test results and he said it is just the thyroid with the sluggishness and the bad vibes that it brings on.  My two younger sisters beat me to that 7 years ago.  He gave me a script for that plus to take iron supplements for a couple of months.  My LDL cholesterol (the bad stuff) is the lowest in two decades!  I'll see him again in 3 months.
  Joelene

[Jamie D]

Synthroid?

I was on it for about three months a couple of years ago.  No problems since.  I think the original blood test was innacurate.

[mementomori]

Thanks, Stephe.

I have described myself an androgyne who is physically 90% male, but mentally 60% female.

I feel I need to coax my body to better fit my mind-image.

The low dose estradiol and T-blockers gave me a real sense of peace-of-mind.

its good to hear about other people who dont 100 percent identify as male or female taking hormones , i obviously in my mind am more female than male minded , but i have just rejected the gender binary  and im not 100 percent sure i believe if there is a " male" and " female" brain but it just comes down to social roles and wether or not you are comfortable with your physical body and feel its the " right " one for you

i was talking to a oldertranswoman about how im thinking about going on hormones and she went nuts and me and told me " hormones are only for binary people "

[Jamie D]

Well my PCP says it's okay to go back on 81 mg aspirin, but to not think about "extraneous variables" (meaning estradiol and casodex, I guess) until I get the hypertension/coronary artery disease/TIAs under control.

But, not having hrt adds to my stress. 

At least she signed off on a six-month disability.

I'm pissed.  Decision time.

[Jeneva]

casodex

Are you actually getting a prescription for Bicalutamide?  I wasn't aware it was part of any country's HRT standards.  I took it for around 6 months in the past, but was a bit afraid because there just weren't that many people taking it to get to know the risk level. 

[Jamie D]

Are you actually getting a prescription for Bicalutamide?  I wasn't aware it was part of any country's HRT standards.  I took it for around 6 months in the past, but was a bit afraid because there just weren't that many people taking it to get to know the risk level.

One time, off label Rx, at such a low dose, I have to divide the pills manually.  That's why it has lasted six+ months.  I suggested it, and frankly, could not afford it if not an Rx.

[Jeneva]

One time, off label Rx, at such a low dose, I have to divide the pills manually.  That's why it has lasted six+ months.  I suggested it, and frankly, could not afford it if not an Rx.

That is why mine last 6 months too. ;-)

I moved to through all of the major blockers before finally deciding I could risk coming out to my PCP.  Of course now I have a full bottle of spiro that i don't need anymore.

[Jamie D]

That is why mine last 6 months too. ;-)

I moved to through all of the major blockers before finally deciding I could risk coming out to my PCP.  Of course now I have a full bottle of spiro that i don't need anymore.

I can't use spironolactone (Aldactone).  I was on it for a while, as a diuretic, but I take lisinopril now at a dosage that would cause a bad interaction with Aldactone. Both are potassium-sparing.

Generics only cost me $10 per month, so that would be attractive, but can't do it.