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depression

Started by kathy bottoms, January 29, 2013, 09:51:00 AM

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kathy bottoms



I have so many problems inside my head that they aren't making sense anymore.  I try to listen to what others feel is right for me, my family, and relatives, and it just makes this depression worse.  I know people aren't deliberately malicious, mean or deceitful in their intentions.  And they care enough to tell me what they're thinking.  But in so many cases those words effectively translate into "You'll never pass."   Or even worse I translate what they say as "You're a freak." 

I understand what I'm hearing is a false perception and characterization of some comments.  And what they say is filtered though a sieve in my Dysphoria that lets the hurtful words through and strains out the good and caring side of the conversations.  But this even happens when I talk to some of the girls I know.  And what I'm thinking just doesn't track as it passes subconsciously through this confused little cranium.   But no matter why I process the words into hurtful statements, they do still hurt.  And there has to be a way to stop this tiresome process, and the depression it causes. 

And now to end this diatribe.  I hear so much negativity, and it's nobody's fault.  They don't understand, or they can't understand.   But it does depress me, and it's been building up inside for the last week.  Then yesterday evening I began to think about, and develop a plan for something that had never crossed my mind in any serious way before.  Ending it all.   That feeling is gone now, but I'm scared that this was even a consideration in my solutions.  I guess what matters to me has changed.  And that scares me even more.

I have another electrolysis appointment today, and then I'm calling my therapists office.  She's out for  a long term illness, but she has referrals. 

Kathy

Three paragraphs were deleted from this because I think they were meaningless. 
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Heather

Kathy I think we've all had these moments like these.I know I have and most of the time it starts with family. But ending it all is most definitely not the answer to your problems. Life is so short and so precious to end so soon would be tragic. Would your family rather have you alive and not passing or dead and in the ground? I think they would rather have you not passing and still breathing. I think you get the referral to another therapist and talk this out. Because these feelings don't just go away they come back and usually worse than they were before.
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kathy bottoms

Quote from: Heather on January 29, 2013, 10:28:41 AM
....... I think you get the referral to another therapist and talk this out. Because these feelings don't just go away they come back and usually worse than they were before.

Yes.  I'll see someone.  I'm scared that one day nothing will matter to me anymore.  Not even my transition, which somehow matters more than any relationship I have.  Plus the compelling need to allow my transition to destroy my marriage and how my adult sons deal with me confuses life even more. 

Kathy
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Tessa James

Kathy,

Thank you for sharing those concerns.  I am a little jealous since you are already on HRT and I can't wait.  So very good to hear that you are reaching out to family and friends.  I worry "they" can become a cracked funhouse mirror with more distortions for us to figure out.  You are taking such brave steps and staying true to ourselves is a challenge... keeping those counseling resources handy is wise.  I share your worry about passing and am working to embrace that inner freak girl and soften the edges of my old world.  People need so much education and we just might not have time to bring them all along for trans 101.  Being in transition is work and we deserve to have a full and meaningful life on our own terms....including having a good breakfast....time to make coffee here.
I am also married with adult children and recognize those long term relationships are weighty
Open, out and evolving queer trans person forever with HRT support since March 13, 2013
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kathy bottoms

Quote from: Tessa on January 29, 2013, 11:01:42 AM
.......... Being in transition is work and we deserve to have a full and meaningful life on our own terms....including having a good breakfast....time to make coffee here.
I am also married with adult children and recognize those long term relationships are weighty

Thank you Tessa.  I'll never give up on Transition, but these thoughts and fears are new.  So it's off to another therapist this afternoon. 

Oh, and thanks for the laugh.  I need to go out and get some firewood, and more coffee also.
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Tessa James

Kathy if that is a picture of your home I can certainly see why firewood is essential!  It looks beautiful!  We once had the dream of living in a real log cabin and rented one east of Seattle, up in the hills.  The trees were 200 footers and it was the temperate rainforest intact.  What I didn't appreciate was how dang dark and cold it would be!  My fires never seemed big enough to even warm the river rock fireplace and one winter was enough.  Now we live in a solar home with big skylights and the pacific northwest is a great place to love what sunshine gets through.  I think about that in our social situation too.  I needed to let the sunshine into my little girls heart and feel the warmth of, OMG people still love me and want to help.  I am blown away about the contrast in my head.  I was anticipating the villagers hounding frankenstein and I'm finding real support instead.  What a world and, as so many say, I wish I did this long ago.  I really appreciate your no retreat attitude.  How is HRT working for you?--I am so anxious.  I am coming out to at least one person everyday and a part of that is too keep myself from ever hiding Tessa again.  Of course Jim's old clothes are handy for chopping wood and keeping the blackberries manageable.
Open, out and evolving queer trans person forever with HRT support since March 13, 2013
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muuu

#6
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Heather

Quote from: muuu on January 29, 2013, 04:48:08 PM
HRT can give you mood swings and cause depression (other medication can too), it would probably settle down in a month or so, obviously it can still be depression that is caused by other things. Seeing a therapist might be a good idea, because being TS and transitioning isn't exactly the easiest thing to deal with...
It's had the opposite affect on me I'm disgustingly happy and optimistic most of the time.
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kathy bottoms

Tessa:
Estrogen is magic.  When I started in July it took a while to build up and really change my world.  It is truly wonderful.  The only problem I have is the injections every two weeks.  I get moody, anxious, and angry after about 12 days and then it all breaks loose when I get the next injection.  Yeah, that was on Friday and it's about the time the depression really got bad.  Talked to another therapist and he said to wait and call him again at the first sign of depression.  And he said to think about starting my diary again since I felt it had helped a lot before I quit two weeks ago.  ???  (long story - no time)

Oh, the cabin is ours.  We live west of Sacramento, but go to the mountains whenever we can.  But if JoAnn and I separate I'll be living there full time.  Anyway, it was dirt cheap 30 years ago because it was so badly vandalized, and to make it livable I spent years repairing damage on weekends and during my vacations. 

Muuu:
The Endocrinologist warned me about this when I last had my injection dose raised, and because I already had moodiness he said he could cut the dose if it became too difficult.  No way do I want the dose cut.   But the cycling is the hardest part, and in a thread a long time back the girls had compared the emotional changes between injections as being similar to having a period twice a month.  My wife kind of agreed with that when we talked yesterday.

Heather:   
Pass some of that happiness and optimism this way if you have any extra.  I'll give it back doubled when things brighten up.  Promise.     :)

Love you all.
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Tessa James

Kathy did you choose HRT injections over gels, patch, and oral routes for any reason you care to share?  I hope to be as fortunate as Heather and keep that happy glow shinning through.
Open, out and evolving queer trans person forever with HRT support since March 13, 2013
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kathy bottoms

Quote from: Tessa on January 29, 2013, 06:21:05 PM
Kathy did you choose HRT injections over gels, patch, and oral routes for any reason you care to share?  I hope to be as fortunate as Heather and keep that happy glow shinning through.
Started on pills, and those were fantastic.  But when my Endo found I was on pills he immediately put me on low-dose patches, and they were o.k. but fell off whenever I worked in the sun or went swimming.  So four weeks later he put me on injections every two weeks and they are super convenient.  But there is a rollercoaster effect where the serum estradiol level quickly rises and then slowly tapers off for two weeks.  For me the last two days are always noticeably difficult, but I'm still learning to manage the changes.  I hear it can take six months to really get used to it. 

I can't discuss my evil days using cream.  But they are hard to manage, and easy to over use.  Plus they can leave trace estrogens on things you handle so I wasn't that thrilled with them.

One real good thing about injections is the changes in my breasts.  Nipples and areolas are changing surprisingly fast, and the breasts feel a lot more full than they had been.  And all this while I'm loosing weight.  ;D
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Tessa James

Kathy B,

Thank you so much for the feedback and sharing what's happening with you.  This does help me understand another's journey and what I might experience too.  I want that "magic" to start right now and am cheered on by the changes you describe in your breasts.  OMG and losing weight too!   So jealous I'm green!
Open, out and evolving queer trans person forever with HRT support since March 13, 2013
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Heather

Quote from: kathy b on January 29, 2013, 06:10:03 PM



Heather:   
Pass some of that happiness and optimism this way if you have any extra.  I'll give it back doubled when things brighten up.  Promise.     :)


I wish I could I can't even even run on a treadmill these days without bursting into fits of laughing/giggling! Lets just say I now understand why people say your giggling like a school girl. So please take some of it where I can have decent workout :eusa_dance:
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Jennygirl

Quote from: Heather on January 29, 2013, 04:57:40 PM
It's had the opposite affect on me I'm disgustingly happy and optimistic most of the time.

You and me both sister :D

I feel like my whole life I've been waiting in line for a really awesome rollercoaster. The weather has been great all day and I have had great company as I grew increasingly excited- I have been lucky to have the right people around me. Coming out to myself and others was the tense climb to the top of the drop, and right now I am in the most amazing part... That first big plunge. Hands up! Let's do this! I'm all in!!

I couldn't be more excited about it. Time moves in slow motion and I notice every little amazing thing.

Kathy- it sounds like you might be a great candidate for HRT pellets. They allow one to avoid the health risks of pills, the hassle of patches/creams, and the up & down effect of injections. The only drawback is that it's a little more expensive, but could really be worth it to you and I hope this info might possibly help you out :)
http://www.collegepharmacy.com/images/download/BHRTPelletFAQ.pdf
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Heather

When your finally happy with your life realize how totally unhappy you were before. And you wonder who was that person was that me? Estrogen has been an eye opening experience for me. I never have had this much peace with myself I told my therapist it was like my mind had been at war my whole life and now that war is over and I'm learning how to live again.
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Catherine Sarah

Hi Kathy,

One simple solution. Stop listening to others.

And start listening to yourself. Trust yourself to do the right thing. Take responsibility for yourself, your thoughts and actions. DON'T let anyones opinion or advice come within cooee of you, until you master the art of selective filtering. Filtering the crap out of peoples meanings who can't won't don't understand EXACTLY what you are going through. IF they have walked in your shoes, they deserve your consideration. If not; ignore them. They haven't a clue of what they are on about.

Trust yourself.       You can do this.

Huggs
Catehrine




If you're in Australia and are subject to Domestic Violence or Violence against Women, call 1800-RESPECT (1800-737-7328) for assistance.
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kathy bottoms

Quote from: Heather on January 30, 2013, 12:59:40 AM
So please take some of it where I can have decent workout :eusa_dance:
Heather:  You and Jenny are so happily upbeat it's infectious.  I feel good just reading these posts. 

Quote from: Jennygirl on January 30, 2013, 03:12:21 AM
You and me both sister :D

I feel like my whole life I've been waiting in line for a really awesome rollercoaster. .......

... it sounds like you might be a great candidate for HRT pellets.

Jenny: At my age it's more like being the female captain of a beautiful cruise ship.  I now have all the joy and excitement of the cruise, and I'm in charge of the deck (my destiny).  Just have to learn a little more about weathering the storms so I don't upset the cruise.

I never considered the implants before, and if it's workable with my Endo it'd be fantastic.  No more worries about learning to give myself injections and carrying around vials and needles when I go to on vacations.  Thanks for the link.   :)

Quote from: Catherine Sarah on January 30, 2013, 07:46:50 AM
One simple solution. Stop listening to others.  .......
..... You can do this.
Catherine:  I told JoAnn yesterday that I'd be doing things she won't like, and that it was going to start with me wearing comfortable casual style clothes around the house.  And of course getting the piercings she had so angrilly objected to.  One of my sons is here at home because he lost his job, and she warned that his friends are going to says things I don't like when they're here hanging out for barbaques and ball games on TV.  ..... So what.  I'll deal with it, and anything else that comes my way.  You're right Catherine, I can do this. 

This transition will not stall out again. 

Love you girls.  Your the rocks I can lean on to rest, and soon I'll be back on top of the world again.  Kathy




PS - Pierced my ears yesterday.  And started up the diary again today.
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Heather

I'm glad I could help make you feel better. I think the reason I'm so happy is I'm making up for all the years I was so miserable. I've been where your at and I understand how you feel it does get better I'm proof.
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Tessa James

Oh what a sweet and joyful sense and smile this conversation brings home here.  Kathy I'm getting my other ear pierced and with the right dangly jewelry it definitely will send a clear message. 

Heather you are a darling to capture the sense I share.  I am coming out to people daily and dressing enfem in public and people have been universally supportive and kind.  I love your smile and, people say I am beaming!  My smile feels more genuine now that I can be free to the me that once lived in a shadow world.  Thank you!
Open, out and evolving queer trans person forever with HRT support since March 13, 2013
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Heather

Quote from: Tessa on February 02, 2013, 12:27:56 AM
Oh what a sweet and joyful sense and smile this conversation brings home here.  Kathy I'm getting my other ear pierced and with the right dangly jewelry it definitely will send a clear message. 

Heather you are a darling to capture the sense I share.  I am coming out to people daily and dressing enfem in public and people have been universally supportive and kind.  I love your smile and, people say I am beaming!  My smile feels more genuine now that I can be free to the me that once lived in a shadow world.  Thank you!
Thank you!
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