Inconsistent Effects?

[AbbyJamz]

So, I'm coming up on 5 weeks on HRT (low dose estradiol/spironolactone).  I've noticed a few things that have been pretty constant (nipples slightly changed, less oily skin, softer skin, etc), but there are other things that aren't consistent. Some days I feel really girly and emotional and other days I feel like nothing is happening or changing. Perhaps I'm analyzing things too much?  Anyway, I still haven't had any constant nipple/breast ache.  I figured I'd have started to feel that by now.  I've had a few instances where my breast area has this dull ache, but it's usually only for a few minutes before it's gone.  I guess my question is, before the hormone levels finally settle within normal female levels, is it normal to kind of feel the effects on and off?  I'm starting to worry maybe my dosage isn't quite right since I haven't really had any sort of real emotional shift or breast/nipple pain yet!  Somebody please tell me I'm just being silly!

[Beth Andrea]

Ok, you're just being silly!



Given that you're on a "low dose" of E, yes changes will be slower than if you were on a higher dose. Give it a year or two before expecting any big changes...like breasts...

Remember, "a watched pot never boils!"

*hugs*

[Misato]

My memory is still pretty fresh on this and your experience seems to mirror mine.

I didn't know what was going on with me physically.  I kept examining myself and asking, "is that the estrogen or am I just cold?". A couple of times I thought my nipples were more sensitive, but I was never sure if that was in my head or not.

It turned out, I had iddy biddy buds when I got put on a meanigful dose of Spiro and E.  I'd been on low dose E for a month and Spiro for four months before that.  AFTER upping, changes started to happen very fast.  I'm about ten days away from being on that meaningful dose for two months and today, my sloppy around the house day, I had to put on a sports bra.  That was tender too but at least I don't have to be so careful with my steps.

When I did notice things for sure, they did tend to take me by suprise: crying at a video game cut scene, seeing the profile of a boob in the mirror when I stood sideways to it.  So, hang in there.

I'm sorry to go off topic here but, I just totally can't beleive I get to write on this subject now!

Wow.

[Beth Andrea]

My memory is still pretty fresh on this and your experience seems to mirror mine.

I didn't know what was going on with me physically.  I kept examining myself and asking, "is that the estrogen or am I just cold?". A couple of times I thought my nipples were more sensitive, but I was never sure if that was in my head or not.

It turned out, I had iddy biddy buds when I got put on a meanigful dose of Spiro and E.  I'd been on low dose E for a month and Spiro for four months before that.  AFTER upping, changes started to happen very fast.  I'm about ten days away from being on that meaningful dose for two months and today, my sloppy around the house day, I had to put on a sports bra.  That was tender too but at least I don't have to be so careful with my steps.

When I did notice things for sure, they did tend to take me by suprise: crying at a video game cut scene, seeing the profile of a boob in the mirror when I stood sideways to it.  So, hang in there.

I'm sorry to go off topic here but, I just totally can't beleive I get to write on this subject now!

Wow.

That's an awesome feeling, isn't it? My first boob-profile sighting came in the early hours of a summer morning...the Venetian blinds and sunlight making a series of vertical lines on the wall...me walking to the bathroom...I stopped, and saw in the sunlines...OMG! The familiar teardrop shape of a boob profile! OMG OMG....I smiled the rest of the day! 

(That would be about 5 months in on HRT)

[Misato]

Pretty awesome feeling indeed.

Be better if only my left would stop sleeping and catch up to the progress my right has made!

[Heather]

Some days I feel really girly and emotional and other days I feel like nothing is happening or changing.

I feel this way to some days you have to give it time. What actually has helped me now that I'm getting further along is I've been taking a lot of pictures since I started taking hormones. So now when I start having doubts that I'm changing I just look at my pictures from early on and can see a big difference. Your only 5 weeks in give it time.

[Beth Andrea]

Pretty awesome feeling indeed.

Be better if only my left would stop sleeping and catch up to the progress my right has made!

My right side is smaller...   I'm not worried though, this happens with GG's all the time.

[AbbyJamz]

Well, the dosage I'm on right now is like a starter dose.  I'm sure things'll pick up big time when I get bumped up some.  I guess I'm a lil impatient! ;-) I really shouldn't be stressing the lack of changes yet, I guess, since its only been 5 weeks.  I just get so worked up about everything that has to do with my transition!

[Rita]

Pretty awesome feeling indeed.

Be better if only my left would stop sleeping and catch up to the progress my right has made!

exact opposite sides for me 

[AbbyJamz]

Ok, now I'm getting concerned. I e-mailed my doctor about my 3 and 6 month check ups and the possibility of getting increased doses.  She basically said that she's going to keep me on the starter dose the entire year!  I'm worried!  I anticipated an adjustment at 3, or at least 6 months.  What should I do?  This is the second time I've second guessed my doctor.  The first time was because she didn't want to prescribe me spiro because she didn't know how it would react with the finasteride I had already been taking!  Somebody, please calm me down!!!

[Misato]

New doc time?  A year on low dose strikes me as beyond being conservative.

[Berti_in_Ba]

I must have been blessed with the Doc of a lifetime <sighs>

My Dr. started me straight off from day 1 on high doses of Estradiol and Spiro. At 3 months he upped my Estradiol and my Spiro, and also added Progesterone pills at bedtime. He is a huge believer in blood testing so I have to go often during my first year until he got me adjusted. At month 9, he took away one of my Estradiol and replaced it with an Estrogen Cream which made a big difference for me. He is not afraid to experiment to make sure I continue to get results and my baseline blood levels come out correctly.

If your doctor is not getting you the results you want, consider changing. It is your body

Cheers Berti


Modified to remove dosage information