2 Questions

[TheQuestion]

So I've been doing electrolysis and started HRT 10 days ago, anyway, just two questions;

1. So I have a good amount of hair, but a lot of it is thinning.  Most people say I'm crazy for saying I'm loosing hair, but I had a ton to start with and have probably lost a lot already, definitely some and like I said, there are some thinner areas.  About two years ago I used minoxidil and the areas that were thinning thickened up a lot, then I stopped using it.  I just shaved my head so when it grows back, it will grow in at an even length, but I also have the opportunity of using rogaine and getting every hair on my head covered.  I know I'm responsive to minoxidil and with the spiro and E, I could probably get it to thicken up a lot, basically to a nice full head.  Only issue is, I'm a little concerned about it's interaction with my hormone levels or body's ability to adjust.  Does anyone know if minoxidil could inhibit estrogen or cause the body to become less responsive to it?  I told my doctor about the plan and he sort of just nodded and didn't really say anything about it.

2.  In December I started HRT and was on for about 9 days and my chest was really swollen, ichy, and sore.  Then I freaked out, stopped taking then, and then did like, maybe another week a few weeks after that, and again, my chest was getting sore and ichy.  Now a few months later I'm on for 10 days straight, with a higher dose of spiro and I'm not swollen, ichy, or anything.  Did I screw myself over by starting a couple times, even if only for a short time each, and then starting again a few months later?  I'm kind of starting to worry.  I assumed I would be swollen or feel something in my chest again, at least like the last time, which was a pretty significant feeling.  My doctor said not to worry about it, but I am...

Anyway, any input would be appreciated and thanks in advance everyone.

[enigmaticrorschach]

idk about your first question but the second one from what is hear i normal. normally, a few days before the period, a girl's nipples tend to get very sore, swollen and at times itchy. its lasts a few days and stops. usually a good sign that they are developing correctly. my friend tells me everything so i'm like almost an expert on the female anatomy though i do forget though she does remind me constantly. seems like its an everyday thing. weird

[mfox]

I think you just need to block DHT to stop scalp hair from thinning.  Ask your doctor about a DHT blocker like Finasteride.  I've used Minoxodil too, and it didn't cause any problems (it was just annoying and expensive, so I switched to Finasteride instead). 

I'm sort of surprised you had soreness so early when you first started HRT, but 10 days is pretty early to judge anything.  Only about half of us see development in the first 30 days:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=66426.40

Be really careful on Spiro.  There is some research that high Spiro, or high E doses (especially on tablets), leads to early breast bud fusing.  I think it causes the same kind of signal that's used near the end of puberty to tell your bones to stop growing. LOW doses are better in the long term, so fight the urge to say.. "things aren't happening fast enough, so I'll take more E or Spiro", which can actually hurt your transition:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=154404.0

http://press.endocrine.org/doi/full/10.1210/jc.2012-2030

http://www.tgboards.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=15854

I don't mean to scare you, you're bound to be OK, but whenever I see "higher dose" I get worried and remember how I felt in the first few weeks.  Maybe someone with some experience can

[Rachel]

Question 1, you should discuss drug interactions with your doctor. I am not a doctor, a lot of trans girls use it and have no issue.
Question 2, I do not think it will have an impact.

[TheQuestion]

Well, I did ask my doctor about the minox, but he just sort of made a "could be a good idea/I don't know" face.  I also asked him if I could take finasteride also, but he told me I'd just have an increased risk of side effects with not much benefit, which I sort of know is BS.  He had me on fin when I stopped HRT for a while, but since I'm starting again, he's telling me it's either one or the other; Spiro or fin.  I really hope I'm not dealing with overly cautious providers here.  I mean, he said they were cautious, but I'm hoping not overly so.  I'd like to get a progesterone also, but he told me the only reason they've prescribed it is for odd shaped breast and it's only been given to two patients.  They don't do injections for E either, only pills, and I sort of want to be on injections.  If I had my way; I'd be on E injections, Spiro, Fin, and a progesterone... instead I'm just on E pills and spiro.  I'm on 1MG of estradiol and 200MG of spiro a day right now and they won't go up on E until June, when I'll be at 2MG.  I'm totally aggravated since I'm completely healthy and should tolerate things well.  I'm hoping the 200MG isn't too high a dose.  Is it?  I'm pretty sure it's not.

Anyway, yeah, I definitely had a ton of soreness, swelling, and itchiness after just about 9 days back a few months ago.  It was undeniable, even my nipples were larger.  Definitely wasn't in my head either, it was a pronounced feeling.  Now I'm at 11 days after restarting with that few month break in between and nothing...