Low dose hrt and mental changes

[TheaP]

Although I have around the site since March 2014, when my life was totally stressed out, overweight and with arrhythmia and passing out at work and being taken to hospital when everything came to a head.  I have been living with this identity conflict for about 50 years, since I about 5.

I started Spironolactone in May 2015 and Progynova (low dose) in July 2015 for the main purpose of resolving the mental stress that GID was causing.  The main reason for the hrt was to see if GID could be reduced without necessarily transitioning due to family circumstances.

I am a lot more at ease, but I don't believe I have real mental improvement.  I have had some breast tissue development and sensitivity.

What have others experienced on Low Dose HRT and what time frame given all our makeup is different and effect us differently.

[Mariah]

Many of the changes HRT causes are subtle and can occur slowly. Secondly, HRT alone won't solve all of everyone's mental issues. I know it can be frustrating, but sometimes other things need to be paired up with it. Considering your health issues I would consult your doctor and have other things looked into. Hugs
Mariah

[AnonyMs]

I've been overweight and lots of depression and stress, but never so bad as what you describe. I started low dose HRT, and that helped enormously. Stress disappear and I was happy. Its hard to tell exactly how much is due to the HRT and how much due to doing something for a change.

Eventually everything got worse again and I started on full transitioning HRT. That's made a dramatic difference to how I feel, and its definitely HRT this time.

I have had a (non-trans) specialist tell me not to take estrogen due to problems associated with being overweight, and while he was quite correct from a limited point of view, there's no way I was going to stop. Later on full dose HRT allowed me to get my weight down and get healthy. It was impossible while I was depressed.

If you're not already I'd try to find an endocrinologist specializing in trans medicine. Mine is way better than a normal doctor.

Due partly to family issues I still present male even though I'm on full dose HRT and have been for more than a year.

[TheaP]

Thanks for the replies.

Since the initial issues with my health in 2014, I have lost 40lb's ( now in the bottom quarter weight range for my height), along with the reduction in stress, my Cardiologist has taken me off all heart related medications, as my blood pressure dropped to normal ranges.  So, physically, I am in reasonable sharp.

Mentally, is a totally different thing. Really, neither  here or there.

I work in IT for a mining company and still look after a 30+ old system where I am the only person left that knows how the applications work.  We are in the longest ever process of retirement.   It now has been 15years+, since discussion about retiring the system.  At the moment, it is scheduled for quarter 2 of 2016, but this date has slipped that many times, I have lost count.  I also support, new systems, principally in the data exchange between disparate systems.  This work it self can be taxing on the mind and in conjunction with Gender Identity is make life as a chore, not one of enjoyment.

I really not sure if low does is enough, but I will bring this up with my endocrinologist (he specialises in Gender Disorders amongst other things, and would be pushing 75+, and still going strong).

I am writing this at 2am as I am having troubles getting to sleep, and having to get up in 5 hours to get ready for work, but as work times are flexible, I will get in when I get in.

Thanks for listening to my rant.

Thea.