Decision Time.... Up my Dose or Play it Safe..... :/

[abd789]

Well, my 3 month checkup went super and I am no longer pre diabetic and my cholesterol levels are perfect. Those were my only health concerns other than being overweight. My BP has dropped by 15 percent and is absolutely perfect

My E and T levels were checked and my T is 244 while E is 25

I have a new script and was given the OK to double down on E... but Im staring it down the same way I did when I took my first one...

I already have some breast growth, I already have so much happen from HRT, I just dont know if I am ready to step further into the pool.... Boobs are my biggest concern as I just havent decided to live life as a woman, nor do I think I will.... but I love what HRT is doing otherwise

[RobynD]

Congrats on your healthy check up! Good work.

If you are feeling good - why change things?

[Rafaela]

Congratulations Rita!! There's something affirming about being given a clean bill of health and turning things around. Sounds like you're on the right levels for the time being, so in your case I'd just cruise for a while until you're ready.
If you don't mind, what lifestyle/ diet changes have you made in the last three months?

[stephaniec]

congrats your the one in control  find peace

[Kitty June]

I've finally realized that just coming out and to stop pretending has been the most liberating thing. I still have moments of dudism that are from past habits, but to finally not care about breast growth or anything else is incredibly liberating. And I've discovered that most people don't care. Enjoy your life and be who you are.

[abd789]

Congrats on your healthy check up! Good work.

If you are feeling good - why change things?

Thank you, this was my thinking also, but Im intrigued by turning things up a notch....

[abd789]

congrats your the one in control  find peace

Thank you

[abd789]

I've finally realized that just coming out and to stop pretending has been the most liberating thing. I still have moments of dudism that are from past habits, but to finally not care about breast growth or anything else is incredibly liberating. And I've discovered that most people don't care. Enjoy your life and be who you are.

Thank you, Im trying to get there, I really am and Ive come a long way mentally....just not "there" yet

[abd789]

Congratulations Rita!! There's something affirming about being given a clean bill of health and turning things around. Sounds like you're on the right levels for the time being, so in your case I'd just cruise for a while until you're ready.
If you don't mind, what lifestyle/ diet changes have you made in the last three months?

Thank you

My lifestyle changes really started a year ago and I feel my health numbers have been getting better gradually, but 3 months ago was the first testing I had in 20 years??? So I think they had been improving steadily since I changed...

First thing I did was start dancing, it was hard at first but I found it really enjoyable and kept at it every day, getting to where most days I would dance for 3 hours, now I try to do one hour a day since I lost 60 pounds
I started drinking wine and quite a bit... however, I stopped that a few months ago
I stopped drinking beer and hard liquor
I drink 7-8 bottles of water daily, I never touched the stuff before
I quit smoking
Ive always favored healthier foods, just too much of them... I scaled that back and eat small portions more often
I eat a tablespoon of coconut oil a day
I also eat a tablespoon of flaxseed daily
I add honey, ginger and cinnamon to my coffee each morning
I drink a bottle of water with honey, lemon and cayenne pepper each day
Since starting HRT, Im just happier which I think translates into healthier

[islandgirl]

Congrats on the positive life changes! To increase dosages or not is really a personal decision based on one's long and short term goals. If you are happy now, maybe maintenance is the position to be in. Changes to E can be in very small increments. We sometimes get caught up in what others are doing as far as increases in dosages. Thoughts  of 'maybe I should be doing that ' or 'maybe I am not moving fast enough'. Only you can determine your path. Trust your inner woman!

[abd789]

Congrats on the positive life changes! To increase dosages or not is really a personal decision based on one's long and short term goals. If you are happy now, maybe maintenance is the position to be in. Changes to E can be in very small increments. We sometimes get caught up in what others are doing as far as increases in dosages. Thoughts  of 'maybe I should be doing that ' or 'maybe I am not moving fast enough'. Only you can determine your path. Trust your inner woman!

Thanks!  I guess if they bumped up by 25 percent or even 50 I may have been more at ease... but to double... Im just not sure..... yet. I know I have to consider the risks involved in doubling... if they are significant and I would like a lil more "girl" just not too much

[mm]

I know for many meds when a dr will increase the dosage, they will double it.

[AlisonWood]

For what it's worth, can very much relate...on super low dose HRT, watching every day for changes...but already wondering what doubling it would do.

Follow your heart Rita, know that you're in charge, you are in the driver's seat and regardless, you can take so much satisfaction in all the changes you are making to get healthier - yay for you!!!!

[abd789]

For what it's worth, can very much relate...on super low dose HRT, watching every day for changes...but already wondering what doubling it would do.

Follow your heart Rita, know that you're in charge, you are in the driver's seat and regardless, you can take so much satisfaction in all the changes you are making to get healthier - yay for you!!!!

Thank you!

[abd789]

I did take a extra half today... just to dip my toe, ya know

Of course I feel stellar, sorta like the first day

[IdontEven]

I was going to stay on low-dose indefinitely, but I felt like I had noticeable growth and reshaping up top so I was like screw it, if it's going to show anyways let's drive the wheels off this thing.

Turns out nobody would have noticed (seriously, nobody pays attention to anything that's not smacking them in the face most times) and now those changes have kept going. But I'm really happy I did; it's forced me to confront some issues I wasn't really comfortable with and attempt to get comfortable with them. Personal growth has caused personal growth, iykwim!

Also, the increased body changes have led to some feelings of "holy crap this is so very right" whereas before I had no idea just how wrong things were as I had nothing to compare it to. Something to keep in mind! Not saying it's the right decision for you, but sometimes we need to get outside our comfort zones to find what we really want

I'm sure whatever decision you make will be the right one, but let us know would you? I'm interested to see what you decide!

[Ashey]

I'm glad you're feeling good. I do think you should consider the pros and cons though very thoroughly, and figure out what you really want ultimately, and what's going to make you happiest. Curiosity is okay, but it's not to be taken lightly. If you increase your dose you may increase or decrease your dysphoria. If it decreases, you may want more and could reach a point of no return. Male fail can be difficult to deal with if you aren't prepared. It happened to me sooner than I anticipated. In fact, I hit male fail around two months and went full time at four... nearly got whiplash from it! All I could do was hold on and ride the roller coaster, which includes plenty of ups and downs, and emotional twists as well as turns in lifestyle change. I'm a completely different person now, and certainly an improvement. I'm much happier now than before, even considering the challenges of being a woman, and dealing with being more emotionally unstable. However, all that said, you also can't overthink it or you'll never get anywhere. So trust your guts too.

[Rachel]

Do what you think is right for you. Keep up the great healthy life style

I knew 3 weeks into HRT I would never go off HRT. I started at a higher level and only went up from there. In time I had to socially transition. What was once impossible became possible. What changed over time was my self confidence.

[abd789]

I was going to stay on low-dose indefinitely, but I felt like I had noticeable growth and reshaping up top so I was like screw it, if it's going to show anyways let's drive the wheels off this thing.

Turns out nobody would have noticed (seriously, nobody pays attention to anything that's not smacking them in the face most times) and now those changes have kept going. But I'm really happy I did; it's forced me to confront some issues I wasn't really comfortable with and attempt to get comfortable with them. Personal growth has caused personal growth, iykwim!

Also, the increased body changes have led to some feelings of "holy crap this is so very right" whereas before I had no idea just how wrong things were as I had nothing to compare it to. Something to keep in mind! Not saying it's the right decision for you, but sometimes we need to get outside our comfort zones to find what we really want

I'm sure whatever decision you make will be the right one, but let us know would you? I'm interested to see what you decide!

Thank you! It is very much helping me get out of my comfort zone, slowly but surely... baby steps

[abd789]

I'm glad you're feeling good. I do think you should consider the pros and cons though very thoroughly, and figure out what you really want ultimately, and what's going to make you happiest. Curiosity is okay, but it's not to be taken lightly. If you increase your dose you may increase or decrease your dysphoria. If it decreases, you may want more and could reach a point of no return. Male fail can be difficult to deal with if you aren't prepared. It happened to me sooner than I anticipated. In fact, I hit male fail around two months and went full time at four... nearly got whiplash from it! All I could do was hold on and ride the roller coaster, which includes plenty of ups and downs, and emotional twists as well as turns in lifestyle change. I'm a completely different person now, and certainly an improvement. I'm much happier now than before, even considering the challenges of being a woman, and dealing with being more emotionally unstable. However, all that said, you also can't overthink it or you'll never get anywhere. So trust your guts too.

Thanks, yes I am seeing changes and I notive others are treating me differently or looking longer as if they know something is up or different, just not sure what yet. Emotional instability I have had all my life, thats nothing new... in fact I think it may have improved. But I feel I am close to the top of that hill and preparing to hold on...