Hello, I am Anne and am new to Susan's Place

[Anne Blake]

Greetings to all at Susan's Place. I am currently in my late sixties, 1.5 years into a tg life, happily married for 32 years, 5 weeks into hrt and brand new to web forums or any type of social media for that matter. Susan's caught my attention because of the wide range of info available to newbies like myself. Being new to both this lifestyle as well as hrt, I am looking for help in doing things the "Right way" or at least not make too many mistakes trying out wrong ways of growing into my new self. I look forward to getting to know you all better over the coming weeks, months and years.

My current question is about hrt and energy. My doctor started me on spiro and e about 5 weeks ago, too early for blood tests. Some emotional changes are most evident, also some weight loss (~6 lbs), but mostly exhaustion. My get up and go has really gotten up and left. Many in your forums inputs speak of fatigue being common. How extreme is it for you and how long does it take to get past it?

I look forward to any inputs you can offer.
Anne

[V M]

Hi Anne 

Welcome to Susan's    Glad to have you here, join on in the fun

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Hugs

V M

[Dena]

Welcome to Susan's Place. I can't speak from experience because I was never on blockers but the reduction in testosterone in your system can account of that. A secondary consideration is you need plenty of fluid intake to avoid dehydration and your salt (sodium chloride) intake needs to be higher as well. Over time your body should adjust but I am not sure what the normal time would be.

As for avoiding mistakes, most of us have made plenty of them and are willing to share our knowledge to help you avoid the same mistakes. If there is anything I can help you with, let me know.

[Deborah]

In my experience the energy loss is permanent unless you stop the blockers.  But it really isn't severe or even noticeable very often.  Be sure you're getting enough sleep and enough to drink and that might alleviate most of it.

[kathclapp]

Welcome to Susan's 

[Michelle_P]

Welcome!

I'm 62 and on HRT just a little longer than you.  With spironolactone, I had to adjust my sodium intake and potassium intake a bit, and drink more water.  I had been on a very low sodium diet, 1000 mg/day max for sodium-sensitive pre-hypertension (138/90, a borderline case).  On spiro, I've had to raise my intake to 2000-2300 mg/day to avoid low blood pressure problems and get my blood sodium test levels back to normal, as well as drinking a couple of cups more of water/liquid a day.    I felt fairly wobbly some days until I got my new dietary routine down.

I do work out 5 days a week, including an hour on a cross-trainer/elliptical machine that measures my performance.  I did drop about 7% in my 'distance' for an hour at first, but I've been able to bring that back up over the past few weeks.

This stuff takes some getting used to, but I sure wouldn't want to stop HRT at this point! 

[BeverlyAnn]

Hi Anne, I'm 67 as of this past Thursday and completed my eighth week on HRT that same day so were pretty much parallel.  I'm also happily married, 46 years.   I'm certainly experiencing the emotional changes you mentioned.  Someone here told me to hang on and get ready for the ride when I started the hormones and wow, they were right but I can't comment on the loss of energy due to the spiro since I don't have to take any anti-androgens.  Anyway, welcome to Susan's and I look forward to hearing more from you.

[Paige33455]

Hi Anne,

It's very reassuring to see another who's started transition later in life ...helps alleviate my age related questions and concerns  if I may use that term.  I'm 67 too and just finishing up my 3rd month of HRT.  I haven't had the fatigue issues you mention (I'm also on Spiro) but I initially had nighttime muscle spasm in my legs.  Had to watch my water intake and they've gone away but I now get up at least 2X nightly to answer "nature's call".  Welcome and best wishes on your journey.

Trisha K


Mod Edit:Dosage

[LauraE]

It's nice to see posts from other women in my age range. I'll be turning 65 in September and hope to start HRT this fall. I do feel a fair amount of anxiety about whether HRT will truly make my outside match my inside. i've read posts from women in their 60's and apparently our "mileage may vary" meaning that perhaps we'll develop breasts and perhaps we won't.

I'd love to hear more stories from 60's women and their experiences.

Thanks,

Laura

[Deborah]

I'm pretty close to 60; I'll be 57 in a few months.  From what I can gather around here, what HRT is doing for me is generally as good as anyone else.  So, I think age, at least after puberty is finished,  is less a factor than the common wisdom suggests.

However, the effect on my mental state has been nothing short of miraculous.  So even if HRT did a lot less physically it would still be worth it.

[Anne Blake]

I would like to thank you all for the warm welcome, advice and encouragement. Hopefully getting more sleep and adding to the water intake will help. It is also great to hear from so many that are in my "more mature" range. 68 sounds old but I have not felt more alive or eager for tomorrow for a very long time. Being an engineer and analytical by nature I am trying to hold off on celebrating the anticipated changes until they manifest themselves more tangibly, but I can't fight off the excitement and urge to pursue the whimsy of it all. I look forward to hearing more stories from you all as we explore the new magic in our lives.

Anne