Fast vs. Slow HRT

[MsAllannah1!]

Hey everyone...So I'm a week away from my appointment to start up my HRT again. I've yo-yo-ed so much and this will be, I think, my fifth starting. I tend to panic as I start to feel and see any results...odd how we can sometimes fear what we want most. I want to make sure that doesn't happen this time so I'm trying to decide (and bear in mind I'm now 58), should I have the doctor do mild HRT with maybe the occasional injection so I go slow or do I max out with pellets so I can just dive into the deep end and no turning back? Any suggestions based on your own experience?

[Bari Jo]

I'm only starting again, but based on my experience, pellets are much more comfortable and I do like the no turning back approach this time.  Sure, I get scared still, but with help, I'll overcome my fears.  I bet you will be the same based on our conversations.

Bari Jo

[Harley Quinn]

Honestly, I think low dose or just blockers is more difficult than just going full throttle hormones... you're not going to feel as good. Lack of hormones/low hormones feels like crap in my humble opinion. Implants don't really come out so you'd hit 5 months no problem... but you just need to work out your fears and move forward whole heartedly. I had a lot of support to get me through the rough patches... get your support system in place before you start. It all gets better with time. Good luck!

[Toni]

I switched to pellets about 6 weeks ago and I'm not sure just yet.  I was started out at what was supposed to be 1/2 dose (about "50") for a few weeks and then ramp up after seeing how my body reacted.  I had to stop everything (so I was told) else for a month before the switch (I was 20 months heavy hormones going into this).  Now I'm told that my blood tests came back last week and I'm at 28, full ahead being 120.  I've essentially been in menopause for the last 10 weeks, it ain't pretty.  Friday I've been promised that we'll get up to speed with a lot more pellets in my butt, I have a fairly fast metabolism.  So..........the following was true for me, pellets took about 3 weeks before I felt anything (low dose?), butt was sore every bit of two weeks, not really cheap and apparently not easy to predict/adjust.  I definitely want to get back to max, only way to go IMHO.  Not sure about pellet, if I don't see better results I would go back to sublingual tabs.  They're easy to take and very easy to adjust.  I have to time these pellets just right because I'm doing srs in Feb and surgeon wants to see hormones slowed down two weeks before so I have to time this so that the pellets are ending prior to surgery and then yo-yo until after and then new pellets and a couple weeks to get them going.  Believe me, if you're going to do this, commit and DO IT.  Toni

[MsAllannah1!]

Thanks all....I'm getting the sense that you're all pro-jumping into the deep end. It does seem appealing but scary....I wish it was easy to just dive in and enjoy it rather than worry.

[Bari Jo]

It definitely is still scary.  .  Being able to talk issues over here, in person, and at group help.  There's no way I would have been able to do pellets without the support I have found.

Whatever you decide though, remember you have friends that will help.

Bari Jo

[MsAllannah1!]

Thanks....it's so surreal to know that maybe I wasn't the only one all these years. Just get sad quite often that I didn't follow through with everything back when I was 20 and was prescribed HRT the first time. How different life could have been....

[KathyLauren]

Thanks all....I'm getting the sense that you're all pro-jumping into the deep end. It does seem appealing but scary....I wish it was easy to just dive in and enjoy it rather than worry.

One thing I have found helpful when dealing with fear is to look it in the eye.  Instead of thinking "that is scary" or even "I am afraid of...", frame the thought as "I am afraid that...<some specific event will happen>".  Fear tends to be centred about something happening, rather than of an object.  Framing the though as being afraid that something will happen will get you closer to the source than framing it as a fear of a thing.

Once the fear is out in the open, it is easier to confront it and deal with it.

[Bari Jo]

Just get sad quite often that I didn't follow through with everything back when I was 20 and was prescribed HRT the first time. How different life could have been....

Yes, I have the same sadness, and mine was in high school!  I've learned to not concentrate on my past though.  I have lots of things I could have done.  This is my present, and your present.  Think if you for now.

[Pisces228]

No matter what you pick, if hrt isnt right for you, it can be stopped.  Some methods might have a longer time to wait out (implants) but you can stop if you want to.  Maybe remembering that will help you not be so stessed and panic.

[MsAllannah1!]

Thanks everyone....I so appreciate the encouragement. I know I'm still going to freak out by the end of the week and have at least 57 separate thoughts about canceling but reading your words do give me courage.

[Charlie Nicki]

I think it all depends on what you want. I started on a higher dose pretty quickly and decided to stop, now I'm restarting with a lower dose. I got super depressed last time due to a breakup but kinda felt like the hormones were making everything bigger. So right now I just prefer having a lower dose and a smoother ride rather than quicker results but risking being emotionally unstable.

But again, everyone is different, is all up to what your expectations are.