Becca's HRT Journey

[Becca Kay]

I cried at my first meeting too.  No harm, no foul.  Here's a link to the sheet I was given.  I took a picture of it for another in another thread.  Maybe this is useful, maybe just noise.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4yz6rupipnh25lq/IMAG2722.jpg?dl=0

Time to get another job quick!

Bari Jo

"male sexual dysfunction - variable "

LOL

[Becca Kay]

i don't know why but i found that funny

[Roll]

i don't know why but i found that funny

When my therapist was doing my letter she listed the side effects as due course, and I smirked at that one too.

[KayXo]

It's probably too soon to notice less oily skin, but YMMV.

Within a day of adding/increasing E orally or taking T (post-op), I see a difference in oiliness/dryness. The effect is quick!

[amberwaves]

Within a day of adding/increasing E orally or taking T (post-op), I see a difference in oiliness/dryness. The effect is quick!

Seriously, skin being less oily was the absolute first thing I noticed when starting hrt, approximately two days.  I can also tell a difference the next day if I miss a day of Spiro (happens sometimes due to refill errors).

Amber

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[judithlynn]

Hi Becca;
Getting laid off can be a really useful impetus to transition. Thats what happened to me. Luckily I was tipped off by a colleague that my firm was thinking about it. At the time I was working in IT for one of the UK car companies and  they were having a downsizing. So a month before I was going to be told, I applied for the company car discount policy (this allowed you to buy a new car for 40% discount to retail prices straight from the factory.). I did this then put it up for sale. This gave me some additional cash. I also used the process and advanced timing to set many things in motion. I "came out" to two close female friends. One was my secretary. The other was my next door neighbour. I also told  the other neighbours (a couple) The wife worked in a bank and she  was able to help me set up my new bank accounts. I also told the couple that I had a poly relationship with. I also set in motion my name change and as soon as I was made redundant started to apply for some temporary jobs as a woman in my profession. This turned out to be much harder than I thought. After being knocked back quite a lot because I stated upfront that I was TG, my therapist advised me then that I should be looking at more "female" type jobs . This was also the view then of the GIC at Charing Cross where all Transgender women were expected to be living full time as women as part of their RLE, focused on a relationship with a man and  be undertaking typically female jobs  like  shop assistant, clerical or secretarial or social work, or nursing rather than "Male oriented" type jobs.  Thus after a lot of advice, references from a few friendly women, I applied for a number of temporary "female type" in clerical and secretarial office jobs without disclosing that I was TG. Of course in the 80's it  was not good to be publicly "out"  as TG in the UK. I also did a shorthand course, brushed up on my office skills and initially took on a receptionist/telephonist job where I could present as 100% female. Obviously money was very tight at first, but I was able to socialise with other women all the time. Over time I was able to apply for better jobs ending up as a Legal secretary with a bank. My boss was a woman.
Judith

[Becca Kay]

Wow, judithlynn.  Thank you for sharing!

I think i'm coming to a realization that losing my job, marriage, house, etc. can be an opportunity for me.  So I gave work a verbal committment that I'd leave within 4 months.   My job has been a constant cause of anxiety.  I've been worrying for a long time about having to transition there.  My current employer touts a progressive LGBTQ policy.  Their health insurance plan even pays for HRT and bottom surgery.  But I still worried for a long time that my boss would not treat me fairly if I transitioned.  Now that they're pushing me out it's irrelevent.  I'm getting a severance package.  It's enough for me to take a year off work (which I won't do).  Or it would allow me to move and start a new life somewhere else.  there are a couple of cities i've always wanted to live, places I visit often and have a lot of friends. 

I'm starting a job search.  I've hired a consultant to write my resume for me and revise my Linkdin profile.  I'm also going to use an exec search firm to help my job search.

I've decided that it's best not to come out to more than my close friends right now. I'm going to do a job search as the male that everyone already knows. I want to get a job with a progressive company that will allow me to continue to transition.  Once i do and I feel safe I'll continue down my path. 

[Laurie]

Hi Becca,

  I think that you are doing a really positive thing for yourself with this "opportunity". Bravo ! I believe you will be better off for it by taking this approach and attitude. Keep that  going and you will do well for yourself girl.

Hugs,
    Laurie

[Becca Kay]

is it possible that after only 3 weeks i'd have a mental/psychological effect from HRT? Over the last 4 or 5 days my dysphoria has reduced noticeably.  It's really strange.  I've not felt like this in a long long time. 

I'm certain that it's also improving my skin.  I've always had oily skin and that's pretty much gone.  And my complexion (face) has cleared up noticeably. And I haven'thad an erection in days (thank god! it's such a relief)! I'm also two weeks past a lazer treatment and my face is smoother and has less hair than I've had since before puberty. 

My dysphoria isn't gone or anything like that.  It's just lessened.  Is this what it is supposed to feel like?

[Devlyn]

Three weeks matches my experience, that's when I knew changes were coming. Starting with the skin, soon followed by signs of activity in the breastal zone. 

Hugs, Devlyn

[Becca Kay]

Got my first prescription refill this week.  One month in. 

My body oder has changed.  I don't smell at all like I used to.  it's amazing.  I always had guy B.O. and I hated it.  I would use women's doderant but after a few hours every day i'd still smell like guy sweat.  Now it's basically gone. 

If i never fully transition and I had to just have these few things I think I could accept it. 

[Laurie]

 Yep, Becca, That certainly does happen. Isn't it nice to know that change is underway? Smile girl, there is more fun to come.

Hugs,
   Laurie

[Becca Kay]

woke up today with sore nipples. 


I didn't expect to start feeling that so soon.  I'm at once happy and scared. 

i go for blood work tomorrow so my Endo can check hormone levels.  I'm on a low dose of Estradiol.   I was originally thinking that would mean it could be a while before I experienced any noticeable changes.

[Becca Kay]

how do I change the title of the tread to "Becca's HRT Journey"?

[Dena]

Make it official by going to the first post in the thread and hit the report to moderator button to the right. You will be prompted for the reason where you can explain what you want. We can retitle every post in the thread or just the first.

[Becca Kay]

whooo hoooo!     My thread title is changed!!! 

[Becca Kay]

I have cried more in the last 3 weeks than in the prior 3 years.  i didn't used to cry.  I would get angry.  I would get frustrated.  But I rarely cried.  I would stew in my anger and frustration.  Perhaps coming out to a few people and starting down my transition has unburdened my mind.  But it seems like a huge coincidence that the changes in my mental state are so closely synced with HRT. 

i like it.  I told my best friend today that the past few weeks i've felt more like myself (mentally) than I have in many many years.  I tried to articulate this feeling to my therapist as well.  I had recently discussed going back on zoloft.  Now i'm not so sure.

[Laurie]

Hi Becca

  I read your last post and just want to say the estradiol could be what you need to keep your spirits up. If it was me I would give the HRT a go before going back to the Zoloft. See what happens. Zoloft is what I started taking about a month ago and we're still in trail mode going up to double what I am taking at the moment in 2 weeks. I'm still waiting for the magic to happen. lol

  As for the thread title, we do try to help where we can. It is a much better title now.

Hugs,
   Laurie

[Becca Kay]

I've been on Zoloft before.  I was on it for several years.  Then last year I weened myself off of it.  It did help with my anxiety, especially my eating disorder.   But it didn't make me 'happy' and it didn't significantly help with my dysphoria.  It kind of took the edge off, though. 

my therapist has been nudging me to get back on zoloft. she's worried that I'll stop eating or self harm.   But the past two weeks i've felt so mucy more myself in my head that she's stopped insisting on it.

[Laurie]

Well that does sound good indeed Becca. I hope the good feelings continue for you.

Laurie