Early HRT questions

[Shadowsister]

Many many nights I've had only chocolate and milk for dinner.  I'd like to say those days are behind me, but I still do it:)

Bari Jo

Yes! Sometimes being bad feels so good. Many types of chocolate definitely constitute junk food, but when with HRT I had started to take my diet a bit more seriously I was shocked to learn that good quality dark chocolate can actually be quite a healthy food. Since it can be so bitter, what I like to do is used a cheese grater and grate it over fresh fruits like a mix of strawberries, blueberries and kiwi. It makes for a really healthy dessert that tastes far more sinful than it really is.

To folks like "Yay, Chocolate is healthy, she says!" I caution you to be careful. Much of the dark chocolate like that in gas stations or the impulse buy section of the grocery store checkout lane is really unchealthy. Research quality dark chocolate, brands like "Green & Black's" 85% cacao would be an example of a good, healthy chocolate. Lol so sorry for all that random writing you all just got me talking chocolate

[Becca Kay]

Just a few quick questions I'm curious about people's experiences regarding. I know there is a lot of variation person to person, but I'm looking for some general insight anyway.

First... how fast did you notice breasts being itchy? Because mine are itchy as hell and it's only been 16 days. But I don't know if it is coincidence (my skin irritates easy plus psoriasis) or if it actually happens this early.

Second... how long did it take for you to notice muscle/strength loss? Again, only 16 days which seems like it would be way too early to me, but there have been a few things that have happened last few days that confused me strength wise (stuff being way heavier than it should be, not able to tear some packaging I always have before, stuff like that). There's no way there is muscle loss that quickly right? (I was kind of banking on some start time leeway on that to keep losing weight more readily. )

1 week on HRT my skin began to change.  Less oily.  Acne lessened.  Clearer complexion on my face

3 weeks on HRT and i noticed what at the time felt profound kind of mental clarity.  I think it was in large part due to a massive decrease in sponaneous errections and drop off in sex drive.  For me that aspect of being a man was a constant source of anxiety.  When it waned the anxiety it caused went away too and it was an amazing feeling.

6 weeks on HRT and my breasts became sore, nipple area itchy.  That's continued up until now (just over 3 months).  three months ago I literally had a flat chest.  I wore tight fitting men's t shirts.  Some of those Ts simply don't fit anymore (around my bust).  I am an A cup now. 

8-12 weeks I noticed decreased musle tone and a bit of fat redistribution.  In fact, a month ago i was convinced that I had gained weight.  I have an eating disorder, so for me that's a big deal.  MY pants had become tighter.  I weighed myself and my weight was the same as it was prior to HRT.  4 months ago i had some noticeable tone to my mid section, which now is gone.  My tummy has no visable muscle tone now. 

[Becca Kay]

LOL, not long after I started HRT I had the worst diet. I'd do something like take cookies and crumble them over eggo waffles, top with choco syrup have that with a glass of Sprite and there was my dinner.

LOL

Halo Top Ice Cream is my new BF

[amberwaves]

Skin was soft and not oily by about day 4.  Breast buds started shortly after end week one. Body hair reduction took a few months.  Only marginal loss of strength and slight loss of mass after a year and a half (didn't really start until about 8-9 months).  The strength loss is mostly dependent upon how much you use your muscles.  Body fat took a while, but between 6months and a year I gained 20 pounds.  When I started dropping weight back in July it all came off male areas (belly and love handles mostly).  It was a shock to discover that my hips grew even with dropping weight.  Now I'm done about 25 lbs from where I started at and I have a pretty girly figure.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

[ajtent]

I am 5 weeks in on spiro and estrodial.
Breasts are budding (so cool) and hurt more than ever today.
The breast pain is OK but I like it as represents to me that they are growing.
I love caressing them....
I try to walk 4-6 miles a day and I hit the weight machine 3 times a week with one set each of moderate weight at 20-30 reps to.
I do a long session of Pilates once a week and that is amazing for my body and posture.
No strength loss and hopefully I won't experience much of that if I keep working out.
Can't wait for the reshaping and I am on a good vegetable, salad & Atkins kind of diet which is helping me lose 25 pounds so far.
Love that the male drive is completely gone (two weeks in to HRT) as I am now very calm and content with very good mental clarity and focus.
I am 5'10 and 180lbs and hope to get down to 150 between muscle and fat loss - hoping that some of the fat just moves to female places;)

[Cassi]

LOL

Halo Top Ice Cream is my new BF

What's Halo?

[Becca Kay]

What's Halo?

sugar free low calorie "ice cream"

http://www.halotop.com/

[Cassi]

sugar free low calorie "ice cream"

http://www.halotop.com/

Thanks, I didn't have a clue.  Being diabetic I should eat ice cream like this. 

[Becca Kay]

it's not the best flavor.  but when you're budgeting calories it's a nice treat.  and if you eat a whole pint its only a couple hundred calories.  I like it with a bit of sugar free reddi whip

[Jessica]

1 week on HRT my skin began to change.  Less oily.  Acne lessened.  Clearer complexion on my face

3 weeks on HRT and i noticed what at the time felt profound kind of mental clarity.  I think it was in large part due to a massive decrease in sponaneous errections and drop off in sex drive.  For me that aspect of being a man was a constant source of anxiety.  When it waned the anxiety it caused went away too and it was an amazing feeling.

6 weeks on HRT and my breasts became sore, nipple area itchy.  That's continued up until now (just over 3 months).  three months ago I literally had a flat chest.  I wore tight fitting men's t shirts.  Some of those Ts simply don't fit anymore (around my bust).  I am an A cup now. 

8-12 weeks I noticed decreased musle tone and a bit of fat redistribution.  In fact, a month ago i was convinced that I had gained weight.  I have an eating disorder, so for me that's a big deal.  MY pants had become tighter.  I weighed myself and my weight was the same as it was prior to HRT.  4 months ago i had some noticeable tone to my mid section, which now is gone.  My tummy has no visable muscle tone now.

My experience nearly mirrors Becca's, save for that I wear a B cup.  The hair on my lower legs have thinned to where there are bald spots.  That I think started in my 4th month.  My boobs have hurt always since the 1st month and they itch during what I perceive as growth spurts.

[RobynTx]

It wasn't till after I started getting my boobs that they started itching.  About two months in I woke up and they were painful.  They still hurt to this day but every now and then I get the itching.  I figured it was just them growing.

[Laurie]

 Ahhhh yes the itch.  I found that my nipples were fine until I removed my bra and then the itching began.

Hugs,
   Laurie

[Cassi]

Ahhhh yes the itch.  I found that my nipples were fine until I removed my bra and then the itching began.

Hugs,
   Laurie

Okay, here's something weird; the aerololas or however it's spelled tend to puff a little to the point you can feel where they end and the skin next to them lower if that makes sense.  Not all the time though which makes it weirder.

[Julia1996]

Okay, here's something weird; the aerololas or however it's spelled tend to puff a little to the point you can feel where they end and the skin next to them lower if that makes sense.  Not all the time though which makes it weirder.

Mine do that too. But as soon as they are touched they go back to normal. Mine seem to do that when I'm warm. If it's cold they shrink and stick out.

[Cassi]

Mine do that too. But as soon as they are touched they go back to normal. Mine seem to do that when I'm warm. If it's cold they shrink and stick out.

Thanks and I was beginning to worry about ya.  This is your first message today!  We have to keep a smarter eye on our Chef!

[Julia1996]

Thanks and I was beginning to worry about ya.  This is your first message today!  We have to keep a smarter eye on our Chef!

Sorry, I've been sleeping most of the day. Despite getting a flu shot I got the flu. Stupid Dr! I want my money back. I totally HATE being sick! This sucks.

[Cassi]

Sorry, I've been sleeping most of the day. Despite getting a flu shot I got the flu. Stupid Dr! I want my money back. I totally HATE being sick! This sucks.

I received a flu shot at the VA late last year and got sick.  Apparently, and based on history, it's better to get a little sick than to get the totally bad epidemic sick.

It wasn't until about 15 years ago that I didn't think much of the Flu until reading up on how bad it can get; Spanish Flu 1918 and thereabouts, Hong Kong Flu,Asian Flu, all have fatalities so we are lucky.

I'm very happy that you're okay other than a wee bit under the weather Sweetie.

[Julia1996]

I received a flu shot at the VA late last year and got sick.  Apparently, and based on history, it's better to get a little sick than to get the totally bad epidemic sick.

It wasn't until about 15 years ago that I didn't think much of the Flu until reading up on how bad it can get; Spanish Flu 1918 and thereabouts, Hong Kong Flu,Asian Flu, all have fatalities so we are lucky.

I'm very happy that you're okay other than a wee bit under the weather Sweetie.

Thank you. With my luck I have some weird strain of flu. When Tyler got home from class he came up to check on me. He asked how I was feeling, did I need anything, etc which I thought was sweet until he said " so......will you still be able to make dinner"?  REALLY Tyler? Really? Ugh! Just for that I should breath my germs on him.

[Cassi]

Thank you. With my luck I have some weird strain of flu. When Tyler got home from class he came up to check on me. He asked how I was feeling, did I need anything, etc which I thought was sweet until he said " so......will you still be able to make dinner"?  REALLY Tyler? Really? Ugh! Just for that I should breath my germs on him.

January of last year I was still living in Texas.  Southwest had a special on airline tickets; Houston-LAX-Houston for 90 bucks and I hadn't been back to LA since I left so I took advantage and flew out there.

I arrived on a Tuesday morning and by Thursday I was sick and continued to be sick until I left the following Tuesday and was sick for over a month.  Couldn't talk for a couple of weeks.  I'm old and made it, you're young and you'll be back on your feet in no time.