Starting HRT and anxiety meds at the same time

[LJH24]

My daughter has another Dr's appointment and, assuming we make it there, she has indicated she wants to talk with the Dr. about not just starting HRT but also some sort of anxiety medicine.  I'm just wondering if anyone has experience with this. Is it a good idea to start them both at the same time, or would it be better to start with one and see how she reacts to it? 

Also, we (DH & I) are supposed to be leaving on vacation 1 week after she would be starting the new meds. I'm worried (especially if she starts anxiety meds) about whether she should head back to her apartment and roommates - or if we need to be with her to keep an eye on how she is reacting to the new Rx.  Any thoughts on that?  Thanks.

[Kendra]

I don't have personal experience with anti-anxiety medications.  Responses to HRT vary quite a bit and may depend on dosage and delivery method, but in my case the mental changes from MtF HRT were very positive and quite immediate.  If she experiences something similar, it would be good to understand the source of positive or negative change.   

[MicheleAdams]

My daughter has another Dr's appointment and, assuming we make it there, she has indicated she wants to talk with the Dr. about not just starting HRT but also some sort of anxiety medicine.  I'm just wondering if anyone has experience with this. Is it a good idea to start them both at the same time, or would it be better to start with one and see how she reacts to it? 

Also, we (DH & I) are supposed to be leaving on vacation 1 week after she would be starting the new meds. I'm worried (especially if she starts anxiety meds) about whether she should head back to her apartment and roommates - or if we need to be with her to keep an eye on how she is reacting to the new Rx.  Any thoughts on that?  Thanks.

I'd have measured concern with the anti-anxiety meds. Sometimes they get an unexpected reaction and it's a good rule of thumb to have someone close paying attention when changes are introduced. If they are indicated, you're weighing delay against risks of not taking them. I'd ask for discussion from the doc specifically asking these things.

[Amie June]

I have an anxiety disorder too, and suggest you help her keep her life manageable at this time. Maybe keep her with you and give her the care and support she needs. Anti-anxiety meds AND HRT is a lot at once. I hope she does well

Lindy

[PollyQMcLovely]

I don't take anti anxiety meds but I take antipsychotics and antidepressants, amphetamines and opiates and there's no issue. If anything starting HRT made an appreciable improvement in my mental state though this might not be because of the medicine so much as it is a result of a more positive outlook on life.

Edit: I didn't realize till I read the following post that both HRT and anti anxiety meds were both being started simultaneously. I wouldn't recommend it. Psych meds can have weird side effects like crazy bad acne.

[Dani]

Starting two different new medications at the same time can be problematic. If you have a bad reaction, how will you know which new medication is the cause? It is much better to first determine which medication is needed to treat the more serious condition and start that drug alone.

Having said that, HRT has released me from a lot of anxiety and depression I had due to my gender dysphoria. I am not the only one who says that we feel much better when beginning HRT.

[LJH24]

I don't have personal experience with anti-anxiety medications.  Responses to HRT vary quite a bit and may depend on dosage and delivery method, but in my case the mental changes from MtF HRT were very positive and quite immediate.  If she experiences something similar, it would be good to understand the source of positive or negative change.

That's what I was thinking as well. I think she will eventually need some sort of anti-anxiety meds because her anxiety is so severe, but it would be good to see how much of an effect the HRT has.  Obviously, we haven't talked to the Dr about this - and this might be exactly what he says.  Just wanted to get some other opinions. Thanks, Kendra 

[LJH24]

I'd have measured concern with the anti-anxiety meds. Sometimes they get an unexpected reaction and it's a good rule of thumb to have someone close paying attention when changes are introduced. If they are indicated, you're weighing delay against risks of not taking them. I'd ask for discussion from the doc specifically asking these things.
[/quote

My daughter is very concerned about side-effects from the anti-anxiety meds (which is one of the reasons it has taken her so long to decide to take them).  I'm hoping the Dr. will be on board with letting her start HRT and then add anti-anxiety meds at a later date.

[LJH24]

I don't take anti anxiety meds but I take antipsychotics and antidepressants, amphetamines and opiates and there's no issue. If anything starting HRT made an appreciable improvement in my mental state though this might not be because of the medicine so much as it is a result of a more positive outlook on life.

Edit: I didn't realize till I read the following post that both HRT and anti anxiety meds were both being started simultaneously. I wouldn't recommend it. Psych meds can have weird side effects like crazy bad acne.

Oh no, not acne!! That's all she needs.

[LJH24]

Starting two different new medications at the same time can be problematic. If you have a bad reaction, how will you know which new medication is the cause? It is much better to first determine which medication is needed to treat the more serious condition and start that drug alone.

Having said that, HRT has released me from a lot of anxiety and depression I had due to my gender dysphoria. I am not the only one who says that we feel much better when beginning HRT.

I really hope that HRT has the same outcome for my daughter.  Her anxiety seems to be getting worse and worse.

[Allison S]

Well what would she prefer first? Just something to think about when she talks to her doctor. I agree hrt can take the edge off but if her anxiety isn't solely around just getting hrt, then it all depends. Antidepressant can take the edge off a bit too?

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[LJH24]

Well what would she prefer first? Just something to think about when she talks to her doctor. I agree hrt can take the edge off but if her anxiety isn't solely around just getting hrt, then it all depends. Antidepressant can take the edge off a bit too?

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She isn't positive. She said she thinks she wants to start HRT first, but wasn't too sure.  I have definitely talked with her about this already so that we are on the same page going into the Dr's office. 

[LJH24]

Well the Dr said he didn't want to start both at the same time. He said he would prefer to start her on Zoloft first and see how she does and then start with HRT after that. He said he feels that the anti-anxiety meds will be the most immediate help to her. She seems ok with this. DH is at Costco now filling the Rx.  Tough appointment though. She has such a hard time talking about what is going on inside.  Once we got the car she broke down crying.  My heart hurts for her.

[Allison S]

Well the Dr said he didn't want to start both at the same time. He said he would prefer to start her on Zoloft first and see how she does and then start with HRT after that. He said he feels that the anti-anxiety meds will be the most immediate help to her. She seems ok with this. DH is at Costco now filling the Rx.  Tough appointment though. She has such a hard time talking about what is going on inside.  Once we got the car she broke down crying.  My heart hurts for her.

Of course, you're her mom. I don't know what to say because I know your daughter's pain. It's very hard and what pulls us through is a miracle. It was/is for me at least

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[MicheleAdams]

He said he feels that the anti-anxiety meds will be the most immediate help to her.

That's a good point. Feminizing hormones are quite slow, sometimes 18-24 months for most of the effects.

[JessGK]

My daughter has another Dr's appointment and, assuming we make it there, she has indicated she wants to talk with the Dr. about not just starting HRT but also some sort of anxiety medicine.  I'm just wondering if anyone has experience with this. Is it a good idea to start them both at the same time, or would it be better to start with one and see how she reacts to it? 

Also, we (DH & I) are supposed to be leaving on vacation 1 week after she would be starting the new meds. I'm worried (especially if she starts anxiety meds) about whether she should head back to her apartment and roommates - or if we need to be with her to keep an eye on how she is reacting to the new Rx.  Any thoughts on that?  Thanks.

I think it's a bad idea to start both at the same time. Any organism/body system is in stress when you start smth new. My friend's sister started with anti-anxiety meds first and when she used to its effect, she started HRT.