Starting to have problems with HRT ...

[Amie June]

I'm hoping someone can share their wisdom, experience, ideas for surviving this process. I started HRT 7 weeks ago with oral estradiol and Spiro. My doctor cut my Spiro dose in half several weeks ago when I started to have some anxiety. I switched to a weekly estradiol patch 9 days ago for health reasons. But the anxiety just became a bigger problem. I had acute anxiety last evening, all night and into this morning. I need to add that I've also had good days too, okay days, and periods of wonderfulness, but overall I feel the HRT process is starting to wear me down. I'm 61 and I've dreamed of this. I don't even want to consider giving up, but it's recently crossed my mind.

I left a message with my endo this morning.

My thoughts on a sunny day.

Lindy

[stephaniec]

I take anti anxiety meds

[RobynTx]

Talk to your doctor.  There is no other safe option.  Everyone is different and what may have worked for another person here in the past might now work for you.  Write down questions that you want to ask.  That way you are not forgetting something when you see the doctor.  Be honest and tell them everything, no matter how small you think it is.  Just hang in there.

[Mendi]

I had anxiety also at the beginning, mainly about how this is going to turn out in the end. It at least for me evens out when I started to notice changes and I could walk in the streets without anyone laughing at me (full-time).

Not sure if that´s the same for you.

Also, the huge roller coaster at the first five months is now starting to even out and I can handle disappointments much better. Got kicked out of work because I´m a transwoman who demands her rights. Few months ago I would have been crying at home probably unable to go to work, but now, now I just shrug it off.

[KayXo]

Anxiety can be due to too little E as your T is suppressed/inhibited. You should go see your doctor again until this is resolved.

[josie76]

Spiro also has the potential to inhibit some enzymes needed for the production of neurotransmitter hormones. Less likely than finasteride or duteraside but still a possibility. Other things like Kay said, too low of E and low T can cause emotional changes. For me I also found being prescribed progesterone really smoothed out my moods.

Usually anxiety is more situational so you might consider seeing a phych doctor and talking with them about anxiety. I started seeing a dr for anxiety years before transitioning. I have been taking Zoloft (sertraline) for years.

[Janes Groove]

Are you seeing a counselor?

[Amie June]

Are you seeing a counselor?

Yes. I have a good therapist and psychiatrist. The anxiety was worrisome because it accompanied other weirdness. I'll see both of my clinicians soon. Luckily, I started feeling better yesterday. Thanks for asking

Lindy

[Amie June]

Anxiety can be due to too little E as your T is suppressed/inhibited. You should go see your doctor again until this is resolved.

I had a hunch this might be true. My changing levels could be colliding with unexpected/unwanted effects. I see my endo, therapist, and psychiatrist soon so I can check in with everyone. Thanks for the input.

Lindy

[felixtemin]

Hi,
I am on the patches too.
It has taken a while to get the levels I need.
I was initially prescribed one patch which annoyed me, as there is no way to get to the preferred serum levels needed with one patch.
My doctor allowed me to up the dose.
In the end I have two patches, if one comes off ( every 2-3 days) I replace it.

I think the anxiety, and in my case crushing depression, comes not from the absolute level of E, but the delta.
i.e. If the drop is severe and fast I get very depressed and tearful.
This only happens if I forget to replace a patch or both come off in rapid succession.

I tried injections, but I just went totally mad.
Too little, then too much... crazyness!

I would like the pellets, but Kaiser does not do pellets. :-(

Work with your doctor, they have to respond and deal with this.
Look up what your serum level target should be, before talking to them.
If in doubt, insist on talking to an endocrinologist.
Although both doctors, and endos, tend to think that some estrogen is enough.... so not true.

Hope you get it right.

F

[Amie June]

Hi,
I am on the patches too.
Work with your doctor, they have to respond and deal with this.
Look up what your serum level target should be, before talking to them.
If in doubt, insist on talking to an endocrinologist.
Although both doctors, and endos, tend to think that some estrogen is enough.... so not true.

Hope you get it right.

F

Thanks for sharing your experience, F. I know it's early for me, only 8 weeks, but it sure has not been a party. I see my endo in 2 weeks for follow up and then may switch to another doctor. I have many other issues which I think complicates things. I haven't given up yet - I'm wearing pink pajamas and silver hoop earrings - but I sure feel the gender gods are testing me!

Hugs
Lindy