Alana's Journey

[Alana Ashleigh]

I started Estradiol almost two months ago (sans spiro because of underlying health concerns). No need for a bra yet but, like you Alana, I am noticing subtle changes in my sexuality and emotional lability. Please let me know if you start crying at commercials so I can stock up on tissue.

I've not been able to cry yet. It's been one of the only things about hrt that has been disappointing. The sexuality change caught me off guard. The intensity of being even more attracted to women wasn't something I was expecting.

[Dances With Trees]

The intensity of being even more attracted to women wasn't something I was expecting.

Yes! I love the unexpected turns in the road. Sometimes I feel like I've done this Freaky Friday thing and transformed into a young girl. For me, it's amazing (and mostly fun).

[Alana Ashleigh]

Yes! I love the unexpected turns in the road. Sometimes I feel like I've done this Freaky Friday thing and transformed into a young girl. For me, it's amazing (and mostly fun).

Definitely a good way to put it. I've caught that teenage girl attitude coming out of me a few times recently. It makes me laugh when it happens.

[Pema]

Alana, I'm in agreement with the others: Celebrate the happiness and save the guilt for something else (or toss it altogether).

On this:

Please let me know if you start crying at commercials so I can stock up on tissue.

I may be in trouble. My wife has always told people that I cry at Hallmark commercials, and it's true. What will happen with HRT?

[ChrissyRyan]

Definitely a good way to put it. I've caught that teenage girl attitude coming out of me a few times recently. It makes me laugh when it happens.

 I sometimes have dreams of how life should have been growing up.  This includes all the fuss made to make a daughter look precious and pretty over the years.  Getting my hair to look adorable.  My teen years, and college years the way they should have been.  Then better experiences as I started to transition and worked as female, because all my life everyone treated me as a female.

 But then reality sets in and I think more realistically, recognizing issues but also that I have done okay.  Life is good.  I am grateful.

 It is important to be grateful.


Chrissy

[Lori Dee]

I may be in trouble. My wife has always told people that I cry at Hallmark commercials, and it's true. What will happen with HRT?

Buy stock in Kleenex! 

[davina61]

I say what if things had happened earlier but then I would not change a thing as have had a good life. Not a great life but good, blessed with 3 great children and I have done things I liked . It was the right time for me to change, things just fell in place so go with the flow dear as it will happen when its time.

[ChrissyRyan]

I say what if things had happened earlier but then I would not change a thing as have had a good life. Not a great life but good, blessed with 3 great children and I have done things I liked . It was the right time for me to change, things just fell in place so go with the flow dear as it will happen when its time.

Sounds nice and reasonable Davina.

Hugs,

Chrissy

[Alana Ashleigh]

Today was pretty  much the same as yesterday. I was feeling giggly and silly a little bit ago, but had a big mood swing come out of nowhere. It has me feeling really heavy and overwhelmed with emotion.
   

[Lori Dee]

had a big mood swing come out of nowhere. It has me feeling really heavy and overwhelmed with emotion.

There are three things that you can do to help.

1. Change your thinking. Just choose to think about something else, something you enjoy.
2. Change your activity. Read a book, watch a movie, play a game, or do some exercise.
3. Change your environment. Go for a walk, visit a friend, take a bubble bath, play some music.

Sometimes our moods are triggered by things we are not consciously aware of, like a smell, a sound, or a memory. We like to blame our hormones, but they are not the cause. They only make us more sensitive to subtle things that can trigger us.

Give it a try.

Hugs!

[Northern Star Girl]

@Alana Ashleigh  @Lori Dee

Going for a walk usually works for me...

HUGS, Danielle

There are three things that you can do to help.

1. Change your thinking. Just choose to think about something else, something you enjoy.
2. Change your activity. Read a book, watch a movie, play a game, or do some exercise.
3. Change your environment. Go for a walk, visit a friend, take a bubble bath, play some music.

Sometimes our moods are triggered by things we are not consciously aware of, like a smell, a sound, or a memory. We like to blame our hormones, but they are not the cause. They only make us more sensitive to subtle things that can trigger us.

Give it a try.

Hugs!

[Maid Marion]

 I like play golf for a mental reset.  Like hitting the "big red switch!"

I also do retail therapy.  I've bought a lot stuff I didn't realize I needed!

I now own all sorts of specialty clothes.  I'm wearing a Terry cloth crop top and short shorts as it is 80 in the computer room right now. If I open up the windows and it cools down I can add a matching long sleeve pullover!

[Alana Ashleigh]

Sometimes our moods are triggered by things we are not consciously aware of, like a smell, a sound, or a memory. We like to blame our hormones, but they are not the cause. They only make us more sensitive to subtle things that can trigger us.

I agree with you on scent effecting moods. I didn't wear my normal perfume today, and I've felt so "meh" today. I experienced this same thing two weeks ago when I wore a different perfume. I just don't feel like the same woman when I wear something different.

[Lori Dee]

Back in the day, I sold scented candles. Each year, we would drive down to Phoenix for an annual convention. At one of them, they had a seminar featuring a psychologist and a perfumist. The psychologist explained how we form memories and that the "image" stored in our subconscious is a combination of all of our senses: sight, smell, sound, taste, touch, and emotion. Any one of the senses can evoke the memory, and thus the emotion. We may not even be aware of it, we just feel up or down. 

The perfumist had formerly worked for a big cosmetics company. She explained how scents are created and had us do experiments by combining the scents of different candles, then notice if it triggers a memory, or if it is something that you just like or dislike.

I discovered a very interesting combination accidentally while unboxing candles at the State Fair. I opened a large Lily candle and a small Rose candle, and the combined scent was heavenly. I don't know why, but I love it. 

[ChrissyRyan]

Bacon scented candles seem to be popular with some folks!

[Lori Dee]

Bacon scented candles seem to be popular with some folks!

I could tell you stories. But not here. This is Alana's space. 

[ChrissyRyan]

I could tell you stories. But not here. This is Alana's space. 

Lori,


Try your blog!


Chrissy

[Alana Ashleigh]

Today is my 10 day on patches, and my 88 day of hrt. Last night, I noticed that I'm
feeling emotions much more deeply. I've been on a roller coaster with my emotions in the last 24 hours. I'm due to change my patch tonight. I'm thinking about changing the time that I apply my patch... the joys of being a shift worker. 

[Lori Dee]

Today is my 10 day on patches, and my 88 day of hrt. Last night, I noticed that I'm
feeling emotions much more deeply. I've been on a roller coaster with my emotions in the last 24 hours. I'm due to change my patch tonight. I'm thinking about changing the time that I apply my patch... the joys of being a shift worker. 

It is good that you pay attention to what your body is telling you. By recognizing what might be the cause, there is no need to be alarmed. It also serves as a reminder: "Oh yeah, I gotta change patches tomorrow."