Alana's Journey

[Alana Ashleigh]

I've been eagerly awaiting the physical changed from hrt, and it looks like I'm slowly starting to get them. I'm definitely starting to see my face get softer, my skin texture is different, and I'm ever so slightly starting to get some fat redistribution. 😁

[Lori Dee]

I've been eagerly awaiting the physical changed from hrt, and it looks like I'm slowly starting to get them. I'm definitely starting to see my face get softer, my skin texture is different, and I'm ever so slightly starting to get some fat redistribution. 😁

I first noticed it on my legs. Less muscle definition and softer skin. But I see my legs more than my face. 

But after that, I did notice my facial features softening, so I look more like my mom and less like my dad. Sorry, Pops. 

[ChrissyRyan]

I've been eagerly awaiting the physical changed from hrt, and it looks like I'm slowly starting to get them. I'm definitely starting to see my face get softer, my skin texture is different, and I'm ever so slightly starting to get some fat redistribution. 😁

The facial changes were very nice to see. 

[Lilis]

I've been eagerly awaiting the physical changed from hrt, and it looks like I'm slowly starting to get them. I'm definitely starting to see my face get softer, my skin texture is different, and I'm ever so slightly starting to get some fat redistribution. 😁

Yay! At early 30's it sounds like you're right on schedule, and can potentially be someone whose body responds well.

Congrats! 🎉


I can't wait for some pics. 


~ Lilis 🌷

[Alana Ashleigh]

It was a slow night at work last night, so I had some time to think.. I'm finally starting to feel like I'm becoming the person I always should've been. Deadname wasn't a happy person. Alana is a very happy person. 

[Sephirah]

It was a slow night at work last night, so I had some time to think.. I'm finally starting to feel like I'm becoming the person I always should've been. Deadname wasn't a happy person. Alana is a very happy person. 

Alana is a very awesome person. Girl, I've watched you grow and strive and yearn to be who you are. You've come such a massive long way from that introverted, shy, insecure girl I met a long time ago. You have come out of your shell and seen the world as it can be.

I am SO proud of you. You are an inspiration to everyone who thinks they can't do this.

[ChrissyRyan]

Alana,


You go girl!


Chrissy

[Alana Ashleigh]

One thing I've really been noticing that I'm experiencing more frequently the longer I'm on hrt, is I get the feeling of being overwhelmed. The feeling will come out of nowhere, and for no reason.

[Lori Dee]

One thing I've really been noticing that I'm experiencing more frequently the longer I'm on hrt, is I get the feeling of being overwhelmed. The feeling will come out of nowhere, and for no reason.

There could be many reasons for this. Your body is adjusting to the hormones. But transitioning itself has a lot of moving parts, so a lot is happening in the background. You may not be consciously aware of it all, but your mind is, and is processing more data.

Have you been getting enough sleep? When you sleep, do you sleep well? When you wake up, do you feel refreshed or drained?

Sleep is very important to help us deal with all kinds of stress. Sleep not only helps the body heal and rejuvenate, but it is also when the mind processes all of the information that it has absorbed over the last 24 hours. Typically, this happens during REM sleep, so if you are not sleeping well, it can interfere with the mind's ability to process.

People who experience trauma usually feel like they just want to sleep. This is the mind telling them it needs to process these experiences. When people go without sleep, or their sleep is interrupted, they may feel emotionally drained because their mind did not have a chance to process. This can lead to irritability or a sense of being overwhelmed.

Have you noticed problems with your sleep? I would also talk to your therapist about this. If sleep is not the issue, perhaps your therapist can help you figure out what is going on. For this to happen occasionally is not unusual. But if it is happening more frequently, it might be time to have someone take a closer look.

I hope you can get it resolved soon.

Hugs!

[ChrissyRyan]

I have been awaking too early for many mornings recently. Often I can get back to sleep.
So it's important to monitor how your sleep impacts you.

In regards to being overwhelmed, if you are anxious about some things, this can contribute to the feeling of being overwhelmed.  Transitioning can bring about some uncertainty, disquieting you, make one wondering if you can handle all the important things in life, and bring about some fears.  All that can contribute to feeling overwhelmed.

I wish you get some inner peace and comfort to pull you through this current feeling.

Hugs,


Chrissy

[Alana Ashleigh]

I have been awaking too early for many mornings recently. Often I can get back to sleep.
So it's important to monitor how your sleep impacts you.

In regards to being overwhelmed, if you are anxious about some things, this can contribute to the feeling of being overwhelmed.  Transitioning can bring about some uncertainty, disquieting you, make one wondering if you can handle all the important things in life, and bring about some fears.  All that can contribute to feeling overwhelmed.

I wish you get some inner peace and comfort to pull you through this current feeling.

Hugs,


Chrissy

I'm having a lot of anxiety lately. I don't have a good reason for feeling anxious that I can think of.

[Alana Ashleigh]

There could be many reasons for this. Your body is adjusting to the hormones. But transitioning itself has a lot of moving parts, so a lot is happening in the background. You may not be consciously aware of it all, but your mind is, and is processing more data.

Have you been getting enough sleep? When you sleep, do you sleep well? When you wake up, do you feel refreshed or drained?

Sleep is very important to help us deal with all kinds of stress. Sleep not only helps the body heal and rejuvenate, but it is also when the mind processes all of the information that it has absorbed over the last 24 hours. Typically, this happens during REM sleep, so if you are not sleeping well, it can interfere with the mind's ability to process.

People who experience trauma usually feel like they just want to sleep. This is the mind telling them it needs to process these experiences. When people go without sleep, or their sleep is interrupted, they may feel emotionally drained because their mind did not have a chance to process. This can lead to irritability or a sense of being overwhelmed.

Have you noticed problems with your sleep? I would also talk to your therapist about this. If sleep is not the issue, perhaps your therapist can help you figure out what is going on. For this to happen occasionally is not unusual. But if it is happening more frequently, it might be time to have someone take a closer look.

I hope you can get it resolved soon.

Hugs!

My work schedule has been very wonky the last few weeks. I should be go back a straight shift in a few days. That is definitely playing a part in this, I suspect. It's interesting you mention sleep. I've been having very intense dreams lately.

[Lori Dee]

My work schedule has been very wonky the last few weeks. I should be go back a straight shift in a few days. That is definitely playing a part in this, I suspect. It's interesting you mention sleep. I've been having very intense dreams lately.

I think you might be onto something there. REM sleep is when your mind processes all of the stuff it has observed and stored in short-term memory. If something happens (good or bad) that stirs a strong emotional response, that memory will be stronger than something like remembering that you walked into a room.

During REM, the mind sorts through these memories, much like sorting your mail. The important stuff gets moved into long-term memory, and the "junk mail" gets moved to the "discard pile". Memories that are stored in the brain require energy to maintain them, just like a computer. This sorting process allows the mind to be more efficient by not wasting energy on unimportant things.

What happens to the "discard pile"? A way to think of it is like this. It required energy to store those memories in the first place, so the mind needs a way to recover that energy. Since the memories are a collection of data received from the senses, the energy recovery process is the same thing in reverse, out through the senses. We experience this process as dreams.

The subject matter of the dream is not important because it is just "junk mail" being purged from the system. It is not something to worry about. Powerful dreams are a sign that powerful stuff is being purged and that energy is being reclaimed. The problems arise when REM sleep is interrupted so that the mind can't clear out the clutter. If the dreams are too powerful or too disruptive, they can cause you to wake up before the work was done. Over time, this can leave you feeling fatigued, overwhelmed, anxious, or stressed. This is a common problem with shift workers.

My dad worked rotating shifts when he worked for NASA. When he worked Days or Graveyard, he was ok. But when he worked Swing Shift, he had a rough time of it. Working on four hours, off four hours, then back on four hours, makes it hard to adjust to. Then just when you've about had it covered, your shift changes to something else.

Hopefully, this will get resolved when you get back to straight shifts.

[Northern Star Girl]

@Alana Ashleigh  @Lori Dee

When I started college right after high school I had a job that was swing shift. 
.I hated it, then I changed to graveyard night shift and it was much easier for me to deal with. 

I would get off work at 7:00am and head to a restaurant that served lunch and dinner food 24 Hours a day.
I did not want breakfast after working my night shift, I usually ordered a Cheeseburger and Fries
for my morning meals when I got off work... and soon heading to my classes.

HUGS, Danielle [Northern Star Girl]

[Alana Ashleigh]

@Alana Ashleigh  @Lori Dee

When I started college right after high school I had a job that was swing shift. 
.I hated it, then I changed to graveyard night shift and it was much easier for me to deal with. 

I would get off work at 7:00am and head to a restaurant that served lunch and dinner food 24 Hours a day.
I did not want breakfast after working my night shift, I usually ordered a Cheeseburger and Fries
for my morning meals when I got off work... and soon heading to my classes.

HUGS, Danielle [Northern Star Girl]

I go back to working straight afternoons tomorrow. That should help tremendously. I was working days, then middays the last few weeks. Working afternoons has always been my preferred schedule. I tried working graveyard shift when I was in college. It was very hard on me.

[Lori Dee]

I go back to working straight afternoons tomorrow. That should help tremendously. I was working days, then middays the last few weeks. Working afternoons has always been my preferred schedule. I tried working graveyard shift when I was in college. It was very hard on me.

It takes time for your body to adjust to different sleep schedules. In the Army, when we did Night Training, they would gradually adjust our schedule for a week, then we would work nights for 30-60 days, followed by another week of an adjustment schedule to get us back to working days.