Post Op HRT Levels / Depression

[Princess_Jasmine]

Hello everyone its been a while! I am almost 4 months post op, and I just finally need to post about this. I am 21 years old and have been on hormones total for 1 year 8 months. Since my surgery, I have noticed that I've become depressed and lost a majority of the breast tissue I used to have. I was about an A cup before but now I'm a double A, and I can tell my face is not looking as feminine as it once was. My skin is not as soft, and just my features look different slightly when I compare pictures to now vs. before my surgery, and not for the better. I've had much anxiety and depression since the surgery and not for any reason, just this feeling of anxiety lingers as if I'm on my period or PMSing. I dont know what to do to feel normal and ecstatic like I did before surgery. I dont understand this because I am so happy that I am finally complete and can finally not think about having the wrong parts but yet these psychological and physical changes from the hormone changes are killing me. I am no longer on spiro, and I was taking 3/4 of the amount of estradiol I used to be on. I had my hormone levels tested and my endo told me they were fine, and my therapist told me I would probably end up on half the amount of estradiol instead of 3/4 based on my levels. Since yesterday I started half the dosage of estradiol and I'm hoping it does the trick.

I've been researching on the internet symptoms of estrogen dominance and I feel like maybe that's the problem? Maybe I'm on too much estrogen and its causing all of these changes? Can someone please explain to me what on earth is going on here because I just haven't felt like myself at all for the past 4 months. I used to be on bio-identical progesterone but stopped taking it a month ago because it didn't seem to be doing anything.

Has anyone experienced emotional/physical changes from the change in hormones post op besides me? How much did you need to shift your dosage and is there anything I can do? I have always been known as "too happy for my own good" and now I just don't feel like myself mentally anymore. Can someone help me here! Thanks so much.

[juliemac]

My endo dropped the progesterone and halved the estrogen.
Months later I feel tired, burned out, very low in energy. Could be my job, which is high stress.

I also gained weight quickly and despite a decent food intake, could not reduce it.

Yesterday I learned that a drop in testosterone(SP) could cause the same effect.
I'm calling my endo today to have my hormone levels checked and get a T booster if needed to raise my T to female levels.

[Princess_Jasmine]

That is interesting. But the thing is even before surgery when I had my testosterone levels checked, they were immeasurable before so I don't see how that could be the cause this time? Any other experiences/opinions?

[Kristyn]

My doctor kept my dosage the same.  I did notice it took a while before everything started to bounce back--about the 5 month mark until I started feeling normal again.  Prior to that, I had some crazy skin changes going on, moodiness and depression.  I'm doing much better now--skin is fine, moods are in check and my boobs have really bounced back! (excuse the pun, but I couldn't resist).  Give it some more time, maybe you are just a little slow to come around like me.

[lisagurl]

Hello everyone its been a while! I am almost 4 months post op, and I just finally need to post about this

It takes about a year to get back to normal after SRS. Being female is not as energizing as male. I am on 1/4 of what I taken before SRS. For a year I was on half and my levels were in the pregnancy range. Yes, you gain weight and for some a chest never develops. One size does not fit all. Eat healthy and exercise get your sleep. You might just have too high expectations.