Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: islandgirl on January 24, 2015, 08:20:23 AM Return to Full Version

Title: Today is Day #1
Post by: islandgirl on January 24, 2015, 08:20:23 AM
Yesterday, I had my first endo appointment. I was so excited about finally getting to this day, I went into the city early. I ended up walking around in circles, in the rain, not knowing whether I could eat something or not, due to needed a blood test, and ended up sitting in my car reading just to pass the time.

I decided to just to go the the doctor's office early, just to get out of the rain. I took my book and all my nervous energy and got there over an hour early. After all the waiting, here I was sitting in the place that for all so long I thought I would never get to! What would I do if nothing happened? What if the doctor didn't agree or accept the letter from my counsellor? What if.... Too many things kept running through my head.

When my name was finally called, I felt all these things drop away and a sense of peace came over me. i all of sudden was very relaxed, probably because my doctor turned out to be so wonderful. A half hour later I left with my prescription for spiro and a blood test request form. I was able to get both filled next door.

So, today I joined the many of you on the path. I took my first two pills this morning. I am taking the first little steps  in my 'marathon'. Funny thing is I actually used to run marathons. I don't think I was ever so excited about starting them as am doing what i am doing now!
Title: Re: Today is Day #1
Post by: Dee Marshall on January 24, 2015, 08:42:50 AM
I'm so happy for you! Funny, it was raining on the day of my first endo appointment, as well.
Title: Re: Today is Day #1
Post by: islandgirl on January 24, 2015, 03:20:50 PM
Thanks. I know that the T blocker is just the beginning. We will see what happens in two and half months when I go back to my endo and have my next blood test. I did learn that I need to take mega vitamin D every day (at least 2000 IUs). I can hardly wait to see what impact the spiro has.
Title: Re: Today is Day #1
Post by: Jenny07 on January 24, 2015, 05:14:39 PM
Congratulations Islandgirl

It's a long road but well worth it.

And yes here are your cookies.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fts4.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DHN.608033478249875107%26amp%3Bpid%3D15.1&hash=f3a342869048bf6efb3067f6a19e27e856e0b454)
Title: Re: Today is Day #1
Post by: Rachel on January 24, 2015, 07:35:49 PM
Congratulations.
Title: Re: Today is Day #1
Post by: mrs izzy on January 24, 2015, 08:10:45 PM
Congrats, everyday of life is new step.

Transition holds just a few more.

Hugs
Title: Re: Today is Day #1
Post by: V M on January 24, 2015, 08:17:28 PM
Congrats!!!  :eusa_dance: :eusa_clap: :eusa_dance:
Title: Re: Today is Day #1
Post by: Jill F on January 24, 2015, 08:20:53 PM
Congrats! 

Wait, I was supposed to get cookies?  Now they tell me...
Title: Re: Today is Day #1
Post by: V M on January 24, 2015, 08:35:27 PM
You didn't get your cookies Jill? That's terrible 

Here you go...

(https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.608033924919396002&pid=15.1&P=0)
Title: Re: Today is Day #1
Post by: Emily R on January 25, 2015, 08:20:07 AM
I am so Happy for YOU.   

Please let us know how it goes as I cant wait to follow the same path

Emily
Title: Re: Today is Day #1
Post by: JessicaAnne on January 25, 2015, 10:56:53 PM
Congratulations
Title: Re: Today is Day #1
Post by: Newgirl Dani on January 25, 2015, 11:32:18 PM
Happy for you  ;D  I was feeling kinda the same, unsure, and half expecting things to fall through, but it went ok.  Sunny, one would think different seeins it was Seattle I had to go to.   Dani

Trying not to look at those chocolate chip cookies,  ccc is my downfall but what a nice fall.
Title: Re: Today is Day #1
Post by: CaptFido87 on January 25, 2015, 11:36:08 PM
Well congratulations. This is indeed a big step. You are now becoming you. I can't wait for the day I can do this myself.  Best of luck
Title: Re: Today is Day #1
Post by: Ms Grace on January 26, 2015, 12:11:50 AM
Does the HRT Happy Dance! ;D
Title: Re: Today is Day #1
Post by: islandgirl on January 26, 2015, 07:43:57 AM
Thanks everyone. Today is day 3 for the two tablets. I have been reading as much as I can on the impact of spiro. I am expecting a discussion with my endo in April around the adding of a small dosage of E to the mix. I am interested in know how just taking spriro ha impacted any of you. Thanks again for your encouragement. I don't know what I would do if I did not have this site to check in with each day (many times)!
Title: Re: Today is Day #1
Post by: ImagineKate on January 26, 2015, 09:38:16 AM
Hey from one island girl to another, congrats!

Effects... hmm. I pee more? That's about it.

Well, not really. My boobs are growing like crazy now but I'm on a fairly full dose of E now. I feel somewhat calmer. Skin is drier. My body shape is morphing, best that I can put it. I lost a dress size, bra band size and a shoe size but that's probably due to weight loss in general. Skin is smoother and my body and facial hair growth is reduced a bit. Body moreso than facial (I'll still need electrolysis and laser).

But the placebo effect of the fact that I'm on HRT is really good. I feel really, really good. However, dysphoria more or less is gone and it feels weird having this level of normal. I don't even think about gender most days. I just dress as I please except at work where I try to look guy-ish because I'm not out yet.

I see my nurse practitioner on Thursday and she'll go over the last set of labs with me and maybe order new ones.

Bear in mind that it takes time for spiro to suppress your T.
Title: Re: Today is Day #1
Post by: jeni on January 26, 2015, 09:53:28 AM
Hey islandgirl. I'm almost to a week on spiro, still waiting on E, and I've been curious about the effects of just the AA, too. There's not a whole lot of information out there, probably because it varies and not too many girls just do the spiro. Anyway, I've had the diuretic effect big time. Other than that, I'm not sure what's placebo/wishful thinking and what, if anything, is real. I have felt fatigued in the afternoons on a couple of days, and the first two days especially, felt kind of spacy. I've felt a little calmer, but that I more strongly suspect is just in my head.

The best effect, though, is the couple minutes a day where I'm taking the pills. It's a really nice affirmation and concrete reminder that I'm *really* doing this. :-)
Title: Re: Today is Day #1
Post by: islandgirl on January 26, 2015, 11:17:40 AM
Yes the act of taking the pills first thing in the morning starts my day off on a high! No diuretic effects yet for me. I did have dizziness for the first two days, as was predicted by my endo. This seemed to disappear half way through the 2nd day. Just the fact that I have started has really helped me deal with my dysphoria. It is by no means gone! I am more relaxed. 


Title: Re: Today is Day #1
Post by: Jessica Merriman on January 26, 2015, 01:30:36 PM
Congrats!! It was raining on my big day as well. Weird.  :)

The sun has sure come out now though!  ;D

Quote from: Jill F on January 24, 2015, 08:20:53 PM
Wait, I was supposed to get cookies?  Now they tell me...
Sorry Jill! I was hungry. They were so good by the way.  ;D
Title: Re: Today is Day #1
Post by: Yukihime on January 27, 2015, 08:39:13 AM
I'll throw in another congrats from the island girl side <3 Your experience sounds so similar to my own. When I got out of my doctor's office after getting the prescription, I skipped down the street and all the way to the pharmacy! (I live within a healthy walking distance of my Doctor and even closer to my pharmacy).
Title: Re: Today is Day #1
Post by: islandgirl on January 27, 2015, 10:00:50 AM
I know that my biggest challenge is going to be patience. It is a process that takes time. I am at the moment really enjoying the fact that I have started. It is great that there are so many of you that can give us information and support.
Title: Re: Today is Day #1
Post by: Newgirl Dani on January 27, 2015, 02:43:17 PM
Quote from: Jessica Merriman on January 26, 2015, 01:30:36 PM
Congrats!! It was raining on my big day as well. Weird.  :)

The sun has sure come out now though!  ;D
Sorry Jill! I was hungry. They were so good by the way.  ;D

I went and bought a dozen chocolate chip cookies, told myself I would eat 4 a day, all gone first day  :icon_chew:   :icon_arrow:   :icon_yikes:   :icon_arrow:   :icon_mrhappy:   Dani
Title: Re: Today is Day #1
Post by: ShadowCharms on January 27, 2015, 04:52:14 PM
Congrats! That's very exciting!