Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hey all!!  So today I took a monumental step forward; I set up my first appointment with the Howard Brown center to start the process of obtaining HRT!  I was expecting to have to wait a long time to get in, but my first appointment is next Thursday!!!  Everyone I talked to on the phone was so nice and polite; they asked me for my preferred name and I totally froze lol!!!  That's the first time I've used it officially; I gave my genetic name right at first and then had the boy go back and change it.  He was very nice about it and very understanding; it was validating.

I'm just a little bundle of nerves right now; I feel that HRT is right for me but I'm kind of scared; not about the effects or changes mind you.  I've done my homework and know what I'm signing up for.  No, I'm scared that they will find some huge thing wrong with me that would totally contraindicate HRT;  I know it's a weird irrational fear because I'm healthier than I have ever been in my whole life. 

I don't smoke, don't drink, don't use drugs (green stuff isn't a drug ;) ) I exercise fairly regularly, juice and smoothie every day, and I just generally try to be a happy person.  Based on my state of mental and physical health, there is no logical reason I would be denied access and I know that.  My problem, like always, is that I'm a worrywart who gets way too into her own head and creates hypothetical issues causing her to have anxiety. 

Ladies, help me feel better!!!  Tell me to stop worrying please!!! 

What is that first week on E like? Do you feel any different at first?  Did you have nerves like me?  Were you scared?

Tell me your story!  Also, anyone in the Chicago area have experience with Howard Brown? 


Hugs!! 

-Nervous Nellie (aka Ana)

Big hug! Stop worrying!  ;D  If you're healthy and confident this is just a formality.

Hugs, Devlyn

I've not had any personal experience with Howard Brown, but everyone I talk to tells me I have to get down there.  So nothing but good things.  Maybe I will follow in your footsteps!

Good luck!  And Hugs!

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Quote from: Anastazja on June 08, 2015, 11:16:48 AM
What is that first week on E like? Do you feel any different at first?  Did you have nerves like me?  Were you scared?

Yay! I'm very happy for you Ana!! :)

I did not notice anything the first week on HRT.  Some people have said that they noticed changes in minutes or hours. Not me!

Over the first several weeks I became more emotional, started remembering dreams in the morning (where I never did before), and my appetite went through the roof!  I also became much more open to trying different foods than I had in the past.  I've now been on HRT for 10 months.

A poster here suggested I journal the transition with weekly or monthly photos, measurements, thoughts, and feelings.  That was very helpful, and I've done that intermittently. *Although* don't get freaked out when you don't notice changes right away. This takes time.  For a lot  of people, including me, it also seems to happen in spurts -- nothing...boobs itchy and tender...nothing...boobs itchy...  So, enjoy the ride, but patience is required!

Kim :)

I had the same experience with my area's gender clinic too! The people were so nice and understanding! They even asked me for my preferred name which had never happened before in all my years with doctors. Since you said you dont smoke or do drugs and is generally healthy you should be fine, dont worry!

--


My first week on E, i definitely noticed a dramatic decrease in hair growth. My skin is also less oily now. I feel less cranky in the morning compared to before (i was really moody with natural T in my system).

Since i have naturally low BP, spiro dropped my BP even more so im having shortness of breath when doing activities that i did before with ease. I feel more tired in general  :'(

Good work on getting your doctor. I remember  the night I took the first pill and it was almost a religious experience. On the other hand, hormones were handled far different when I stated and it took forever for much to happen. To learn what modern deliver will do you will have to look for somebody receiving more modern treatment.

You took a big step and should congratulate yourself.

You will be fine just relax.

1st week on HRT. ( I have been clean and sober 17 years) It felt like I had a hangover that was progressively getting better. The brain fog lifted the first week. I remember telling my therapist the above plus I had neck and chest pain since I was 17 years old. Some nights I thought for sure I would never wake up. Well the pains went away and I have not had them The 2 years I have been on HRT.

I didn't notice anything that first week, but then I was on low dose patches that my body didn't absorb well with. Hugs
Mariah

Thank you all for your positive responses!!  This is a big change and my nerves are a little frazzled, but there is a deep sense of underlying excitement around this decision.  It's almost like my body knows the right stuff is on its way.  Brain fog.  I guess I never really realized I had it, but I suppose everyone experiences that differently.  Really, I'm looking forward to a decrease in anxiety and panic attacks.   Making that call put me at ease in a way I haven't felt for a long time. 

It would be cool to remember more of my dreams in the morning; as it stands, I really don't remember them but I like it when I do.  I also experience panic about falling asleep and never waking up; I can't tell you how many times I've kept myself awake all night worrying about dying in my sleep.  Totally irrational, but when your heart start pounding it's kind of all I can think about.  I'm also kind of moody on T; it will be nice to get that in check. 

So... How has everyone's body odor changed?  I'm oddly excited about having more feminine BO lol

-Ana

Strange you should mention body odor. While I was on hormones and while my parents had my brother's and sister's horses in the back yard, I experienced something strange. One of the horses was a gilding but it hadn't forgot the important thing in life. Now it could tell men, women and children apart and it treated men different than the other two. When I was near the horse it treated me as it would a woman and that was some what of a shock to me. Thinking about it in hindsight I kind of wonder because I was on Premarin. The name of the hormone may tell the whole story Pregnant Mare's Urine. 

Men please do not take offense.

The odor I had on T was pungent. I guess at 6-8 weeks I had no male body odor. I developed a female odor from the gland penis and certain areas like my wrist and arm there is an almost sweet odor.    I shower every day.  Now I use a wet wipe when I get home from work to clean the gland.

I can smell guys which I could not do before unless they did not shower in the morning or they were working during the day. If a guy does not shower or had on unwashed cloths I can smell them from a distance and it is not pleasing, to me, and it causes me to cringe.  Funny thing is it is not all guys. Some guys smell good. Perhaps it is body chemistry or what they eat.

I never really had any significant body odor and i dont sweat at all so i *think* i smell the same. But i did notice i smell a little bit better down there.

Also since i dont have any pets to test out the body odor change theory i asked my brother if i smell different and he said yes after smelling my arm. He says i used to smell neutral but now i have this perfume-like smell  ^-^

This is so weird @-@

Dena-  The connection to Premarin and equine attitude shift toward you is very astute and that makes perfect sense to me!  Animals are definitely more sensitive to our smells than we are so that probably had something to do with it as well.  I hope my dog still loves me just as much once I start HRT. 

The odor thing is interesting and I am glad others have experienced that; it's weird, but I never liked the way I smelled as an unwashed boy.  My own smell was like an assault on my senses and it was like I was swimming in a chemical soup that was suffocating me; this was why I developed the habit of showering 2-3 times a day.  I just could not bear that smell at all, even though it was my own smell!  Such a weird thing. 

My name is Ana, and I am a body odor addict.  ;)

I work in a factory that handles large amounts of concentrated perfumes and dyes for our various products, so everyone always smells exactly the same at work; it's the rest of the world that stinks!!  (according to my fellow employees lol)  Also oddly excited about being able to smell boys the way you say; I know that some of them can smell pretty bad (sorry boys) but some can smell AMAZING!!  Now my only concern is that the people who bathe in body scents are going to make me vomit whenever they pass by.  That must just come with the territory. imokwiththis.jpg

-Ana