Susan's Place Transgender Resources

It's a long story. I'm not a true post-op (not yet) but I've had a bilateral orchiectomy. I had that in 2005. I've been off horomones for 4-5 year's because of financial hardship. I've had hot flashes, and some weight loss. Breasts shrank somewhat. Lots of mental instability. Other than that, what damage could I have done?

Also. What will happen when I start taking them again? Google hasn't been much help to me. I'm hoping y'all got a clue.

Not sure how old you are, but without sex hormones in your body, you become more susceptible to osteoporosis as you age.  I would definitely get screened for that after 5 years without any hormones at all!

Otherwise though, the other physical changes should be reversible.  You should gain weight back (if you try), fullness in your breasts, and the hot flashes should abate in time.  You've basically been in menopause for the past 5 years, so hot flashes and moodiness aren't unusual, lol.

That's all I know.  Good luck to you and your situation!  I'm happy that you're able to reconnect with your parents and pray it goes well for you.

Definitely search this site for osteoporosis. Its been discussed a number of times. You don't want that; it can be quite serious.

You could have a look here:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,180222.msg1597039.html#msg1597039
and here:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,115413.msg884717.html#msg884717

and here:
joybauer.com/osteoporosis.aspx


hugs

I'm 33 now, but was probably 28-29 when I stopped. I'm pretty freaked out now. I've had pain in my hips, knees and feet. I assumed this was from jumping out of planes and crawling into house fires. Now I am freaked right the hell out. I hope I haven't messed myself up :

To give perspective - Castralti singers lived decent and pretty long lives without hormones from their nads. Giovanni Velluti lived till 80 and that was over 100 years ago.

You're young, the time without hormones is fairly short, you are physically active by the sounds of it (which helps strengthen bones). All things considered don't worry too hard. When you start taking them again everything will be back on track.

Quote from: nicole99 on October 15, 2015, 01:21:36 AM
To give perspective - Castralti singers lived decent and pretty long lives without hormones from their nads. Giovanni Velluti lived till 80 and that was over 100 years ago.

You're young, the time without hormones is fairly short, you are physically active by the sounds of it (which helps strengthen bones). All things considered don't worry too hard. When you start taking them again everything will be back on track.

That's a huge weight off my mind (somewhat). I was starting to panic. It's a problem I intend to rectify immediately anyway.

I have a BAD BAD BAD skin disease I got in Afghanistan. Right now my whole neck and forehead have rotted off and are covered in scabs. My face around my nose and eyes and ears are heading that direction. I look awful. probably why my self esteem is in the toilet right now.

Regardless, I'm going to the ER on Monday so I can get the medicine I need to fix my skin. When I am there, I'm going to ask for a script for my injectable horomones. I have the original script from my old doc for horomones, so I should be able to present that to them, and get (basically) a refill script. Especially once I explain my medical history.

Thank you all so much for your help. Its going to help me when I talk to a doc on Monday. I won't be able to get the horomones Monday, but having a prescription in hand will help, once I can afford them.

I intend to take estrogen shots, and then trick my body with progesterone pills to think I'm on my period. I have the cycle calendar, so my body will think it's menstruating. It worked well before. I'm hoping a second round of horomones will make my body go crazy. I'm hoping I fill out "up top" more. My boobs are pathetic yo. Mamma need a nice pair, lol.

All at your own risk but you could try:
-leek, cooked, and wild garlic as pesto to detox... a craving of your body should tell if its necessary...
-as said you might try if dissolved sea salt dabbed on with a cloth could help... not if open wounds...
-part of it might be psychological, if you could try to calm down and feel more secure it might help.
You might simply try to mentally come to a place where you feel more secure...
just being you...
not needing to fight so much, maybe more accepting and resting in yourself.
And maybe expecting a period of more calmness, and reacting that way... remaining calm, maybe a bit aloof, and gentle.

Without your gonads, the adrenals produce small amounts of testosterone, some of which is converted to estrogen. It might have helped slow some of the effects, but you really do need to supplement it.

Estrogen is cheap, $4 - $10 from the big box stores like walmart even without insurance. You do need a prescription but you can get that from any doctor that will cooperate...

Quote from: iKate on October 15, 2015, 10:44:04 AM
Without your gonads, the adrenals produce small amounts of testosterone, some of which is converted to estrogen. It might have helped slow some of the effects, but you really do need to supplement it.

Estrogen is cheap, $4 - $10 from the big box stores like walmart even without insurance. You do need a prescription but you can get that from any doctor that will cooperate...

Really?! Then hell. I'm going to try and get them Monday. Oh my god. That's good freaking news. Thank you! That puts me at ease! So much. I won't get my hopes up too hard, but I feel like. Awesome. Thank you.

postop most people need a much lower dose - about 1/3 of the pre-op dose. obviously I'm not going to post the figures here, but the important point is you need to get the dose titrated properly by a doctor.

and dont think about trying to go without... I've seen people who have done that, and believe me it never goes well!

Quote from: Rejennyrated on October 16, 2015, 08:10:40 AM
postop most people need a much lower dose - about 1/3 of the pre-op dose. obviously I'm not going to post the figures here, but the important point is you need to get the dose titrated properly by a doctor.

and dont think about trying to go without... I've seen people who have done that, and believe me it never goes well!

I appreciate it, hun. You're right. Fortunately I kept on my regimen for a long while, years, after my orchi. I have my old doseage postop on an old script from my old doctor. So in theory, I'd only be asking for a refill on a medication previously prescribed to me. My skin cream is the same story.

Quote from: Rejennyrated on October 16, 2015, 08:10:40 AM
.......and dont think about trying to go without... I've seen people who have done that, and believe me it never goes well!

I was one of them! :embarrassed:

After several decades happily on HRT post-op., I suffered a long period of time unable to access my usual HRT, as I could not to find any suitably supportive G.P to replace my former primary care practitioner when she retired.
What ensued whilst off hormonal support, was a horrible physical and emotional situation which worsened insidiously until the deterioration became acute and I became very ill and desperate.

Having since {eventually} found a wonderfully supportive G.P; I`m fully now supported with regards to healthcare and HRT......but I`m still suffering the endocrinological consequences of that truly awful time spent without.

I`d never recommend anyone trying to do without appropriate {medically monitored} post-operative HRT.....for in my experience, it`s crucial for a happy and healthy life!

Quote from: CollieLass on October 16, 2015, 09:04:50 AM
I`d never recommend anyone trying to do without appropriate {medically monitored} post-operative HRT.....for in my experience, it`s crucial for a happy and healthy life!

I have been far more unstable since stopping HRT. Suicidal, depressed, violent, a lot of bad dark thoughts. I miss the happy, boisterous, socially adjusted me. I was a sweetheart. Now I'm just an angry, bitter, self loathing idiot. Getting back to my happy carefree life will do me a world of good.

*
Jessy:

Here's my second to iKate.  My local franchise store provides a 90 days generic ERT for $10.  I am low-income and on MediCare so that drops to less than $3 for 90 days.  If you are low-income, apply for MedicAid or MediCare.

My care through consistent medical providers has had some recent erratic years due to physicians quitting practice or moving away and causing me to go without until I could be accepted to another.  I am currently satisfied with my local county health clinic system; I am no longer dependent upon one single doctor but receive care from a full range of primaries, endos, labs, etc, all at one single campus.  No more running all over town for each specialist, prescription, blood draws.  Does your local county government have such a health system?  Maybe you have a transsexual support group at your home area and they can direct you to a low-cost, sliding scale healthcare provider.

Some areas have free-standing urgent care clinics.  Some chain pharmacies also have in-house urgent care practitioners.  Those resources could help in a pinch.

I went without ERT for at least 13 months during 2014 and 2015 due to financial hardship because I could not pay my co-pay and thus could not get my prescription.  I have experience with phyto-estrogen so I had that as replacement.  My blood labs when I resumed medical care showed my estrogen at low normal for post-menopausal female before resuming ERT so apparently for me the phyto-e worked.

When I resumed ERT, my blood labs went high normal for adult female as though my body took up ERT like a sponge and found more endogenously.

We have given you good ideas, Jessy.  Let's hope one works out well for you.

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Quote from: Sharon Anne McC on October 16, 2015, 12:16:54 PM
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We have given you good ideas, Jessy.  Let's hope one works out well for you.

*

You have all been super helpful and wonderful. Thank you for all of your help! With any luck, I'll be on horomones Monday!

Estrogen is beneficial for so many things like mood, memory, skin complexion and hair, energy, sleep, libido, bones, etc. Without hormones, you can also age faster.

By the way, progesterone is not the PERIOD hormone as periods will commence when both progesterone and estrogen levels fall because there is no fetus. Progesterone is the pregnancy hormone.

The ER not only did not help me with horomones, but I'd gone to that hospital before they INTENTIONALLY changed the gender marker on my paperwork to male. They changed it this morning after I told them I was TS.

I'm livid. I was female in their system until this morning. My drivers license doesn't say male. My birth certificate doesn't say male. No paperwork has had me as male in a decade. Thanks a lot Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. You people are real pricks.

I am quite pissed.

Quote from: Jessynecessity on October 18, 2015, 03:35:09 PM
The ER not only did not help me with horomones, but I'd gone to that hospital before they INTENTIONALLY changed the gender marker on my paperwork to male. They changed it this morning after I told them I was TS.

I'm livid. I was female in their system until this morning. My drivers license doesn't say male. My birth certificate doesn't say male. No paperwork has had me as male in a decade. Thanks a lot Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. You people are real pricks.

I am quite pissed.

You went to the ER so you could get a prescription???

Yes. I did. A went for a prescription for antibiotics to heal my badly infected face, and I went for a prescription to get the skin medicine required to heal my rotting, infected flesh. I asked for horomones or a referral while I was there for legitimate medical needs. Don't worry. I'm not the type to abuse the ER. At all. I was an EMT for 4 years. I would not go just for horomones. No. I'm quite sick, and in quite a lot of pain.

Quote from: Jessynecessity on October 18, 2015, 04:24:11 PM
Yes. I did. A went for a prescription for antibiotics to heal my badly infected face, and I went for a prescription to get the skin medicine required to heal my rotting, infected flesh. I asked for horomones or a referral while I was there for legitimate medical needs. Don't worry. I'm not the type to abuse the ER. At all. I was an EMT for 4 years. I would not go just for horomones. No. I'm quite sick, and in quite a lot of pain.

Hmm. I wasn't saying you'd abuse it. It is what some desperate people do, however, but it's not the easy route is what I'm saying. Find an understanding GP and they can get your hormones on track.

And thanks for the advice, I'm not going to reveal my Trans status in the ER then... Idiots

Quote from: iKate on October 19, 2015, 07:31:35 AM
And thanks for the advice, I'm not going to reveal my Trans status in the ER then... Idiots

I think I know who could have done it. One of the  nurses that saw to me, or the doctor herself. Both directly asked me about the issue, and were not too sympathetic about it.

My last visit to the ER I was a Female. Yesterday male. It's wrong. I wonder what to do. Lodge a complaint undoubtedly. I have the evidence.

My hometown.  Unfortunately, that town is ultra-conservative so I definitely feel for you.  Don't lose hope!  If you need someone to talk to PM me! :)  Visiting family in December.

I understand that money is an issue - but your best chance of getting this sorted is to find a sympathetic and competent doctor who can get you on the right medication and the right dosage. Easier said than done I imagine but I hope there is someone you can see. If you have been off hormones for a while just going back onto the dosage you were on prior to stopping might not work out too well. As you've noted with the hot flushes and the other symptoms you've noted, the absence of estrogen is not helping your well being. It will take a few years for issues with bone density to start but since you have been off it for a while now it would be good to get this medically sorted ASAP.

Hey all,

I am a 43 y/o guy/girl who had a bilateral orchiectemy 9 months ago. I started on T shortly after to get by but it was too much of what I didn't want to be. I have been 8 weeks without hrt. I have an appointment in 3 weeks and a letter from a counselor to start estrogen. I have been taking OTC estrogen supplements to help with the hot flashes. Anyone have any advice as to what to expect? Thanks!

They'll probably need to take a blood test and some other health info/history. Depending on your weight and fitness and health they will prescribe estrogen at a suitable starting level to see how it goes before making any adjustments. You'll need to give up the herbal supplements since they can interfere with the medication.

If you have had a previous E dosage they may continue with that. They don't have to wait for test results to prescribe E for you.