Susan's Place Transgender Resources

...what side effects or symptoms do you experience if any? I am due to have mine replaced as it will be 6 months early next month. I was wondering if anyone gets any "morning sickness" or other things they notice when their implant needs replacing. How close to the 6 month mark before you need to get a new one? Anyone got any idea's?

Thanks
Liz

That's a good question, but even though I'm on them I'm not sure the answer.

My endo replaces them at 800pmol/L, which is high by most standards, so I've never actually had them truly low. I also usually top up with something else towards the end so I don't feel bad.

Last time I felt really down towards the end, but found my levels were still relatively high. I got another one and felt great after a few days.

I believe you can also get a burst of high estrogen at the end if they fragment and dissolve faster.

I normally have mine replaced at nine months. This time I had to let it slide in the lead up to my GRS so I've gone almost 12 months now (due a replacement in one week, yay). At the 9 month mark the endo said I'd normally be due a top up, but as I was just on 800pmol/L (I go to the same endo as AnonyMs) I'd be able to glide through on reserves for a while.  The thing about the implant is that it doesn't just run out, the let down is probably fairly gentle.

During months 9-10, I can't say I noticed anything obvious... possibly a little lethargic and a bit irritable... but that could have been the stress of work and in the lead up to GRS. Towards the end I was experiencing headaches, something I don't normally get. Given I was also coming off Spiro and progesterone in month 10 it could have been anything. Other than that, I remained in pretty good health and spirits.

For month 11, I'm back on the oral progesterone now and using an estrogen gel to tide me over until my implant. I have to say I feel fine...blood test tomorrow, will be interested to see my levels (especially T) post-op.

My endo scheduled me for another one 5 months after my first. I also still take progynova.

Quote from: Ellement_of_Freedom on January 01, 2017, 05:09:20 PM
I also still take progynova.

Why?

Quote from: AnonyMs on January 01, 2017, 05:10:13 PM
Why?

Because my endo told me to. I don't think the implant gives enough E for me.

I wonder why that is. I get really high levels from mine, probably 2000+ pmol/L at the start. He does two of them at the same time.

Quote from: Ellement_of_Freedom on January 01, 2017, 05:17:38 PM
Because my endo told me to. I don't think the implant gives enough E for me.

Same regime as me, I take one progynova per day as well...my levels were excellent "upper norm female" can't remember exact numbers

Hmmm not sure but I agree with Ms Grace I kind of feel like the wind down should not be abrupt so maybe I am barking up the wrong tree

Liz

Quote from: Ms Grace on January 01, 2017, 04:07:16 PM
I normally have mine replaced at nine months. This time I had to let it slide in the lead up to my GRS so I've gone almost 12 months now (due a replacement in one week, yay). At the 9 month mark the endo said I'd normally be due a top up, but as I was just on 800pmol/L (I go to the same endo as AnonyMs) I'd be able to glide through on reserves for a while.  The thing about the implant is that it doesn't just run out, the let down is probably fairly gentle.

During months 9-10, I can't say I noticed anything obvious... possibly a little lethargic and a bit irritable... but that could have been the stress of work and in the lead up to GRS. Towards the end I was experiencing headaches, something I don't normally get. Given I was also coming off Spiro and progesterone in month 10 it could have been anything. Other than that, I remained in pretty good health and spirits.

For month 11, I'm back on the oral progesterone now and using an estrogen gel to tide me over until my implant. I have to say I feel fine...blood test tomorrow, will be interested to see my levels (especially T) post-op.

It seemed the most obvious answer that it would be the hormones but if it isn't then it could be my Chronic Pancreatitis winding up again...problem with that is whilst I do get a heap of nausea from it I don't usually have it as consistently as I have in the last 4 weeks the only other thing I have added is Vitamin D/calcium tablet once a day is I have low vitamin D. I guess it could be that.

Liz

Quote from: Ellement_of_Freedom on January 01, 2017, 05:17:38 PM
Because my endo told me to. I don't think the implant gives enough E for me.

It's possible for levels to be lower than usual with an implant, but they just last longer. Depends on blood flow around them. I discussed it with my endo.

Quote from: ElizabethK on January 02, 2017, 03:43:20 AM
It seemed the most obvious answer that it would be the hormones but if it isn't then it could be my Chronic Pancreatitis winding up again...problem with that is whilst I do get a heap of nausea from it I don't usually have it as consistently as I have in the last 4 weeks the only other thing I have added is Vitamin D/calcium tablet once a day is I have low vitamin D. I guess it could be that.

I get a vitamin D injection from my endo. Pills don't work well for me and the injection lasts 6 months. Low vitamin D is really bad.

Quote from: ElizabethK on January 02, 2017, 03:43:20 AM
...it could be my Chronic Pancreatitis winding up again...problem with that is whilst I do get a heap of nausea from it I don't usually have it as consistently as I have in the last 4 weeks ...

It's safer not to conflate the symptoms with the hormones. Maybe it is but maybe it isn't. If you have experienced consistent daily nausea then please have it checked out.

Quote from: AnonyMs on January 02, 2017, 03:45:38 AM

Quote from: ElizabethK on January 02, 2017, 03:43:20 AM
It seemed the most obvious answer that it would be the hormones but if it isn't then it could be my Chronic Pancreatitis winding up again...problem with that is whilst I do get a heap of nausea from it I don't usually have it as consistently as I have in the last 4 weeks the only other thing I have added is Vitamin D/calcium tablet once a day is I have low vitamin D. I guess it could be that.

I get a vitamin D injection from my endo. Pills don't work well for me and the injection lasts 6 months. Low vitamin D is really bad.

And incredibly common in Australians as we have been taught to keep out of the sun! Slip Slop Slap and no Vit D as it needs UVB for metabolism.

Quote from: Ms Grace on January 02, 2017, 04:21:00 AM

Quote from: ElizabethK on January 02, 2017, 03:43:20 AM
...it could be my Chronic Pancreatitis winding up again...problem with that is whilst I do get a heap of nausea from it I don't usually have it as consistently as I have in the last 4 weeks ...

It's safer not to conflate the symptoms with the hormones. Maybe it is but maybe it isn't. If you have experienced consistent daily nausea then please have it checked out.

Totally agree!! Book an appointment tomorrow please.

No need to make a GP appointment as I don't think this is something for them to be dealing with, so I will deal with it on Friday when I go in for a "Service" on my pump, at the clinic. Will get to spend a good few hrs there on Friday morning so may as well make the most of it.

The Vitamin D deficiency is something new from my last visit, so have only started vitamin d in the last while.

Oh well the nausea doesn't sound like an implant kind of thing

Thanks for your Help

Liz