Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: Adabelle on March 29, 2011, 08:40:05 PM Return to Full Version

Title: Today was the day I was supposed to start Estrogen
Post by: Adabelle on March 29, 2011, 08:40:05 PM
But there it sits on my counter, unopened :(

I've been planning for weeks that today would be the day I started Estrogen. I got the prescription, told my wife, doctor, therapist etc. I was ready for today to be the day.

Then this weekend I noticed that the ingrown toenail I had "fixed" a few months back was irritated, and after walking on it I had a little blood at the corner of the nail :( It's not super painful, but it means that the nail probably is growing back in the wrong way again, so they'll need to go back in and fix it.

What a bummer. Not only am I not looking forward to having my big toe cut on again, but while my doctor doesn't think there's really any risk to be concerned about with blood clots at this point he also said that one thing we don't know is how E might make me more emotional, or more sensitive than I already am to situations like that. I already don't like needles, so I'm opting to wait.

Anyway, the soonest I can get in to get my toe fixed is 6 days from today - so that's what I'm going for. The new date for my first pill is April 2.

It's been kinda frustrating, but I think it's probably better to do it this way.
Title: Re: Today was the day I was supposed to start Estrogen
Post by: Tracy Stevens on March 30, 2011, 09:22:34 AM
I fail to understand how having an ingrown toenail , is preventing you from starting hrt. Are you sure you are ready for hrt ?
Title: Re: Today was the day I was supposed to start Estrogen
Post by: Padma on March 30, 2011, 09:36:17 AM
You're not supposed to take estrogen when you're going to have surgery, is one reason why - because of the increased danger of clots whilst taking it.
Title: Re: Today was the day I was supposed to start Estrogen
Post by: Maegan on March 30, 2011, 09:54:53 AM
Hello again Madelyn  :icon_wave:

How long have you been waiting to start HRT? You are very very patient. I could not wait to swallow my first E pill!

Wow, what a bummer! Having a toenail trip you. You do realize that the container of Estrogen is going to tempt you.  :laugh:

Be strong, at least you have something to look forward to now! (Again)

Huggs

Maegan
Title: Re: Today was the day I was supposed to start Estrogen
Post by: LordKAT on March 30, 2011, 11:38:03 AM
My ingrown toenail problem was resolved by letting the nail grow long and keeping it longer than the end of my toe. I trim them often but cause I don't like the way they wear out my socks but it beats painful toes.
Title: Re: Today was the day I was supposed to start Estrogen
Post by: Adabelle on March 30, 2011, 05:01:20 PM
Oh that bottle on my counter is definitely tempting. But Yoxi is right, HRT with Estrogen increases the risk of blood clots, and this is why they take you off estrogen before any surgery. That being said, my doctor didn't really think it was much of a risk for me, but said that he'd recommend waiting the few extra days anyway just to play it safe.

But the thing is that even though I'm a little disappointed I couldn't start this week I'm going to do fine. I'll get this over with, and then be able to follow my plan.

@LordKAT I wish I could let mine resolve this way. I've actually had this problem for years with this toe, and I've let the nail grow out and done the "square cut" thing too. Nothing has worked, that nail just wants to grow sideways into my toe and starts bleeding :( If it was really mild I'd let it go, but I don't like how susceptible it is to infection.