Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transsexual talk => Male to female transsexual talk (MTF) => Topic started by: Rosa on December 27, 2011, 05:25:49 PM

Title: Dealing with side effects of low T
Post by: Rosa on December 27, 2011, 05:25:49 PM
Of course one of the best side effects is not having a ragin libido, but I'm wondering about the other side effects like depression, no energy, difficulty concentrating, low motivation.  Mind you, I am not on E yet (my estradiol level is 20), so maybe E takes care of these undesirable side effects.  Can anybody give me some input? Will E give me more energy and zest for life?  My T is 20, so maybe that is even low for a woman - maybe I will need a tiny bit.  I know that sexually, things still work, but not really providing satisfaction like it used to, which leads to me feeling a lot of frustration it seems.
Title: Re: Dealing with side effects of low T
Post by: Jenny_B_Good on December 27, 2011, 06:02:24 PM
Having low T is linked to depression, which I suffer quite a bit(more lack of being one's self I believe),  but before starting HRT I had T levels of 11. Low even for GG's, yet I still had a working libido.

the other side effects like depression, no energy, difficulty concentrating, low motivation- These all sound like a psychological problem to me. Developing a sense of meaning in one's life will greatly improve everything.

Hope this helps

Jenny

OXOXOXOXO
Title: Re: Dealing with side effects of low T
Post by: Alainaluvsu on December 27, 2011, 08:26:46 PM
IDT I've had any of these symptoms in a fashion where it would be problematic. But then again I started right off on "high dosages" of t-block + E as my endo describes.
Title: Re: Dealing with side effects of low T
Post by: Rabbit on December 27, 2011, 09:13:22 PM
I have run into a lot of these problems also (I started off with the high dose of E and spiro).

It has actually been getting in the way of doing my work... which is very annoying. The only thing I haven't run into is the depression (I actually feel great!)... just low energy, low motivation, and having trouble concentrating as I used to.

The getting tired easily is a big pain. I was cleaning my tiny studio apartment and had to keep stopping to lay down!!!

I think I just need to get used to how this body is... maybe increase the amount I exercise... but overall just figure out ways to deal with things to make sure everything gets done.
Title: Re: Dealing with side effects of low T
Post by: Joelene9 on December 27, 2011, 09:16:50 PM
Robertina,
  In your case, estrogen with cyclical progesterone may help with your case without spiro.  You need to talk with your doctor about this due to your Klinefelter's.   I needed the spiro due to the too high T levels plus the prostate problems it caused.  The spiro will cause drowsiness and dehydration because it is a diuretic.  Despite the drowsiness, I had the drive to get things done this past summer that I never had before. 
Title: Re: Dealing with side effects of low T
Post by: envie on December 27, 2011, 11:02:28 PM
Spiro makes your blood pressure low. Within the past year i have learned to differentiate the effects of low T versus low blood pressure.
I am seriously contemplating the orchiectomy as I don't see how to afford the SRS in near future and the Spiro is seriously getting on my nerves.
Even if i try to work out i just start seeing snow and get dizzy. Yoga has been the most I could handle but bike rides are not that pleasant if I am trying to get somewhere.

The lack of T will make you not be very strong but the spiro just wants to keep you laying low. There is plenty of GGs who don't have a problem
to get themselves out and moving in spite of relatively low T.
My T measured 26 at the last blood work.

The E definitely gave me zest for life I just wished I weren't physically so challenged. I mean i can still function and accomplish the same type of physical work I did before transition but I have to pace myself, take breaks and simply limit the amount of physical activity. 
Title: Re: Dealing with side effects of low T
Post by: Mahsa Tezani on December 27, 2011, 11:33:11 PM
Quote from: envie on December 27, 2011, 11:02:28 PM
Spiro makes your blood pressure low. Within the past year i have learned to differentiate the effects of low T versus low blood pressure.
I am seriously contemplating the orchiectomy as I don't see how to afford the SRS in near future and the Spiro is seriously getting on my nerves.
Even if i try to work out i just start seeing snow and get dizzy. Yoga has been the most I could handle but bike rides are not that pleasant if I am trying to get somewhere.

Couldn't you just diet and eat right?

I'd much rather do that...Orchidectomies scare the crap out of me.
Title: Re: Dealing with side effects of low T
Post by: Alainaluvsu on December 28, 2011, 12:02:18 AM
I want an orchi just so I don't have to the extra luggage down there! They make things uncomfortable! Even moreso than worrying about slamming your boobs against a table when you lean forward and reach for something on a table!

... well that and I don't really like putting drugs in my body. And Spiro is a drug.
Title: Re: Dealing with side effects of low T
Post by: Mahsa Tezani on December 28, 2011, 12:04:56 AM
Quote from: Alainaluvsu on December 28, 2011, 12:02:18 AM
And Spiro is a drug.

Why can't I be on spiro and have a functioning penis? My god...I want my penis function back.
Title: Re: Dealing with side effects of low T
Post by: Alainaluvsu on December 28, 2011, 12:19:15 AM
Quote from: Mahsa the disco shark on December 28, 2011, 12:04:56 AM
Why can't I be on spiro and have a functioning penis? My god...I want my penis function back.

lawl, welcome to girl mode. Girls don't have a functioning penis!  :laugh:
Title: Re: Dealing with side effects of low T
Post by: Mahsa Tezani on December 28, 2011, 12:24:53 AM
Quote from: Alainaluvsu on December 28, 2011, 12:19:15 AM
lawl, welcome to girl mode. Girls don't have a functioning penis!  :laugh:

Yeah...been in "girl" mode since 2009 hon.

But on this board they do!!!
Title: Re: Dealing with side effects of low T
Post by: Kelly J. P. on December 28, 2011, 12:29:51 AM
 I must be a guy then, because even with my T at near-nil I have a fully-functioning penis, issues of sterility aside. And the best part about it is that, as opposed to not being able to function and wanting to, I am able to, but don't really care for it. How delightful.  :P

It's a good thing I'm closing in on SRS.
Title: Re: Dealing with side effects of low T
Post by: Mahsa Tezani on December 28, 2011, 12:31:42 AM
Quote from: Kelly J. P. on December 28, 2011, 12:29:51 AM
I must be a guy then, because even with my T at near-nil I have a fully-functioning penis, issues of sterility aside. And the best part about it is that, as opposed to not being able to function and wanting to, I am able to, but don't really care for it. How delightful.  :P

It's a good thing I'm closing in on SRS.

Where is everyone getting all this money to afford the surgery? I am like poor.
Title: Re: Dealing with side effects of low T
Post by: Kelly J. P. on December 28, 2011, 12:32:26 AM
 The Canadian government shall cover it for me. Haha... I'm poor as dirt.
Title: Re: Dealing with side effects of low T
Post by: Mahsa Tezani on December 28, 2011, 12:35:01 AM
Quote from: Kelly J. P. on December 28, 2011, 12:32:26 AM
The Canadian government shall cover it for me. Haha... I'm poor as dirt.

I mean I don't want the surgery...I like my penis.

But like boobies and a nose job...yeah, they should pay for that for me.
Title: Re: Dealing with side effects of low T
Post by: Kelly J. P. on December 28, 2011, 12:39:12 AM
 The waiting list is pretty long, but my breast surgery should be covered as well. Mind, coverage only applies to those with extremely little breast growth...

BC is a wonderful place.
Title: Re: Dealing with side effects of low T
Post by: Mahsa Tezani on December 28, 2011, 12:40:41 AM
Quote from: Kelly J. P. on December 28, 2011, 12:39:12 AM
The waiting list is pretty long, but my breast surgery should be covered as well. Mind, coverage only applies to those with extremely little breast growth...

BC is a wonderful place.

I know. Thats where Obama lives.
Title: Re: Dealing with side effects of low T
Post by: Alainaluvsu on December 28, 2011, 01:01:42 AM
Damn. I wish my insurance would cover my doctor visits and labs and you're getting SRS... I pay $350 a visit out of pocket just to get lab work and get a breast exam every 3 months  >:(

Oh well, at least my insurance covers my meds 100%

BTW: breast exam = pushing around on the tissue, no mammograms or anything like that.
Title: Re: Dealing with side effects of low T
Post by: envie on December 28, 2011, 09:02:59 AM
I thought the topic was the side effects of low T and not

"do your like your penis" and "how do you afford the SRS"

Can you people be just a little considerate and take your off topic conversation to the chat or PM.
This is seriously rude, way above just blurting out some kind of insults!
Title: Re: Dealing with side effects of low T
Post by: Rosa on December 28, 2011, 03:16:25 PM
Everything that I've read about having low T in men, for whatever reason, says that it can increase depression, low energy, trouble concentrating, and lower one's sense of well being.  I have heard that E helps with sense of well being, but not sure about the other.  I'm mainly talking about the chemistry now; I know that being more true to one's self will have a big psychological boost. 

I'm used to not having strength because of low T for so many years, but have little or no sense of well being and trouble with memory and concentration, which my doctor blames on low T.  I don't know why, but my progesterone is elevated and I'm not on HRT.  Have very high cholesteral though, and slightly anemic, which might be contributing to the tiredness. 

Sexually, things still work, but (without getting to graphic) orgasm is just not what it used to be, but I'm not sure whether that is more due to the low T or to the Paxil I take, which seems to goof up the orgasm process.  I don't have a partner, but I've noticed I have much more fullfillment with a partner than without.

I don't know  - feeling low today and would like to just be able to snap my fingers and have everything down there change into what it should be.
Title: Re: Dealing with side effects of low T
Post by: envie on December 28, 2011, 07:13:59 PM
I don't have any experience with being only on Spiro. I got on it as well as E at the same time. The E dose was minimal to just get me started.
My first day was like someone flipped a switch (I took the pills before I went to bed). I had this smile on my face that I couldn't get rid off, my face was hurting eventually.

It was totally chemical experience and went way beyond the satisfaction of finally feeling true to myself.
In my personal experience and what other people told me here it was the so called" E intoxication"
People said eventually it becomes just the new normal and I have to agree. I just stayed feeling more up and well but it doesn't feel so out of ordinary any longer.

Memory and concentration had been a bit of an issue for me too. I did take some iron supplement for a while and things improved including the energy levels.
I got discouraged by my doctor to take the iron supplement due to cardiovascular risks. Also since I don't menstruate I supposedly shouldn't be loosing so much iron and if I collect too much of it in my blood stream it could be bad.
However my blood tests didn't show any anemia but I drew blood while on iron supplement. There is this really nice product called Floradix that is all food extracted iron and much easier for your system.
I stopped drinking very much coffee as the caffeine does drain iron from your body as well as delays the iron absorption. I'll do the blood test again and see if I can get on floradix again as i really benefited from it energetically but the things are not as bad as they were prior to me cutting on coffee.

Sexual experience has completely changed for me. I too don't have a fortune to have a partner yet but I definitely feel greater need for a partner as playing with myself is not satisfying as it once was by any means.

Why are you holding off with getting on E?

here is link to the iron supplement. you might try it out and or ask your doc for advice but chances are docs are not so familiar with this thing as it comes from Germany and it is homeopathic. http://www.floradix.net/ (http://www.floradix.net/)