I know that I'm not a bio male but this is what I have heard and to me thats so unnatural for me I don't wanna give myself shots for the rest of my life, I mean I know you can stop it but changes will reverse, i'd rather just kill myself honestly because I'm not to happy about that. And it kinda pisses me off.
I met some guys in their 40s-50s at Philly Trans Health who had been on T for over 20 years. Some of them did stop taking T or went on much reduced doses. There are effects that supposedly reverse (body hair, fat redistribution, etc.), but not sure if that would happen so much if you were not producing estrogen either naturally or via hysto.
Some effects will not reduce (facial hair, voice).
--Jay
Yep. There are other forms available though. Gels and creams, those would be daily. There's a form of injectable T that you only have to do every few months as opposed to the one people do either every week, or every two weeks. There's pellets which are surgically implanted and last months at a time.
If you have a full hysto (meaning they remove ovaries also) chances are you will be able to go on a reduced dose.
It would seem to be common for transguys to do injections for the first couple years or so, and then go to some other form like gels and pellets.
Quote from: wheat thins are delicious on March 25, 2014, 08:24:23 PM
Yep. There are other forms available though. Gels and creams, those would be daily. There's a form of injectable T that you only have to do every few months as opposed to the one people do either every week, or every two weeks. There's pellets which are surgically implanted and last months at a time.
He beat me to it, lol. I have also heard of people taking T pills orally, but that is uncommon. Perhaps in the far future, it will be a more common practice. There is the injectable T/pellets that last for months. Nebido comes to mind. but I'm not sure if anything like that is available in the states at this time. If anyone knows otherwise, please let me know!
Quote from: Malachite on March 25, 2014, 08:31:24 PM
I have also heard of people taking T pills orally, but that is uncommon.
I didn't know that T came in a pill form. I thought that it was only available as shots or in a cream?
It comes in pill form but I think it might be slightly damaging for the liver? Or at least more likely to cause liver damage than injections... I might be 100% wrong though, but I know that it's unusual for people to be on T pills. I was also getting tired of doing shots after doing them for around 2 years and now I switched to gel. I actually find facial hair has been growing in faster for me since I started gel! (BONUS!) But mainly, it's way easier than injections.
Also if you get the hysterectomy and get the ovaries removed, then you will have to be on T forever or else you run increased risk of osteoporosis.
Quote from: Laura Squirrel on March 25, 2014, 08:42:03 PM
I didn't know that T came in a pill form. I thought that it was only available as shots or in a cream?
They do, but according to the Hudson's guide, they aren't as effective.
Well that kinda sucks........ Not really happy about that
Quote from: Brandon on March 25, 2014, 08:56:07 PM
Well that kinda sucks........ Not really happy about that
Is it actually taking the
shots or is it just taking hormones (no matter what form they come in) for the rest of your life that bothers you?
Its both honestly, As I really sat and thought about it, I wish I was normal like everyone else, Testostrone is working miracles for my friends but theres is natural mine is not.
Yes and no.
If you don't get your ovaries removed you don't have to take T for life, however estrogen produced by your body might reverse some changes that testosterone does. Another option would be to do injections until you've gotten to a certain point where changes have plateaued then change to patches, gel, or cream.
Lots of people take meds instead of suffering. None of it is "natural".
Quote from: Emerson on March 25, 2014, 09:18:29 PM
Lots of people take meds instead of suffering. None of it is "natural".
Thats different that's medication, And I'm religious anyways and I believe that God can heal, So thats irrelevant to me, These are hormones were talking about, That could have been produced naturally had I been born correctly.
Quote from: Brandon on March 25, 2014, 09:21:49 PM
Thats different that's medication, And I'm religious anyways and I believe that God can heal, So thats irrelevant to me, These are hormones were talking about, That could have been produced naturally had I been born correctly.
Testosterone is a prescribed medication. It's not different. Some cismen have to take it too. Like it or not, you weren't born with the testicles to manufacture testosterone. So suck it up and take it...or don't. Or pray God gives you testicles.
Actually some forms of injectable T - like Sustanon, for example - don't contain actual testosterone but pre-stages of it and your own body will turn them into the "real deal", so to speak. I consider that to be quite natural IMO.
Disclaimer: I don't know if "pre-stage" is a proper term, I lack English vocabulary in these things.
Quote from: Frank on March 25, 2014, 09:29:38 PM
Testosterone is a prescribed medication. It's not different. Some cismen have to take it too. Like it or not, you weren't born with the testicles to manufacture testosterone. So suck it up and take it...or don't. Or pray God gives you testicles.
I already know I'm not a bio male and your really not helping there was no need for you comment
Testosterone is a medication.
Quote from: wheat thins are delicious on March 25, 2014, 09:36:08 PM
Testosterone is a medication.
Yea when its unnatural like the one we have to take not if you actually have the right parts..... its a hormone
Quote from: Brandon on March 25, 2014, 09:37:55 PM
Yea when its unnatural like the one we have to take not if you actually have the right parts... No its a hormone
I know what these words mean, but do not understand what what you are trying to convey with the way you've written them.
Here's the definition for medication btw: a substance used for medical treatment, esp. a medicine or drug.
I know what you mean I wish my body produced estrogen so I didn't have to pay for it.
Quote from: wheat thins are delicious on March 25, 2014, 09:42:43 PM
I know what these words mean, but do not understand what what you are trying to convey with the way you've written them.
Exactly my point your only calling it that because you don't naturally produce a higher level of testostrone thats why taking T feels unnatural to me I don't produce a higher amount and calling it a medication makes it 10 times worse
Quote from: stephaniec on March 25, 2014, 09:49:28 PM
I know what you mean I wish my body produced estrogen so I didn't have to pay for it.
Exactly but we all produce the same hormones its just one is higher than the other.
Quote from: Brandon on March 25, 2014, 09:50:43 PM
Exactly my point your only calling it that because you don't naturally produce a higher level of testostrone thats why taking T feels unnatural to me I don't produce a higher amount and calling it a medication makes it 10 times worse
No, I'm calling it that because it is a medication, meaning it is a substance used for medical treatment.
Quote from: wheat thins are delicious on March 25, 2014, 09:59:17 PM
No, I'm calling it that because it is a medication, meaning it is a substance used for medical treatment.
Its still a hormone though thats why I don't call it a medication
People take insulin if they don't produce it. That is a hormone.
I am really sorry that you don't have testicles. I truly am. If I could grant you one wish it would be a new chromosome. It will never not suck. You will always be unable to produce your own testosterone.
But you deserve to be happy. You deserve to be you. I don't know enough about religion to know if you feel that way about yourself. If it takes hormones to do that I think you deserve them.
If you don't want t than that is fine too! You can be manly without facial hair or whatever.
Quote from: Emerson on March 25, 2014, 10:02:07 PM
People take insulin if they don't produce it. That is a hormone.
I am really sorry that you don't have testicles. I truly am. If I could grant you one wish it would be a new chromosome. It will never not suck. You will always be unable to produce your own testosterone.
But you deserve to be happy. You deserve to be you. I don't know enough about religion to know if you feel that way about yourself. If it takes hormones to do that I think you deserve them.
If you don't want t than that is fine too! You can be manly without facial hair or whatever.
Yea I get that I don't have you don't have to keep repeating that, And Yes we all produce T just not a higher amount both hormones are in us some of you need to take sex ed again, And I didn' say I don't want T, I just don't wanna take it forever it's really becoming depressing
Quote from: Brandon on March 25, 2014, 10:01:47 PM
Its still a hormone though thats why I don't call it a medication
Yes it's a hormone but it's also a medication. All hormones are medications but not all medications are hormones.
It really doesn't matter the classification of the hormone. Brandon how long were you considering taking "T" or is there a time frame in your mind as far as what goals you want to attain or effects you want to stop at?
Quote from: wheat thins are delicious on March 25, 2014, 09:42:43 PM
I know what these words mean, but do not understand what what you are trying to convey with the way you've written them.
A lot of the things you mentioned I once had issues with. Religion, and having to take T because I wasn't born correctly. But I had reached my breaking point and I couldn't take being in a females body any longer. So you gotta asked yourself, could your live your life in a females body forever or start T and be who you really are? I still had anxiety about T but after I started T and started to see changes man nothing felt so right in my life. Everything feels right. A lot of anxiety will go away. BUT you will probably always feel dysphoric about something. It doesn't get easier man you just get stronger. There's nothing wrong with how you feel about things but as a man it's how you deal with them. Feel free to pm me. I'm here.
Quote from: Ethedon on March 25, 2014, 10:15:14 PM
A lot of the things you mentioned I once had issues with. Religion, and having to take T because I wasn't born correctly. But I had reached my breaking point and I couldn't take being in a females body any longer. So you gotta asked yourself, could your live your life in a females body forever or start T and be who you really are? I still had anxiety about T but after I started T and started to see changes man nothing felt so right in my life. Everything feels right. A lot of anxiety will go away. BUT you will probably always feel dysphoric about something. It doesn't get easier man you just get stronger. There's nothing wrong with how you feel about things but as a man it's how you deal with them. Feel free to pm me. I'm here.
Well no I'm still planning to get T I was telling frank that I don't see it as a med and I believe hat God can heal things like diabetes, cancer ect ect even headaces Ive done it before I wasn't talking about my transition I was talking about meds in general.
Quote from: Jessica Merriman on March 25, 2014, 10:12:38 PM
It really doesn't matter the classification of the hormone. Brandon how long were you considering taking "T" or is there a time frame in your mind as far as what goals you want to attain or effects you want to stop at?
I honestly don't even know anymore, I just don't wanna take it for the rest of my life and then have stuff reverse on me.
Quote from: Brandon on March 25, 2014, 10:21:58 PM
I honestly don't even know anymore, I just don't wanna take it for the rest of my life and then have stuff reverse on me.
Have you talked with anyone about your concerns with taking it forever? Possibly a Therapist or Spiritual Provider?
Quote from: Jessica Merriman on March 25, 2014, 10:26:11 PM
Have you talked with anyone about your concerns with taking it forever? Possibly a Therapist or Spiritual Provider?
No, my dad is trying to find me a therapist. Can't ask my mom because I stay with her and I have no support.
I fully understand where you are coming from Brandon. It really sucks for us. We got dealt the short straw since birth, and having to take hormones for the rest of our lives is just one more unfortunate fact of our lives. I'm not particularly thrilled about taking estrogen or having to dilate for the rest of my life, but sadly there's not much we can do about it yet. Maybe in the future things will be different (they've already started having success in artificially grown sex organs that are capable of producing hormones identical to natural sex organs, but it'll still be a long way off before it's an available option), but right now they aren't.
It won't be as bad as we imagine though. Maybe at first it'll be a headache to have to do, but if you think of it, there's plenty we do all our lives without it being burdensome, like brushing our teeth, or washing our hair. It'll just become like those, something that doesn't bother us anymore, it's just part of our lives. It will be fine.
Quote from: Brandon on March 25, 2014, 10:28:39 PM
No, my dad is trying to find me a therapist. Can't ask my mom because I stay with her and I have no support.
I am so glad to see he is trying. I am sure that means a lot. I hope he finds one because mine has been a blessing. They have thought of things I would never have considered on my own. Not just about transition, but things such as legal issue's, employment issue's and many other things. I was really surprised and thought all they did was listen. It is nice to get an unbiased opinion on something so important. I hope you find one soon. Feel free to PM if you ever need to. :)
Quote from: Colleen♡Callie on March 25, 2014, 10:36:46 PM
I fully understand where you are coming from Brandon. It really sucks for us. We got dealt the short straw since birth, and having to take hormones for the rest of our lives is just one more unfortunate fact of our lives. I'm not particularly thrilled about taking estrogen or having to dilate for the rest of my life, but sadly there's not much we can do about it yet.
I don't really worry about it too much anymore. Taking E is just part of life for me. Since I had the orchi a few years back (since I could never afford GRS), I can't go back and I don't want to. I just see it all as being what it is. As I've said before, had I not initiated my transition back in 07 and had the orchi a few years later, I would be dead by now so it wouldn't matter anyway.
I just did what I had to do and that's all there is to it.
The longest lasting form of hormone administration is pellets. I think the product for people who need T is called Testopel. They last for 3-6 months depending on your body. It's a really great option, and with treatments spaced that far apart it very much feels "natural". You just forget that you are on HRT at all. Life is just... life.
In the future they might even be able to insert something that lasts years or even a lifetime. That is what I am waiting for.
If transition has taught me anything, it is to never lose hope. Everything in the world is natural if you really think about it. Our technologies are a product of human life, which is a product of mother nature herself.
So to answer your question- nope! You don't have to take t shots for the rest of your life. In fact there may come a day when you are able to completely forget about hormone therapy altogether
Quote from: Jennygirl on March 25, 2014, 11:06:20 PM
The longest lasting form of hormone administration is pellets. I think the product for people who need T is called Testopel. They last for 3-6 months depending on your body. It's a really great option, and with treatments spaced that far apart it very much feels "natural". You just forget that you are on HRT at all. Life is just... life.
Yeah, but aren't those really expensive?
Quote from: Jessica Merriman on March 25, 2014, 10:26:11 PM
Have you talked with anyone about your concerns with taking it forever? Possibly a Therapist or Spiritual Provider?
This is something that should be discussed with an endocrinologist.
Quote from: Ethedon on March 25, 2014, 11:23:04 PM
This is something that should be discussed with an endocrinologist.
I agree, but I think he is looking at long term goals basically as to how far to go. He needs someone to address the mental aspects and how they relate to his beliefs as well and just how far he wants to transition. An unbiased opinion could probably calm and reassure him as to later in life aspects. :)
Quote from: Laura Squirrel on March 25, 2014, 11:09:55 PM
Yeah, but aren't those really expensive?
Yes and no, only at the start. Once the opposing hormone factories are removed, it is pretty comparable to other forms
Quote from: Jennygirl on March 25, 2014, 11:38:07 PM
Yes and no, only at the start. Once the opposing hormone factories are removed, it is pretty comparable to other forms
Well, like I said, I'm post orchie. Maybe I will bring this up with my endo later in the year.
You don't have to take the shots at all. You don't have to take them forever. You don't have to do anything. If you want what comes from HRT you will have to do some form of hormone treatment and the injections are the cheapest and most common route. but it doesn't have to be for the rest of your life if you don't want it to be. That being said, if you have a total hysto take some to sort of hormonal medication since sexed hormones are really important to your body. If you don't have a hysto and go off testosterone treatments there will be some changes that reverse, and you may start having a period again. It all depends on what you want and what you think is right for you. It sucks, but we need a little bit of help in the hormone department due to our biological realities.
But it would really suck to have all kinds of illnesses and injuries that go on your whole life. Juvenile diabetes you have to inject every day-- maybe some day somebody could get a pancreas transplant. I have a seizure disorder that is controlled, but I do have to take anti-seizure drugs. I have tried to go off them and can't. It seems like you are taking being trans as some personal kind of failure.
BTW, oral T is pretty bad news for liver damage. I know someone very well who took this for awhile and had to go off T while his liver healed. There is an under the tongue one, not sure it has such good reviews though.
--Jay
Brandon, it sucks that we were born with the wrong set of hormone-producing gonads, and that those hormones gave us the 'wrong' type of secondary sexual characteristics. If you want to change those secondary sexual characteristics and completely pass as a man, T can be extremely helpful. You don't have to take it, but you are incredibly privileged to live in a Western democracy where such a choice is available to you. There are people on this Board who aren't as lucky.
There's nothing unnatural about taking shots for the rest of your life. To me, the shots represent a tiny amount of pain for an enormous amount of benefit; they're totally worth it. Seriously, any discomfort I might feel at needing to be injected is much less severe than the sheer agony of lifelong gender dysphoria. I'll take that needle over GD any day. ;)
Also, you're very young: with the medical improvements that are happening all the time, there will most likely be better ways of administering T by the time you're my age. So don't let it get you down: you probably wouldn't need to take shots for your whole life anyway.
Quote from: Ayden on March 26, 2014, 12:35:23 AM
You don't have to take the shots at all. You don't have to take them forever. You don't have to do anything. If you want what comes from HRT you will have to do some form of hormone treatment and the injections are the cheapest and most common route. but it doesn't have to be for the rest of your life if you don't want it to be. That being said, if you have a total hysto take some to sort of hormonal medication since sexed hormones are really important to your body. If you don't have a hysto and go off testosterone treatments there will be some changes that reverse, and you may start having a period again. It all depends on what you want and what you think is right for you. It sucks, but we need a little bit of help in the hormone department due to our biological realities.
I never said that I didn't want HRT. ..
Quote from: FTMDiaries on March 26, 2014, 05:54:47 AM
Brandon, it sucks that we were born with the wrong set of hormone-producing gonads, and that those hormones gave us the 'wrong' type of secondary sexual characteristics. If you want to change those secondary sexual characteristics and completely pass as a man, T can be extremely helpful. You don't have to take it, but you are incredibly privileged to live in a Western democracy where such a choice is available to you. There are people on this Board who aren't as lucky.
There's nothing unnatural about taking shots for the rest of your life. To me, the shots represent a tiny amount of pain for an enormous amount of benefit; they're totally worth it. Seriously, any discomfort I might feel at needing to be injected is much less severe than the sheer agony of lifelong gender dysphoria. I'll take that needle over GD any day. ;)
Also, you're very young: with the medical improvements that are happening all the time, there will most likely be better ways of administering T by the time you're my age. So don't let it get you down: you probably wouldn't need to take shots for your whole life anyway.
Again I get that I don't have the right parts you do not have to keep repeating that I get it! And I will probaly always see it as unnatural that won't change even when I start.
Quote from: Brandon on March 26, 2014, 07:20:04 AM
I never said that I didn't want HRT. ..
Yeah, I know. I was responding the original post you made. I never said you didn't want HRT. You expressed a dislike of having to keep at it. I was saying you don't have to do anything. Do what is right for you, but have realistic expectations. I was just saying you have options friend.
Quote from: Brandon on March 26, 2014, 07:23:44 AM
Again I get that I don't have the right parts you do not have to keep repeating that I get it! And I will probaly always see it as unnatural that won't change even when I start.
You aren't the only one who has to deal with the fact that we won't be "right". Its always there, but a lot of us choose to focus on what we can have. If you only focus on what is wrong, its toxic. What Jay was saying is that there is no shame in taking medication to deal with medical problems.
Quote from: Brandon on March 26, 2014, 07:23:44 AM
Again I get that I don't have the right parts you do not have to keep repeating that I get it! And I will probaly always see it as unnatural that won't change even when I start.
I'm confused: if you get it, why do you see it as unnatural that you may need a little medical help to compensate for not having the 'right' parts? Like Ayden said, there's no shame in getting the shots.
some cis guys have low t, so they need T supplements to help them out. If you don't want to be on it the rest of your life, that's cool then just stop when you think your ready and accept the changes that come or don't. It sucks that we don't have the right body part, but we do have the bravery and determination to be who we are. You can always just not get hrt and just do you. Its all up to you and how you want to approach it, I get that you have the mindset, I'm a full blooded male. We all feel like that, but I think sometimes you have to face reality and accept what god did give you, mistake or not, our bodies just do not make testosterone like cis guys, there is nothing wrong with that, just have to accept it. Have to accept what you have and what you can change before you can really be the real you. Guess you have to grieve over not having a penis first before you can accept it. I know that you get that you don't have the right parts, but I think you still need to accept that you don't have the right parts before you will feel completely comfortable in your body and with hormones.
Quote from: Brandon on March 25, 2014, 10:19:10 PM
Well no I'm still planning to get T I was telling frank that I don't see it as a med and I believe hat God can heal things like diabetes, cancer ect ect even headaces Ive done it before I wasn't talking about my transition I was talking about meds in general.
How can God? Don't you think that if he existed we all would have been born cis in our desired bodies?
Sorry to take it off-topic
You basically have several options.
1. You go on T, have a hysto, and you stay on T for the rest of your life.
2. You go on T, don't have a hysto, run the risk of atrophying, cancer, and all manner of things, but you continue to say on T.
3. You go on T then you come off it, taking the risk of some changes reversing.
4. You go on T, have a hysto, and then come off T and go on estrogen.
5. You go on T, have a hysto, you come off T and run the risk of osteoporosis.
6. You don't go on T.
Reason for edit: Removed unhelpful 7th option that was potentially inflammatory.
Quote from: lxndr on March 26, 2014, 09:03:24 AM
Nice that you have faith, but you also need to understand science.
Its just another thing that sucks about being trans. Sure we all want to be more natural, but thats not so much an option for many people - even non trans people. What we all wish is that we were born with the right parts and don't have to go through unnatural surgeries and hormone control, but thats just not how it is. Not saying its not upsetting, but thats why we're all here, isn't it?
We just don't have the parts to produce the hormone, so if we want it in us to allow us to outwardly reflect our consciousness we need to consume it. Diabetics can't control/deal with insulin depending on the type ect. so they have to keep insulin handy to support what they're body cannot do. We can't produce the T we need to be ourselves, so we take T. Obviously not exactly the same (and I'm really not trying to be a douche) but I've also never heard of either being solved by prayer. I think that positive thoughts or prayer can have a positive influence on health (just as negative thoughts can have a negative influence). It can help slow the growth of tumors ect. when compared to when the same person becomes stressed or negative and they can begin to grow faster. Its not going to necessarily help you regulate your hormones, however.
If you don't see being trans as a medical condition (I'd argue that it is due to the fact its currently "treated" or dealt with by medical professionals)I guess that T wouldn't be a medicine?
Maybe its best to think of it as a hormonal supplement. Many cis people need to take hormones for one reason or another during their lives. Some people probably have to for their whole lives. Bodybuilders take all sorts of supplements daily. Maybe just try to think of it as something like that?
Sure we kind of get the short end of the stick here, but there are other people with other life-long erm... supplemental.. needs that have it much worse than just having to stick a needle in themselves once a week (or two weeks, or longer as other people have mentioned). Though maybe it doesn't so much effect their identity?
Let's all keep this a friendly discussion. We can get annoyed, and respond as such, but that's just going to spark the same reaction from the other half of the discussion. They will respond in kind, furthering your annoyance, until things build to a full argument. We can discuss and disagree without getting annoyed at each other, or at least not letting it show.
This is directed at no one in particular, and at both sides of the discussion. I'm noticing sharper tongues emerging on both sides. Let's pull that back so things can be discussed and stay civil.
If someone says something that provokes you, choose to ignore it rather than take the bait. Instead focus on the points that further the discussion and topic.
If people keep repeating something, let them. They're trying to help, not dwelling, or trying to harp on you. Maybe they aren't the best at giving advice, or maybe they are looking at it from a different perspective that could be a benefit to you, but are lacking the words to share this perspective with you, and repeating it is their way of working out the right words to share it. Either way, even if they don't find the words, letting them repeat it is harmless.
It's a prescription. Can't really argue that it's not medication.
And I'm sure everyone else is ecstatic about taking it forever.
It's interesting that something made by humans is often considered "unnatural" - as if we're outside of nature somehow. We're doing what animals tend to do, our species just happens to be particularly good at it. Living beings commonly build things and alter their surroundings to better suit their needs. Bees build hives. Birds build nests. Ants build colonies, which can be extremely complex, even including ventilation systems and areas to keep other insects as livestock. We build homes with plumbing, waste disposal systems, and invent methods to somewhat control the various things our bodies try to do. Blood pressure pills, insulin, HRT, artificial heart valves... just trying to change our bodies to suit our needs, just like we change our surroundings.
Quote from: CR on March 26, 2014, 11:54:53 AM
It's a prescription. Can't really argue that it's not medication.
True.
I've met a lot of people that have this goofy idea in their heads that: "Just because I tell myself that what I am taking/doing isn't a drug, then that makes it so." I've seen people say this in reference to both street drugs and prescription drugs.
People are strange.
if you want something badly enough... you'll do whatever it takes, no matter what the cost.
Things in life comes at a price. Not just for trans people, but for everyone. Not one persons body works in the exact same way so we just have to get over it and do what needs to be done. Fact of life.
yea, it's a downer , but I'd much rather have estrogen than not have it
Almost everyone eats packaged and processed food with chemical names that can't pronounce and thats unnatural. People are born with epilepsy and have to take medication and also pacemakers to keep them alive. Taking testosterone once a week which takes about 15 seconds to administrate isn't much of a bump on the road and makes the person i would probably say generally over all more happy and able to live their life as they which. Its a great thing that science lets us do :)
Quote from: Skyler Lusk on March 26, 2014, 01:56:00 PM
Almost everyone eats packaged and processed food with chemical names that can't pronounce and thats unnatural. People are born with epilepsy and have to take medication and also pacemakers to keep them alive. Taking testosterone once a week which takes about 15 seconds to administrate isn't much of a bump on the road and makes the person i would probably say generally over all more happy and able to live their life as they which. Its a great thing that science lets us do :)
I agree with this. It's important to keep in perspective how lucky we are to have things such as HRT these days. Even though it sucks to have to deal with it at all, only 100 years ago trans people didn't have these things.
Quote from: lxndr on March 26, 2014, 09:03:24 AM
You basically have several options.
1. You go on T, have a hysto, and you stay on T for the rest of your life.
2. You go on T, don't have a hysto, run the risk of atrophying, cancer, and all manner of things, but you continue to say on T.
3. You go on T then you come off it, taking the risk of some changes reversing.
4. You go on T, have a hysto, and then come off T and go on estrogen.
5. You go on T, have a hysto, you come off T and run the risk of osteoporosis.
6. You don't go on T.
Reason for edit: Removed unhelpful 7th option that was potentially inflammatory.
There is no evidence re: no hysto and cancer. There is not enough info. There are other things that reduce the risk of osteo like exercise and Calcium (1000-1500 mg). However, a lot of guys want the hysto due to eliminating periods and the need to have your junk examined.
T does have benefits as well as risks like improving muscle development.
--Jay
Quote from: aleon515 on March 26, 2014, 02:36:04 PM
There is no evidence re: no hysto and cancer. There is not enough info. There are other things that reduce the risk of osteo like exercise and Calcium (1000-1500 mg). However, a lot of guys want the hysto due to eliminating periods and the need to have your junk examined.
T does have benefits as well as risks like improving muscle development.
--Jay
It is highly recommended here that you get a hysto though, and if you want lower surgery with a v-nectomy at least some of those parts really should be taken out as there's no longer a way to test them for cancer. You can reduce the risks of osteo, but its still increased compared to someone with sex hormones, and it often has an effect on your mood. I never said that either of those things were a certainty, only that you're running an increased risk. Just like if you smoke it's not a dead cert that you'll get cancer, your chances are just increased. And likewise some people choose to take their chances.
Quote from: FTMDiaries on March 26, 2014, 08:06:20 AM
I'm confused: if you get it, why do you see it as unnatural that you may need a little medical help to compensate for not having the 'right' parts? Like Ayden said, there's no shame in getting the shots.
I already know I don't have the right parts that needs to keep being repeated, Because thats money cming out of my pocket for something that I could have normally went through durning puberty, And I rarely take meds, I don't wanna keep poking myself with a damn needle forever, Thats why it fustrates me, Thats not normal to me no offense.
Quote from: Ryan55 on March 26, 2014, 08:44:01 AM
some cis guys have low t, so they need T supplements to help them out. If you don't want to be on it the rest of your life, that's cool then just stop when you think your ready and accept the changes that come or don't. It sucks that we don't have the right body part, but we do have the bravery and determination to be who we are. You can always just not get hrt and just do you. Its all up to you and how you want to approach it, I get that you have the mindset, I'm a full blooded male. We all feel like that, but I think sometimes you have to face reality and accept what god did give you, mistake or not, our bodies just do not make testosterone like cis guys, there is nothing wrong with that, just have to accept it. Have to accept what you have and what you can change before you can really be the real you. Guess you have to grieve over not having a penis first before you can accept it. I know that you get that you don't have the right parts, but I think you still need to accept that you don't have the right parts before you will feel completely comfortable in your body and with hormones.
I get that but again you don't have to keep telling me that, I aacept it but its still not gone stop me from being upset and dysphoric.
Quote from: av1 on March 26, 2014, 08:50:51 AM
How can God? Don't you think that if he existed we all would have been born cis in our desired bodies?
Sorry to take it off-topic
God does exist don't disrepct my religion please and don't comment if your going to.
I've been taking thyroid hormone for 30 years and will have to the rest of my life. Or I will die.
Same for T, when I start it. It's just what my body requires.
Food for thought.
I think God wants us to be happy and do everything what we can to succeed. Anything that helps us to be happy and doesn't harm anybody else can't be unnatural to me. Maybe you should try to find a way between faith and transition? I'm sure the God you believe in doesn't want you to not take your steps into happines.
Quote from: Jared on March 26, 2014, 04:59:04 PM
I think God wants us to be happy and do everything what we can to succeed. Anything that helps us to be happy and doesn't harm anybody else can't be unnatural to me. Maybe you should try to find a way between faith and transition? I'm sure the God you believe in doesn't want you to not take your steps into happines.
I'm still going to transition and serve God but when it comes to taking meds I believe God heals things like diabetes cancer,aids etc ect thats what I meant
Quote from: Brandon on March 26, 2014, 05:10:42 PM
but when it comes to taking meds I believe God heals things like diabetes cancer,aids etc ect thats what I meant
That simply isn't the case.
I've known two people with terminal cancer. They both died and that was WITH treatments. I know two people that are diabetic and are under treatments at the moment. If they go off their respective treatments they WILL die. It is a sound scientific fact. It would be wise of you to reconsider your views.
Quote from: Laura Squirrel on March 26, 2014, 05:16:23 PM
That simply isn't the case.
I've known two people with terminal cancer. They both died and that was WITH treatments. I know two people that are diabetic and are under treatments at the moment. If they go off their respective treatments they WILL die. It is a sound scientific fact. It would be wise of you to reconsider your views.
Well I've seen it happen, I know my God works miracles you don't have to believe it, Prayer does change things, If you don't wanna believe it than fine I'm sorry just because you don't hav faith in God thats not my problem don't ever tell me to reconsider my views because I will not change them.
Quote from: Brandon on March 26, 2014, 05:10:42 PM
I'm still going to transition and serve God but when it comes to taking meds I believe God heals things like diabetes cancer,aids etc ect thats what I meant
I see. Of course he heals diseases and things like that, that's why he created the people who invented medications and therapys etc. ;)
God does heal, but not in all cases.
What medications a person takes is their own responsibility.
Can we steer away from turning this into a debate about religion, folks? There are other boards for such things.
Let's try and keep it on topic, please.
Quote from: Jared on March 26, 2014, 05:19:38 PM
I see. Of course he heals diseases and things like that, that's why he created the people who invented medications and therapys etc. ;)
Yes he does and sometimes without meds, I just don't like when Atheists tell me to reconsider my beliefs I've seen him work but, ill just ignore it.
Quote from: Brandon on March 26, 2014, 05:18:24 PM
Well Ive seen it happen, I know my God works miracles you don't have to believe it, Prayer does change things, If you don't wanna believe than fine.
You are free to believe as you wish. But medicine has actually saved lives. I have to ask you this question: If you end up in a situation where you fall deathly ill and there is some type of treatment that will serve your life, what are you going to do? Pray and hope things get better or are you going to turn it down and just believe that "God will work it all out"?
Quote from: Sephirah on March 26, 2014, 05:21:28 PM
Can we steer away from turning this into a debate about religion, folks? There are other boards for such things.
Let's try and keep it on topic, please.
I apologize.
I second what Sephirah said, lets bring this back on topic.
Quote from: Laura Squirrel on March 26, 2014, 05:23:28 PM
You are free to believe as you wish. But medicine has actually saved lives. I have to ask you this question: If you end up in a situation where you fall deathly ill and there is some type of treatment that will serve your life, what are you going to do? Pray and hope things get better or are you going to turn it down and just believe that "God will work it all out"?
Yes I will pray because God is greater and powerful than all doctors and they wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him, He will work out all my problems, Hell I use to have a lazey eye when I was 5 the docs wanted to do lazer eye surgery but my mom didn't wanna do that so she prayed for me and know you can't even tell I ever had one no one knows accept family and it was bad so don't come at me like that, I have faith to bad you don't.
I apologize for my post if it seemed disrespectful
I was thinking about cancer only then I was this post and I thought about the time when my mom was being treated-her hair fell off, she became weak, her emotional stability has become so low..
But she did survive. She is still a theist but all this, coupled with a few other things, turned me into an atheist.
That post was due to an impulse sorry if it was offensive
She did not want the treatment to do her harm but there wasn't any other option. I don't want to be dependent on T shots which can benefit me but I too have no other option.
Quote from: Brandon on March 26, 2014, 04:02:27 PM
I already know I don't have the right parts that needs to keep being repeated, Because thats money cming out of my pocket for something that I could have normally went through durning puberty, And I rarely take meds, I don't wanna keep poking myself with a damn needle forever, Thats why it fustrates me, Thats not normal to me no offense.
I get where you're coming from, to a certain extent. But the thing is: those of us who have medical conditions of any sort that might be improved by medication basically have two choices: 1) accept that we have the condition and put up with the symptoms without treatment; or 2) accept that we have the condition and accept the medical treatment for it. Either way, acceptance is the first step on the path to inner peace, because no amount of wishful thinking will make it disappear.
I have to take medication every day because I have asthma. I shouldn't need to do this: my bronchi shouldn't constrict and make it difficult for me to breathe, and it's not natural to use inhalers and steroids. But I can't wish away my asthma and if I don't take my meds I could die. So really, I have no choice but to accept that I need them. And I am grateful to the scientists, researchers and medical professionals who keep me alive.
T is the same. I couldn't bear living without it, and I'm enormously grateful that it's available to me if I can't make enough myself.
Quote from: lxndr on March 26, 2014, 03:08:10 PM
It is highly recommended here that you get a hysto though, and if you want lower surgery with a v-nectomy at least some of those parts really should be taken out as there's no longer a way to test them for cancer. You can reduce the risks of osteo, but its still increased compared to someone with sex hormones, and it often has an effect on your mood. I never said that either of those things were a certainty, only that you're running an increased risk. Just like if you smoke it's not a dead cert that you'll get cancer, your chances are just increased. And likewise some people choose to take their chances.
This is not really a smoking analogy, because smoking is really quite a known risk. But with lower surgery, I don't think it would be done without it, unless in the most simple surgeries. If someone would do a complex meta without, I think that doctor is incompetent.
As for the comments for Brandon, I see it is round and round. You can chose to take it and be miserable about it, or not take it and be miserable about it, or you can accept that certain things are out of your control and do what you need to do. You won't ever be a cis male. No changing that. You can be a happy trans man or a miserable one.
--Jay
Quote from: aleon515 on March 27, 2014, 11:30:01 AM
As for the comments for Brandon, I see it is round and round. You can chose to take it and be miserable about it, or not take it and be miserable about it, or you can accept that certain things are out of your control and do what you need to do. You won't ever be a cis male. No changing that. You can be a happy trans man or a miserable one.
--Jay
I would even take it a step farther....this is what I use for myself: "You're going to be miserable. Would you rather be a miserable transman with hormones or a miserable transman without hormones?" If you go the hormone route, you will gain more masculinization, but if you go without, you will save more money and will be able to buy other stuff. You just got to decide which route is more important to you.
Quote from: aleon515 on March 27, 2014, 11:30:01 AM
This is not really a smoking analogy, because smoking is really quite a known risk. But with lower surgery, I don't think it would be done without it, unless in the most simple surgeries. If someone would do a complex meta without, I think that doctor is incompetent.
--Jay
Okay, maybe that wasn't the best analogy in the world, but really, if you're going to be taking T then you do need to be well informed about it and know about the risks. The chances of something happening is much lower, and maybe not fully understood, but it's the same sort of gist, it's a risk that people take. People can die driving, but they take the risk because they deem it necessary, while others who don't see it as necessary don't bother.
Quote from: Malachite on March 27, 2014, 12:57:18 PM
I would even take it a step farther....this is what I use for myself: "You're going to be miserable. Would you rather be a miserable transman with hormones or a miserable transman without hormones?" If you go the hormone route, you will gain more masculinization, but if you go without, you will save more money and will be able to buy other stuff. You just got to decide which route is more important to you.
Personally, resigning myself to be miserable no matter what is no way I want to live my life, and I hope other people feel the same.
I'm actually coming from another viewpoint in that I am a biologist and I find medicine fascinating. It's amazing how much we understand and with such a simple procedure (a needle injecting into a muscle) so much can be changed. I have to marvel at the workings of the world and I'm happy to be a part of something so complex, though it can be terrible and painful at times.
I firmly believe everyone has the power to be happy and love themselves, but it can be a long, rocky road.
Quote from: Whynaut on March 27, 2014, 01:03:03 PM
Personally, resigning myself to be miserable no matter what is no way I want to live my life, and I hope other people feel the same.
I'm sure 99 percent of people on this board feel the same as you. There's no denying that. The point was that if EVERYTHING is just going to be gloom and doom then pick the "lesser" of the two evils, whatever that may be. My statement was not to be taken as an attack, but rather a measure of one's self how they want their life to be. If it works, then great, but if not, oh well as there is plenty of other great advice here, though I'm not sure how much is actually helping the OP.
I never said I wasn't gonna take T or that I'm not thankful for it, All I said was that it's to much even the surgery itself is, Of course I'm gonna ask myself and God that at times why can't I be normal because Ill never feel I am and ill never quit asking God or myself that because there is always gonna be something that triggers that, Its not even just T o surgery its having to change your damn license, I'm staring fdrivers ed next week and I damn sure don't want Female or my birth name on it that's depressing so is having to get our birth certificate changed. Its stressful and I don't take stress very well.
Quote from: Brandon on March 27, 2014, 04:27:10 PM
I never said I wasn't gonna take T or that I'm not thankful for it, All I said was that it's to much even the surgery itself is, Of course I'm gonna ask myself and God that at times why can't I be normal because Ill never feel I am and ill never quit asking God or myself that because there is always gonna be something that triggers that, Its not even just T o surgery its having to change your damn license, I'm staring fdrivers ed next week and I damn sure don't want Female or my birth name on it that's depressing so is having to get our birth certificate changed. Its stressful and I don't take stress very well.
Brandon, no one here is saying you don't want to do XYZ. No one here is saying "inject and love it or GTFO".
Everyone here saying you have options and to do what you think will give you the best quality of life. Everyone here understands to greater or lesser degrees what you are experiencing. You are not alone in any of this.
We are all just saying that yes, it bites, but it's our lot to have these options available. We have all had to come to terms with it in a variety of different ways but in doing so, we have found its possible to happy, healthy, well adjusted men. Without personal acceptance this doesn't get better or easier.
Quote from: Ayden on March 27, 2014, 06:59:10 PM
Brandon, no one here is saying you don't want to do XYZ. No one here is saying "inject and love it or GTFO".
Everyone here saying you have options and to do what you think will give you the best quality of life. Everyone here understands to greater or lesser degrees what you are experiencing. You are not alone in any of this.
We are all just saying that yes, it bites, but it's our lot to have these options available. We have all had to come to terms with it in a variety of different ways but in doing so, we have found its possible to happy, healthy, well adjusted men. Without personal acceptance this doesn't get better or easier.
I do accept it but it doesn't mean I'm happy about it or that I'm just gonna all of the sudden be happy about it, I'm still am gonna be upset, I'm still in hs and when you see the freshman going through puberty and you don't even look your age of course your gonna get upset.
Its like my family who can't come together it hurts me but I accept it but it doesn't mean that I still don't get upset when I see other peoples families together.
Quote from: Brandon on March 27, 2014, 07:16:45 PM
I do accept it but it doesn't mean I'm happy about it or that I'm just gonna all of the sudden be happy about it, I'm still am gonna be upset, I'm still in hs and when you see the freshman going through puberty and you don't even look your age of course your gonna get upset.
Its like my family who can't come together it hurts me but I accept it but it doesn't mean that I still don't get upset when I see other peoples families together.
I'm not saying you have to happy about anything. It wasn't so long ago that I was in high school. I have brothers who are there now. I'm the only biological female in my family. I come from a very, very broken home. I'm not saying you have to be happy about it. Am I happy that I have the family history I have? No, of course not. Am I happy that I have to live my life being going through problems other guys don't? No. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. What I am saying is that it gets better. When I was in school (again, really not long ago at all) I though my life was doomed to be awful. Don't get so caught up in where you are now. Do what you can. You don't have to be happy that you have a puberty you feel like shouldn't. But don't let that become your only focus. That's toxic. That's all I'm saying and that's what everyone else is saying. I can't offer you any advice outside what I have. I hope things better for you. I know life can be awesome. I wish someone had told me the same when I was your age. I don't have anything to add after this, but try and read again and see what everyone is saying. This is a support site and everyone here, whether you think so or not, understands where you are coming from.
does anyone know how they implant testopel inside of you and are there side effects and is it dangerous to inject Sustanon??
Quote from: onebody on March 28, 2014, 05:39:24 PM
does anyone know how they implant testopel inside of you and are there side effects and is it dangerous to inject Sustanon??
They make a small incision usually around the upper buttock, and use basically a giant syringe to inject the pellets into the incision. Then they put a few stitches in the incision to prevent the pellets from working their way out.
Quote from: Brandon on March 25, 2014, 10:19:10 PM
Well no I'm still planning to get T I was telling frank that I don't see it as a med and I believe hat God can heal things like diabetes, cancer ect ect even headaces Ive done it before I wasn't talking about my transition I was talking about meds in general.
God cannot heal these things, or at least definitely not alone. Religious beliefs aside this is not just incorrect, it's a dangerous view. One can pray while receiving proper treatment but diabetes and cancer are fatal if left untreated. The only diabetes that can be cured is type 2 . This is the type that is normally presented as a result of obesity and controlled with diet and pills initially, only moving to injected insulin if it gets worse. Type 1 is the type people are born with and unless they're extremely lucky around puberty, they have it for life and have to inject insulin, A HORMONE for life. There's current hope in stem cell research but a cure is still a long way away.
Testosterone is medication in the same way you might take paracetamol medication for a fever or headache. There's just no way to justify as anything but.
In my opinion you're just looking at it the wrong way. God can't give you a male reproduction system, but medical science can replicate it. Medical science can make you male, but no amount of praying will make you start producing male levels of Testosterone, lose breast tissue or grow a penis and testicles. That kinda view is just setting yourself up for failure. Instead of always thinking or asking why, look forward and imagine the result. None of us can change the past. However, you live in a time where you can be treated. Hell, mere decades ago if you were born with diabetes, you were essentially just waiting to die!
How many folks do you hear complaining about thyroid problems? There's yet another treated hormone problem.
Without life long management type 1 diabetics will die from diabetes. They have to inject all the time, every day. And even then, things can still go horribly wrong and they could still die from it. I have a diabetic friend who is constantly in and out of hospital. I, myself, have reactive hypoglycaemia which is a bit like the opposite of diabetes that I have to manage all the time. I can't enjoy food the same way those without blood sugar problems can. I have to be sure to eat certain foods and watch every food label, etc. I'd love if my body had the correct functioning parts to handle that but it can't be cured right now, so instead I manage my blood sugar levels the same way I manage my T levels. With some treatments of T you can get a shot every month or so, slow releasing T pellets, or just inject every 1 or 2 weeks. Still nothing compared to a diabetic. They were born without correct parts themselves and that's why they need to inject. In comparison there's definitely commonality with trans individuals (especially transmen in terms of injecting) and diabetics, the difference is, medically speaking, the latter will die without treatment. Before any backlash, that is not to lessen trans individals needs, just that not all trans individuals feel the need for HRT, and, as mentioned in this thread, can medically survive without or when stopping treatment for a period of time. However for those that do require HRT I obviously do consider it a medical necessity as emotionally, without HRT, it can, in itself, be life threatening.
Also, as many have suggested, a lot of cis-men use T too. It's not a transman only drug. Right now I'm actually submitting medical letters and labs with another male friend of mine for international competition anti-doping purposes stating we both take Testosterone but are closely monitored to prove there's no abuse of the substance. He is not trans and doesn't know I am. My letters don't even state that, they merely say it is treatment for hypogonadism.
At the end of the day, it can help to remember that it could ALWAYS be worse. Personally when I get down I will often think of my issues as being first world problems. If i was in Africa I'd be more concerned about where my next meal or drink of water was coming from than getting my next T prescription, or letters from my endo so I can compete internationally. Sure, life will always be that little bit tougher, but I'm not dying of cancer, I'm not the father of a young child dying from cancer, I'm not starving, I don't have Aids,etc, etc. Instead, I may be an orphan, I may be a musician going deaf, I may have reactive hypoglycaemia, I may be likely to be in a wheelchair in the next decade or so, I may have to take 2 minutes to inject T every Sunday...but I'm alive and have food in my belly! And hell, if I dwell on the negatives, how will I enjoy the here and now?
I live by the 'someone always has it worse' principle. We can always bitch and moan, and that's always good; it's therapeutic, but coming round to the 'someone has it worse' idea can give you that proverbial slap in the face you need in order to move on.
Watching guys go through puberty at school is horrible, but with the 'Someone has it worse' principle, you live in a time and place where you're out at school and accepted. That's new. There's tons of us here where that couldn't happen. Many of us wore uniforms or went to all girls (or all boys for the transwomen) schools. In some areas even now, it just wouldn't be safe to be out!
I'm not by any means telling you your issues mean nothing. We all have our own issues no matter how petty some may view them, but you either manage it or let it consume you. I'll full on admit that I've cried over my failing hearing. That I'll get angry that others don't have to have multiple ear surgeries; that any ear infections they get don't carry the risk of life threatening complications. But what gets me through is knowing that without the medical treatment we have today, or living in a country where that treatment is available, I'd already be dead. I was also born with hearing so at the very least I've had the time to enjoy it unlike those born deaf. And who knows what the future holds? There's already positive stem cell research in areas that could well help me. Perhaps even in this area something could even be done for transmen. Who knows what's going to happen in the medical field, especially for the young who have more time. In the grand scheme of things, I would honestly rather have been born without my ear problems than be born male. Why? I can't ever escape my ear probems. I know every day my hearing sucks. But through time I've fine tuned a way to manage being trans. It still affects me, of course, but surgery and injecting T is a part "cure". All the things that affect me now are either in private matters (relationship concerns) or when I stop and think about it. I'm stealth, so asfar as I, or anyone else is concerned, I'm just a regular dude, every day. Emotionally something will always be there but I can escape or forget about it for a good while. There's precious few moments in my life where I can forget how bad my ears are when I live with tinnitus!
So yeah, the way to look at it: is injecting T every now and again really that bad in the grand scheme of things?
Quote from: Jack_M on March 29, 2014, 11:52:07 PM
God cannot heal these things, or at least definitely not alone. Religious beliefs aside this is not just incorrect, it's a dangerous view. One can pray while receiving proper treatment but diabetes and cancer are fatal if left untreated. The only diabetes that can be cured is type 2 . This is the type that is normally presented as a result of obesity and controlled with diet and pills initially, only moving to injected insulin if it gets worse. Type 1 is the type people are born with and unless they're extremely lucky around puberty, they have it for life and have to inject insulin, A HORMONE for life. There's current hope in stem cell research but a cure is still a long way away.
Testosterone is medication in the same way you might take paracetamol medication for a fever or headache. There's just no way to justify as anything but.
In my opinion you're just looking at it the wrong way. God can't give you a male reproduction system, but medical science can replicate it. Medical science can make you male, but no amount of praying will make you start producing male levels of Testosterone, lose breast tissue or grow a penis and testicles. That kinda view is just setting yourself up for failure. Instead of always thinking or asking why, look forward and imagine the result. None of us can change the past. However, you live in a time where you can be treated. Hell, mere decades ago if you were born with diabetes, you were essentially just waiting to die!
How many folks do you hear complaining about thyroid problems? There's yet another treated hormone problem.
Without life long management type 1 diabetics will die from diabetes. They have to inject all the time, every day. And even then, things can still go horribly wrong and they could still die from it. I have a diabetic friend who is constantly in and out of hospital. I, myself, have reactive hypoglycaemia which is a bit like the opposite of diabetes that I have to manage all the time. I can't enjoy food the same way those without blood sugar problems can. I have to be sure to eat certain foods and watch every food label, etc. I'd love if my body had the correct functioning parts to handle that but it can't be cured right now, so instead I manage my blood sugar levels the same way I manage my T levels. With some treatments of T you can get a shot every month or so, slow releasing T pellets, or just inject every 1 or 2 weeks. Still nothing compared to a diabetic. They were born without correct parts themselves and that's why they need to inject. In comparison there's definitely commonality with trans individuals (especially transmen in terms of injecting) and diabetics, the difference is, medically speaking, the latter will die without treatment. Before any backlash, that is not to lessen trans individals needs, just that not all trans individuals feel the need for HRT, and, as mentioned in this thread, can medically survive without or when stopping treatment for a period of time. However for those that do require HRT I obviously do consider it a medical necessity as emotionally, without HRT, it can, in itself, be life threatening.
Also, as many have suggested, a lot of cis-men use T too. It's not a transman only drug. Right now I'm actually submitting medical letters and labs with another male friend of mine for international competition anti-doping purposes stating we both take Testosterone but are closely monitored to prove there's no abuse of the substance. He is not trans and doesn't know I am. My letters don't even state that, they merely say it is treatment for hypogonadism.
At the end of the day, it can help to remember that it could ALWAYS be worse. Personally when I get down I will often think of my issues as being first world problems. If i was in Africa I'd be more concerned about where my next meal or drink of water was coming from than getting my next T prescription, or letters from my endo so I can compete internationally. Sure, life will always be that little bit tougher, but I'm not dying of cancer, I'm not the father of a young child dying from cancer, I'm not starving, I don't have Aids,etc, etc. Instead, I may be an orphan, I may be a musician going deaf, I may have reactive hypoglycaemia, I may be likely to be in a wheelchair in the next decade or so, I may have to take 2 minutes to inject T every Sunday...but I'm alive and have food in my belly! And hell, if I dwell on the negatives, how will I enjoy the here and now?
I live by the 'someone always has it worse' principle. We can always bitch and moan, and that's always good; it's therapeutic, but coming round to the 'someone has it worse' idea can give you that proverbial slap in the face you need in order to move on.
Watching guys go through puberty at school is horrible, but with the 'Someone has it worse' principle, you live in a time and place where you're out at school and accepted. That's new. There's tons of us here where that couldn't happen. Many of us wore uniforms or went to all girls (or all boys for the transwomen) schools. In some areas even now, it just wouldn't be safe to be out!
I'm not by any means telling you your issues mean nothing. We all have our own issues no matter how petty some may view them, but you either manage it or let it consume you. I'll full on admit that I've cried over my failing hearing. That I'll get angry that others don't have to have multiple ear surgeries; that any ear infections they get don't carry the risk of life threatening complications. But what gets me through is knowing that without the medical treatment we have today, or living in a country where that treatment is available, I'd already be dead. I was also born with hearing so at the very least I've had the time to enjoy it unlike those born deaf. And who knows what the future holds? There's already positive stem cell research in areas that could well help me. Perhaps even in this area something could even be done for transmen. Who knows what's going to happen in the medical field, especially for the young who have more time. In the grand scheme of things, I would honestly rather have been born without my ear problems than be born male. Why? I can't ever escape my ear probems. I know every day my hearing sucks. But through time I've fine tuned a way to manage being trans. It still affects me, of course, but surgery and injecting T is a part "cure". All the things that affect me now are either in private matters (relationship concerns) or when I stop and think about it. I'm stealth, so asfar as I, or anyone else is concerned, I'm just a regular dude, every day. Emotionally something will always be there but I can escape or forget about it for a good while. There's precious few moments in my life where I can forget how bad my ears are when I live with tinnitus!
So yeah, the way to look at it: is injecting T every now and again really that bad in the grand scheme of things?
God can heal I've already seen it done as I old someone else I'm sorry you don't have faith and if that's all your gonna do is disrespect me and my religious belifs then don't comment on any of my post. And never did I say that God can give me a male reproduction system you need to learn how to read, To be honedt I'm not even going to take advice from some of you anymore.
Quote from: Brandon on March 30, 2014, 08:59:34 AM
God can heal I've already seen it done as I old someone else I'm sorry you don't have faith and if that's all your gonna do is disrespect me and my religious belifs then don't comment on any of my post. And never did I say that God can give me a male reproduction system you need to learn how to read, To be honedt I'm not even going to take advice from some of you anymore.
He wasn't disrespecting your belief, he was pointing out the fact that people can, and do, die from not receiving medical treatment, whether they have faith or not. And yes, it is dangerous to think otherwise, because you can die. If you have kids one day and they had diabetes then they could die too if it wasn't controlled.
And really, you're telling people to learn how to read? In this thread alone I've seen you miss the point several times.
OK everyone, this is a topic about whether "T" will have to be taken forever and NOT a spiritual topic. Please keep on topic of using, or not, "T" for life. Please debate spirituality on the correct forum. Thanks!
Quote from: lxndr on March 30, 2014, 09:04:10 AM
He wasn't disrespecting your belief, he was pointing out the fact that people can, and do, die from not receiving medical treatment, whether they have faith or not. And yes, it is dangerous to think otherwise, because you can die. If you have kids one day and they had diabetes then they could die too if it wasn't controlled.
And really, you're telling people to learn how to read? In this thread alone I've seen you miss the point several times.
Telling somene that God doesn't or can't heal is disrespectful to someone who believes he can, sorry you don't see that, And I can read but some of you don't give good advice.
Quote from: Brandon on March 30, 2014, 09:45:21 AM
Telling somene that God doesn't or can't is disrespectful sorry you don't see that
There is no disrespect involved, but merely an opposing view. Looks like a case where everyone is going to have to agree to disagree. Now get back on topic please which if "T" will have to be taken the rest of your life. :)
Quote from: Jessica Merriman on March 30, 2014, 09:21:27 AM
OK everyone, this is a topic about whether "T" will have to be taken forever and NOT a spiritual topic. Please keep on topic of using, or not, "T" for life. Please debate spirituality on the correct forum. Thanks!
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I'm sorry.
Quote from: Jessica Merriman on March 30, 2014, 09:50:34 AM
There is no disrespect involved, but merely an opposing view. Looks like a case where everyone is going to have to agree to disagree. Now get back on topic please which if "T" will have to be taken the rest of your life. :)
That's kind of disrespectful and I'm not the one who brought it back up he's an Atheists there is a better way to put things and I'm not gonna take advice from an Atheists. Yes you can disagree but sometimes disagreeing can become disrespectful to someone else depending on how you word things.
I believe this topic has run it's course. Topic locked.