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Community Conversation => Transsexual talk => Female to male transsexual talk (FTM) => Topic started by: ThatAussieDude on December 03, 2014, 08:52:33 AM

Title: Possible reasons for hormonal changes
Post by: ThatAussieDude on December 03, 2014, 08:52:33 AM
So, as I have said elsewhere, since my doctor changed me to Reandron, I have had various problems with my hormones going out of whack. For reference, I have had 4 shots of Reandron and take it every 10 weeks, and get my bloodwork a few days prior to the next one. I have asked my GP for a copy of my bloodwork for the last 2 shots, because she wasn't explaining what the problem is besides that Renadron isn't doing what its supposed to and causing the opposite of what Primoteston did, i.e my oestriadol has been rapidly increasing and my T level has been dropping. I am unsure if I am allowed to say blood work levels so I won't but this has only been a problem whilst on Reandron. My GP said initially that this could occur but when my body adjusts it would stop, however it isn't for me. It just keeps getting worse, and the things it is causing keep getting worse.

I have very bad cramps that I didn't even have when I still had my monthly, sorry for being graphic but I don't know how to describe it other than saying it feels like having something too big put in there, which is very uncomfortable and psychologically distressing for me as I have never had that kind of sex and don't use that part of me. The pain is internal, very gross and disgusting feeling for me. I have it every day, and it is significantly worse at the end of my T cycle.

I have feelings like I am about to have my monthly, and feel like I have to, and do check to be sure it isn't there, several times a day. Overall it just causes pain and those feelings there and that increases my dysphoria because I don't deal with being so aware of that part of my body well at all.

I have seen a massive decline in transitional changes from T, it is almost like I am taking it for no reason anymore, and has been that way since I started Reandron. I have cold and hot flushes, and things like my emotional response from seeing movies etc is different, I feel ready to cry all the time and even though I don't it is a lot harder to not, from things that I normally have no emotional response towards.  I am so tired and irritable and I don't feel like a man anymore, it is almost as bad as being pre-T and not having my mind and body congruent at all, for me. I'm very dizzy and when I stand up I almost fall over. My bones and muscles ache and have tension. None of these things happened before, when I took Primoteston, or even before I started T.

Could there be something wrong down there, that is causing this, also? Because I haven't heard of Reandron causing these problems. I'm very worried, and told my doctor this last time I saw her and she said she will talk with a doctor that has more experience with transmen, but she has said that before and never did, so I am not very confident she will. It kind of sounds to me like I would benefit from getting my hysterectomy earlier than I planned, but I have been to a (not trans friendly) gynaecologist and he said no, he wouldn't refer me to a surgeon because there is no evidence of medically needing one, and I am only 19, plus it will be difficult cause my ID has M on it. Thanks for any advice.
Title: Re: Possible reasons for hormonal changes
Post by: Alexthecat on December 03, 2014, 10:03:05 AM
Maybe you need a shot that is more frequent like every week or two, least then if it isn't working you would find out in a month instead of three.
Title: Re: Possible reasons for hormonal changes
Post by: ThatAussieDude on December 03, 2014, 03:23:52 PM
I would if it was possible to break up Reandron and give it that often, but it isn't because of how its packaged. That's why I can't even give it to myself and have to go to my GP to get it done. I used to take Primoteston every 2 weeks but that got my level slightly too high and I had trouble dealkng with the last 5 days, so I don't know how well I would have gone if I took it every 3 weeks instead, but I am going to openly and firmly suggest that I do when I go back to my GP, because a drop is inevitable and now I've had these problems for long enough, I would rather go through that knowing my level is better and I'm not going to deal with these issues, hopefully.
Title: Re: Possible reasons for hormonal changes
Post by: Bran on December 03, 2014, 03:37:52 PM
FYI, the reandron is a formulation of testosterone that only got approved in the US very recently (testosterone udecanoate).  It's unlikely that any of the American folks have experience with it it.  I don't know about Canada, though it's been around in the UK for a while.  I think it has some specific quirks that might make it less absorbed than other sorts of T.  Isnt it a really big shot? This really all could be the result of your switching preparations.  It might be that your effective dose is much lower. 

I think you're on the right track to plan to be firmer with your GP.  There are lots of different ways to space and dose T injections.  You can find a regimen that meets your needs on a formulation that actually works for you.
Title: Re: Possible reasons for hormonal changes
Post by: ThatAussieDude on December 03, 2014, 07:09:13 PM
Yes Reandron is very big, that's why my GP has to do it and why there is so much time in between shots. I have said to her that I would prefer to have my T level higher than it has been and asked her to speak with a doctor that regularly treats transmen and ask for advice about my high oestradiol, which hasn't ever given up a fight, just only Reandron has increased it. I am hoping that she does that, but it is well known for her to not do what she says she will. I am going to try and book an appointment before my next shot appointment and talk to her about these issues and push that I did much better on Primoteston. I have also considered asking her about the pill form of testosterone undecanoate, Andriol, but am worried they won't my needs. Does anyone know anything about that? I can't find much info on them, but to me it seems that would have less of a drop, if they even have one at all, wjich would be better for my mental health disorders.
Title: Re: Possible reasons for hormonal changes
Post by: Alexthecat on December 04, 2014, 06:03:44 AM
Pills are bad on the liver.
Title: Re: Possible reasons for hormonal changes
Post by: ThatAussieDude on December 04, 2014, 06:27:21 AM
Yeah I read that so I won't ask her about them, but I did manage to book an appointment with her for in a few days. So hopefully that goes well. I guess my reaction to Reandron is solely how my body reacts to it, it doesn't seem to be a problem for anyone else
Title: Re: Possible reasons for hormonal changes
Post by: HeyTrace19 on December 04, 2014, 02:13:08 PM
I also had difficulty maintaining healthy hormone levels, with erratic, high numbers despite consistently lowering my dose (I inject T. Cypionate).  I know that feeling of fullness that you speak about, and began bleeding again even though I had been on hormones for three years.  That was a year ago, when it was determined that the reproductives had to be removed.  The surgeon found a very large (like a small loaf of bread!) benign tumor attached to the uterus, something that had escaped view on a pelvic ultrasound.  I would encourage you to check in with a gynecologist, even though you are Male, you have organs in your body that a gyno needs to investigate...despite the hassle and discomfort of the whole process.  I feel much better now, and no longer have pelvic pain or hormone issues, and have fewer worries about my future.  Best of Luck
Title: Re: Possible reasons for hormonal changes
Post by: ThatAussieDude on December 04, 2014, 03:23:12 PM
I have been to a gynaecologist, a few actually. They won't look. I know that while I still have that, its necessary to get it checked. Nothing I can do if they don't want to look
Title: Re: Possible reasons for hormonal changes
Post by: HeyTrace19 on December 04, 2014, 04:32:11 PM
It is important to keep looking for one who will help you...
Title: Re: Possible reasons for hormonal changes
Post by: ThatAussieDude on December 04, 2014, 05:44:35 PM
I know