Just got home from my first endo appointment. I was really scared, irrationally so, but had this terrible nightmare image that I'd get there and she'd grill me and be rude and try to convince me that either I didn't really want to do this, or that I shouldn't expect it to work, or various other unpleasant scenarios.
It was nothing like that at all. I met with a nurse, then a resident, and then the resident and "real" doc together. All three were perfect. It was maybe a little awkward at first with the nurse and resident, but they were utterly professional, caring, and I didn't get any hint of judgment or disapproval or what. But after a couple minutes of talking, even that went away. They were AWESOME.
They did ask a bit about my feelings, family situation, etc, but it was not uncomfortable. They were just making sure that I was in a safe, supportive environment and that I was seeing a therapist for additional support. I mentioned that my therapist had offered to write a support letter if I needed one, but she didn't see a need to bother with it. I'd been (reasonably this time) worried that she'd demand a paper trail and, while I know I could get one, I didn't want to deal with the delay. But there was no problem there!
Walked out with a spiro prescription (figuratively, since it just goes to the pharmacy) and have to get a blood test due to a possible clotting disorder. Depending on that, I may or may not be able to take oral E, but the doc was very careful to make sure I understood that it would still be possible through patches or gels.
On the way home, oh my god, I felt emotions I have never felt before in my entire life. Pure joy, just bubbling up and turning into laughter, crying, screaming, etc. It was a little frightening at first, actually, but then it hit me: this is what elation feels like. WOOOOOHOOOOO!
Congrats on getting to this point! The feeling must be overwhelming.
My appointment is this Friday. I have to say that although I am exited about getting to this point, I am also getting anxious. I just had a phone conversation with my SO and that did not help. She is concerned that I will move too quickly become too feminine. 'Our' plan is to take little steps and first deal with my dysphoria. The roller coster ride continues. I guess I will see what the outcome will be. I know that I will need blood tests done before the prescription will be given. I am looking for low dosage E to stat.
Please keep us up to date as to how your journey is going!
Congratulations on the HRT start to your journey. It's very exciting and I can tell by your enthusiasm that it's emotional as well. I wish the best for you and please keep us updated.
Like Islandgirl, I am also just a short time behind you, my appointment is scheduled for February 10th. I will have a referral letter in hand from my therapist in case the clinic asks or requires one, but I don't think it'll be an issue. I am vey excited to get my scripts for HRT and take another giant step in this journey.
Good luck to you!
Woo! Congrats. Don't expect boobs or changes overnight but things will happen indeed! Presumably they told you but make sure you drink more water and be careful if you start to feel dizzy. Spiro is also used for blood pressure and is a diuretic. Since they haven't put you on estrogen as well just be aware that you may start sweating a lot plus you'll probably start feeling tired/lethargic. Hope they get you on E soon. Good luck! :D
I am sure I'll be updating pretty regularly on here. I'll be watching for your updates, too. I have seen one (or maybe both) of you post about your endo plans recently, and it was nice to feel like I've got some company starting this adventure.
Thanks for the tips, Grace. I've been reading obsessively enough to know that I need to be patient, and patience is something I'm pretty good with. I expect that I'll have the results of the test by the end of the week, so it will only be a couple days flying free of sex hormones, but it's very useful to have an idea of what to expect. My endo did not say a whole lot about what to watch for, but did say I should go ahead and start the spiro today rather than waiting. I figure I can put up with a few days of whatever it brings --- that's a few days less time for the T to kill any more hair follicles!
Whether I end up with pills or patches/gel, she's starting me on low dose. She said she's had much better breast development results with a few months of that first.
CONGRATS!!! ;D
Thanks!
Already my patience is being tested, though, as apparently she doesn't usually call in the prescriptions until the end of the day. I think I might have annoyed the nurse by already calling to ask what was up... :-P But mostly I was concerned because it didn't show on the discharge order summary, so I didn't want to risk it having been overlooked.
YAY! The delay is over. They called in the prescription, I picked it up, and the first dose is down the hatch. Feeling some dizziness, but as that was about 20 minutes ago, I'm gonna say that's euphoria and excitement... :)
As they say, "So it begins..."
Cookies!!!
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs-images.forbes.com%2Fwork-in-progress%2Ffiles%2F2011%2F07%2FCookie_Monster-240x300.jpg&hash=41e80a6cd51145f4f9ad1cc5facb125ed6366fec)
Celebrate good times, come on!!!
(https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRZ6x4MC-jXXk_0FM4-7zIAUQzQn5z_0JI1mYMpRDTsIG_f103fLw)
It's a celebration
Congrats
Hugs
Ha! Thanks, but someone will have to eat my cookies for me. I'm still trying to lose a few pounds. Starting up happened faster than I expected, so I didn't get to my goal while still fully T-boosted.
<3
Ok then, this is perhaps more appropriate.... ;D
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fts3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DHN.608003538022763322%26amp%3Bpid%3D15.1%26amp%3BH%3D154%26amp%3BW%3D160&hash=e9a174de991ea2e60d84a85fec0e68062231bccd)
woop woop!!!!
xxx
I will stay away from the cookies too! Just too much snacking of late. Glad you did not have to wait too long! Two more days to my appointment. Hopefully I will be able to join you on this path sooner than later.
Congrats to you!
A word about spiro - it is a potassium sparing diuretic, so make sure your intake of potassium isn't too much. Things like bananas should be eaten in moderation.
Quote from: ImagineKate on January 21, 2015, 11:46:48 AM
A word about spiro - it is a potassium sparing diuretic, so make sure your intake of potassium isn't too much. Things like bananas should be eaten in moderation.
Yes, I've done enough obsessive research in the last couple months that I had come across that, but thanks for posting it. I'm a little annoyed that my doc didn't go into more detail about some of these issues, it seems like it's kind of important. I guess she either thought I had done my homework or expects her patients to read the fine print on the paperwork that comes with the medication...
I was just lamenting that this morning, though, because bananas have always been my go-to fruit. They're perfect: tasty, healthy, and they really sit well if my stomach is upset. I guess I'll have to find something new.
My two favorite fruits are now history for me because of medicine I'm taking. I can't eat bananas or grapefruit anymore because I take spiro and a statin for cholesterol. But I guess it's better than my cholesterol being over 400 (which it was).
I've started eating cucumbers, but even that I have to eat in moderation. Ugh.
Congratulations!
Congratulations! May it be as weird and wonderful as it has been for me.
Congratulations here's to you
Congratulations Jeni. I hope your blood issues get worked out and you start on E soon.
-Alana
Thanks! Still waiting to hear anything... it's driving me a little crazy, even though I know it hasn't been very long.
Congrats. I just sent an email to my therapist to seek out a letter of recommdation.
Good luck, and welcome to the site.
Looks like the test didn't come back yet, so I guess it'll be spiro-only at least through the weekend. Aiyeeeee.
Sounds like there will be a few of us starting this journey together. I made my call to the endo today. My appointment is for Feb 3 , so I will be a couple of weeks behind you. Can't wait to get started.
Yep, my questionably accurate count puts it at 5 or 6 of us I think. Good luck with your appointment, hope it goes well! I would say mine was uncomfortable at first, but that was because of my own internal fear, and in the end the experience was really validating and empowering.
My appointment with an Endo/Internist is booked for Feb19th. So you can add me to beginning this journey in the next month as well.
-Alana
Yes Jeni, I think you are right! I started today! Great to be finally part of the trip.
Nice! The more the merrier.
yay! im so happy for you. Its truly a wonderful feeling to know that u finally are beginning ur wonderful journey. I hope the blood work goes well and you get cleared for e.
Ive been on e (no spiro) for little over a month and the biggest change I have noticed is my sex drive. it seems to go in waves of high and lows and when its low I kinda feel enlightened. its crazy you don't even notice its lower until ur like I haven't looked at porn in a week? wow that's crazy! (that's a long time for me :embarrassed:)
Add me to the list as well.
I go in for my E prescription on Feb 4th after being on spiro and fin for 1.5 month
Kind of scared, anxious, and want to see if helps me as much as the t blockers have.
It's been about 3 months since I last, er, used porn, and only the last half of a week has been on spiro. As soon as I realized I was trans and going to transition, my interest evaporated. That was really weird and welcome, and a reassuring sign that I'm doing the right thing.
Just got the blood test results back.... negative on the clotting disorder, pills are ok, prescription on its way to the pharmacy.
There goes the rest of the afternoon, I am not going to be able to get anything useful done through all this excitement (and relief)!!!
Good news! I know that you have been eagerly waiting to here this news. I will be waiting quite awhile for my news. At least that is the current plan. That too may change. I have been continuing to try to find how just taking spironolactone can affect me. From what I find, the changes may not be much. This is already having me rethink my initial plan. I will have to see what happens over the net few weeks.
I know that we can count on you to let us know how it is going for you!
YAY!!! :eusa_dance:
Yes, it was something I've been looking forward to enormously. I'm sure you will survive your wait, I know how frustrating it can be, but it's such a long journey that you won't even notice this delay later on.
Picked up the pills, which were unexpectedly covered by insurance. First dose down the hatch. I guess now is time to get back to normal life.
A strange but good omen was that the cashier at the drugstore was a trans woman I'd never seen working there before... we're apparently coming out of the woodwork.
its a great feeling isn't it. I think that is def. like top 3 in my best life events list. Ok maybe #1 but im not married and I have no children or degrees so there isn't much competition.... Congats though! ;D
Near kent ohio looking for a doctor to start hrt any help will be appreciated names numbers anuthing
Quote from: Kayla_Lynn_Martin on January 27, 2015, 11:02:37 PM
Near kent ohio looking for a doctor to start hrt any help will be appreciated names numbers anuthing
Try googling for things like "hrt endo ohio", there is at least one in Cleveland who shows up as trans-friendly. Don't know whether that is up-to-date, but it's worth a try.
Also, it looks like Kent State has an LGBT student center and newsletter. Try contacting them, even if you're not a student.
Jeni... It's interesting you say that your interest in porn has dropped when you decided to transition. I feel the same way. It feels like I'm cheapening my decision.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: DanaDane on February 26, 2015, 02:39:42 PM
Jeni... It's interesting you say that your interest in porn has dropped when you decided to transition. I feel the same way. It feels like I'm cheapening my decision.
Sorry, but can you explain what you mean by "cheapening my decision"? I don't think I understand. Do you mean that looking at porn is inconsistent with your decision?
It's been a month on estradiol today. Things are AWESOME. I've had a few physical changes, notably skin softening (which happened within the first week) and a complete change in my sweat smell. Through daily activities, there's basically none any more, and 3 days worth of workout stank on a t-shirt leaves it with a sharply sweet almost floral scent. I knew this was coming, but it is really a bizarre feeling (though SO welcome).
Psychologically, wow. Just.. wow. Things are different, but really hard to describe. I just *feel* girly through and through, to the point that I have to remind myself that nobody else sees me that way yet. Sometimes this leads to the most amazing euphoric feeling, where a giant smile just won't leave my face, but there's no identifiable reason to be smiling.
In terms of porn, things are sort of complicated. My interest in it has actually come back to a degree, but I feel very different about it. I guess I'd say the female stereotype is showing up. It's also more of an "interest" whereas before it was an outright "urge." If it's not convenient or something comes up, I just put it away and move on without any frustration. Again, that is SUCH a welcome change. It is amazing to feel like I am in control of myself.
It's interesting because I used to feel a lot of guilt about that. I didn't want to download this or that, but I found myself doing it anyway, and I felt terrible about it. It felt like an addiction, and maybe it was, but I am inclined to think it was just my T-laden body demanding something my brain wasn't wired to want.
Anyway, hope that isn't too much sexuality talk for this board. (If it is, mods, please let me know and I'll edit it down.)
Just to add myself to those just starting. I got my script for spiro two days ago. I'll have to monitor my blood pressure and show that's it's come down before he will give me the estrogen scrip. I'm just thankful that I've at least started.
Oh, the things I can't eat are the worst. I just looked at s good potassium free or at least low diet. Pretty much everything that I ate the day before was a no no. Now to figure out a healthy diet. I had the munchies last night and as I was looking at what you can substitute, I saw Doritos. Kryptonite to my will power.
Reset time. Now to eat healthy lol.
Good luck to all that are starting this journey now. It will be nice to compare notes along the way.
Well it has been one month since I started on spiro. Other than the going to the bathroom issue, I have not noticed anything else. My dysphoria is still with me and I have approximately 7 more weeks before I get back to my doctor. At that time I think it will be time to start low dose of E. I will have my next blood test by then. I know that I must be patient! But it is so hard!
FYI, as far as I can tell, ultra low potassium hero diets are not generally necessary when on spiro. One shold not eat unusually large quantities of it, but ordinary amounts don't usually cause trouble. Of course, you should consult your doctor about your particular situation and follow his/her advice.
islandgirl, are you finding you still have to use the bathroom a lot? I was constantly peeing for the first two weeks or so, but since then it's back to normal or close to it. Well, either that or I'm just used to it now....
Good luck being patient! It'll be worth it in the end.
I'm so happy for you. ;D
I'm still waiting for VA to approve my consult with an Endo. It's been a week and they have not told me Approved or Disapproved.
The wait....uuuugh. lol
Edit: My Mom just texted me and called me "Jessika". Feels great. She'll slip as most family does LOL. ;D
In due time...
Jeni - It is better now, similar to you my trips to the bathroom are less. I, too, was told by my endo that the body adjusts and is able to handle low to moderate amounts of potassium. I was advised not to take in to many bananas!
Jessika - That is a great response from you Mom! Patience is hard especially when you see the path ahead but have to wait.
Ah. Mine didn't say anything about it except to avoid salt substitutes.
I was told to avoid salt substitutes as well as bananas and dried fruit especially. I just figured that I would try to avoid as much as I could, but I will have to still eat so I'm just going to avoid the biggies and see how I fare.
Ella
Add me to the list of just starting out. I've started Avodart and Fenstride and will get my first injection of E on Monday. I am so excited!!!
Woo!
(I know SOMEBODY who's weekend is going to last f--o--r--e--v--e--r--... good luck surviving the wait! :-*)
I just got off the phone with VA. They approved my referral to the Endo of my choice. Is was labeled "Emergent" the Lady told me so they are expediting it, I guess. Now I just need to wait for them to do all their computer/paper work and send the request so the Endo can contact me and set up the first appointment. :)
Woo!
(I think I'm beginning to sound like a broken record today. In any other thread that might be a bad thing.)