Hey everyone,
So I finally started HRT a couple days ago and I am sooooo excited. Perhaps too excited lol I planned on waking up the following day with all of these new feelings and looks, kinda like when the guy pops the pill in "Limitless", buuuuutttt it was just another day :D But a day on hormones so I'm not really dissapointed. Can't wait for the changes to happen and I know it doesn't happen overnight. Based on everyone else's experience that I've read, it depends on lots of factors so I will be patient. I am starting on a low dose of spiro and a starter dose of Alura estradiol patches so I'm assuming the changes will come even later. Oh well as long as they come :) Just curious, has anyone else been started on a low dose, and if so about when did you start noticing changes? I define low dose as your doc said they are staring you on a low dose. I know we can't discuss doses so please follow that rule. Thanks ;D
I'm on a full dose of spiro and a lowish dose of estradiol as I understand it (my endo emphasized that she likes to start very slowly to give the body time to adjust and develop slowly at first). With that, I noticed some clear physical effects within a week. Things then fell into a holding pattern until about a month, maybe a bit more, after starting, but some more changes are happening now.
Within the first week, and maybe just a couple days, my skin softened and became a lot more prone to dryness, especially on my cheeks/forehead. (I also had some dizziness, lots of peeing due to spiro, and a few other things I'd call "side effects," but I don't count those. They all went away after a week or two.)
After 4-5 weeks, I've had some obvious psychological effects (feeling moodier, both happier and sadder, and have had one very out-of-character instance of sobbing while reading a touching section of a book). I am also having increasingly frequent soreness in my nipples, which may be affecting more of my chest now. That started after 3-4 weeks with on-and-off instances, but the last 3 days now it has been pretty much always present and I think maybe it's getting more noticeable. No clear evidence of breast enlargement at all.
Also, my wings came in and I can almost fly. Giving that another week or two. :P
I have been on HRT 3 months now (started 12/1). Actually I did some self med E only before but not too much. So let's say in total about 4-5 months but only 3 months being full dose E and Spiro.
I can't say I feel like anything is different. I just feel very normal now.
Dysphoria is way, way down but not gone.
Actually I feel very good. Moods are a whole lot better but it is difficult to put a finger on any actual mental effects or changes to my world view. I am less anxious about a lot of things but I am also anxious about some things (mostly related to passing). My interests are mostly the same except that I am more in tune with how I look whereas as a guy I really couldn't care less.
Maybe it hasn't had enough time yet.
But I have always been an emotional person who cries a lot for a lot of things. That doesn't change with me.
Physical changes however are galloping along like the Kentucky Derby.
Either way I am happy with my decision.
Hi,
I think my skin started to get softer and about 3 to 4 weeks buds formed. I was on low dose for about 4 or 5 months then full dose E. My spiro was low dose and stayed that way. My T was very low at my 1st blood 3 months after starting HRT. Since being on IM I have not had a blood test (having one Monday) and I hope it is in single digits.