Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: Aoife on May 19, 2015, 08:11:44 PM

Title: HRT, not feeling any different
Post by: Aoife on May 19, 2015, 08:11:44 PM
So as the title suggest, i've been on HRT a little bit now, I know it hasn't been too long, but I have had no noticable changes at all, not even mood or anything. So I come here asking if anyone can tell me when they first started noticing any changes at all.
I'v been on HRT since the beginning of the month.
Thanx~!
Title: Re: HRT, not feeling any different
Post by: Rachel on May 19, 2015, 08:17:17 PM
Hi,

I am assuming you are under Doctors supervision. Usually doctors start you off on low doses and gradually increase the dosages and monitor T. So when your T is down (monitored with a blood test) and you have a transitioning dose you will feel it. It takes patience.
Title: Re: HRT, not feeling any different
Post by: Ms Grace on May 19, 2015, 08:21:02 PM
A month isn't much time - your body is still changing gears as the T goes down and E goes up. As Cynthia notes above usually a lower dosage is prescribed to make sure your body can handle the drugs before they modify the levels etc.
Title: Re: HRT, not feeling any different
Post by: Abby Claire on May 19, 2015, 08:27:08 PM
I didn't notice anything until my dosage was upped three months in and then everything went super fast. Right now I've noticed few changes since the initial burst, but I think there are plateaus to this sort of thing.

So give it time. When your doctor ups your meds you'll see a flurry of changes, but until then you have to give your body time with the lower dosage.
Title: Re: HRT, not feeling any different
Post by: katrinaw on May 19, 2015, 08:35:38 PM
unfortunately magic does not happen overnight, beyond that it depends on age, metabolism and your own Endocrine system and Genes...

I took me a few years, but I didn't start till cusp of 50...

FWIW;
Skin changes then tenderness in my boob area, softening of temperament around same time.

L Katy  :-*
Title: Re: HRT, not feeling any different
Post by: michelle82 on May 19, 2015, 09:02:08 PM
i started noticing physical changes in the first few weeks such as reduction in oil on my face. Next was enlarged nipples at around week 4. At around 2 months i could feel the emotional differences. Tearing up and Crying instead of getting angry in a stressful situation.

my dosage was standard for MTF with spiro and estradiol IM injections.
Title: Re: HRT, not feeling any different
Post by: julie_txcd on May 19, 2015, 10:15:28 PM
Same here, I was on HRT for 3 months and not much change. NOTHING mood-wise.
Doc upped my dosage after 3 months and I definitely feel changes now. Breasts are definitely getting a bit fuller
and I cry very easily

Julie
Title: Re: HRT, not feeling any different
Post by: Aoife on May 19, 2015, 11:17:56 PM
okay i'm happy to hear the responses. seems im just too anxious lol.
well its true i'm on a low starting dose, i can't say exactly how much due to site rules, but i'm on a lot of spiro, a medium amount of finesteride and a standard dose of progesteron and a low E dose.
i had a little bit of breast growth before hrt due to other means but nothing new so far.
i'll keep u all updated
Title: Re: HRT, not feeling any different
Post by: awilliams1701 on May 20, 2015, 12:35:21 PM
It took 3-4 months for me to start feeling different. TBH I don't think I've experienced the full female side yet. I can feel so much more trying to break through to the surface, but it can't. However I'm experiencing a lot more than I have been. Its interesting that every says mental changes happen in the first week, but that's certainly not true for everyone.
Title: Re: HRT, not feeling any different
Post by: awilliams1701 on May 20, 2015, 12:37:25 PM
Out of curiosity did your doc up everything or just E or just spiro or what? I'm at almost 6 months and know there is a lot more for me to experience. I would like to see if she's willing to up the dose on something (hopefully E because I don't like spiro)

Quote from: julie_txcd on May 19, 2015, 10:15:28 PM
Same here, I was on HRT for 3 months and not much change. NOTHING mood-wise.
Doc upped my dosage after 3 months and I definitely feel changes now. Breasts are definitely getting a bit fuller
and I cry very easily

Julie
Title: Re: HRT, not feeling any different
Post by: iKate on May 20, 2015, 06:01:39 PM
I feel different but really can't put my finger on how exactly. I don't feel continuously sick anymore like I used to be but I've also been taking really good care of myself with my primary care doc who also does my HRT.

I do feel happier. Hmm.

I guess the changes creep up on you.

In a couple weeks I will know what it's like to go back because I have to stop HRT.
Title: Re: HRT, not feeling any different
Post by: julie_txcd on May 20, 2015, 07:12:45 PM
Quote from: awilliams1701 on May 20, 2015, 12:37:25 PM
Out of curiosity did your doc up everything or just E or just spiro or what? I'm at almost 6 months and know there is a lot more for me to experience. I would like to see if she's willing to up the dose on something (hopefully E because I don't like spiro)

Hi.
My doc doubled my progesterone and upped my estradiol from 2 to 3 tablets

julie
Title: Re: HRT, not feeling any different
Post by: awilliams1701 on May 20, 2015, 09:57:51 PM
Maybe she'll move me from 2 to 3 e pills.
Title: Re: HRT, not feeling any different
Post by: Ashey on May 20, 2015, 11:22:55 PM
I started with just e and p and didn't feel much different. After a month my e dose was doubled and I was put on spiro and BAM! A week later I felt it. Definite mental and emotional shift, along with some physical effects. Be patient! :)
Title: Re: HRT, not feeling any different
Post by: awilliams1701 on May 21, 2015, 01:09:47 PM
I'm only on E & S. I'm not on P currently. There is a possibility it could happen. I see her tomorrow actually so hopefully we can make whatever appropriate modifications I need to unlock everything.
Title: Re: HRT, not feeling any different
Post by: angiegurl on May 21, 2015, 07:11:11 PM
I find that I am more emotional and have been tearing up easier and my breasts are definitely there... I will discuss this with my Dr's during my next visit.
Title: Re: HRT, not feeling any different
Post by: Jennygirl on May 21, 2015, 07:42:20 PM
I've been on a high dose for 2+ years, with pellets. I feel pretty much exactly the same as I did before I started.

At some point I had to chalk up the initial change in feelings due to the mind scramble of transitioning to female, but shortly after returned to baseline.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. You should continue to feel normal, that would be good!
Title: Re: HRT, not feeling any different
Post by: awilliams1701 on May 23, 2015, 10:23:28 AM
So the verdict is that my doctor will not change anything. She said she's very happy with my progress. I guess I just need to be patient. I already have more access to emotions than I did 6 months ago. I know we aren't allowed to post dosages here, but I do know that my dose is higher than at least one other person and my doctor says that my T levels are suppressed quite well.