Well it seems like my uninterrupted involvement here seems like a lifetime ago, but in reality it has only been about half a year. So much has happened that I thought I'd share some of them. Back in June I added progesterone to my hrt and almost exactly a month of daily use my doctor was satisfied that I adjusted well enough to double it. Estrogen has been ramped up as well. Since the two were combined I have been noticing a nice improvement in all breast changes, fuller, much larger if measured from one side to the other on each. Now to be fair I cannot be certain if it was that breakthrough point due to E or the combo of E & P.
This next part I was sure would be kind of devastating, when my reasoning finally understood the idea behind "eat like a teenager" theory. I thought I would never be able to look into a mirror again, but here is where I was surprised. What I had not grasped was that my muscle mass was 'still' being lost so the gain in weight did not have the impact I was fearing. Here is where the the P works its subtle magic once more, upper thighs very slightly gaining in size and blending in with butt size increase. Happy, happy, happy, I've never had one, turn sideways and I was straight as a board from top to bottom. Don't get me wrong, I would rather be looking at the me I remember weight wise but I can begin to see now how alternating gain/loss is going to have some dramatic effect. I may see myself as a bit frumpy at the moment but (and this is the really cool part) I'm beginning to be able to see a 'woman'. I know from the new pic I put up it may not reveal what I've been talking about but to a large part this is the flattening out effect of the bralette.
I NEVER wear makeup anymore, at most (lip color is one constant) some eyeliner on just the top and some mascara. I can now stand in front of the mirror, look intently at my face and see the HER, I've wanted so so so much for such a long long time.
I started very late in life, late in my 62nd year and now having just turned 64 I know I will be ok. That may sound slight but it is astoundingly huge for me.
I was not sure where to put this as it is part mtf talk, part rle, but mostly hrt. So this is were I decided. Now to the why.......this is for all of you who have bouts of all consuming fears, a belief that change will never happen, and all of the unwanted effects those things have on a person. I know, I've dove off into the deep end with every one of them, and like cruddy things that were messing up my pool, I've tossed them out one by one.
Keep going, try to not lose sight of your goal, and most important strive to get to that place where you can ignore those voices that try to bring you down. Peace, and Much Much Love, Dani
Dani I can see what you see...I am just over 50 (pre-hrt) and have difficulty seeing the woman in me. But I certainly can in you I am glad that after all these years you can finally see her and begin to celebrate her. Hope you journey continues in such a positive manner.
Sarah T
Quote from: sarahtokes on September 02, 2015, 11:54:08 PM
Dani I can see what you see...I am just over 50 (pre-hrt) and have difficulty seeing the woman in me. But I certainly can in you I am glad that after all these years you can finally see her and begin to celebrate her. Hope you journey continues in such a positive manner.
Sarah T
Your so sweet Sarah, words of kindness reveal much about the one who gives them. :) These things can be yours as well.
That's Progesterone for you. It make you horny and hungry. The doctor had to cut me back or I would have ballooned out and I don't put weight on in the right places.
I started a dosage of progesterone. I am taking some 10 days out of a month. To mimic cis women's natural cycle. So far nothing but I have only been in it like a week. But I am eating more. I hope to gain some lbs. I am 6 ft and 140 so I could use a few pounds. Plus now that I am on a much larger dose of Spiro I hope that I will be getting fat in good places!
I actually started the eating routine prior to the progesterone. A scenario for shifting fat (my version), when I eat some of the fat goes to the male places and some to the female. Due to increasing estrogen, when I then lose weight the more difficult places to lose from is the female places so I lose fat in those male places. The time for developing young girls coincides with that teenagers vorocious appetite we all know so well. The trick is to eat "well", nutritious food etc. I also take two tablespoons of a very high quality organic virgin olive oil (I do not use the oil in grocery stores, I go to a specialty store) and then chase it with a teaspoon of aged basalmic vinegar daily. I also eat a full 7.5 oz can of quality canned salmon every day, and drink lots of water :). I do not do this weight gain/loss quickly, I take four or five months in each direction and do it slowly. This is only my routine, it seems to be working for me so I suppose if this interests you, discuss any thoughts with your Dr. Stay healthy and stay happy.
Hi Dani,
I can definitely see what you see too. Congratulations.
Quote from: Cynthia Michelle on September 03, 2015, 07:21:20 PM
Hi Dani,
I can definitely see what you see too. Congratulations.
Big Grin ;D
I can see the changes in you also Dani :)
I've been on progesterone about a year now and my butt has really filled out, I have hips, and my boobs are slowly growing.
Like everyone else progesterone makes me eat like a horse and I have the tummy to show for it :laugh:
Quote from: Eva Marie on September 03, 2015, 09:46:44 PM
I can see the changes in you also Dani :)
I've been on progesterone about a year now and my butt has really filled out, I have hips, and my boobs are slowly growing.
Like everyone else progesterone makes me eat like a horse and I have the tummy to show for it :laugh:
Thanks so much Eva, this is quite a deal isnt it? It's kind of like I'm living in a new home and I just keep finding new windows to look out of. ;D Dani
Progesterone has been good to me too. :)
Congrats, Dani - looking good!
Quote from: Ms Grace on September 04, 2015, 04:59:44 AM
Progesterone has been good to me too. :)
Congrats, Dani - looking good!
So nice Grace, I see that it has, I've always thought your smile to be so natural and I'm sure infectious, causing others around you to smile too. ;D Dani
I have been on progesterone for two months and 3 other blocker/estrogens for 7 months. I've been eating healthy and limiting my diet mostly to chicken salads with lowfat dressing and low sodium soup while running several miles 3x a week. I have gained next to nothing. It hurts behind my nips like is has for 6 months. I can't stand it this! I'm about to lose it and just pack on the pounds to see if that doesn't help until I can get an appointment with my new endocrinologist. Does anyone have any advice as far as diet goes because I'm thinking about going right for pizza and Chinese for a few weeks. While it depresses me a little, I don't know what else to do.
Quote from: Jean24 on September 04, 2015, 07:55:30 PM
I have been on progesterone for two months and 3 other blocker/estrogens for 7 months. I've been eating healthy and limiting my diet mostly to chicken salads with lowfat dressing and low sodium soup while running several miles 3x a week. I have gained next to nothing. It hurts behind my nips like is has for 6 months. I can't stand it this! I'm about to lose it and just pack on the pounds to see if that doesn't help until I can get an appointment with my new endocrinologist. Does anyone have any advice as far as diet goes because I'm thinking about going right for pizza and Chinese for a few weeks. While it depresses me a little, I don't know what else to do.
What I am gathering is that you are upset that hormones aren't giving you boobs or feminine curves and you are seven months in?
That isnt much time. I'm almost nine months and haven't gotten much if any visible breast development. So give it time. We all have different bodies that response differently to hormones.
I am over a quarter of a century on hormones and I still look pretty boyish. The good thing is I haven't packed very much weigh on where I don't want it. Some people respond well to hormones and others like me only respond a little. If breast are important to you, budget some money for about 3 years after SRS for implants. Other than that, expect several years to reach your development potential.
Quote from: amber roskamp on September 04, 2015, 08:19:22 PM
What I am gathering is that you are upset that hormones aren't giving you boobs or feminine curves and you are seven months in?
That isnt much time. I'm almost nine months and haven't gotten much if any visible breast development. So give it time. We all have different bodies that response differently to hormones.
You look so much better than me even so! Sometimes when I tell people I'm trans they say I pass magnificently. Then I tell them I'm not FtM :embarrassed:
Just these hormones, the laser treatments, and growing my hair out aren't really doing it for me. I'm sorry guys, I know I'm a broken record but it is depressing
Quote from: Jean24 on September 04, 2015, 07:55:30 PM
I have been on progesterone for two months and 3 other blocker/estrogens for 7 months. I've been eating healthy and limiting my diet mostly to chicken salads with lowfat dressing and low sodium soup while running several miles 3x a week. I have gained next to nothing. It hurts behind my nips like is has for 6 months. I can't stand it this! I'm about to lose it and just pack on the pounds to see if that doesn't help until I can get an appointment with my new endocrinologist. Does anyone have any advice as far as diet goes because I'm thinking about going right for pizza and Chinese for a few weeks. While it depresses me a little, I don't know what else to do.
Hi Jean, what Amber stated is important, you are still relatively early in your hrt. With that said, scroll up a bit and see what I wrote about the types of healthy fats I used. If you read just a bit about what is physiologically happening in the mammary tissue of young women you will see what Amber and I are saying. Myself, I ate quite a bit of what one may 'or may not' consider ok ;D, pizza, oriental, just whatever the heck I wanted (isolated not daily). This had a two fold benefit, size increase and that 'Ahhhh Jeeeez' this tastes freaking good. What is nice for me is that I pretty much remain guilt free (it's a choice) and I know any extra is not 'impossible' to lose. Have happy times. Dani
I'm almost 6 mos. in with E + Progesterone & Spiro. After 5 mos. at a low dose (patch) my Endo doubled my E. as it was only 42. I definitely have lost libido and dysphoria but I think that this is due to the Spiro., but so far no changes to the mammaries (no swelling, tenderness or tingling) or noticeable emotional changes. I suspect that my age (67) is a factor and although I know that I'm doing all of the right things (good diet/exercise/plenty of sleep) it's still difficult to be patient. I tell myself that changes are coming and that stressing about them will only engender negative energy which could slow things even more.
Quote from: Joi on September 05, 2015, 03:07:47 PM
I'm almost 6 mos. in with E + Progesterone & Spiro. After 5 mos. at a low dose (patch) my Endo doubled my E. as it was only 42. I definitely have lost libido and dysphoria but I think that this is due to the Spiro., but so far no changes to the mammaries (no swelling, tenderness or tingling) or noticeable emotional changes. I suspect that my age (67) is a factor and although I know that I'm doing all of the right things (good diet/exercise/plenty of sleep) it's still difficult to be patient. I tell myself that changes are coming and that stressing about them will only engender negative energy which could slow things even more.
Hi Joi :) For me being in my early 60's, I felt for the longest time (oh probably 4 or 5 months or so) that I was 'the one' who this would not work for. I finally got to that point of which you speak the negative energy thing and I kind of retreated a bit. The lack of that full blown gotta examine every possible thing for a change, did wonders for my peace of mind. Then Joi, it happened and it was just a simple walking by the mirror (I had stopped the inspections) and catching a glimpse of something that made me do a double take. It was not breasts, it was not something looking fuller or shaplier, it was my eyes. They had changed, there was someone new starting to peek out, and it was an amazing point in my transition. It gave me such an incredible boost it is beyond my explanation. This gave me the thing I needed, the fuel to carry me on, and it is waiting inside of you. You will be ok, big, big heartfelt smile here. Dani P.S. If you ever want to talk, you can PM me at any time.
Dani: Thx for your kind and caring words. My eyes are bright and cheery, but I don't know if it's the 'mones or the fact that I've been in recovery for 17 mos. Both factors have to be working in my favor! I can go with that!
Hugz
Thanks for the good suggestions everyone :)
Quote from: Jean24 on September 04, 2015, 07:55:30 PM
I have been on progesterone for two months and 3 other blocker/estrogens for 7 months. I've been eating healthy and limiting my diet mostly to chicken salads with lowfat dressing and low sodium soup while running several miles 3x a week. I have gained next to nothing. It hurts behind my nips like is has for 6 months. I can't stand it this! I'm about to lose it and just pack on the pounds to see if that doesn't help until I can get an appointment with my new endocrinologist. Does anyone have any advice as far as diet goes because I'm thinking about going right for pizza and Chinese for a few weeks. While it depresses me a little, I don't know what else to do.
2 things:
- if you are on Spiro, you lose more sodium than usual so low sodium is not always the best thing to do. Check with your doctor and/or pharmacist.
- regarding low fat, go on youtube.com and check out Gary Taubes, Sally Fallon, Mary Enig, Mary Vernon, Peter Attia, Jeff Volek, Stephen Phinney, Eric Westman and the book by Nina Teicholz is a gem, I think.
Best of luck. :)