Well, my 3 month checkup went super and I am no longer pre diabetic and my cholesterol levels are perfect. Those were my only health concerns other than being overweight. My BP has dropped by 15 percent and is absolutely perfect
My E and T levels were checked and my T is 244 while E is 25
I have a new script and was given the OK to double down on E... but Im staring it down the same way I did when I took my first one...
I already have some breast growth, I already have so much happen from HRT, I just dont know if I am ready to step further into the pool.... Boobs are my biggest concern as I just havent decided to live life as a woman, nor do I think I will.... but I love what HRT is doing otherwise
Congrats on your healthy check up! Good work.
If you are feeling good - why change things?
Congratulations Rita!! There's something affirming about being given a clean bill of health and turning things around. Sounds like you're on the right levels for the time being, so in your case I'd just cruise for a while until you're ready.
If you don't mind, what lifestyle/ diet changes have you made in the last three months?
congrats your the one in control find peace
I've finally realized that just coming out and to stop pretending has been the most liberating thing. I still have moments of dudism that are from past habits, but to finally not care about breast growth or anything else is incredibly liberating. And I've discovered that most people don't care. Enjoy your life and be who you are.
Quote from: RobynD on June 29, 2016, 04:44:45 PM
Congrats on your healthy check up! Good work.
If you are feeling good - why change things?
Thank you, this was my thinking also, but Im intrigued by turning things up a notch....
Quote from: stephaniec on June 29, 2016, 06:56:29 PM
congrats your the one in control find peace
Thank you ;)
Quote from: StevieC9 on June 29, 2016, 07:00:25 PM
I've finally realized that just coming out and to stop pretending has been the most liberating thing. I still have moments of dudism that are from past habits, but to finally not care about breast growth or anything else is incredibly liberating. And I've discovered that most people don't care. Enjoy your life and be who you are.
Thank you, Im trying to get there, I really am and Ive come a long way mentally....just not "there" yet
Quote from: Rafaela on June 29, 2016, 05:35:01 PM
Congratulations Rita!! There's something affirming about being given a clean bill of health and turning things around. Sounds like you're on the right levels for the time being, so in your case I'd just cruise for a while until you're ready.
If you don't mind, what lifestyle/ diet changes have you made in the last three months?
Thank you :)
My lifestyle changes really started a year ago and I feel my health numbers have been getting better gradually, but 3 months ago was the first testing I had in 20 years??? So I think they had been improving steadily since I changed...
First thing I did was start dancing, it was hard at first but I found it really enjoyable and kept at it every day, getting to where most days I would dance for 3 hours, now I try to do one hour a day since I lost 60 pounds
I started drinking wine and quite a bit... however, I stopped that a few months ago
I stopped drinking beer and hard liquor
I drink 7-8 bottles of water daily, I never touched the stuff before
I quit smoking
Ive always favored healthier foods, just too much of them... I scaled that back and eat small portions more often
I eat a tablespoon of coconut oil a day
I also eat a tablespoon of flaxseed daily
I add honey, ginger and cinnamon to my coffee each morning
I drink a bottle of water with honey, lemon and cayenne pepper each day
Since starting HRT, Im just happier which I think translates into healthier
Congrats on the positive life changes! To increase dosages or not is really a personal decision based on one's long and short term goals. If you are happy now, maybe maintenance is the position to be in. Changes to E can be in very small increments. We sometimes get caught up in what others are doing as far as increases in dosages. Thoughts of 'maybe I should be doing that ' or 'maybe I am not moving fast enough'. Only you can determine your path. Trust your inner woman!
Quote from: islandgirl on June 30, 2016, 07:46:05 AM
Congrats on the positive life changes! To increase dosages or not is really a personal decision based on one's long and short term goals. If you are happy now, maybe maintenance is the position to be in. Changes to E can be in very small increments. We sometimes get caught up in what others are doing as far as increases in dosages. Thoughts of 'maybe I should be doing that ' or 'maybe I am not moving fast enough'. Only you can determine your path. Trust your inner woman!
Thanks! I guess if they bumped up by 25 percent or even 50 I may have been more at ease... but to double... Im just not sure..... yet. I know I have to consider the risks involved in doubling... if they are significant and I would like a lil more "girl" just not too much :D
I know for many meds when a dr will increase the dosage, they will double it.
For what it's worth, can very much relate...on super low dose HRT, watching every day for changes...but already wondering what doubling it would do.
Follow your heart Rita, know that you're in charge, you are in the driver's seat and regardless, you can take so much satisfaction in all the changes you are making to get healthier - yay for you!!!! :)
Quote from: AlisonWood on June 30, 2016, 05:49:41 PM
For what it's worth, can very much relate...on super low dose HRT, watching every day for changes...but already wondering what doubling it would do.
Follow your heart Rita, know that you're in charge, you are in the driver's seat and regardless, you can take so much satisfaction in all the changes you are making to get healthier - yay for you!!!! :)
Thank you! ;D
I did take a extra half today... just to dip my toe, ya know
Of course I feel stellar, sorta like the first day
I was going to stay on low-dose indefinitely, but I felt like I had noticeable growth and reshaping up top so I was like screw it, if it's going to show anyways let's drive the wheels off this thing.
Turns out nobody would have noticed (seriously, nobody pays attention to anything that's not smacking them in the face most times) and now those changes have kept going. But I'm really happy I did; it's forced me to confront some issues I wasn't really comfortable with and attempt to get comfortable with them. Personal growth has caused personal growth, iykwim!
Also, the increased body changes have led to some feelings of "holy crap this is so very right" whereas before I had no idea just how wrong things were as I had nothing to compare it to. Something to keep in mind! Not saying it's the right decision for you, but sometimes we need to get outside our comfort zones to find what we really want :)
I'm sure whatever decision you make will be the right one, but let us know would you? I'm interested to see what you decide!
I'm glad you're feeling good. :) I do think you should consider the pros and cons though very thoroughly, and figure out what you really want ultimately, and what's going to make you happiest. Curiosity is okay, but it's not to be taken lightly. If you increase your dose you may increase or decrease your dysphoria. If it decreases, you may want more and could reach a point of no return. Male fail can be difficult to deal with if you aren't prepared. It happened to me sooner than I anticipated. In fact, I hit male fail around two months and went full time at four... nearly got whiplash from it! All I could do was hold on and ride the roller coaster, which includes plenty of ups and downs, and emotional twists as well as turns in lifestyle change. I'm a completely different person now, and certainly an improvement. I'm much happier now than before, even considering the challenges of being a woman, and dealing with being more emotionally unstable. However, all that said, you also can't overthink it or you'll never get anywhere. So trust your guts too. :)
Do what you think is right for you. Keep up the great healthy life style :)
I knew 3 weeks into HRT I would never go off HRT. I started at a higher level and only went up from there. In time I had to socially transition. What was once impossible became possible. What changed over time was my self confidence.
Quote from: IdontEven on July 01, 2016, 10:06:19 AM
I was going to stay on low-dose indefinitely, but I felt like I had noticeable growth and reshaping up top so I was like screw it, if it's going to show anyways let's drive the wheels off this thing.
Turns out nobody would have noticed (seriously, nobody pays attention to anything that's not smacking them in the face most times) and now those changes have kept going. But I'm really happy I did; it's forced me to confront some issues I wasn't really comfortable with and attempt to get comfortable with them. Personal growth has caused personal growth, iykwim!
Also, the increased body changes have led to some feelings of "holy crap this is so very right" whereas before I had no idea just how wrong things were as I had nothing to compare it to. Something to keep in mind! Not saying it's the right decision for you, but sometimes we need to get outside our comfort zones to find what we really want :)
I'm sure whatever decision you make will be the right one, but let us know would you? I'm interested to see what you decide!
Thank you! It is very much helping me get out of my comfort zone, slowly but surely... baby steps
Quote from: Ashey on July 01, 2016, 05:48:31 PM
I'm glad you're feeling good. :) I do think you should consider the pros and cons though very thoroughly, and figure out what you really want ultimately, and what's going to make you happiest. Curiosity is okay, but it's not to be taken lightly. If you increase your dose you may increase or decrease your dysphoria. If it decreases, you may want more and could reach a point of no return. Male fail can be difficult to deal with if you aren't prepared. It happened to me sooner than I anticipated. In fact, I hit male fail around two months and went full time at four... nearly got whiplash from it! All I could do was hold on and ride the roller coaster, which includes plenty of ups and downs, and emotional twists as well as turns in lifestyle change. I'm a completely different person now, and certainly an improvement. I'm much happier now than before, even considering the challenges of being a woman, and dealing with being more emotionally unstable. However, all that said, you also can't overthink it or you'll never get anywhere. So trust your guts too. :)
Thanks, yes I am seeing changes and I notive others are treating me differently or looking longer as if they know something is up or different, just not sure what yet. Emotional instability I have had all my life, thats nothing new... in fact I think it may have improved. But I feel I am close to the top of that hill and preparing to hold on...
Quote from: Rachel Lynn on July 01, 2016, 08:10:29 PM
Do what you think is right for you. Keep up the great healthy life style :)
I knew 3 weeks into HRT I would never go off HRT. I started at a higher level and only went up from there. In time I had to socially transition. What was once impossible became possible. What changed over time was my self confidence.
Thank you, I know I love how I feel on it...and yes its been a confidence booster for sure
I can second the roller coaster :P LOL... It hit me pretty hard when I started changing drastically during my 3-5 months on HRT. I had some roommates that always started fights with me even though I was paying like 90% of the bills at the time. It was pretty crazy and I ended up making many poor branded choices. Probably the most notable was choosing to move out into a place where I thought my new roommate was a good friend. I was wrong turned out he was an alcoholic, which I couldn't really tell about this guy until I moved in. When he realized I was growing breasts he would grope me whenever his mind went adrift being under the influence. As well as 'further' terrible things. I had massive downs vs. ups and to be honest as it got worse and worse I was called terrible names on a daily basis towards the time we were moving out of the place. He went his separate ways and I went my own. It may not hit you right away, but this is only a battle you can fight yourself and overcome. If you can manage therapy I'd say you'll be better prepared for it. And when you do you'll find a much stronger grasp on your will if you succeed. Staying upbeat and positive is key to winning, although it may be harder at other times. If it gets too dark look at the brighter sides in your life and make them even stronger. I deal with stress very well so I was able to overcome it - it may be from my former service experience that allowed me to overcome the obstacle. But I can't determine that was the main contributing factor, but what I do know I gained a backbone and a solid will from my ridiculous upbringing is for sure.
At 6 months. I don't know if I'd say I'm more emotionally unstable.
I do know that I'll cry even easier at certain television shows,but it doesn't seem out of hand. I cried at these shows before,but now it's easier and feels good
Oh , I'm speaking of Doctor who. Loosing rose was emotional, but seeing river die after having seen the episode with the current doctor. OMG. that was heartbreaking
It sounds like you're on a one way trip and and a decision to play it safe going to result in you asking again and again until you take the next step. And then the next, and next...
I'm really stubborn and stopped on a low dose for about 5 years until stress made me ill. I'm now on a high transitioning level of HRT and its slowly getting more difficult to deal with not transitioning further.
All this fighting it has been really hard and I don't recommend it. Rightly or wrongly I've reasons for doing this, and I'd suggest that you'd want really good ones because fighting who you are is a painful loosing battle. Best just get though it and on with life if you can. I've no idea what Ill be doing in 5 or 10 years, or even two.
Quote from: Raye on July 02, 2016, 03:33:13 AM
I can second the roller coaster :P LOL... It hit me pretty hard when I started changing drastically during my 3-5 months on HRT. I had some roommates that always started fights with me even though I was paying like 90% of the bills at the time. It was pretty crazy and I ended up making many poor branded choices. Probably the most notable was choosing to move out into a place where I thought my new roommate was a good friend. I was wrong turned out he was an alcoholic, which I couldn't really tell about this guy until I moved in. When he realized I was growing breasts he would grope me whenever his mind went adrift being under the influence. As well as 'further' terrible things. I had massive downs vs. ups and to be honest as it got worse and worse I was called terrible names on a daily basis towards the time we were moving out of the place. He went his separate ways and I went my own. It may not hit you right away, but this is only a battle you can fight yourself and overcome. If you can manage therapy I'd say you'll be better prepared for it. And when you do you'll find a much stronger grasp on your will if you succeed. Staying upbeat and positive is key to winning, although it may be harder at other times. If it gets too dark look at the brighter sides in your life and make them even stronger. I deal with stress very well so I was able to overcome it - it may be from my former service experience that allowed me to overcome the obstacle. But I can't determine that was the main contributing factor, but what I do know I gained a backbone and a solid will from my ridiculous upbringing is for sure.
Thanks :)
I do need to toughen up and Im working on that, Ive been lucky so far that I havent encounter much negativity, but I am learning to cope with it slowly, so its all in the prep I think. Im actually considering telling or at least educating someone today and your post makes me think a lil harder about it.
Quote from: StevieC9 on July 02, 2016, 04:00:38 AM
At 6 months. I don't know if I'd say I'm more emotionally unstable.
I do know that I'll cry even easier at certain television shows,but it doesn't seem out of hand. I cried at these shows before,but now it's easier and feels good
Thank you ;D
Quote from: AnonyMs on July 02, 2016, 04:07:23 AM
It sounds like you're on a one way trip and and a decision to play it safe going to result in you asking again and again until you take the next step. And then the next, and next...
I'm really stubborn and stopped on a low dose for about 5 years until stress made me ill. I'm now on a high transitioning level of HRT and its slowly getting more difficult to deal with not transitioning further.
All this fighting it has been really hard and I don't recommend it. Rightly or wrongly I've reasons for doing this, and I'd suggest that you'd want really good ones because fighting who you are is a painful loosing battle. Best just get though it and on with life if you can. I've no idea what Ill be doing in 5 or 10 years, or even two.
Thanks, Great info and Im wading here as it all I can do at the moment (or feel I can) but its getting better and something to think about
Thanks to all of you
I'm a big fan of "If it works, don't mess with it". If you're feeling good to great most days with the dose of E you're on and are not actively or needing to transition ASAP, why change things? Being on a low dose of E is an acceptable. There is no rule that says otherwise.
I've been on low dose E several times over the decades to help 'Reset' me emotionally. I tried transitioning in my early 20's, twice. Both times utter fails. Low dose E was a godsend. Seven years ago things need to change in my life starting with how I was NOT handling being trans. I started low dose again and again it did it's magic. I also actually started to take the trans-beast on for real. That also was like magic. For quite a number of years I've been on typical feminizing dose of E. I have a nice B cup. I live and present primarily as male. I'm not alone in this way. You just need to dress to minimize them. Being a former fatty snug fitting clothes and I never got along (in male mode). It was and is baggier clothes for me. No prob with the girls, even with a bra, which is often needed/appreciated to be wearing
Quote from: JoanneB on July 02, 2016, 08:27:30 AM
I'm a big fan of "If it works, don't mess with it". If you're feeling good to great most days with the dose of E you're on and are not actively or needing to transition ASAP, why change things?
The risk with this approach is what we're missing out on. I don't know what that is, but I can't help wonder if I'll look back and regret doing it this way one day.
Congrats on your healthy checkup. I believe that my low dose regiment has aided in lowering my blood pressure. Did you have the same effect? i wish i could lower my triglycerides.
Quote from: JoanneB on July 02, 2016, 08:27:30 AM
I'm a big fan of "If it works, don't mess with it". If you're feeling good to great most days with the dose of E you're on and are not actively or needing to transition ASAP, why change things? Being on a low dose of E is an acceptable. There is no rule that says otherwise.
I've been on low dose E several times over the decades to help 'Reset' me emotionally. I tried transitioning in my early 20's, twice. Both times utter fails. Low dose E was a godsend. Seven years ago things need to change in my life starting with how I was NOT handling being trans. I started low dose again and again it did it's magic. I also actually started to take the trans-beast on for real. That also was like magic. For quite a number of years I've been on typical feminizing dose of E. I have a nice B cup. I live and present primarily as male. I'm not alone in this way. You just need to dress to minimize them. Being a former fatty snug fitting clothes and I never got along (in male mode). It was and is baggier clothes for me. No prob with the girls, even with a bra, which is often needed/appreciated to be wearing
Quote from: AnonyMs on July 02, 2016, 08:43:08 AM
The risk with this approach is what we're missing out on. I don't know what that is, but I can't help wonder if I'll look back and regret doing it this way one day.
I get both sides of this, thanks to you both :)
I do want to move forward a bit, just the double was freaking me out so I decided to just do a 50 percent increase for now and see how I feel. I just have tell me doc.... lol
Quote from: ChasingAlice on July 02, 2016, 11:18:36 AM
Congrats on your healthy checkup. I believe that my low dose regiment has aided in lowering my blood pressure. Did you have the same effect? i wish i could lower my triglycerides.
Thanks! Yes, it did lower my BP, but my routine has changed as well... I know my cholesterol was off, and its not now...so what part changed, I dont know.. I just take the drs word and dont look into the numbers.
Quote from: RitaChans on July 02, 2016, 07:36:48 AM
Thanks :)
I do need to toughen up and Im working on that, Ive been lucky so far that I havent encounter much negativity, but I am learning to cope with it slowly, so its all in the prep I think. Im actually considering telling or at least educating someone today and your post makes me think a lil harder about it.
I would probably think harder on that one. It really takes some guts to come out publicly especially at work the way I did and dress in public with who I am. And with people I personally dealt with on a daily basis not at work. Sure I might get some looks, but that's all part of it. I wouldn't rush things at all if your not completely on board with it. It took me a lot of courage to start being who I am. As I started making more and more gaming videos with the people I played with I started to come out to them more and more as each day passed. I gained some life long friends and family from the internet as well at work. Much more support than I ever gotten from my actual family. The odd part is my Step Mother and my Father were the one's that took to it firstly and the quickest. They were very understanding after they realized why I moved out at 19 to distant myself from my family. They felt pretty bad about what I had to go through, but they loved me regardless. Just don't rush it or anything with your treatments and how you dress publicly. It's all a staging process in my honest opinion.
Quote from: Raye on July 02, 2016, 03:40:15 PM
I would probably think harder on that one. It really takes some guts to come out publicly especially at work the way I did and dress in public with who I am. And with people I personally dealt with on a daily basis not at work. Sure I might get some looks, but that's all part of it. I wouldn't rush things at all if your not completely on board with it. It took me a lot of courage to start being who I am. As I started making more and more gaming videos with the people I played with I started to come out to them more and more as each day passed. I gained some life long friends and family from the internet as well at work. Much more support than I ever gotten from my actual family. The odd part is my Step Mother and my Father were the one's that took to it firstly and the quickest. They were very understanding after they realized why I moved out at 19 to distant myself from my family. They felt pretty bad about what I had to go through, but they loved me regardless. Just don't rush it or anything with your treatments and how you dress publicly. It's all a staging process in my honest opinion.
Ive been working at this for a year now... slowly adding in a dash of this and a dash of that in public... I hit a roadblock when a friend of a facebook friend tossed some hate in my general direction, but that toughened me a little and made me want it a lil more. Ive told some family and dressed to a few functions and was accepted, I used to go shopping at nearby town with my wife, but that stopped... mainly because I wanted to take a good look at myself and how I presented... I wasnt really likeing the way I was doing it. So now, I am revising and trying to be more true to my personality rather than what I feel I "should" look like... I mean I used to cake foundation on and now I never wear any, the style of clothes have changed, maybe its a coping mechanism but Im finding its better for me. So although Im new to HRT, Ive been on this road for a while, and HRT is changing my confidnece level and making changes to my appearance, so Im gonna have to do it one day, but Im kinda hoping the gradualness will ease most people including myself into things. Im not a jumper and dont feel the need to.
Quote from: RitaChans on July 02, 2016, 04:15:25 PM
Ive been working at this for a year now... slowly adding in a dash of this and a dash of that in public... I hit a roadblock when a friend of a facebook friend tossed some hate in my general direction, but that toughened me a little and made me want it a lil more. Ive told some family and dressed to a few functions and was accepted, I used to go shopping at nearby town with my wife, but that stopped... mainly because I wanted to take a good look at myself and how I presented... I wasnt really likeing the way I was doing it. So now, I am revising and trying to be more true to my personality rather than what I feel I "should" look like... I mean I used to cake foundation on and now I never wear any, the style of clothes have changed, maybe its a coping mechanism but Im finding its better for me. So although Im new to HRT, Ive been on this road for a while, and HRT is changing my confidnece level and making changes to my appearance, so Im gonna have to do it one day, but Im kinda hoping the gradualness will ease most people including myself into things. Im not a jumper and dont feel the need to.
I'm sure doing it gradually will make you much more comfortable in your own skin. It took me a long time to feel comfortable in short shorts. I really love them because now I have have the hips and legs for them, but the issue that prevents me from wearing them in public is my broad shoulders and not enough UMPF on the top to make it seem much more natural and passable overall. I have a ton of scars on my legs where I use to self-harm or from combat in my younger years. It's easier to hide scars on the legs wearing pants than on your arms. >_<
I know by my one year mark in comparison to my 6 months I'll have a lot more breast growth than I do now though. ^^ so I'm quite sure things will change as time moves forward.
Based on your initial post I would keep it where it is. It seems like you're getting the results you like on the dose you're on now. That's a great place to be :)
Quote from: karmatic1110 on July 02, 2016, 04:58:14 PM
Based on your initial post I would keep it where it is. It seems like you're getting the results you like on the dose you're on now. That's a great place to be :)
;)