So yesterday was supposed to be one of the most exciting days for me in a while. I hopped in my car and drove two hours to the nearest Planned Parenthood that has transgender services. I went in male mode mainly but my nice shaved legs which are still peeling from my sunburn last week stood out. I don't care. Got there an hour early since I was driving in a city that I'm not familiar with and waited in the waiting area. I used my male name since I'm more used to it and it's not a common name. Well, it used to be not common. Two other males have the same name and it was a little confusing when they were called. Finally they called my name and I confirmed it was me. So I went back and had a little interview with one person. Signed the HIPPA forms, told to wait for the next person so I waited in a small room. And waited. And waited. Finally I got to meet the nice woman who would talk to me more about the HRT regimen that I had drove all that way for. We went over more forms, more questionnaires and I waited some more. A tech came in and drew my blood. I hate needles to say the least which people find strange because of my occupation. Still the blood was drawn and I was done. I went to the check out and was told that my prescription was being called in and should be ready when I get back to town. I'm like happy about this. So I drove two hours back home. Half way home I called my pharmacy and they hadn't received any orders for me. Confused I just drove home. Well I was more hungry than confused. I shouldn't have passed up the taco restaurant that is located under Planned Parenthood.
Stomach full I made some phone calls. Planned Parenthood wanted to talk to me about things before the prescription can be sent. I'm thinking great, something is wrong with me. But they said it would be sent at 5pm. I called back later and Planned Parenthood is open till 6pm. Cool, no problem there. A little after five I call my pharmacy and still nothing. So I call Planned Parenthood and their phones are set to an after hours message. So now I'm freaking out. One reason I wanted the HRT stuff yesterday was so I could spend at least one day on them to see how I react to them before going back to work. For some reason this broke me down into tears. 6pm came and went and no phone call. Finally at 6:20 Planned Parenthood called me and gave me the good news. The prescriptions were sent. I'm starting the estrogen patch and Spiro at low doses for three months. At that three month mark I go back in for lab draws and see how they look. If everything looks good the dosages will be increased. My lab values aren't in just yet but I am happy again. Got to the pharmacy to pick them up while dreading the price that they will cost me but the good luck continued. My insurance paid 100% for my HRT. Yay!!
So I woke up this morning with a piece of plastic stuck to my hip.
So my emotions were up, then down with crying and back up again. All this before I even started HRT. This will be an interesting adventure to say the least.
Thanks for reading my rambling.
Best of luck in your journey. :)
Thank you. I know it will still have it's ups and downs but I know I can handle those. Just one day at a time.
So glad it worked out. The life of trying to navigate healthcare is challenging and emotional for me too at times.
Oh I agree. I've been lucky throughout my life and rarely needed anything for any health issues. Usually just a few work related injuries or the such. Mainly just little things that I patch myself up and go about my business. So starting the transition and then the HRT has been big changes for me. The next few years will be different from anything I have experienced so far or dreamt of.
Update on myself.
Twelve days in and so far only minor changes. My face is less oily and I don't stink as bad. I had to go 36 hours without a shower due to work and my body odor was actually pleasant to me. Either that it i have some darn good deodorant.
Quote from: RobynTx on August 07, 2017, 05:57:03 PMMy face is less oily and I don't stink as bad. I had to go 36 hours without a shower due to work and my body odor was actually pleasant to me. Either that it i have some darn good deodorant.
Since taking a little testosterone post-op, my face is less dry, a tad oilier and I need to shower more frequently. For the first time in years, I have also had BO. So yea, I think what you're experiencing is due to the change in hormones.
Hi Robyn,
I just read this thread and thought I would say hi and welcome you to the wonderful world of estrogen. The journey is a good ride, at least it is for me so far. I've only been at it for 8 months and I thought I was experiencing emotion swings during the first 6 months. Well I am here to tell you they get more frequent and intense as you dosage increases, Mine was increased 2 months ago and I find myself springing leaks from my eyes w/o out much provocation.
Just the other day I found myself crying from frustration over things I cannot control. I recover from that and read about something that was happy and before I know it my eyes were leaking again. Yes emotions go haywire. You can look forward to increased pain if you haven't done electrolysis yet if you are going to. I just had a 2 hour session(my first since my E increase) and discovered my E wasn't the only thing that increased. MY session hurt significantly more. I don't think I really want to see how it is going to feel when I get my next increase.
Yeah, Robyn it can be a wild ride for sure and most of it is good, Enjoy it all you can.
Hugs,
Laurie
Quote from: Laurie on August 08, 2017, 01:50:21 AM
Hi Robyn,
I just read this thread and thought I would say hi and welcome you to the wonderful world of estrogen. The journey is a good ride, at least it is for me so far. I've only been at it for 8 months and I thought I was experiencing emotion swings during the first 6 months. Well I am here to tell you they get more frequent and intense as you dosage increases, Mine was increased 2 months ago and I find myself springing leaks from my eyes w/o out much provocation.
Just the other day I found myself crying from frustration over things I cannot control. I recover from that and read about something that was happy and before I know it my eyes were leaking again. Yes emotions go haywire. You can look forward to increased pain if you haven't done electrolysis yet if you are going to. I just had a 2 hour session(my first since my E increase) and discovered my E wasn't the only thing that increased. MY session hurt significantly more. I don't think I really want to see how it is going to feel when I get my next increase.
Yeah, Robyn it can be a wild ride for sure and most of it is good, Enjoy it all you can.
Hugs,
Laurie
Thanks Laurie for the information. I'm actually looking forward to the mood swings. My wife I can say will not be. I go back in October for my 3 month checkup and I'm hoping they increase my E dosage. My T levels were low to begin with so hopefully they leave my Spiro dose the same. Guess we'll see.
Here's to a wonderful journey for all of us.
Well, I woke up this morning and my nipples hurt. Yay!!!
😃 One of those times when pain is good. Still waiting for that day myself...
Quote from: meganjames2 on August 25, 2017, 10:18:04 AM
😃 One of those times when pain is good. Still waiting for that day myself...
It will come for you soon enough. Have faith and be patient. 🤗
The development of those little disks of breast tissue under your areolas is likely going to happen soon. Welcome to your second puberty :)
Quote from: RobynD on August 25, 2017, 01:18:25 PM
The development of those little disks of breast tissue under your areolas is likely going to happen soon. Welcome to your second puberty :)
I can't wait. I'm really looking forward to it.
Haven't posted here in a bit on my thread but here's my update. So I've been on low dose E and Spiro for just over two months. This week I've started to have to wear sport bras to work. I'm at the most an AA cup. My job can be quite chaotic. I'm a paramedic. So I do plenty of lifting, some running, lots of walking and other stuff. A bra has been important this week.
In other news I came out to more of my family members last month. They have been very supportive. I knew they would be. Now I have the difficult ones to notify plus my job. That one I'm not as worried about but I'm still leary of going forward and telling them.
My wife is still on board. She' still a little hesitate but she did buy me some lingerie the other day which surprised me. She keeps wondering what my transition will make her. I tell her that labels are not important and that she call herself whatever she wants.
Later this month I have a phone or video conference with Planned Parenthood to increase my HRT meds. I also have to go have blood work done locally as well. This will be better since now I don't have to drive two hours to do all this at one location.
Well that's all I can think of right now.
Hi Robyn,
So far it sounds as though everything is going according to plan. Congrats
So far so good but you know what they say about well laid plans. I'm keeping hopeful about everything.
Well done Robyn! Good to know that things are working out for you.
Finally managed to get a copy of my lab work that was done before I started HRT. They told me my T was low but it's different having the official paperwork in front of me.
So my T was 165ng/dL and my estradiol was 8.2pg/mL. Sometime later this month I do my 3 month checkup and see what my levels are. Hopefully my E will be increased.
That's about it. I'm off today but some interesting things happened at work while I am off. It will different to say the least when I go back on Friday.
Hope everyone else is having a good week.
Update on my journey, my HRT was doubled last week. So instead of wearing one patch for a week I now wear two. My butt is now an envelope for overseas mail. Later this week I go in for blood work and a dentist appointment, not the same day. Next week the wife and I are going to a concert. I got a pair of black knee high boots to wear. I just can't decide what else to wear. This will be my first time going out as a woman.
Yay for the extra HRT, beware as it whacked my emotions for a few weeks when I did that.
Good luck on your planned outing, I hope it goes well; these things build confidence, then you'll be unstoppable! X
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Thanks. I'm curious who will be more nervous; my wife or me.
I was a full-blown teenager for a few weeks. [emoji16]
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Quote from: Megan. on November 05, 2017, 11:33:41 PM
I was a full-blown teenager for a few weeks. [emoji16]
Sent from my MI 5s using Tapatalk
Oh my wife is going to kill me. ;D
Quote from: Megan. on November 05, 2017, 04:15:00 PMYay for the extra HRT, beware as it whacked my emotions for a few weeks when I did that.
I'll second that. When I went from the initial very-low-dose to full dose, within days the bottom dropped out. I was so low for three days the bottom looked like up, and I cried almost constantly. It hit me out of the blue, and I didn't know how to deal with it. Be prepared that it could happen, and that it's transient. If it does happen, don't let it get to you. You'll come out of the other side with a new happiness and peace.
Steph
Quote from: RobynTx on November 05, 2017, 02:54:30 PMNext week the wife and I are going to a concert. I got a pair of black knee high boots to wear. I just can't decide what else to wear. This will be my first time going out as a woman.
:angel: Have fun!!!
No real change in emotions yet but I did almost burst into tears yesterday after reading a post on Facebook. Other than that nothing else new.
I really hope to have a good time at the concert. We'll see.
Thamks everyone.
This week's update: had a great time at the concert. I know I didn't pass very well but didn't have any issues. The security guard Ma'am'ed me at the entrance so I was delighted there.
Now then, they increased my HRT doses a couple of weeks ago and I had blood work last week. I picked up the results earlier today. My T is down from 165 to 106 and my E went up from 8.2 to 100. I guess I'm happy with the changes. I do hope they increase my HRT again, especially the Estrogen. My cholesterol levels were WNL except for triglyceride was a little high.
Guessing I will call PP tomorrow and talk to them about the labs.
How is everyone else?
Sounds like you're moving along nicely [emoji4]. Be careful what you wish for regarding E; I didn't cry a drop for 30 years, now I barely go a day without at least welling up at something silly. X
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My emotions are already having fun with me. I saw a clip on the news this morning where a basketball player took off his jersey and shoes and gave them to two military soldiers that were courtside for the game. I had to walk away and wipe my eyes. Used to I would think that's cool thing to do and go about my business. Monday night at the concert I broke out in tears when the singer was giving a nice little speech.
It's wonderful to experience and scary to loose that control isn't it!
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Quote from: Megan. on November 15, 2017, 05:20:04 PM
Is wonderful to experience and scary to loose that control isn't it!
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That it is. Luckily I haven't had a full blow crying session but I've come close. Also can't wait to see what my wife does when I do.
Quick Update: Nothing to update. ;D
Quote from: RobynTx on December 06, 2017, 01:38:11 PM
Quick Update: Nothing to update. ;D
You're right, that was a quick update [emoji3]
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A more detailed update.
So I had a good and bad week last week. It started with my Spiro being doubled again now on Wednesday. Then Thursday afternoon I had an ambulance take me to the hospital for a kidney stone. Or stones since I found out I'm pregnant with twins. One is 4.9mm and the other is 1mm. I named the large one Dwayne Johnson. The pain is gone now but the other symptoms still persist. I ended up missing two shifts at work which was strange for me. I take a lot of vacation days but sick days is something else. Saturday I went to a funeral for one of my wife's family members. I went full female and got some comments. Nothing unexpected there. Most were fine with it as long as my wife was and she is. After the funeral we had a little family get together and had a good time. This week I went back to work for one shift and took another vacation day for a class I was supposed to attend but it was canceled. Wife and I went to a diving club meeting and joined. Today I'm going fossil hunting at my regular spot. Weather is a little cool but it's dry so I'm happy there.
So it's been an interesting week to say the least. Can't wait for things to get back to normal. Ha! What's normal in this life?
Well Robyn,
That has been quite a week. I'm sorry for the family and offer my condolences. The kidney stones don't sound very much fun either. Now the not working part can be okay as long as it's paid time off. I'm glad your en femme outing went okay for you too. Keep us posted and the further adventures of RobynTx okay?
Hugs,
Laurie
The time off was vacation days. The kidney stones do suck and I'm finally getting over easier parts of passing one. Thank you for everything else.
Now onward...
If I remember right I had kidney stones once.. They found them after they removed my kidney and dissected it. Not the best way to find them I guess. Hope getting yours out is a far better experience.
Yes, Robyn, Onward indeed.
Hugs,
Laurie
Big big milestone today. I came out publicly on Facebook. It was something I felt like I had to do so after confiding in those that are close to me and those that needed to know I announced it. I'm known for being a practical joker so a few thought I was joking. But those that know stepped up and make some nice comments. Plus there are a few that didn't know and said they are supporting me. I purposely did the announcement today because Wednesdays and Thursdays are my weekend. So it should be quite interesting to see how work goes Friday when I show up.
Quote from: Laurie on August 08, 2017, 01:50:21 AM
Hi Robyn,
I just read this thread and thought I would say hi and welcome you to the wonderful world of estrogen. The journey is a good ride, at least it is for me so far. I've only been at it for 8 months and I thought I was experiencing emotion swings during the first 6 months. Well I am here to tell you they get more frequent and intense as you dosage increases, Mine was increased 2 months ago and I find myself springing leaks from my eyes w/o out much provocation.
Just the other day I found myself crying from frustration over things I cannot control. I recover from that and read about something that was happy and before I know it my eyes were leaking again. Yes emotions go haywire. You can look forward to increased pain if you haven't done electrolysis yet if you are going to. I just had a 2 hour session(my first since my E increase) and discovered my E wasn't the only thing that increased. MY session hurt significantly more. I don't think I really want to see how it is going to feel when I get my next increase.
Yeah, Robyn it can be a wild ride for sure and most of it is good, Enjoy it all you can.
Hugs,
Laurie
Laurie is so right about the mood swings, as she can attest to holding my hand several times in the last 24 hrs.
I attribute it to my dosage increase. I crashed, peaked, crashed then peaked again.
It's a steep roller coaster, with some wicked twists.
Quote from: RobynTx on January 31, 2018, 04:01:49 PM
Big big milestone today. I came out publicly on Facebook. It was something I felt like I had to do so after confiding in those that are close to me and those that needed to know I announced it. I'm known for being a practical joker so a few thought I was joking. But those that know stepped up and make some nice comments. Plus there are a few that didn't know and said they are supporting me. I purposely did the announcement today because Wednesdays and Thursdays are my weekend. So it should be quite interesting to see how work goes Friday when I show up.
Congratulations Robyn! I'm new to the thread. Sounds interesting!
Quote from: Jessica on January 31, 2018, 04:12:03 PM
Congratulations Robyn! I'm new to the thread. Sounds interesting!
Thank you. Just like any rollercoaster it has it's ups and downs. :)
Wow! Congrats on being you to the world! Yay! :)
Quote from: AutumnGurl81 on January 31, 2018, 05:53:08 PM
Wow! Congrats on being you to the world! Yay! :)
Thank you. It's a brand new world now.
Hi Robyn,
Well I guess you've gone and done it now. No going back into the closet now is there? So you are a practical joker and some thought you were kidding huh? Well you can try what I did. I told my best friend and his wife about me on April 1st. They kept waiting for the "April fools" that never came. I didn't even realize it was April first when I told then and didn't know it until Peggy told me months later. Sometimes some things need to be better thought out.
Hugs,
Laurie
Quote from: Laurie on February 01, 2018, 07:06:18 PM
Hi Robyn,
Well I guess you've gone and done it now. No going back into the closet now is there? So you are a practical joker and some thought you were kidding huh? Well you can try what I did. I told my best friend and his wife about me on April 1st. They kept waiting for the "April fools" that never came. I didn't even realize it was April first when I told then and didn't know it until Peggy told me months later. Sometimes some things need to be better thought out.
Hugs,
Laurie
Yep, that's me. Everyone is usually careful around me come April 1st. Luckily this year it falls on a Easter and I managed to get that day off. I too thought about coming out publicly on April 1st but decided that I couldn't wait that long. More and more people were finding out and it was only a matter of time until the dam broke. Figured I would just do it myself and all.
I go back to work today. This will be my first shift since I came back and I can't sleep one bit. At least I can sleep at work if it's not too busy.
Quote from: RobynTx on February 02, 2018, 02:21:51 AM
Yep, that's me. Everyone is usually careful around me come April 1st. Luckily this year it falls on a Easter and I managed to get that day off. I too thought about coming out publicly on April 1st but decided that I couldn't wait that long. More and more people were finding out and it was only a matter of time until the dam broke. Figured I would just do it myself and all.
I go back to work today. This will be my first shift since I came back and I can't sleep one bit. At least I can sleep at work if it's not too busy.
No sleeping at work for you girly. You will have too much explaining to do. Enjoy your day Hun.
Hugs,
Laurie
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Quote from: Laurie on February 02, 2018, 08:10:49 AM
No sleeping at work for you girly. You will have too much explaining to do. Enjoy your day Hun.
Hugs,
Laurie
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But, but, I've already taken one nap and about to take a second one. 😪
So it's been one week since I came out. Pretty much everyone has either been positive or just haven't wanted to talk about it. My partner at work is having fun with it but that's to be expected. That doesn't bother me one bit. No one said anything negative on Facebook or elsewhere. Matter of fact one person that I'm not friends with on Facebook came and talked to me yesterday. I thought that was great.
I'm still not presenting that much as female in public. Just little things here and there. There are still a few things I want to work on before doing that. Need to get going on that before July rolls around. Vacation time with the family. We are heading back to the coast. Can't wait to go swimsuit shopping.
Quote from: RobynTx on February 07, 2018, 11:31:35 AM
So it's been one week since I came out. Pretty much everyone has either been positive or just haven't wanted to talk about it. My partner at work is having fun with it but that's to be expected. That doesn't bother me one bit. No one said anything negative on Facebook or elsewhere. Matter of fact one person that I'm not friends with on Facebook came and talked to me yesterday. I thought that was great.
I'm still not presenting that much as female in public. Just little things here and there. There are still a few things I want to work on before doing that. Need to get going on that before July rolls around. Vacation time with the family. We are heading back to the coast. Can't wait to go swimsuit shopping.
Baby steps Robyn. There's no hurry. Progress is progress.
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Quote from: Laurie on February 07, 2018, 03:19:44 PM
Baby steps Robyn. There's no hurry. Progress is progress.
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Oh I know. Plus my wife is happy that I'm taking it slow. I would so love to have had everything done in a week but it doesn't work that way. So I bide my time. One day at a time.
Well, I did a female faux pas the other day. I went to Victoria's Secret website and ordered a bra online. I want at least one bra from them. Just to have one. I told my wife after I ordered it and she got on to me because you never order bras online, you go to the store and have it fitted first. Oops. At least she liked the print I ordered. So fast forward to today and the bra arrived. I tried it on and it fits perfectly. It's a 36A and it fits like a glove. There isn't any gap between the cup and my boobs. So my wife will be pissed because I'm good at eyeballing clothes and knowing if they will fit or not. But damn I look sexy in it.
Now to find a way to order more bras from VS.