Big news.  Self injections were approved yesterday, and the Kaiser Injection Clinic will train me in about five weeks (way before I go to Michigan). 

The Endocrinologist was very pleased  with all my tests, and said I'm right on track with HRT for a woman my age.  Woman is exactly what he said, and he immediately asked if I wanted to be called Kathy from now on.  So anyway, the Spiro might be adjusted if T jumps  over 45, but I brought up an Orchiectomy as a surgical option.  He said it would eliminate the Spiro, but he could only recommend it if my therapist or psychiatrist approved surgery.  Then the procedure would actually be requested and referred to a surgeon by my General Practitioner after she discussed it with everyone else.  So now I'm thinking maybe I should go for the Orchi in September, but I have questions about getting it done. 

1. Did any of you girls regret scheduling an orchiectomy so quickly after starting HRT (one year of HRT)?
2. Was your E prescription dramatically changed after the orchi, and did you feel differences in the effects of HRT.
3. I've heard that it's best to have a plan for SRS soon afterwards.  Is this actually necessary, or can I wait for five or more years?

Now, please forgive me if this is too much info.  But let me say I truly hate what I have down there.  Not just because it doesn't match my gender, but the whole thing causes intense pain at times (and not just the testicles).  I've seen a lot of doctors and had tons of tests, but the pain has never been resolved or diagnosed.   Stopping over the counter drugs and starting Spiro and E did relieve the frequency of the pain considerably, but when it comes on it's still just as bad, and physically disabling.  What's worse is I can't even tuck because I end up having to take a bunch of Advil and lay in bed for hours afterwards.  So instead I've worn undersized stretch panties with some success, but still occasional pain.  I just need them to go away, and take the pain with them.

Let me know what you think about an orchiectomy.  I'm open to all opinions.

Kathy

1. I had my orchi 3 or 4 years after I started HRT once I realized that GRS was never going to be obtainable.
2. I had my E doubled a little over a year after the orchi. It was a very, very bad idea and really screwed me up.
3. This question is non applicable. See answer 1.

I had mine about a year after starting HRT.  My doctor cut my dosage in half.  I still plan on SRS even though I have mine in 2009.

Quote from: Ms. OBrien VT on March 06, 2013, 10:56:32 AM
I had mine about a year after starting HRT.  My doctor cut my dosage in half.  I still plan on SRS even though I have mine in 2009.

And was there a noticeable change in your own perception of the effectiveness of the HRT?  This is something else that I've heard is good about the orchi because it at times lowers the required dose.

Well I have went from a B cup to a C cup.  So I would say that without the T factories I am getting a better result.

Quote from: Ms. OBrien VT on March 06, 2013, 11:08:02 AM
Well I have went from a B cup to a C cup.  So I would say that without the T factories I am getting a better result.

That's good news.  My whole body has been changing with the weight loss, but breasts don't seem to have changed at all in the last two months.

I had mine after 10 months in to HRT ( in 2012), But my doctor didn't change the E dose. Before I have the surgery I made inquiries from Dr. Suporn in Thailand and he replied to me saying that it is better  have the SRS before 2 years due to the shrinkage of the skin. The main change after it was the psychological ones, Finally I got rid of some of the parts I never wanted to have.
I am hoping to have my SRS in next year.

Hi Kathy B,

I had my orchi a month ago
.

Quote from: kathy b on March 06, 2013, 10:19:25 AM
1. Did any of you girls regret scheduling an orchiectomy so quickly after starting HRT (one year of HRT)?

I started HRT 18 months ago. Even though I've been on Spiro (and Androcur before that) having had the orchi has made a HUGE difference
to my emotional wellbeing. I also hated having those "things" dangling down there. IMHO, it is worth it.

Quote from: kathy b on March 06, 2013, 10:19:25 AM
2. Was your E prescription dramatically changed after the orchi, and did you feel differences in the effects of HRT.

Yes, my E was halved. I also found more feminization taking place. I also got dead tired the first 2 or so weeks, but I am back to normal now.

Quote from: kathy b on March 06, 2013, 10:19:25 AM
3. I've heard that it's best to have a plan for SRS soon afterwards.  Is this actually necessary, or can I wait for five or more years?

I can not afford SRS now or in the near future. Some doctors say it is a problem with shrinkage, some say it doesn't matter.

Kathy, you can never ask too many questions. Remember, we are all family here and always willing to help where we can.

Huggs

Maegan

Personally, I don,t think shrinkage is such a huge worry. Being tucked nearly 24/7, isn't the scrotum already pretty much "empty" since the testes are up in their tunnel thingies? Can it really shrink further?

Besides, if you're really worried about shrinkage, it should be possible to do daily stretching without reopening the wound.

I got my orchi about a year and change after I started HRT.
My estrogene dose has not been reduced.
I am very happy I had it done. I amy never be able to afford srs, so getting an orchi has been second best for the time being.

As for the worry about loosing donor material, I have taken the time to stretch the scrotal tissue daily. I have been post orchi almost 2 years now and I have had no apreciable loss of scrotal tissue. I plan on some how and some way to get my surgery. The doctor will have plenty to work with because the time to preserve the tissue has been put in.
When we are post op we have to take time to dilate to maintain the neovagina, so I have time to preserve the scrotal tissue that I will need for the surgery now.

Sorry I was trying to keep on the post to answer right away, but I was waiting for my very first mammogram.  It wasn't bad, just a minnie-ouch. 

O.K. this all sounds great.  After everything you girls said I'm now convinced to get in line for September.  Time to check with the psychiatrist, and find some spare cash. 

So thank you Snickerdoodle, Ms. O'Brien, Anya, Maegan, A and Cynthia.

Kathy

when I woke up from my orchi I was giddy and joking, which for me is severly out of character
Usually when I have a surgery I wake up confused and combatative or feeling violated and wracked in tears.
When I had my orchi and later my breast augmentation these surgerys I was happy when I woke. The boobs I woke up sore but happy. The orchi... I was as happy as I could be. Waking up post orchi and being so silly happy was the ultimate confirmation I was on the right track. A man would not be giddy over loosing his testicles.

Quote from: cynthialee on March 06, 2013, 08:09:25 PM
The orchi... I was as happy as I could be. Waking up post orchi and being so silly happy was the ultimate confirmation I was on the right track. A man would not be giddy over loosing his testicles.

Funny enough Cynthialee, so was I! It also made me realise that it was the right thing to do.