Finally got my Endo Consultation booked.  There was definitely some confusion, mainly with my psychologist giving the incorrect email address to the Endo office (or the endo screwing up the right email address).  So I never received the email from the Endo back in December telling me they had booked me for March 31st.  Some other Stephanie probably got my information.. GREAT!! lol

Anyways, long story short.  Original appointment was March 31st but they had an opening TOMORROW!! So I am getting in 1.5months earlier than originally scheduled (even though I had no idea I was scheduled to begin with).

Pretty exciting but I'm nervous at the same time.  I've done research on estrogen, but after reading the 3 page Informed Consent on Hormone Therapy, I've definitely got concerns.... ya know, basically wherever it said "risks include .. blah, blah, DEATH". (Those "blahs" also being serious though).  Was certainly a wake up call that kept me awake for quite awhile last night while laying in bed.

Not to mention I had to fill out Family Medical history, and most except my parents have created a stupidly long list of things the Form asks about.  Grandparents and Aunts (on my Moms side of the family) have had a fair number of serious things.  Strokes, Breast Cancer, Colon Cancer, Diabetes, and a Quadruple Heart By-Pass, Psoriasis, High Blood Pressure, Arthritis, Migraine Headaches.

I don't know where I'm even going with this post anymore.. haha..  But I've wanted nothing more than to start HRT for close to a year now and the opportunity will be there tomorrow night and with all the above floating around in my head I'm getting cold feet sorta. 

Like mentioned, I'm excited but massively nervous at the same time...  Any words of wisdom?

Take things, one day at a time.

Funny but death is listed as a possible side effect on so many medicines.  You could look further and find that the percentage of those who get those effects is very small.  There is risk in everyday living, often things we do everyday, that carry a higher risk than many side effects. Bathing and driving for example.

Happy for you.
I'm not a wealth of wisdom, but just remember you're in a marathon, not a sprint. Enjoy the ride!

I've been on HRT for six months and haven't died yet. At least I don't think I have. If I have died I haven't started eating brains so I guess that's a plus.

Though I have been hungry for a rare steak...



You'll do fine, luv. I think the number of people here who have had bad effects from being on HRT are very, very tiny. I truly can't think of anyone who posted that "X happened and it's from HRT and now I have to stop."

I guess it's the family history that is scaring me a bit.

They (Dr's) say that HRT can increase your risk of breast cancer, as anexample, and when both my Mom's sisters have had it (one died from it) I suppose I feel like i have a higher likelihood of risk than someone who doesn't have Breast Cancer in there relatively close family tree members.

It's just the thoughts like that, that have me a bit more on edge that I expected to be 28hours before my appointment.

I appreciate the comments and I'm probably blowing it out of proportion just like every other I thing I've worried about during transition that I didn't need to worry about. 

Death is a side effect of living and we take life threatening risks all the time. How does the risk of taking HRT compare to driving? We all accept that and it actually pretty high, greater than 1% over your lifetime. Is HRT worse? What about smoking or being overweight? What about the risk of being transgender and not doing anything about it?

Notice how they never actually give you a number for the risk so you can decide if its worth it for yourself. You might almost think its about them avoiding legal liability, or that they don't have much of a clue about what they are doing.

Side effects can look scary when you see them listed out, but I try to remember that it doesn't mean it happens to everyone or even most people. When I was researching T, for instance, I saw the side effects listed out, and I was more terrified at "hair loss" than at "death" haha  Hope everything goes well for you, good luck! 

Congratulations,

It is normal to think very seriously at HRT as the time draws close.

HRT starts out slow and there is plenty of time to stop if you feel it is not right for you.

Well I saw my Endo last night.

All my blood tests were super positive and everything was right where he liked it to be.  He gave me my first 3month prescription for Estrace and Spiro.

I took my first hit of "E" today at 12:30pm with lunch. 

Feb. 20th will be a day I remember for a long time.

Quote from: Stephanie00Rayne on February 20, 2015, 04:35:11 PM
Well I saw my Endo last night.

All my blood tests were super positive and everything was right where he liked it to be.  He gave me my first 3month prescription for Estrace and Spiro.

I took my first hit of "E" today at 12:30pm with lunch. 

Feb. 20th will be a day I remember for a long time.

Congrats Stephanie on the big start! I started mine on the 10th of February and it's been great so far. Good luck and keep us updated with your progress. Best of luck!!

Congratulations and happy birthday

Quote from: JenniR04 on February 20, 2015, 04:56:23 PM
Congrats Stephanie on the big start! I started mine on the 10th of February and it's been great so far. Good luck and keep us updated with your progress. Best of luck!!

Have you noticed anything after 10days?  Congrats to you as well. 

Quote from: Stephanie00Rayne on February 20, 2015, 04:35:11 PM
I took my first hit of "E" today at 12:30pm with lunch. 

Feb. 20th will be a day I remember for a long time.

I told myself that, but its kind of vague now. The next day though, I'll remember that for the rest of my life. It's when I finally found out what estrogen does, and all the endless questions were answered.