What's happenin', ya'll?

I wanted to know because I am very interested in undergoing HRT as soon as possible. But one thing I am cautious of are possible side effects or interactions that could more likely befall me, due to a pretty good plethora of chronic illnesses that I possess, if any(mainly lupus nephritis requiring dialysis ).

A gender therapist(not mine) warned me yesterday over the phone, that an endocrinologist may not wish to implement Testosterone into me because of this, but it could be far more likely than getting any form of SRS.

I don't like trying to outthink anyone in a field they specialize in and I don't, but, could she be wrong??? Please tell me she is...I mean, it wouldn't be the end of the world for me but I will always be trapped in a body I wasn't meant for and just depressed until I pass on...

This might be of interest:
lupusblog.info/simple-lupus-nephritis-cures-reviews-in-makoti/

... found that in women with lupus 80 percent were low in the hormone testosterone and recommends that doctors with lupus patients perform a hormone panel.


Well there are quite a few endos out there... if one is not supportive, you might try to convince them or look for another.


hugs

Quote from: Laura_7 on July 14, 2015, 06:19:50 PM
This might be of interest:
lupusblog.info/simple-lupus-nephritis-cures-reviews-in-makoti/

... found that in women with lupus 80 percent were low in the hormone testosterone and recommends that doctors with lupus patients perform a hormone panel.


Well there are quite a few endos out there... if one is not supportive, you might try to convince them or look for another.


hugs

Thanks for this vividly detailed information. And the statement you made, I heard before enough to really believe it to be true. Plus I have read similar threads like this one I made about lupus and T hormones for FTM transitioning and saw people  who mostly say they responded so well in terms of increased energy(fatigue is the highlight of lupus, period). I have seen many FTMs say this on youtube too!^^ It is indeed a plus in taking T hormones. I am not as concerned about this as the eligibility for surgery any longer. But the way you put it at the end of your post, really put a smile on my face as I imagined, "I just might become a boy at last after all!^^"

Thank you for that.

I have fibromyalgia and my doctor had no issue prescribing me T as long as I continue to monitor and manage my illness to the best of my ability. My energy levels on T are better. I have fewer flares. The only fatigue I experience anymore is mental. I've been able to work out again.

Find a doctor that's willing to work with you. I'm sure one exists.

Quote from: King Phoenix on July 20, 2015, 11:16:53 PM
Thanks for this vividly detailed information. And the statement you made, I heard before enough to really believe it to be true. Plus I have read similar threads like this one I made about lupus and T hormones for FTM transitioning and saw people  who mostly say they responded so well in terms of increased energy(fatigue is the highlight of lupus, period). I have seen many FTMs say this on youtube too!^^ It is indeed a plus in taking T hormones. I am not as concerned about this as the eligibility for surgery any longer. But the way you put it at the end of your post, really put a smile on my face as I imagined, "I just might become a boy at last after all!^^"

Thank you for that.

You're welcome 

hugs

Quote from: ftmax on July 21, 2015, 09:11:56 AM
I have fibromyalgia and my doctor had no issue prescribing me T as long as I continue to monitor and manage my illness to the best of my ability. My energy levels on T are better. I have fewer flares. The only fatigue I experience anymore is mental. I've been able to work out again.

Find a doctor that's willing to work with you. I'm sure one exists.

Oh my gosh! That fibromyalgia must be tough some days, eh? I kinda get scared I could also get it from my lupus(it can destroy or damage nerves too>.<). I'm glad to hear that you are handling T very well and your illness also. Max, does T help you manage your mental fatigue too? I have a lot of that, among other things such as depression, social anxiety, pica, ocd, and others.

Thanks for the encouragement. And yeah, I will look into a wonderful endocrinologist and surgeon with the aid of the appropriate gender therapist and/or even on my own, to help me achieve my transition goals to the best of my ability. Although I am aware that a gender therapist is required to handle the legal portion of transitioning, which I am still struggling to even find(insurance is a big issue...I always either have the wrong one or they only take cash>.<).

It has most definitely helped with my depression and anxiety. I still have a lot of discomfort in social situations, but it's more of a choice to let it get to me at this point where before I had no control over it.

As far as the fatigue, I've found that it takes a lot longer for it to build up than it used to. I'm able to endure a lot more before it gets to the point where I need to rest. My pain levels when I do flare up are also considerably lower than they have been in the past. I don't know if I would attribute this all to T, as I have been working out and eating better for a few months now, and that has seemed to help.

Good luck! There are a lot of people here who may be able to help you on your hunt for a therapist. With as many members as we have in various stages of transition, we've probably seen a good percentage of the therapists who claim to specialize in gender. If you find someone you're seriously considering, post a message on here with their name and see if anyone can vouch for them.

I was wonderin' Max, if perhaps you could PM or even post here if you'd like, the website or name and number of the therapist and doc that helped you? Man, I swear I've searched high and low and am at the plateau phase of hopelessness at this point. I feel so apathetic, like quitting. I think maybe you guys wanted to transition more than me...maybe I ain't strong enough or tryin' hard like you guys. I am happy for ya'll, but no bull->-bleeped-<-...I am kinda envious too, lol. I respect my fellow trans folk for going as far as they do to express themselves in the gender they identify with instead of the ones they do not.

And yeah, if I find a gender therapist and endocrinologist/surgeon whose super awesome, I'll surely share with ya'll they contact info so they can be reached..ok?

Stay awesome, dudes and dudetts.

For doctors, I go to Whitman Walker Clinic in DC. They're informed consent based and they take care of all my hormones, lab work, primary care, and pharmacy needs. They also helped me get my name change and gender marker change paperwork together for free. If you live near a big city, there is likely something similar around.

They also have therapists onsite, but it was cheaper and more in line with my schedule to do online sessions. I started with Melissa Leonhardt and fired her less than two months later. I got my referral for top surgery from Graham Peveller. I know there is some negative stuff out there online about him, but I had a great experience and am planning on doing some additional sessions with him next year for my bottom surgery referral.

See what your insurance actually covers and what they require to have them cover it. Some plans will cover all the way through GRS, but you need to start with therapy, then hormones, then top surgery, then a hysto, etc. and keep them in the loop through each part of the process. Don't waste your time looking for a therapist that takes your insurance if their referral isn't needed to get other things covered by your insurance.

Thank you so much for this thread, it really helped a lot as I too was wondering how T would effect my Lupus this really put a lot off worry off my shoulders I am happy to say that it too put a smile on my face. Mind you I have systemic lupus so I am not sure if T would effect me differently then lupus nephritis, I was only put in the hospital once due to it where my kidney's shut down, but since then I have been in remission for 2 years so I do hope that I can start T without any complications.