Hi everyone , good morning .
First post , glad to be here .
Started HRT months ago . I was on the fence for years coming out or not at all . For ME , even after being out and poblic for 7 years I never dared or thought I could actually pull off looking CIS , which for ME is my goal , so I did nothing to alter my obvious Maleness besides dress up . There came the time when my dysphoria got too great and I had to do something ! Its a very unpleasant experience loathing your body in the mirror and feeling 100% woman inside this male body . I'M PREACHING TO THE CHIOR :-)
Well make long story short , the appointment was made at my Dr. to ask for HRT . I have a very loving female Dr. and she was onboard . It was in that second when I released my fears and asked for Hormones my entire life changed . I started crying when she said , ABSOLUTELY !
I don't give advice unless asked , so I tell my story . That desicion to do HRT saved my life and my Psyche at the same time . It was the biggest and best desicion I have made in my Transition .
I am one of the lucky ones that Hormones love me :-)
Just wanted to share that , do with it what you will , or I just say thanks for reading my dribble .
My tears are there on my face as I type this , HAPPY TEARS.

Kelly Girl out

Hello Kelly, welcome

So happy to hear how HRT has helped you. Getting that prescription for hormones is a wonderful feeling. I know as I am also on HRT.

It has been 4 1/2 weeks since I began and currently the only results I have had is nipple soreness. While I know everyone has their own response to the taking of spironolactone and estrogen, I must admit I am disappointed that I am not experiencing any of the emotional changes. I will take it day by day.

Thanks for posting your story

Quote from: DianeofCarlsbad on June 18, 2016, 11:25:14 AM
Hello Kelly, welcome

So happy to hear how HRT has helped you. Getting that prescription for hormones is a wonderful feeling. I know as I am also on HRT.

It has been 4 1/2 weeks since I began and currently the only results I have had is nipple soreness. While I know everyone has their own response to the taking of spironolactone and estrogen, I must admit I am disappointed that I am not experiencing any of the emotional changes. I will take it day by day.

Thanks for posting your story

Hi Diane and thanks ,
My experience being on exactly what your on , IT TAKES AWHILE :-)
Around the 3 month period the mental excellerated , as did the physical , hang tuff . Tender Aeriolas are a great sign of progress .
When I had my potassium and my estrogen to testerine levels done , they were amazing so they bumped me up double my dose , and OH MY GODDESS ! My facial structure is changing , breasts are growing significantly , and my body is shaping slightly now too .
I too was very disappointed at first , because we all know , we want this YESTERDAY :-) LoL .
I had to tell my ego to hang tough you got this and your just impatient Kelly Girl . Yup , I was right . This is such a huge journey for us Transgirls , allot rides on results , I get that . Its life threatening inside or physically , serious stuff here I know.
I'd pass on on this one that patience is mandatory , hormones take years not months . Breath . :-)
Were all in this together , and I feel coming here was destined.

Kelly Girl out

Quote from: Kelly Girl on June 18, 2016, 10:40:03 AM
Hi everyone , good morning .
First post , glad to be here .
Started HRT months ago . I was on the fence for years coming out or not at all . For ME , even after being out and poblic for 7 years I never dared or thought I could actually pull off looking CIS , which for ME is my goal , so I did nothing to alter my obvious Maleness besides dress up . There came the time when my dysphoria got too great and I had to do something ! Its a very unpleasant experience loathing your body in the mirror and feeling 100% woman inside this male body . I'M PREACHING TO THE CHIOR :-)
Well make long story short , the appointment was made at my Dr. to ask for HRT . I have a very loving female Dr. and she was onboard . It was in that second when I released my fears and asked for Hormones my entire life changed . I started crying when she said , ABSOLUTELY !
I don't give advice unless asked , so I tell my story . That desicion to do HRT saved my life and my Psyche at the same time . It was the biggest and best desicion I have made in my Transition .
I am one of the lucky ones that Hormones love me :-)
Just wanted to share that , do with it what you will , or I just say thanks for reading my dribble .
My tears are there on my face as I type this , HAPPY TEARS.

Kelly Girl out

Always good hearing stories. I just started my hrt yesterday. Feeling great now.

Jo

Congratulations !
I wasn't kidding huh ;-)
I marked my Calendar , date and exact second I took my first Medicine , I was born again on Hormones :-)
I know this isn't some peoples experience on them , or they can't take them , or don't want to , BUT , that's my story ;-)
I truly hope yours is as lovely .

Kelly Girl out

Quote from: Kelly Girl on June 18, 2016, 05:41:46 PM
Congratulations !
I wasn't kidding huh ;-)
I marked my Calendar , date and exact second I took my first Medicine , I was born again on Hormones :-)
I know this isn't some peoples experience on them , or they can't take them , or don't want to , BUT , that's my story ;-)
I truly hope yours is as lovely .

Kelly Girl out

Mine was, July 17th at 11:47am. My biggest change in the last day and a half, I logged a 9 pound weight loss, not kidding, I am excited. All water retention, I am sure.

Jo

Quote from: Ibaoddone on June 18, 2016, 07:42:14 PM
Mine was, July 17th at 11:47am. My biggest change in the last day and a half, I logged a 9 pound weight loss, not kidding, I am excited. All water retention, I am sure.

Jo

Right on , :-)
Watch out for severe awesome cravings too for particular foods your body now MUST have or yiu go nuts !
Its insane the stuff I crave now ? Raw Oysters , Chips and Salsa like its going out of style , crazy , and Pickles and Green Olives , INSANE :-)
And the best part is , its soooooooooo crazy satisfying , your body just relaxes and you feel so healthy .
Spooky Good :-)
Bonus side effect for sure .
Cool , Cheers , Kelly Girl out

Quote from: Ibaoddone on June 18, 2016, 04:18:02 PM
Always good hearing stories. I just started my hrt yesterday. Feeling great now.

Jo

Jo, just wait a couple weeks!  As the testosterone fades away, this gets really interesting. 

I'm at day 10 on spironolactone.  The last few days, I've been grinning for no reason, feeling happy, in a great mood.  It's not just happy, though.  It feels like all my emotions are running closer to the surface, underlaid by a sense of calmness.  I was running a few minutes late this morning, which upset my wife, who wanted us out to get to a family event a full eight minutes before we actually left.  I was apologizing for the delay (a medical thing unrelated to this), and found myself crying because I'd upset her.   I'm a little frightened to think of where I'll be in a few months, or if I eventually get estradiol added to the mix.

Quote from: Kelly Girl on June 18, 2016, 05:41:46 PM
I was born again on Hormones :-)

Hi Kelly Girl, welcome to Susan's! 

Glad to hear HRT has had such a positive impact on you so far. It's amazing stuff, isn't it? Such a life-changer.

Quote from: Michelle_P on June 18, 2016, 08:14:20 PM
Jo, just wait a couple weeks!  As the testosterone fades away, this gets really interesting. 

I'm at day 10 on spironolactone.  The last few days, I've been grinning for no reason, feeling happy, in a great mood.  It's not just happy, though.  It feels like all my emotions are running closer to the surface, underlaid by a sense of calmness.  I was running a few minutes late this morning, which upset my wife, who wanted us out to get to a family event a full eight minutes before we actually left.  I was apologizing for the delay (a medical thing unrelated to this), and found myself crying because I'd upset her.   I'm a little frightened to think of where I'll be in a few months, or if I eventually get estradiol added to the mix.

Before I started spiro and estradiol, my T levels were barely in the 80s to begin with. And that has been my normal for a very long time. Don't think to will take much to zero that out, lol.

Jo

Quote from: Violets on June 18, 2016, 11:36:18 PM
Hi Kelly Girl, welcome to Susan's! 

Glad to hear HRT has had such a positive impact on you so far. It's amazing stuff, isn't it? Such a life-changer.

Is it normal to start both at the same time? Spiro and estradiol that is...

Jo

Quote from: Ibaoddone on June 18, 2016, 11:53:38 PM
Is it normal to start both at the same time? Spiro and estradiol that is...

I started on a low dose of spiro for the first 2 weeks, then went to full dose, adding full dose estrodiol as well. I've noticed that most seem to ease into it a bit slower than that though. I had no serious negative effects, and my moods were surprisingly stable as my hormone levels changed. My doctor is very happy with my progress, and so am I.

Quote from: Violets on June 18, 2016, 11:36:18 PM
Hi Kelly Girl, welcome to Susan's! 

Glad to hear HRT has had such a positive impact on you so far. It's amazing stuff, isn't it? Such a life-changer.

Hi Violets ! :-) Thank you for the warm welcome :-)
The first round of Estrodial I had was the patch , kind of a pain , and my insurance wouldn't cover it either . So , after a month of a run I switched to Pills , FREE :-) LOL , much better price . Get this crazy stuff , but my insurance agreed to pay for the medicine that goes on the patch , but not the patch itself . I was like , really to my insurance gal on the phone . Frustrating system I tell ya , big drug companies and ruthless insurance companies . NOT LGBTQ friendly . I have a Medical Billing/Coding Certificate , and this whole system is broken .

So , the night I came home from the Pharmacy , my beautiful Wife assisted me in placing my first patch and first Hormone , wooooo hooooo on my lower abdomen . That was a double tear festival , me crying because I finally felt complete and her crying for me being so happy . It was INTENSE :-)
I was under 100 when I started , so doubling it should have come close to killing it off with the Spiro . I get another Lab in late July , hope the trend continues .
You know , even with my medical background in Nursing also , getting all the care arranged , paperwork , appointments , research , surgeons , psychotic Dr.'s that think they have some right to tell me if I'm dysphoric and transgender and need a Vagina or not , is INSANE :-) Its allot to get done on top of being Bat Crap Crazy on top of it :-) Lordy Lordy .
I wish it was easier to do the technical part , so us girls could focus more on the just being part , wouldn't that be grand . It is what it is :-)
Take good care , and sometime I would like to hear your journey if possible on the Meds ?
Thanks , Kelly Girl out

Quote from: Kelly Girl on June 19, 2016, 12:20:53 AM
Hi Violets ! :-) Thank you for the warm welcome :-)
The first round of Estrodial I had was the patch , kind of a pain , and my insurance wouldn't cover it either . So , after a month of a run I switched to Pills , FREE :-) LOL , much better price . Get this crazy stuff , but my insurance agreed to pay for the medicine that goes on the patch , but not the patch itself . I was like , really to my insurance gal on the phone . Frustrating system I tell ya , big drug companies and ruthless insurance companies . NOT LGBTQ friendly . I have a Medical Billing/Coding Certificate , and this whole system is broken .

So , the night I came home from the Pharmacy , my beautiful Wife assisted me in placing my first patch and first Hormone , wooooo hooooo on my lower abdomen . That was a double tear festival , me crying because I finally felt complete and her crying for me being so happy . It was INTENSE :-)
I was under 100 when I started , so doubling it should have come close to killing it off with the Spiro . I get another Lab in late July , hope the trend continues .
You know , even with my medical background in Nursing also , getting all the care arranged , paperwork , appointments , research , surgeons , psychotic Dr.'s that think they have some right to tell me if I'm dysphoric and transgender and need a Vagina or not , is INSANE :-) Its allot to get done on top of being Bat Crap Crazy on top of it :-) Lordy Lordy .
I wish it was easier to do the technical part , so us girls could focus more on the just being part , wouldn't that be grand . It is what it is :-)
Take good care , and sometime I would like to hear your journey if possible on the Meds ?
Thanks , Kelly Girl out

I have started a daily journal to track my progress. I will share it sometime.

Jo

I'm in a much better place now on HRT.  I'm loving all the various changes.  Hugs Shannon