Hi again all - I've decided to start a new thread as an ongoing journal of my transition.

It's been a week on Spiro and almost a week on E.  No particular changes to report, but I really wasn't expecting any.  I did notice last night that it seems I'm more relaxed.  Time will tell if it's related or if I was just having a good day.

General overview - I'm 61 and out to absolutely no one except for the lovely team at Planned Parenthood who I met last week.  I'm expecting that any changes will be very gradual and give me time to deal with the issues with everyone else in my life, but who knows, maybe nature will surprise me with a quicker transition.  Either way, I'm confident I'm on the right path.

My other priority right now is getting my weight down... I've been working on it seriously for a month and I'm down 15 lbs...  so I'm feeling good about it.  I'm 6'3", so only another 50 or so to go and I'll have a BMI that's in the good range.  The best part of that is I'll need a whole new wardrobe, which now that I think about it, I'm going to need anyways!

I hope you all have a lovely day - I'll be back with updates weekly or as news breaks! 

Jennifer

Quote from: Jade88 on July 24, 2018, 08:06:20 AM
Hi again all - I've decided to start a new thread as an ongoing journal of my transition.

It's been a week on Spiro and almost a week on E.  No particular changes to report, but I really wasn't expecting any.  I did notice last night that it seems I'm more relaxed.  Time will tell if it's related or if I was just having a good day.

General overview - I'm 61 and out to absolutely no one except for the lovely team at Planned Parenthood who I met last week.  I'm expecting that any changes will be very gradual and give me time to deal with the issues with everyone else in my life, but who knows, maybe nature will surprise me with a quicker transition.  Either way, I'm confident I'm on the right path.

My other priority right now is getting my weight down... I've been working on it seriously for a month and I'm down 15 lbs...  so I'm feeling good about it.  I'm 6'3", so only another 50 or so to go and I'll have a BMI that's in the good range.  The best part of that is I'll need a whole new wardrobe, which now that I think about it, I'm going to need anyways!

I hope you all have a lovely day - I'll be back with updates weekly or as news breaks! 

Jennifer

@Jade88
Dear Jennifer :    This is wonderful news...
...starting your own thread is a great way to "journal" your progress as you transition.
Not only will it be a good place for you to write down your changes and observations but it also is a good place to write out your thoughts and to even vent about any issues that come your way.

Here at Susan's Place, there is a wealth of information regarding transition.  Be sure to take the time to read and research other members threads as they document their own transition successes, disappointments and frustrations.
When you have good times in your journey we will all rejoice with you and in your not so good times we will be there to listen and to support you.

I am looking forward to following your thread with anticipation for your exciting journey ahead.
Hugs,
Danielle
...

Jennifer, congratulations - and starting off by reducing 15 pounds is awesome and well-earned.  Your future began last week with HRT... so much to look forward to!

Congratulations Jennifer on starting HRT last week.

It is a wonderful feeling as you take the first tablet, isn't it? You will remember that event forever.

I wish you every happiness on your journey.

Hugs

Pamela

Hi, Jennifer.  Congratulations on starting HRT, congratulations on the weight loss, and congratulations for starting a journal thread!  Welcome to the over-sixty club.  There are quite a few of us here.

Hi all!  Quick week 2 update...  No real changes to report, my chest feels a little more sensitive from time to time, but nothing worth getting excited about.    Weight loss is stalled out at the moment, I've been traveling and it's been hard to stick to the diet.  Should get that back on track next week.

Hope you all have a wonder day and rest of the week!

Quote from: Jade88 on August 01, 2018, 10:50:47 AM
Hi all!  Quick week 2 update...  No real changes to report, my chest feels a little more sensitive from time to time, but nothing worth getting excited about.    Weight loss is stalled out at the moment, I've been traveling and it's been hard to stick to the diet.  Should get that back on track next week.

Hope you all have a wonder day and rest of the week!

@Jade88
thank you for following through and keeping us all updated with your HRT report.   It most likely won't always be dramatic good news but it is called progress as you continue in your journey as time goes on.

I will be looking at your thread frequently to check up on you.
Hugs,
Danielle

Good morning ladies - I hope you're all doing well.

Another week has come and gone, so here's a progress update after 3 weeks on Spiro and low dose E.  Continuing to have slightly increased tenderness in the chest - nothing big and not always noticeable, but I am increasingly aware when I cross my arms and press the sides of my breasts/nipples they feel fuller, but I'm certain sure that's due to increased sensitivity rather than actual growth.  Libido has decreased I think, but to be honest I've been so busy I'm not sure I'd notice one way or the other...  lol  I just came through quarter end at work so for a numbers girl it's an intensive time.

Weight loss is still in a holding pattern at the moment... not going up but not making much progress either.  Lunch today is watermelon and a banana...  thank goodness it's been watermelon season...

Anyways, time to get back to work.  Hope you all have a great day!

Jennifer 

Hi ladies!

Another week has gone by (my 4th) - it's amazing how quickly the first month has gone by!

I took stock of things this morning and here are some thoughts on my progress so far:

Physical changes...

Still not a lot to report, but my nipples definitely are a little more sensitive.  Not all the time, but at the peak I can just feel them even if I'm not moving around.  My breasts are interesting...  I swear they look slightly fuller, but I can't really believe they'd change that soon.  Nothing major but at times I look down and wonder...

My skin... another interesting thing.  I haven't noticed any real changes in my skin in general, but the skin on my face, especially under my eyes, seems to be more translucent.  I've always had acne, mostly due to being overweight.  It's much cleared now that I've lost 15 pounds, but if I stretch the skin a little it seems like can see more down into the skin than I use to.

Downstairs - things have shrunk a bit, and libido in general is pretty much in neutral which is fine with me.

Mental changes...

Not much to report.  Every now and then I get impatient (I want boobs now damnit!  lol), but the feeling goes away very quickly - I'm perfectly fine taking the slow road.  Other than that I haven't noticed any big changes.

One of the things I'm trying to reconcile is this... I'm without question a left brain kind of person - logic and linear thinking, borderline OCD...  lol   I'm wondering how that will interact with the other driving force in my mind, to be the woman I've always known I was...  Not sure if that makes any sense... 

Sorry for rambling on when I have nothing much to report - I hope you all have a lovely day and great rest of your week.  Back next week with another installment!

Jennifer

@Jade88
Hi Jennifer:
Wow-whee, ONE MONTH already into your HRT regimine....   you are getting to the point that your will soon be experiencing many exciting and new things. 

You stated at the end of your update.... "Sorry for rambling on when I have nothing much to report -"   but rest assured that in the months to come that will not be what you will be saying on your reports.
-   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -
At the risk of me repeating what you may have already heard... here is important stuff for you and any new members that are at the beginning their HRT journey.

Regarding your future progress now you finally started your HRT recently...
...here are some of my thoughts as it may relate to what you may expect.

As has been stated over and over here on the Forums... and by me in many of my past comments on various posts, HRT will work uniquely in your own unique body.
What you read about other transitioning members experiences with HRT most likely will not be identical to your own experiences.

Some will experience more significant changes more quickly and then some will experience less significant changes more slowly....   it is all up to your genes and how your body reacts to the HRT.   Your doctor will  undoubtedly be looking at your frequent blood test results during your journey to determine if any alterations in the HRT regimen are needed.

The adage that you have probably already heard regarding HRT and how it may work for various individuals  is "YMMV"  meaning that Your Mileage May Vary.
   
PATIENCE is definitely required.... usually not much happens very quickly with HRT... but changes will happen.  Do some reading of other transitioners posts and look at many of the posted HRT timelines and the before and after pictures. ....  they can give you a rough idea of what you MIGHT expect.

Without a doubt this can be very "EXCITING and SCARY all at the same time."   Continue to hang on for an amazing ride.  Some of my best and most appreciated body changes happened at about the 5 month point through the start of year #2 of my HRT journey.   
Even though I was able to very successfully pass before I went full-time... when I did go full-time at the 1 1/2 year mark I have been passing 100% of the time.  Of course that is just my experience, I suppose I can thank my body makeup and my genes for all that.

We are here to rejoice with you in the good times and to support you in the not so good times.
One more time.... PATIENCE is required.   The attitude of many people today is "I want it all and I want it now" ... that will not apply to HRT.

I will be looking forward to your continued updates as you feel free to post them.
Hugs and well wishes
Danielle

 

Good afternoon ladies!  It's another beautiful Wednesday in my world, so here's the latest update!

Nothing new to report...  lol

Actually, I'm happy that I've got my weight loss moving in the right direction again...  hopefully at tomorrow mornings' weigh-in I'll be below 250 for the first time in many years.  That'll put me at almost 20 lbs down, with miles (and miles and miles) to go before I sleep...   

It could be my imagination, but as I've shed some weight the one place I don't seem to be losing any is in my chest, which is kind of cool.  I still think it's possible I've had a slight amount of swelling, particularly on the right side.

Other than that, I've been in a pretty good mood lately.  Work is going well.  I haven't been outside since early this morning, but the forecast was that the oppressive humidity we've had here for weeks is supposed to break and we'll finally get some cooler and drier air, which is great. 

Best wishes to you all,

Jennifer

@Jade88
Dear Jennifer:   
Well, it is also "another beautiful Wednesday in my world" too !!!!

Your "nothing new to report" update is obviously very good news indeed.
Weight loss progress sounds like it is going well for you and definitely going in the right direction.

Your work is going well and you are in a good mood lately....  much better than the alternatives for sure.

Fortunately up here the weather is a lot more palatable but it is a little chilly sometimes in this late August...   where did the summer go?.
Today's forecast calls for a max temp of 56 deg ...  last night it got down to 42 degrees .... compared to hot and overly humid that I read about in the lower 48, I am a happy camper!!!!

Thank you for keeping us all updated.
Hugs and continued well wishes,
Danielle

Hi all!  It's been six weeks so far and lo and behold I am seeing some real changes... 

In past posts I mentioned that I thought my chest was feeling fuller...  I'm still not sure if that's real or not, but I do have areola expansion!  It's not symmetrical growth - mostly oriented on the horizontal axis, but going from 19 mm a few weeks ago to well over 25 mm.  This has happened in the past couple of weeks I think.  Not a lot I know, but exciting nonetheless to be seeing tangible results. 

Hope everyone is having a great week.  After delightful weather last week the heat has returned here in the southeastern US.  Oh well, fall will be here soon enough!

Jenn

It's hard to believe it's been 7 weeks since I started HRT.  It's definitely having an impact - mentally I feel more relaxed, especially now that I've settled back into a routine, with the daily pills just a normal part of life.  Physically... my chest feels fuller and my nipples are semi sensitive just about all the time.  As I noted last week, I've seen some areola expansion... nothing dramatic, but it's definitely real.  Starting to think about dealing with not being able to just wear a t-shirt anymore...

I hope you all had a wonderful Labor Day weekend.  I'm so ready for the weather to cool down!

Jennifer

This is so cool what you're experiencing - and yeah there are moments when stuff is suddenly very real.  You're doing great!

Yeah, it's definitely cool Congratulations, lady

Hi all - I hope everyone is doing well!  I've been away for a while - had a great vacation out west and spent some time with family.

Wow - how time flies...  It's been almost 11 weeks since I started HRT.  I've got my first 3 month checkup coming in a couple weeks and I'm really looking forward to it.  I expect we'll up my dosages from the initial low dose level.

I'm definitely feeling the effects, especially in my chest.  My nips are fairly sensitive just about all the time and it feels like some real growth/hardening underneath them.  Still working on losing weight - not much success but at least I have stabilized at about 15 lbs below where I started, so I'm not gaining it back.  Other than that, feeling great!

Quote from: Jade88 on October 02, 2018, 11:23:58 AM
Hi all - I hope everyone is doing well!  I've been away for a while - had a great vacation out west and spent some time with family.

Wow - how time flies...  It's been almost 11 weeks since I started HRT.  I've got my first 3 month checkup coming in a couple weeks and I'm really looking forward to it.  I expect we'll up my dosages from the initial low dose level.

I'm definitely feeling the effects, especially in my chest.  My nips are fairly sensitive just about all the time and it feels like some real growth/hardening underneath them.  Still working on losing weight - not much success but at least I have stabilized at about 15 lbs below where I started, so I'm not gaining it back.  Other than that, feeling great!

@Jade88
Dear Jennifer:
Yes indeed, at the 3 month point in a HRT regimen most MTFs can really start to feel and to see more and more changes as they are beginning to be more significant and coming at a quicker rate.

I will be eagerly following your thread to check up on how "Jennifer" is progressing in your HRT journey.
As you have read in many of the various threads, this can be and exciting and wonderful ride but also it can come with frustrations as well.   All of your like-minded forums friends here are ready to rejoice with you in your good times and we are ready to support you with our thoughts and virtual hugs in your not so good times.

Please continue to keep your thread updated, your followers want to know!!
Hugs and well wishes,
Danielle

 Hi Jennifer,

   Thank you for returning to your thread and jotting down an update for everyone here. It is fun to read about (exciting to experience) those early effects of hrt when changes are beginning to occur. I know I loved it when I noticed the changes I was seeing. And yes I was impatient for more to happen. Those changes unfortunately will develop in their own time. Drats!
  I hope your upcoming followup visit all goes as hoped for. You are likely correct in thinking the dosage might me increased as that fits most experiences I've read about here. Keep those updates coming.

Hugs,
   Laurie

Real quick update this week (12th week on HRT)...

My boobs hurt... and I love it!!!!!!

lol

Have a great week everyone!

Jenn