Quote from: Jeal on February 25, 2019, 02:41:15 PM
Hi Sophia!...

The Spiro makes me quite fatigued, but I also feel more peaceful....

I feel the same way, drained, fatigued but the inner peace I feel is like floating on clouds, so I'm willing to lose a little energy for this feeling of tranquility. So peaceful.

Sophia

Quote from: Jeal on February 25, 2019, 02:41:15 PM
Hi Sophia!

I also started HRT recently, exactly two weeks ago.  It is funny, because I often think I have doubts, but I couldn't wait to take those first pills and I have to restrain myself to not double my DRs prescription.  My brain and heart are still not quite on the same wavelength   February 11th will be a day to remember.

The Spiro makes me quite fatigued, but I also feel more peaceful.  Grieving over some losses transition has incurred (my wife is the big one), but hopeful nonetheless. 

I was watching Disney movies with my daughters last night and crying freely at the good bits.  It felt so good to already feel like a gateway has opened to more authentic feelings.  It is a little scary too.  I've always had all this emotion buried under a wall of anger, and I could only access it through paint and dance, but now it is freeing up and freeing me up to actually have a life outside of my art. Lot's of change.  Sometimes overwhelming.  I definitely am starting to see why so many here say 'enjoy the ride', and it has only just begun!

Best of fortune to you!!

Love,

Jael

Congratulations that you are on your way with HRT.  I feel the nicest change estrogen did to my emotions, was to allow me to cry.  To let the feelings just run out of your eyes!

I hope you can deal with spiro better than I could, the stuff drove me nuts, it made me lethargic and listless.
I am so happy that I never ever will have to touch this stuff again!  I am free now!

Good luck on your further path with HRT!
Hugs
Linde

Congratulations Jael on starting HRT on February 11th.

As you say it is very exciting and you'll remember taking your first tablets forever!

It can be scary at times but the first signs are usually ones of peace and a clearing mind.

I wish you every success and happiness.

Hugs

Pamela

Quote from: pamelatransuk on February 26, 2019, 03:58:22 AM

It can be scary at times but the first signs are usually ones of peace and a clearing mind.

Thank you . I appreciate your confirmation of my experience so far. I can get flustered from even small, even positive changes, so it is nice to have the community here for validation and comfort.

Jeal, I love how close you started your HRT to mine..looks like we will be in the same railcar as we journey! Have a seat and a glass of champagne...the view is amazing!

I agree first signs are a clearing mind, I'm shocked just how cloudy my brain was as a man. I'm definitely loving the tranquility and peace. So far today I've been giddy like a 13 year old!... I find it hard not to laugh at everything! My nipples are sensitive and I'm already at a 49 inch bust and it's only been one week. My changes have come on quickly so I'm excited to see when I get hips, imagine that's going to be down the road quite a while. 

Sophia

Quote from: Sophiaprincess2019 on February 28, 2019, 11:11:37 AM
Jeal, I love how close you started your HRT to mine..looks like we will be in the same railcar as we journey! Have a seat and a glass of champagne...the view is amazing!

I agree first signs are a clearing mind, I'm shocked just how cloudy my brain was as a man. I'm definitely loving the tranquility and peace. So far today I've been giddy like a 13 year old!... I find it hard not to laugh at everything! My nipples are sensitive and I'm already at a 49 inch bust and it's only been one week. My changes have come on quickly so I'm excited to see when I get hips, imagine that's going to be down the road quite a while. 

Sophia

Sophia,

I love how completely you are embracing this transformation, I'm happy to share a car with you!

I have come into transition with a great deal of doubt and even resentment (I know I need to do it for my well being but it I sometimes feel it is 'unfair' and do a lot of sulking).  My heart and my brain(or social programming) are at war, but my heart is winning and every victory brings me more peace, even when I have to let go of things I cherished (my marriage, my 'safety' as a very straight appearing white dude, an orderly 'normal' life).

I'm actually pretty lucky.  My marriage is over, but she is still trying to be supportive as a friend .  I work in a place where gender expression is protected, and I'm an artist, so I don't really want a normal life anyways .

It's so very nice to LET GO of having to control everything and do what feels right.

Quote from: Jeal on February 28, 2019, 07:01:43 PM

It's so very nice to LET GO of having to control everything and do what feels right.

I found coming out and living full time was one of the most liberating feelings I ever had!

Jeal, it will be great fun...

Dietlind, I'm looking forward to that feeling....can't wait for my next frontier!

Little update: Got the salt craving today, broke down and ate an entire bag of sour cream and cheddar ruffle potato chips! Satisfied my salt craving. Been having a couple bouts where my blood sugar tanks out and I start minor shaking until I eat something.
Dietlind I think you called this the "pregnancy feeling".... happened again this afternoon at work and I was able to get to a gas station and find something to eat. Hasn't come back yet and doesn't happen everyday. Strange passing/fleeting feeling. Today's episode wasn't nearly the intensity of the initial one but still annoying.

Spoke to my health insurance carrier about SRS/GRS and they cover it so now I have to decide if I want to have it done here in the US or venture to Thailand. I'm currently weighing my options. Any input I'd appreciate.

Have a great evening ladies.

Sophia

Quote from: Sophiaprincess2019 on February 28, 2019, 08:51:10 PM
Jeal, it will be great fun...

Dietlind, I'm looking forward to that feeling....can't wait for my next frontier!

Little update: Got the salt craving today, broke down and ate an entire bag of sour cream and cheddar ruffle potato chips! Satisfied my salt craving. Been having a couple bouts where my blood sugar tanks out and I start minor shaking until I eat something.
Dietlind I think you called this the "pregnancy feeling".... happened again this afternoon at work and I was able to get to a gas station and find something to eat. Hasn't come back yet and doesn't happen everyday. Strange passing/fleeting feeling. Today's episode wasn't nearly the intensity of the initial one but still annoying.

Spoke to my health insurance carrier about SRS/GRS and they cover it so now I have to decide if I want to have it done here in the US or venture to Thailand. I'm currently weighing my options. Any input I'd appreciate.

Have a great evening ladies.

Sophia

The pregnancy feeling ebbed away after the first week, and went fully during the second week.

You are about two or more years away from any SRS.  Insurance coverage may change, and surgeons may change.  I would shoot for an orchi next (ithink you need to be a year on HRT for that one), or you can have a medical emergency and have it done pretty soon!  Medical emergency is always paid for by the insurance.
I don't know how bad your testes are!

Quote from: Dietlind on February 28, 2019, 10:15:54 PM
You are about two or more years away from any SRS. 

Dietlind, funny you mention two years because before I started my journey I gave myself two years until I was ready for SRS and it turns out that's what it's going to take. I'm hoping for no medical emergencies and no SRS complications, of course I know those are two things not in my control, per se, but I'm having such great HRT results and a lot of family/social support that I'd like things to keep moving in a positive direction.

SRS wise I could always choose Thailand and pay 15k out of pocket but I'm not sure that's in my best interest. I think my therapists advice is sound: enjoy your new female world, smell the roses, experience your world and make your experiences enriching lasting ones you remember and cherish. 

Today I'm off work and I have a laser hair removal appointment so I'll be have "FUN" with that.

best wishes....

Sophia

Quote from: Sophiaprincess2019 on March 01, 2019, 07:02:55 AM
Dietlind, funny you mention two years because before I started my journey I gave myself two years until I was ready for SRS and it turns out that's what it's going to take. I'm hoping for no medical emergencies and no SRS complications, of course I know those are two things not in my control, per se, but I'm having such great HRT results and a lot of family/social support that I'd like things to keep moving in a positive direction.

SRS wise I could always choose Thailand and pay 15k out of pocket but I'm not sure that's in my best interest. I think my therapists advice is sound: enjoy your new female world, smell the roses, experience your world and make your experiences enriching lasting ones you remember and cherish. 

Today I'm off work and I have a laser hair removal appointment so I'll be have "FUN" with that.

best wishes....

Sophia

I hope your laser stuff will hurt you as little as mine did me, it was almost a "piece of cake" for me! (But so was electrolysis)!
Now that I have the first step of feminisation surgery behind me, I have to say that this was not as great and liberating of an experience, as was my coming out to the world, and starting to live full time as a woman!  And oh, these roses along the way smell so great, just alone this living the life you feel you should have lived all your life, is an experience and a joy that is hardly to be topped by any kind of surgery.  Surgeries just deal with the "decorative" part of being a woman. the real big experience takes place inside your head!

Have fun being "zapped" today!
Hugs
Linde

Quote from: Dietlind on March 01, 2019, 07:11:28 AM
Have fun being "zapped" today!
Hugs
Linde

Back from my zapping experience on my chest and belly. WOW that was so painful. Found a tactic that worked well for me. When my gal started to hit a super painful area I would pinch the opposite side of my rib cage to counteract the pain and it totally worked. She was able to finish the entire area and moved on.

Sophia

Quote from: Sophiaprincess2019 on March 01, 2019, 06:56:25 PM
Back from my zapping experience on my chest and belly. WOW that was so painful. Found a tactic that worked well for me. When my gal started to hit a super painful area I would pinch the opposite side of my rib cage to counteract the pain and it totally worked. She was able to finish the entire area and moved on.

Sophia

I can't talk about those places, because I am this hairless creature.  But I would have thought it would be less pain than the face?  If you are that sensitive, you might be in for a ride when you have your face done!  You'd better prepare yourself with painkillers and or lidocaine type cream!

QuoteI hope your laser stuff will hurt you as little as mine did me

I found laser was most painful in areas where bone was close to the surface, such as around the ankles or knees.  Much more so than genitals.

I've already had my face done twice and didn't hurt nearly as much as my rib cage area where the bone is close to the surface as AnneK said. I managed to live through the experience and I'm another step closer to being a princess in a white dress! Onward girls!

Sophia

Quote from: Sophiaprincess2019 on March 02, 2019, 06:47:14 AM
I've already had my face done twice and didn't hurt nearly as much as my rib cage area where the bone is close to the surface as AnneK said. I managed to live through the experience and I'm another step closer to being a princess in a white dress! Onward girls!

Sophia

You sure are, you sure are!
I love your positive attitude!  You are a girl who feels similar as I do!

Nice to be surrounded by like-minded women!

Hugs...

Sophia

Hello ladies, it's been 11 days since I started HRT and I've had little negative effects. Today I definitely felt the mood swings kick in. I went from almost quitting my job to thinking I'm lucky to have such a fantastic place to work in the span of 1 hr. Any advice on how to handle the mood swings girls?

Thanks

Sophia

Deep breaths and don't make any major life decisions on your immediate emotions...give yourself at least 24 hrs and if you still have the same decision then I would do what you have decided. I would always ask myself..is this me or the Oestrogen talking...most times. Other than that embrace the ride!!

Liz

Quote from: Sophiaprincess2019 on March 04, 2019, 09:39:57 PM
Hello ladies, it's been 11 days since I started HRT and I've had little negative effects. Today I definitely felt the mood swings kick in. I went from almost quitting my job to thinking I'm lucky to have such a fantastic place to work in the span of 1 hr. Any advice on how to handle the mood swings girls?

Thanks

Sophia

Just take it easy! I think you need a nice long crying session to let the pressure flow out!