Well it's been a long time since I last posted. I stopped taking Estradiol last September after being on it a full year. Stopped transitioning all together, that's another story for another time.

Recently I made the choice to jump of the launch pad again. I either reach the moon or crash land back to Earth. Now I'm in a new city with a decent GLBT community (if you can believe it) and finally saw a doctor yesterday. I told him about my previous dissapointments with HRT. He perscribed Spiro & Estradiol (both pill based). Based on my research I think it will be the combo I need. I took my first doses today.

I'm worried about eating salty foods, I like lots of sodium for some reason. I assume it's along the same lines as potassium. Should I avoid salty foods? I used to be a big alcohol drinker (weekends) but not really anymore, although I do like an occasional mixed drink with rum or whisky or gin. Think it would be a problem as long as I don't overdo it? Also, the doc specifically mentioned Spiro to lighten face hair. Any truth to that over you who have been using it longterm? Last time I was on Estradiol, I had trouble "standing at attention" without discomfort. I would guess this would be a similar situation. Any feedback would be great.

Hi Christine, you might want to look into dutasteride as well, it's pretty nifty and yer doc will know how to use it.

I would really like to hear the story about why you went off hormones sometime, if you ever feel like sharing. I've heard a few stories about people doing that and I can never understand why. Besides the physical effects, it sounds like an emotional nightmare and I honestly don't think I could do it, I'm certain I would die. I'm so mortified of even a temporary interruption in supply that I've stockpiled about 6 months worth, and my doctor thinks stockpiling Estrofem is just about the funniest damned thing she's ever heard. If it was a matter of money, on the bright side theres a few places with $4 prescriptions around now, with spiro and estradiol on the lists. Of course we take several times the $4 dose, but they scale the bill accordingly and it's quite manageable.

  Hi Christine           Hope this gives you a bit of insight about spiro. Having taken sprio for nearly 5 years facial hair has soften but not completely gone. Skin has become easily bruised. I am having "T" levels checked with some form of estrogen hopefuly coming soon.  My doctor has taken me off spiro for now for other reasons.
                            Best Wishes on your choices.......Tilli

Becca, it was bordering on nightmarish, but I guess it was a test of some sort. Now I know it's all or nothing. Stockpiling is a good idea I've never thought of.

Tilli, thanks for the insight. I think Spiro is my missing ingredient.

Stay away from Bananas. They are loaded with potassium. And those are the levels that get high while on spiro.

Also if you are taking the little blue pills, let them dissolve under your tongue. Do not swallow them. They are way more effective if you take them sublingually. (Taken under the tongue.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sublingual_administration

Lori is right about the bananas- I gave them up for Spiro and I love bananas!

Ditto on the facial hair- it gets softer, finer, and doesn't grow in as fast but doesn't go away.

As for the other thing (no pun intended), I figured it was the Spiro that caused that and not the Estradiol. It does lessen the male libido somewhat which for some of us has been a relief.

Becca I'd love to know where to get $4 Spiro! mine is just under a dollar per pill which is about a 30% discount from what I was paying originally.

Lori, the Estradiol is in the form of very tiny pills. I think I'll try the method you mentioned. The Spiro is in vitamin sized horse tablets. Also staying away from bananas and frozen fish.