Hello all!

I am 32yo genetic male.

I am looking to start HRT... and to make a long dissertation short... I will start self-medicating...

Probably will not be the most popular 3rd sentence in the group (or maybe it will, I don't know yet).

I have arrived to this forum a few times in the last months... and found that I like what I read, the attitude of the people and the friendliness...  so I hope I will be welcomed, maybe find a few good friends close to my area, and get some advice (other than go to the doctors, more about that other day :-)

I have some "dumb" questions... that surfing the net has not been solved... and maybe some of you can help me finding an answer...

Well... in the meantime, I wanted to thank you all for being here!!!

When you are "alone" is not very easy!!!

Welcome,

I was 32 when i started.  Uh, but self medicating is a bad thing, should go through a therapist then do things correctly with a doctor to minimize the risks, if you dont bad things happen....

Hi Westminstersub,

Welcome to our little family. Over 3900 strong. That would be one heck of a family reunion.

Feel free to post your successes/failures, Hopes/dreams.  Ask questions and seek answers. Give and receive advice.

But remember we are family here, your family now. And it is always nice to have another sister.

And be sure to check out these links ( MUST READS )

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And I will add that discussion of DIY HRT is not allowed.  Yes many do it.  And Yes some die because of it.  Seek out a therapist who can help you begin the journey properly.  And then find a doctor who can monitor your health.

We can not answer questions about how or what about HRT.  We do not discuss dosages even when we are talking about our own HRT.

Hugs and Love,
Janet

Thanks to both of you!

I know... I should be seeing a doctor... and maybe sometime I will be able to do so.

In the meantime, it is not a viable option.

I understand the risks, and I dis-encourage anyone thinking about doing it... (I am a terrible example, I know!). You are playing with your life, and imbalances are never good. You should be monitored at all times, and the liver function is key to you being alive... pills you take, can damage forever your liver function, and there is no remedy for that (other than organ transplant, which they will not perform if they find out that you have been "abusing" drugs, ie. taking them without prescription and supervision).

I totally agree with you, and I will never encourage anyone to do it.

That being said, I will not enter into the details of my decision, and I appreciate telling me politely not to press on that issue. I can answer PM about this subject, but I will keep that part of the treatment o myself, and only those who want to know/care about me will know.

Thanks a lot!

Hello Westminstersub and welcome to Susan's.

Many here have self medicated with hormones-and do-but we discourage it because of the serious health risks associated with not being monitored regularly.

If I am not mistaken you can not recieve/send PM's until 15 posts have been made-moderators correct me if I am wrong.
Randi

Thanks for the tip Randy.

I am sure I will reach that number soon enough... (depending on work, of course...)

I know I am not the only one, but I also do not encourage it. Not everybody is aware of all the risks, and this is a decision that should not be taken lightly.

Having self medicated, I understand the desire.  However, it's expensive, unreliable and depending on your health, age, etc can be extremely risky.  You're better off spending the money on other transition related issues and waiting for your HRT letter.

So I have to ask, why is seeing a doctor not a viable option?  I'm not encouraging you to self medicate, I'm encouraging you to be safe.  If you can't see a doctor for HRT, at least find a doctor that will do labs for you.  Be honest with them and they will probably tell you the same thing (not to do it), but will look after your safety and do the labs for you.  If that's not possible, there are always those commericial (store front) labs that you can have the blood work done at.  Around here, basic blood work (no hormone levels, just liver enzymes) costs $69.

I posted the quote earlier, but it still applies here, transition is an ocean, you can take a speedboat or an oceanliner to cross it, its your choice.

I know Regan,

In my case, I am a little over 6 feet tall, about 190lbs, a BMI (Body Mass Index) of about 22 (which is rated usually as good).
I do not smoke, do not drink (only socially, and not much over a couple of wine glasses in the weekends) do not have any genetic issues in terms of heart, blood, liver function.
I eat a healthy diet, and I go to the gym regularly.

This doesn't mean much, but just to give some context, as that I am healthy and keep a healthy style of life.

I usually take blood tests once or twice per year. Not hormone levels, but all the "other usual staff" is monitored.

In my family we have a couple of doctors in medicine, so we have been examined frequently, and no genetic or other issues have ever appeared, in me, my brothers/sisters, parents or relatives.

I am not in any risk group, and I have and will take my time to read and know what to look for.

The only thing at this time, that I will not do is:
- have a doctor prescribe the medicines and the dosages that he thinks will be best for me and fine tune it over the treatment.
- have proper hormone levels monitored (at least in the very beginning)

I am not saying that this is recommendable, but in my case, I have taken my time think about it. And knowing the risk (death risk), I have decided to take this approach.

Quote from: westminstersub on November 04, 2010, 10:53:54 AM
The only thing at this time, that I will not do is:
- have a doctor prescribe the medicines and the dosages that he thinks will be best for me and fine tune it over the treatment.
- have proper hormone levels monitored (at least in the very beginning)

I have to ask why you don't want a doctor to prescribe your HRT?  I wouldn't just go to any doc, of course, but find one that has experience with HRT.  You say fine tune like it is a bad word, but think about the fact that this doc's experience is what fine tunes you.  If you don't have a map, how do you know where you're going?  On the internet, no one knows you're a dog (or that you didn't actually get DD boobies after only 3 months on HRT), without reliable information how can you assure yourself that HRT is working as its supposed to?  That begs the second question, why not get your levels checked?  How will you know if you're taking the right combination of meds if you don't know your levels?

I won't beat the horse anymore, but at least get lab work done so you don't kill your liver...

Regan,

I am not saying fine tune as a bad thing. On the contrary. And of course experience is a big deal in this situations.

I think those two things I will not have are important. I am not trying to say otherwise.

I could simply just said that I am on a treatment, by a experienced physician, but I told the truth, and tried to advise anyone thinking to do the same thing, against it.

Sooner, rather than later, I will seek professional help. I am sure of that, but at this time, I need to do it on my own. I have my reasons, and I do appreciate all your concerns. I will do the same thing you are doing to anyone that I know of will try to do the same thing I am doing.

Thanks!

I think there is still a very strong gatekeeper attitude in all things transition related.  You're either too old to pass, to young to know for sure, too tall to pass, too fat, too skinny, the list goes on and on.  I don't agree with GRS "on demand", but there needs to be more support for people who choose to follow their own path (for whatever their reasons).