It's official, I started HRT today! Now, I've already taken my first Spiro, but the pharmacy didn't have Estrogel in stock so I am picking that up and starting it tomorrow.

Yaay!

I'm in the Toronto area, and decided to pursue HRT outside of the highly recommended Sherbourne clinic due to their incredibly long waiting list. For those interested, I specc'd out my own Psychologist, got my letter, and had my GP refer me to a Trans friendly endo - not necessarily in that order! It took a number of months (7ish?), although I wasted half the time doing research on doctors and figuring things out. Once I had everything in order, it was just under 4 months start to finish - partly because there was a cancellation so my endo snuck me in almost a month earlier than my scheduled appt! 

So I guess why I'm describing this is to let everyone who is looking at a year or two wait, and despairing (like I was), know that there are alternatives to waiting.

Happy happy!
-Gwen

Way to go, Gwen.  You will enjoy the ride that you are beginning.

Congrats =) that's good news. I know some people who waited a really long time through Sherbourne that's good you found an alternative. I was lucky enough to find someone more south.

Well, it's been a week and aside from being really thirsty (which is more of a side effect than an effect effect!), and having a slightly less greasy scalp/hair, I haven't noticed any real changes yet.

I was expecting at least some emotional changes by now, but aside from being a bit happier - which I attribute to finally starting HRT (yippee!! :-) - I haven't noticed anything. Is it normal to not notice any changes right away? I was all prepared for a whirlwind of emotions, but here I am all calm and stuff. 

-Gwen

Congrats! Being on HRT is sort of the way a wine takes a certain amount of years to fully come to its amazing taste.