Hi everyone! I hope you're all well! I just wanted to post some worries of mine, and maybe get them calmed(or not lol).

I have yet to start HRT and one of the main reasons I'm not is due to my, almost chronic, fear of having a stroke. I'm a very anxious person, and for whatever reason I've feared strokes my whole life, even before I knew the connection with HRT, well.. I was a kid when  I was afraid! haha! Don't ask why a 10 year old would be afraid of having a stroke! 

anyway.. It's becoming a very difficult fight, because I'm 19 and I hate letting testosterone pulse through my system any longer than I have to! I get disgusted at myself when I see its effects. But still I'm so terrified of the negative effects of HRT.. I am an artist, and very cerebral, and no matter how unlikely it'd be to have my brain "conk out" it still makes me sick to my stomach to think that I may lose an ability..

Ok.. I've blabbed enough! I guess I'm wanting a percentage of likelihood or something, or ways to get over my fear, or a method to making it less likely... or just someone to say "DO IT!" haha! Or maybe I'm already insane and beyond help!  but I do want to thank everyone so much for what help and wisdom you can give!    

Hi PiperEden,

Hugs and welcome.

There is a higher incidence of stroke on people on HRT both for GG and for TG people. There are some people at relatively high risk. Your Endo and Dr will measure you for the risk and advise you. You will have your blood pressure monitored and if it is in the healthy range now then it should not alter dramatically unless you have life habit changes.  Don't smoke, keep to safe alcohol practice, get your cholesterol checked and keep on a sensible diet. If you are overweight get to a proper target weight. Try and stop worrying.

If you follow these HRT will not be a big problem for cardiovascular disease.

Oh easiest way to check?

Ask your family Doctor.

Hugs and good luck for the future

Cindy

 

Hi Pipereden

It's difficult to live with fear but in the situation you're right now there will always be fear.
Fear to become too manly because of the testosteron or fear for the stroke.
You know, when you're alive there is always a risk to get an illness or something, that's life, a life with no risk don't exist.
Maybe I can give you some comfort to tell you that I'm using hrt for over 30 years now and there are still no struggles with blood circulation.
It's just like Cindy said, keep your habbits on the safe side and let yourself check regulary by your endo.
And believe me, the hrt was pretty more unsafe 30 years ago than it is in present time.
I hope your fear is a bit less by reading this.

hugs
Annette

Thank you both so much! Your words really have helped! I am still fearful, and I'm not totally sure yet, but I am going to go to my doctor when I have enough money and talk to her about it. Hopefully she'll be understanding. The worst thing she could do is be totally repulsed by me, and that's something I've came to terms with! I am glad I've never smoked or drank and I have a moderately healthy lifestyle as it is! So knowing this definitely makes me feel comfortable! Cindy, My blood pressure is actually probably high now due to stress/anxiety!  but I've never had it tested. If it is, I almost feel like beginning HRT would perhaps help alleviate it. But that wouldn't be my main goal! Just to be comfortable and happy! 

And Annete it is comforting to know that you've gone so long without complications! Knowing things like that, even if it could be totally different for me helps ease my worry! And you spoke a lot of truth saying "A life with no risk don't exist" so true! I didn't think of that for some reason! haha! Great advice!

Thanks so so much, ladies! 

You're welcome honey, it's my pleasure to do something good.
Well, you know, in life we have two numbers, date of birth and date of dying.
The first one we know, the second one thankfully not.
It won't make sense to think about the second one and what can happen in between.
Some people are lucky and others not.

I will tell you a story about it.
I am working in a hospital, once we get a patient, a man of the age of 93, started smoking at the age of 14 and now he had an heartinfarction.
He told me that this was the first time he was in a hospital and he was a bit nervious about it.
How much luck can someone have? Funny thing is that he survived the stay in the hospital and was able to go home after revalidationtherapy.

Imagine that this guy was thinking for years what could happen with his health, I don't think he would have reach that age because of the stress.
So, get out of life what's in it, make fun, be happy and do the things you want to do, our name is in a future calender and we know nothing about it, so in the
mean time we have to make the best of it.

I hope you're feeling even better now.
So, live your life honey and enjoy it as much as you can.

Hugs
Annette