I am really happy I saw my doctor to stop self medicating, and as a result got a prescription for a low dose HRT.  But it's effecting me a lot.  In a good way, and I feel great that there are things happening.  But, is this just psychological, or is feeling this good real? 

Have to see the doctor and counselor again in a week.  The prescription runs out in two weeks and I guess I need to have a path chosen.  Also delayed my "firm" decision date to satisfy them, and even that doesn't bother me anymore. 

Something weird is happening to me, or is it once again psychological?

It is obvious that the people who say HRT doesn't affect your brain have never tried it. 

I felt totally different within a couple of days of starting, my depression that had been plagueing me for 40+ years lifted and I felt like I had achieved the balance in my life that I had been seeking for years. 

I was back to being the cheerful person I remember I was as a teenager before GID arrived too.

Karen.

You said "low dose" which I assume means lower than what you were taking. If that is the case you will certainly feel different from the lower hormone levels.

However, I think the change, as you describe it, has a lot more to do with taking a solid, formal step, towards your goal. Seeing a doc to bring it all out in the open is likely something you've been putting off for a LONG time. Now it is done, the earth didn't open and swallow you up, and they actually are treating you, not denying you. Wow! All great things 

JoanneB

The low dose was really prescribed to just get me down super low level, or fully off HRT for awhile.  That's one of the problems with doctors, they assumed that someting is wrong with me and want to order more medical tests, so it greatly delays things.  I grew up around doctors and nurses, so I understand why they do things, but I don't have to like it.  I'll leave it at that because when I think about stopping HRT entirely I am no longer mad, but just a bit frustrated with medical people. 

Quote from: kathy b on May 28, 2012, 07:14:07 AM
But, is this just psychological, or is feeling this good real? 

The way i prefer to think of it is that my body needs a chemical that it can't make - estrogen. That's not so unusual when you think about people that need insulin or any other drug that their body can't make.

So when i get that chemical it balances everything and i feel happy. I darn sure know that i'm not as well adjusted off of estrogen - I tried stopping it 3 times and had terrible dysphoria attacks each time. I'm an estrogen customer for life.

If you can be happy not on E - that's great. But you may find that you need it to stay balanced, and its giving you that "good real" feeling.

Quote from: kathy b on May 28, 2012, 07:14:07 AM
But, is this just psychological, or is feeling this good real?

They aren't necessarily different things. The mind is a very powerful creature.

Quote from: kathy b on May 30, 2012, 07:46:35 AM
JoanneB

The low dose was really prescribed to just get me down super low level, or fully off HRT for awhile.  That's one of the problems with doctors, they assumed that someting is wrong with me and want to order more medical tests, so it greatly delays things.  I grew up around doctors and nurses, so I understand why they do things, but I don't have to like it.  I'll leave it at that because when I think about stopping HRT entirely I am no longer mad, but just a bit frustrated with medical people.

I was a medical device designer for many years. Unfortunately, From having to work closely with many of them, I too know all too well how these "learned" people are