So I just finished my latest therapist appointment, and I'm officially getting my letters for HRT within a week. I'm kind of freaking out with excitement!

Does anyone have any tips or tricks or warnings?

Sorry, no tips, or tricks. I just wanted to say congrats

Keep a diary. You will be glad you did.

Take pics --- every month or so ... it lets you see the changes when you can't see it .... the changes can happen so subtlely that when you think nothing has changed but the pics prove it

Don't worry about the changes.  You can expect at least 2 years for the changes to become noticeable.  It can take up to 5 years for the changes to be complete.

Quote from: Robert Scott on June 06, 2012, 04:39:23 PM
Take pics --- every month or so ... it lets you see the changes when you can't see it .... the changes can happen so subtlely that when you think nothing has changed but the pics prove it

Robert is correct.  Take photos and measurements.

Quote from: Dale on June 06, 2012, 04:33:00 PM
Keep a diary. You will be glad you did.

Why a diary? I have never been one to write things down, so I am just wondering why you suggest a diary?

Quote from: Brooke777 on June 06, 2012, 06:55:35 PM
Why a diary? I have never been one to write things down, so I am just wondering why you suggest a diary?

Because written word is often more true than trying to recall how you felt at a certain point in your life?

That makes sense. Thank you SourCandy.

Beware of mood swings. They are the devil.

Quote from: Brooke777 on June 06, 2012, 06:55:35 PM
Why a diary? I have never been one to write things down, so I am just wondering why you suggest a diary?

Its a major change in your life, maybe the biggest. To record how you feel at different times, and what is happening and when. I'm 10 years in to HRT and regret now not writing my experiences.
Like my breasts starting to come in and their different stages. My feelings along the way. I can go on and on.

I could say.......really why not!

Quote from: Dale on June 06, 2012, 09:30:24 PM
Its a major change in your life, maybe the biggest. To record how you feel at different times, and what is happening and when. I'm 10 years in to HRT and regret now not writing my experiences.
Like my breasts starting to come in and their different stages. My feelings along the way. I can go on and on.

I could say.......really why not!

I just never thought about writing in one. It never occurred to me. I thought about the pictures, but never a diary. I think it sounds like a good idea.

Quote from: Alainaluvsu on June 06, 2012, 07:54:51 PM
Beware of mood swings. They are the devil.

In your experience, how drastic are the mood swings compared to the way you were prior to hrt?

I am hoping to start on Friday when I go to the Endo. for the first time. I am quite excited, and am glad Rory started this thread.

These are all so great! I'll definitely be taking pictures and keeping a diary (I hadn't thought of that).

The next step will be actually finding and setting things up with an endocrinologist around here. It's so exciting that you're doing this too, Brooke!

congrats girl. its a big step and do take pics because you are going to change alot. oh yeah if they put you on the depo what how your eatting. it can increase alot, plus you crave weird foods.

Quote from: Brooke777 on June 06, 2012, 06:55:35 PM
Why a diary? I have never been one to write things down, so I am just wondering why you suggest a diary?

I kept a diary the first year of hrt and transition. That was 9 years ago next month, and a few weeks ago I pulled it out and read through it. I was simply amazed at what I read and all the stuff I had forgotten. I am now very grateful for having written it.

Quote from: Brooke777 on June 06, 2012, 09:36:59 PM
In your experience, how drastic are the mood swings compared to the way you were prior to hrt?

Bad. I went from being playful and laughing to crying just because a teacher showed me how to hold a comb (literally!) Then when I got home I got on FB and saw pictures of kittens and was happy and "awwwwwww!!"ing. I'm not exaggerating, either. I *never* would've done that... ever.

My estrogen levels were low last checkup (90 pg / ml) after my doctor lowered my dose. I had stopped having those cry easily moments, and then my dosage was upped. At school I went from nice and helpful to bitchy and pushy to everybody just because somebody accidently slipped a "he" out. The mood swings have stabilized since then and I've been easier to get along with the past few days.

Now I am scared. I am already an emotional person. I cry very easy, over anything either really happy, or somewhat sad. Now I am worried that I am going to be a wreck. Sadly, I am tearing up right now, just to give you an idea of how I already am.

Quote from: Brooke777 on June 07, 2012, 10:48:41 AM
Now I am scared. I am already an emotional person. I cry very easy, over anything either really happy, or somewhat sad. Now I am worried that I am going to be a wreck. Sadly, I am tearing up right now, just to give you an idea of how I already am.

You shouldn't worry to much about it. It's just a natural part of the process and you will stabilize. For me I think I reached the peak of my crazy mood swings at about a month or two into hrt and stayed at that level for another 4-5 months or so. After about a year things had pretty much gotten to the point where they are today.

I'm still more prone to cry today than I ever was pre-transition (other than what was cause by GD) but when I cry now it seems to be more a healthy kind of crying than the kind that was caused by a silly comment or pickle falling off of my sandwich