Hi,
 
  I live in Scotland. I am a pre op TS girl. Been on hormones just over 15 months now. I first started taking hormones just self with no prescription but then shortly my GP prescriped me what I was already taking. He didn't want to decide on the dosage as he was not a specialist.
  I have started with oestrogen valerate and cyproterone acetate as a testosterone blocker. (Admin edit: dosage increase details removed)
  In February 2012, I could finally see gender specialist which I expect a lot from. He without any individual medical check ups on me, asked me to stop taking cyproterone acetate actually any testosterone blockers at all.
  So I was asked to stop taking  testosterone blockers, oestrogen gel but just take oestrogen tablets.
  Few months later, my legs become so hairy even though my testosterone level just raised from 0.3 to 1.2. I was so aggressive, couldn't stand anybody anything negative around me.
  Reading so many articles I noticed that in England they don't tell their patients stop blockers because you really need them in some cases even after SRS.
  UK HRT system for transgender individual isn't as good as in the U.S I do believe. Ok, I don't pay for my hormones at all, which I appreciate but come on, just oestrogen focused HRT for transgender individual really right?
  I am going to ask the specialist to prescribe me some safer blockers than cyproterone acetate coming month. I am now taking blockers again cyproterone acetate which my doctor isn't aware of it.
Would love to hear from you girls about this hormone regimen stuff going on in the UK please.

Please mind talking about dosages, kthx.

That bit aside, there's the possibility of hormone surge if cyproterone is discontinued cold turkey, which the non-medical personel should have NOT told you to do. Rarely there is a surge after gonad removal where the adrenals will attempt to compensate but it's short lived in any case and any antiandrogens are typically for DHT reduction to prevent hair loss.

sorry for the dosages, should have known that. thanks for editing

I've just ditched my Androcur injections, mainly because of the cost involved in getting a jab every second week. I had a long chat with my doctor and he decided to put me on Spiro for 6 months.

I still take my estrogen sublingually.

To be honest, I am too scared to stop any form of androgen blocker. T is very very mean to your body. I am happy to at least be on Spiro at the moment.

Huggs

Maegan

totally right, T is very very strong. I still can't understand that how specialist told me to stop taking them

Have you perhaps asked your specialist as to why he asked you to stop? Blocking T is of the utmost importance so that the estrogen can get to work properly.
I've been on Androcur injections for almost a year and a half, and it has worked very well for me. The only reason I've stopped is due to the cost of it here in South Africa. Spiro is much cheaper, and it seems to be the T blocker of choice prescribed by most doctors. I am aware that Androcur is not available in the USA.
From what I've read so far, Spiro does seem to be safer than Androcur.

Keep us updated with your progress. 

Huggs

Maegan

To be completely honest, I have never taken a single T blocker.  I am on Estraderm patch and take Progesterone and I have been doing this since April 2010.  I realised these hormones as lovely as they are, have a tendency to dry my skin a little, My GP suggested that I take Vit D (as I don't really go out in the sun), but I've also included Vit E, Fish Oil and a Hair, Skin & Nails supplement, not silica, but one from Top Secret.

I spoke to my gp and he said even though T increase of from 0.3 to 1.2 can mean something. He said it could be free testosterone stuff which would cause the case.
Well back to my old hormone regimen, I feel better with T blockers, I guess we all are different so our reactions to meds.

Quote from: Maegan on June 26, 2012, 05:11:38 AM
Have you perhaps asked your specialist as to why he asked you to stop? Blocking T is of the utmost importance so that the estrogen can get to work properly.
I've been on Androcur injections for almost a year and a half, and it has worked very well for me. The only reason I've stopped is due to the cost of it here in South Africa. Spiro is much cheaper, and it seems to be the T blocker of choice prescribed by most doctors. I am aware that Androcur is not available in the USA.
From what I've read so far, Spiro does seem to be safer than Androcur.

Keep us updated with your progress. 

Huggs

Maegan

Wish it was that easy to speak to a specialist in this country (UK) but easy to speak to your GP (general practitioner) When I was first told that I won't need to continue on T blockers, the explanation was just like "you don't need them" ...my partner thinks they decide on the appearance which might be the case(!) :-)

Well as I said I am prescribed T blockers again and feeling much better.