Alana's Journey

[Alana Ashleigh]

I made an observation tonight: I've been finding myself getting moody at just about the same time every night. I'm assuming this is the hormones fluctuating in my system.

[Lori Dee ✅]

It could very well be hormones or even blood sugar.

[Alana Ashleigh]

It could very well be hormones or even blood sugar.

I've found myself being hungrier than usual lately. I've read it can be a common thing on hrt.

[Lori Dee ✅]

I've found myself being hungrier than usual lately. I've read it can be a common thing on hrt.

I get hungry after taking a progesterone tablet. I inject estradiol, so it doesn't affect me that way. But I have noticed it from the progesterone.

[Alana Ashleigh]

I went mountain biking this morning, and quickly realized I need a sports bra now. I haven't been on my bike in a month. It was quite a painful ride.

[davina61]

Oh the joys of growth!!

[Alana Ashleigh]

I was pushing up the sleeves on my hoodie today while I was driving, and my hand slipped, and went full force into my breast... I dropped a few choice words so loudly they were heard two cities away. Getting hit in the boob is a whole new level of pain. 🫢

[Northern Star Girl ✅]

@Alana Ashleigh
Dear Alana:
I can absolutely say "that I feel your pain"

I have had similar experiences with accidentally hitting my breasts in various ways.

Take care of yourself and be careful.

HUGS, Danielle [Northern Star Girl]

I was pushing up the sleeves on my hoodie today while I was driving, and my hand slipped, and went full force into my breast... I dropped a few choice words so loudly they were heard two cities away. Getting hit in the boob is a whole new level of pain. 🫢

[Alana Ashleigh]

I've been off since Tuesday. My job gives me a ton of time off for thanksgiving, and Christmas. I'm going to hit Starbucks later today. We have a snow storm coming late tonight, so I'm hoping to get call in to work this weekend to snow removal. I have an appointment with my hrt doctor on Monday. Part of me wants to ask her to bump up my dosage. I'm pretty happy being on a low dose of hrt, however.

[Lori Dee ✅]

Alana, be safe out there.

Think about why you want a higher dose if you are happy where you are.
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

If you are not happy with the progress you are making, then it may be time to have that discussion. If things are progressing well enough, maybe wait a few more months and see if you still feel the same way. There is no rush on this journey. Go at your own pace to whatever level suits you. Nothing more is required.

Hugs!

[Alana Ashleigh]

Alana, be safe out there.

Think about why you want a higher dose if you are happy where you are.
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

If you are not happy with the progress you are making, then it may be time to have that discussion. If things are progressing well enough, maybe wait a few more months and see if you still feel the same way. There is no rush on this journey. Go at your own pace to whatever level suits you. Nothing more is required.

Hugs!

I'm probably going to keep my hrt as is. I'm happy and content with the way things are progressing. I have a very comfortable life, and don't feel comfortable pushing it any further than I should. Doing this slow feels like the best decision for me.

[Lori Dee ✅]

I'm probably going to keep my hrt as is. I'm happy and content with the way things are progressing. I have a very comfortable life, and don't feel comfortable pushing it any further than I should. Doing this slow feels like the best decision for me.

There is nothing wrong with asking your doctor for their opinion. But the bottom line is whether you are ok with where you are. If you are happy, why would anyone else complain? You know yourself pretty well. You can trust your own advice.

[ChrissyRyan]

Transition is not a race it is a journey.  Do what is best for you, considering everything in life.  Take nothing for granted, consult medical professionals, and learn as much as you can.

Chrissy

[Alana Ashleigh]

I had my appointment with hrt doctor this morning. It was a basic appointment. She asked me how the medication was working, how I was feeling, and if I was having any problems sleeping. I told her I get moody at certain times of the night. She didn't seem too concerned about that, as I told her it's not causing me any serious problems. She sent my refills to pharmacy, and I was on my way.

[Lori Dee ✅]

Sounds like it went well. That is wonderful.

If the moodiness becomes an issue for you, be sure to discuss it with her and let her know that it is bothering you. Too often, patients will gloss over minor problems by telling the doctor that it is no big deal. The doctor then dismisses it. However, if they had said, Yes, this is bothering me, then the doctor would take a closer look.

Doctors have a limited amount of time to spend with each patient. So their focus is on what needs to be fixed and dismisses anything that is not a problem. Just keep this in mind.

I sometimes get moody before bedtime. I have found a few "medications" that help.

1. Chocolate
2. Bacon
3. Chocolate wrapped in bacon.
4. Bacon dipped in chocolate.

🤣

[ChrissyRyan]

The HRT refills are sure nice! 

[Alana Ashleigh]

This is kinda of a silly thing for me to post, but my boot came untied tonight at work when I was making my rounds. I bent over to tie it, and I bent down in a very unladylike manner, and my mind said: "someone could be behind looking at you bent over like that!" When I was pretending to be a guy, I never thought about little things like that. It's interesting how my way of thinking has changed the longer my
transition goes.

[Northern Star Girl ✅]

@Alana Ashleigh

Dear Alana:
Yes indeed, there are many body positions and movements that a woman must be aware of....

As you indicated.... bending over, especially when wearing a shorter skirt or dress, or even tight leggings.

When sitting down keeping legs together or crossed.

When wearing a loose low-cut top.... bending over forward in front of others,
      giving them a view of your bra and  maybe more than that.

Wearing thin light colored tops can become somewhat transparent in certain lighting and
      for sure if it gets damp or wet from sweating or being in the rain... exposing bra or if
      going braless, a lot more than that.

On colder days, be careful about nipples showing through many type of tops, even when
wearing some un-padded bras.

There is certainly much more.  Women need to be aware how they present themselves especially
in more formal situation.

HUGS, Danielle

This is kinda of a silly thingfor me to post, but my boot came untied tonight at work when I was making my rounds. I bent over to tie it, and I bent down in a very unladylike manner, and my mind said: "someone could be behind looking at you bent over like that!" When I was pretending to be a guy, I never thought about little things like that. It's interesting how my way of thinking has changed the longer my
transition goes.