The Endo Experience

[Guest Angelgrlsue]

Hi girls.

I saw the endocrinologist last night at the community clinic. It was a quick in and out with this doctor, I mean anyone can get put on hormones with her. Has me concerned too. When she came into the exam room where I was sitting she introduced herself and proceded to the paperwork that was in front of her. Either this woman was overworked or extremely tired because she could hardly keep her eyes open! Lol. I wrote some well thought out questions to ask her and handed the paper to her. She glanced at it and then went back to looking at my forms. She did not even answer any of the questions!! I finally had to ask her some on my own and she quickly gave me a brief answer. I wanted to know what benefits as well side effects their may be with me since I am an older transwoman. She said that it depends on genetics and other factors. Since my mother and sister are very big breasted she said that I will probably develop big breasts as well. I asked her about ani-andogens and she said that she will not put me on them. My blood pressure is at borderline and she said that Spironolactone can cause high blood pressure. Now I've read in numerous articles that for proper HRT to work effectively you need both estrogen and an anti-androgen. Dont figure.

Ok here is a bit of a problem I am facing though. She prefers to have my estrogen injected, safer. Since I am visually impaired and live alone she will wants me to come down to the clinic twice a week to have the nurse inject me with the estrogen. I live at least an hour or more away from the clinic and do not drive. There are a few options however. I can discuss with her what other modes of taking the medication can be or I can come out to my primary physician, who is close by to me, hoping he will be accepting of my transgenderism and prescribe hormones for me. Any other suggestions?

All in all I'm glad I went and took that first major step in transitioning.

Suzie

[Guest Donna Jean]

Suzie....

First the good stuff!

Congratulations!!!

Welcome to the club, Girlfriend! Wonderful news, actually!

Bad stuff:...

I'm a little concerned that you couldn't get your questions answered in a timely manner!

And that she would say that Spironolactone can cause "High Blood Pressure"....

I take that....I have high BP...It's prescribed as a BP medicine...it LOWERS BP...

Are you sure that you heard her correctly?

Check that out again....I'm 59 and on both Spiro and Estrogen....

And DO ask you primary doc about it! I did and he accepted me as being Trans, but his group won't let him prescribe for me or else he would of!

Anyway, Girlfriend......

Details...

That's all ...details...but, you're on your way!

Good for you, Sweetheart...keep us informed.....OK?

Love

Donna Jean

[Guest Evan_J]

I'm not even a doctor and believe what Donna Jean says about that med since it lowers testosterone and testosterone raises blood pressure.

Guy who's on testoterone,

Mr Evan

[Guest AllisonD]

My GP has been giving me hormones for decades. Various GPs as I moved and insurance companies changed and whatever. So you should be able to find a local doctor that will prescribe, or inject, for you.

Allison

[Guest Angelgrlsue]

Thank you Donna Jean. Yes I'm pretty sure she said it would raise my blood pressure, but then like I said in my post this woman looked like she was falling asleep on me. Not good. I will ask my primary and tell him that I am trans and see what he has to say. I will also ask the coordinator of the clinic about this as well, she is a post-op woman and knows me. Thank you everyone for your suggestions.

Hugs,

Suzie

[Guest Joanna Phipps]

My GP has been giving me hormones for decades. Various GPs as I moved and insurance companies changed and whatever. So you should be able to find a local doctor that will prescribe, or inject, for you.

Allison

My gp is the one who prescribes my hormones and she made sure I had both spiro and Estrogen. I really am not sure about these docs who prescribe estrogen alone. I have heard that some like to start their patients on the Anti-Androgen first, and that somewhat makes sense but why have a high dose of E just because your doc cant be bothered to take 30 seconds to fill out another script.

[Sally]

Hey Suzie,

I was so tired when I read your E-mail and responded that I had completely forgotten about spiro being a control for high blood pressure. It is possible that your sleepy endo had a different concern, there are other factors and they may relate to why the injections.

I would ask her directly - do it in an E-mail if possible so you will have a written copy.

I am a little concerned about the why not the fact that she didn't prescribe spiro - and that is what you should be concerned about - find out, she has to tell you but she won't know that you have questions if you never ask.

I have known a couple of ladies who were started on estrogen alone and spiro wasn't added until the T levels began to elevate from the estrogen increase - I don't have any idea why.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Something is wrong here. I was a consistant 140/90 before and am 120/70- 122/70 now on HRT. I am 62 and I am on tablets. Two blockers, progesterone and estrodoil.

Also my wife takes injections for her allergies. Her primary Dr is 50 miles away. He gave her a physicians order's and she now take the injections here in town. You may want to try that.

Good luck - I think your experience was unfortunate - try to set up appointments with her early in the day.

Lizzy

Oh and WELCOME TO THE OTHER SIDE! You will soon be 100% chemically female.

[Guest Angelgrlsue]

I thought I would give you an update. No news yet from the doctor. She will not be back at the clinic until next Tuesday. I'm going through a community health clinic and they have a certain night just for transwomen to see an endocrinologist for consultation for HRT. You pay a low fee and it covers your first and second visit with the endocrinologist. My next appointment will not be until October. I do have insurance and can possibly go through my primary, however if he declines I'm back to square one.

Susan

[Guest Angelgrlsue]

Okayzzzz..I heard back from the clinic's coordinator and she said that I will have to wait until I see the Endocrinologist next month and go over in detail with her my questions. I'm frustrated. Grrrrrr!!

Suzie

[Guest Joanna Phipps]

Okayzzzz..I heard back from the clinic's coordinator and she said that I will have to wait until I see the Endocrinologist next month and go over in detail with her my questions. I'm frustrated. Grrrrrr!!

Suzie

Well at least you have the Estrogen, which although it wont be as effective with out an AA  is better than nothing