Where am I?

[Ashley0616]

Congratulations for me I was living in denial until my soon to be ex put on make-up and I never felt so great! I felt empowerment and walking on clouds. I'm much younger than that, I'm only 39 and I have my kids already. They are very young still ages 7 and 3 so my 3-year-old will probably not remember me as a man. My 7-year-old probably will, and he was accepting. It took a couple of times explaining it but him being so young I can understand. It really is nice to read other people's walk of life. 

[Karen Carey]

The journey continues - slowly.

 

A Happy New Year to all.

 

I started HRT 4 weeks ago, after seeing my GP, as recommended by my endocrinologist. I have noticed little effect so far but my wife has commented that I appear less stressed.  I was not aware that I had been stressed, but obviously she had noticed.  My thought is that it is quite likely that the action of starting HRT has had a psychological effect upon me that others have noted. So we wait and see.

 

I am using HRT patches that are recommended by the endo. They are not plentiful (seems to be a world-wide problem), and I have had to try a couple of pharmacies to get them. At each one the pharmacist has asked if it was for me. I naturally said that it was, prompting the question "May I ask why you are taking it?"  I stood tall, looked them in the eye, and replied, "Because I am transgender."  I detected a widening of their eyes, but with a friendly response! That really gave me a lift to own it!

 

Another small step this week - I have booked my first manicure and eye-brow shaping.  I am using a local, trans-friendly beauty clinic that also does laser and electrolysis hair removal. A lot to talk about with them.

 

Karen

 

 

 

 

[MirandaB]

I was on HRT just a little while when I realized there was some stress that I must have lived with forever was melting away, I didn't know it was there until it went away, like an annoying noise your brain tunes out until it stops and you say, aaahhh..

[KathyLauren]

11 hours ago, RhondaS said:

I was on HRT just a little while when I realized there was some stress that I must have lived with forever was melting away, I didn't know it was there until it went away, like an annoying noise your brain tunes out until it stops and you say, aaahhh..

 

That's a good way to describe it, and it is what I experienced too.  I am not aware of my tinnitus most of the time, but if it suddenly stopped, I would probably jump and wonder "What was that?" 

 

The stress of pretending to be a man for 60 years was just a fact of life that I had learned to carry without being aware of it.  When it stopped, I woke up one morning and realized that It had been there but now it was gone.

[Karen Carey]

The continuing journey.

 

I have been on low-dose HRT for over three months and am able to report there have been some small changes. However, the hoped-for calming of dysphoria is not yet apparent.

 

At the end of February I had a blood test and sent it my endo together with a report of effects and progress.  T was well down, estrogen was well up, seemingly fine for my situation.  He was keen to hear of any progress with social transition.  This, together with name-change, is normally a pre-requisite for a graduated increase in HRT. I explained to him that I had said from the outset that social transitioning was uncertain (typically age, circumstances) and that I wanted to try damping down GD. So, as I expected, the HRT level remains the same. After six months on HRT I have a consultation scheduled with my psychiatrist followed by one with the endo.  Inevitably there will be discussion on transitioning and name change, and whether the GD has eased.  

 

Meanwhile I continue to see my therapist and buy clothes! Two weeks ago I celebrated my 80th birthday with my family. My wife gave me a voucher for beauty treatment at a trans-friendly clinic near us. That was emotional!

 

Karen
 

[Mmindy]

2 hours ago, Karen Carey said:

My wife gave me a voucher for beauty treatment at a trans-friendly clinic near us. That was emotional!

Happy Birthday Karen,

This was as nice gift, along with the implied acknowledgement of who you are.

 

Acceptance,

 

Mindy🌈🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋