Starting HRT soon...

[Guest Vicky]

My bloodwork is complete, and last time I saw my doctor, he told me I can start now HRT anytime! I did not want to be seen so desperate - but I was and still am -, still walked out without asking for a prescription, yayyyy!!!! But maybe today is the day, as I will see him again! Cheer for me please...

[Charlize]

Congratulations on the start of a new journey.  I remember being told to fasten my seatbelt and indeed the beginning of my journey was bumpy.  I still get moments but for the most part the road is smooth and beautiful.  I've finally found a peace i have not remembered ever experiencing before.  Some of that is certainly simply accepting myself but some may well have to do with a change of hormones.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Cyndee]

Get ready, it's the trip of lifetime (and you never have to leave the farm)

Hugs

C -

[Jani]

Hello Vicky and congratulations on reaching the milestone of being able to start HRT.  We're all different and for me the changes sneaked up slowly until one day when I realized the emotional and physical difference in how I'd been.   Take care and be prepared for anything.  If changes are slow don't be frustrated.  Enjoy!

Jani

[Guest Vicky]

Today is my day 1 of HRT! I also had a really nice haircut with new hair colour! People turned around after me on the street, even some girls! Both super-excited and super-worried. I expect my family won't tolerate me anymore...but I can't do "can't do" because gender dysphoria is so stressful...Finally!

[MarcieMarie12]

Congratulations!!! Wait till the girls get sore, it is a good sign. 

[Jani]

Nothing like a new cut and color to make you feel good.   I go every six weeks now.  

1 hour ago, MarcieMarie12 said:

Wait till the girls get sore

When, not if, you bump them they will certainly tell you they are there.  The good news is that they eventually settle down and act nice!

Jani

[Guest Vicky]

Charlize, Jani, MarcieMarie, CindyRae,

Thank you so much for the nice words. This is how I find taken this milestone that I feel inside now more peaceful, and ready for the wonderful journey. Indeed may lose patience though waiting for the "girls" to grow, but now finally I came to terms with myself and it is so deliberating! 

[Cecilia]

On 5/26/2017 at 1:40 PM, Jani423 said:

Hello Vicky and congratulations on reaching the milestone of being able to start HRT.  We're all different and for me the changes sneaked up slowly until one day when I realized the emotional and physical difference in how I'd been.   Take care and be prepared for anything.  If changes are slow don't be frustrated.  Enjoy!

Jani

Hi Jani.  I know everyone is different;  but can you share some of the steps that have to occur prior to starting HRT?  I had an initial telephone call with my new Trans MD,  and I will see her for the first time in August.  I was hoping she would start me on HRT fairly immediately;  but from your post it seems that is not the case at all.  She is a medical doctor and not a therapist.  She asked if I wanted to meet a therapist in her office;  but the therapist doesn't take Blue Cross Blue Shield so I told her no thank you. 

 

[Charlize]

Cecillia,  I don't know where you are in your transition but seeing a gender therapist can be a good idea even if your doctor doesn't require a letter to proceed to HRT.  Many therapists have a sliding scale so finances may not be as big an issue as you think.  It's certainly worth asking.  It may also be that your doctor will proceed with conformed consent.  in which you know the dangers and results of treatment and sign a statement asking to proceed regardless.

I would place a call to your doctor and ask her or her staff.

Best of luck and let us know how it goes.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Jani]

On 6/16/2017 at 6:53 PM, Cecilia said:

Hi Jani.  I know everyone is different;  but can you share some of the steps that have to occur prior to starting HRT?  I had an initial telephone call with my new Trans MD,  and I will see her for the first time in August.  I was hoping she would start me on HRT fairly immediately;  but from your post it seems that is not the case at all.

Hi Cecilia, I started therapy knowing I would want HRT but didn't ask for it for a while as I was working through issues and I didn't want to go too fast for my wife's benefit.  I'm in NH but my doctors are in MA which has informed consent.  I asked my primary care doctor about prescribing but he had no idea on how to proceed and the endo's in the practice had no experience either.  He recommended Fenway Health in Boston which is primarily a LBGT+ health care center.  The doctor I saw there didn't offer a script at the initial visit.  We had two appointments where we went over risks and benefits in conjunction with my health situation.   We discussed delivery systems and the risks.  I can't do needles so that was out.  Pills had a downside with how the med is absorbed.  I went with transdermal patches and I've been happy with the results. He also gave be a choice on starting dosage.  I started low as I wanted to make sure there were no negative side effects with my other meds.

I didn't notice changes for a while although it dawned on me one day that I was calmer and not set off by things that would have before.  Physical changes crept up slow.  My breasts got very sensitive but then calmed down and I don't worry so much about being physical now.  In the first year I upped my dosage two times and am now at a high level.  I just had full bottom surgery so it will be a couple months before I do lab work to determine levels.  I expect I'll increase dosage again.  I've been very happy with the physical and mental results on patches. I put new one's on once a week.  

As you've read everyone is different but its does help to understand the possibilities you may experience.  I hope you enjoy the experience.  I'm sure your will.

Jani