It finaly was brought up!

[Karinsamatha]

At my last therapy session my therapist brought up hrt, and how I felt about it :). She had asked if I had checked with my insurance provider - They cover it.
I was literally crying with joy Monday night. So I guess this means a new chapter of my life is about to begin :D.

[Jorja]

First, Congratulations HRT is a big step. I hope they help.

Second, Watch them pills, they make things go all wonky compared to what you have been used to. :)

[LisaMallon]

Congratulations Karin, I know how you feel.

Looks like we will be both starting HRT about the same time then. Be great to be able to compare notes and swap stories with you as we both go along that 'magical mystery tour" :GD:.

[Traci Elizabeth]

The first thing you need to do is to go out and buy a bucket. Why you ask? Because you will be so emotional that first year and will cry for no reason whatsoever even many times a day. The 2nd thing you will need is a small cushioned pillow and rope to hold the pillow over your breasts for that 1st year. You say that does not make any sense to you? Just wait, and you will learn EXACTLY what I am talking about.

[Aprilrain]

Watch them pills, they make things go all wonky compared to what you have been used to. :)

That's putting it mildly!

@karinsmantha congrats! you must be thrilled!

[Jorja]

That's putting it mildly!

@karinsmantha congrats! you must be thrilled!

Shhhhh, don't want to scare the poor girl. :)

[Karinsamatha]

The first thing you need to do is to go out and buy a bucket. Why you ask? Because you will be so emotional that first year and will cry for no reason whatsoever even many times a day. The 2nd thing you will need is a small cushioned pillow and rope to hold the pillow over your breasts for that 1st year. You say that does not make any sense to you? Just wait, and you will learn EXACTLY what I am talking about.

Would a nice pink Satin pillow work ok, I understand that the breasts become tender.
As far as my world going wonky, and crying all the time that ought to be interesting I may need 2 bucket's or more. Time will tell.
Thanks for the heads up!

[Bree-asaurus]

The first thing you need to do is to go out and buy a bucket. Why you ask? Because you will be so emotional that first year and will cry for no reason whatsoever even many times a day. The 2nd thing you will need is a small cushioned pillow and rope to hold the pillow over your breasts for that 1st year. You say that does not make any sense to you? Just wait, and you will learn EXACTLY what I am talking about.

I cried more than I used to, but it wasn't a big deal. What WAS HORRIBLE for me was the nausea. Couldn't get in a car for six months without feeling like I have to puke! The worst was on a trip with my dad and sis, and we had to pull over the car while I leaned over a guardrail dry heaving, laughing and crying hysterically...

So in addition to the bucket (which you can also puke in), get some sour candies and a prescription for some anti-nausea meds from your doc!

[sandra-leigh]

Heck, I think I have probably cried less since I have been on HRT. My tear ducts assert their independence around sappy movies, but I haven't happened to watch any this last while.

I never needed the tied-on pillow either. Almost all that sort of sensitivity was in the spontaneous development (and fast reduction) I went through about 9 months _before_ I went on HRT. (Having it disappear again was like taking candy from a baby for me.)

No nausea at all for me. Other issues, but never that one.

[MarieTS]

Sick tummy & morning sickness, Bree? Hhmmm, maybe you were pregnant! LoL I guess I'm lucky, my side-effects are pretty minimal. Hopefully KarinSamantha will have the same experience!

[Bree-asaurus]

Sick tummy & morning sickness, Bree? Hhmmm, maybe you were pregnant! LoL I guess I'm lucky, my side-effects are pretty minimal. Hopefully KarinSamantha will have the same experience!

Yeah... that was pretty much the running gag with my friends and family lol...

[Stephanie-L]

I guess I was lucky, no nausea, a little more emotional, but my wife tells me I have no emotions anyway. And I do need the pillow, but I see that as a good thing, as long as I am careful, LOL. Personally the hormones made a world of difference in my outlook on life. Good luck to you Karin............Stephanie

[Karinsamatha]

Thank you all. I am glad for the potential warnings for what may happen, but it will be worth it in the long run! :D

[TerryTerri]

Another common and unusual effect of starting HRT, be prepared to fall in LOVE with PICKLES!!!! OMG!! I do not know what it is about pickles and female puberty, but there's got to be a connection! I've noticed that it is common for teenage girls to love pickles and us during about the first year or so.
I had never been a big pickle eater and one day after reading on this site about pickles, I ate one, and then proceeded to eat the rest of the jar. It was the best thing I had tasted in like forever! Even though I'd had a pickle before, I just couldn't believe how good they tasted. After devouring the small jar of pickles I had, upon my next visit to the grocery store I purchased a huge jar!

After 3 years of HRT, pickles are still okay, but not as incredible as during my first year.

[Aprilrain]

Another common and unusual effect of starting HRT, be prepared to fall in LOVE with PICKLES!!!! OMG!! I do not know what it is about pickles and female puberty, but there's got to be a connection! I've noticed that it is common for teenage girls to love pickles and us during about the first year or so.
I had never been a big pickle eater and one day after reading on this site about pickles, I ate one, and then proceeded to eat the rest of the jar. It was the best thing I had tasted in like forever! Even though I'd had a pickle before, I just couldn't believe how good they tasted. After devouring the small jar of pickles I had, upon my next visit to the grocery store I purchased a huge jar!

After 3 years of HRT, pickles are still okay, but not as incredible as during my first year.

Hmm? girls and pickles.............I know I'll never forget my first pickle:daydreaming::heehee:

[Bree-asaurus]

Another common and unusual effect of starting HRT, be prepared to fall in LOVE with PICKLES!!!! OMG!! I do not know what it is about pickles and female puberty, but there's got to be a connection! I've noticed that it is common for teenage girls to love pickles and us during about the first year or so.
I had never been a big pickle eater and one day after reading on this site about pickles, I ate one, and then proceeded to eat the rest of the jar. It was the best thing I had tasted in like forever! Even though I'd had a pickle before, I just couldn't believe how good they tasted. After devouring the small jar of pickles I had, upon my next visit to the grocery store I purchased a huge jar!

After 3 years of HRT, pickles are still okay, but not as incredible as during my first year.

Ok... I totally have to second this... I bought those HUGE jars of sour pickles for quite some time. Seriously... WTF?!?!?!


Hmm? girls and pickles.............I know I'll never forget my first pickle:daydreaming::heehee:

Hehe.... yeah... :D

[Karinsamatha]

Oh Lordy pickles???? Now that is a shock.
So here is the new checklist.

1. pillow for the girls.
2. buckets for the tears.
3. a couple of large jars of sour pickles. And as a special treat deli pickles.
4. anti nausea meds.

Anything else? I think I will put this into a pamphlet for girls starting hrt just so they are prepared :D kind of a public service announcement if you Will. :)
P.S I am sure I will remember my first pickle many years down the road. ..... Now girls get your minds out of the gutter :D

[Pamela Kay]

HRT effects everyone differently based on their body chemistry. I haven't really had most of the symptoms already mentioned (except the sore boobs, that's a given) but I have had some different ones.

For instance I don't seem to just let things go and be as easy going to get along with others as I have been all my life. I tend to be more assertive and sometimes downright BITCHY! On the other side though I am more relaxed and comfortable with myself and who I am now than I have ever been and I am not even full time yet.

That will change when I have FFS in October.