Another Step Taken

[Ariamythe]

Well, today was the day. Went to the clinic, saw the doc, went to the pharmacy, got the pills, took the first dose in the parking lot.

Happy dance! :mooning:

I know anything I'm feeling right now is placebo effect, but I have to say that I feel sooooooo much better tonight. :D

[AllieSF]

Congratulations in taking that step. I hope you celebrate this one, as well as, all the upcoming ones. So many parties, what is a lady to do?

[Rachelakld]

So it's true, first time is in the parking lot :)
Happy trails

[Angela Campbell]

Yep the parking lot is the best place to start....it's where I did it.

[Kaitlyn Michele]

I felt the same way.

it was definitely a placebo like feeling but I recall thinking about the idea that my body chemistry was female...

You have worked very hard to get to this point!!! congrats!!

[thechic]

congratulation's be prepared for the tender boobs .how you handle the spiro with out water.

[celeste26]

Spironolactone is a potassium sparing diuretic, it will, at best, tend to block the T receptors but the proven effects only affect <10% of those who use it. And it can be rather dangerous for anyone without constant blood testing. There are far better T blockers out there without those side effects. Be wary and be sure to get those blood tests regularly.

[GirlieAmanda]

Oh no, not another parking lot story. You should have picked a memorable spot. I did it on the beach at dawn. Signifying the beginning and the end, the land and the sea, and the sunrise of my new life. Oh well. Congrats on starting that part of your journey.

[mary something]

Good for you!

[Persephone]

:cheer:

Hugs,
Persephone.

[Ariamythe]

Thanks all.

Amanda: It was an overcast, windy, wet November day in Michigan. I don't think I could have found a memorable spot if I tried. Besides, that would have meant putting it off for, like, ten more minutes. :)

[I Am Paula]

Congratulations!!
I took the Cyproterone in the parking lot, but had to wait to get home to stick an estrogen patch to my butt, for modesty's sake. A lady does not expose her buttocks in a busy parking lot.
Yes, even the placebo effect is quite startling, 'cause something in your brain says 'We're on the way'.

[LeaP]

Parking lot also. It's very common! Congratulations!

Celeste, where are you getting your stats on Spiro effects, and are they for all users or for MTFs? As a group, we take more and for longer periods. I would think effects are more common in our demographic.

Also, I'm not aware of a better blocker available in the US. The non-steroidal anti-androgens are very hard on the liver and, for example, don't take down muscle mass. The drugs that target GnRH effectively take down T but also suppress the natural production of E. I also don't think there is sufficient history of these drugs in transsexual HRT therapy to establish a track record. (Could be wrong on that.) To what are you referring?

[Angela Campbell]

Actually Spironolactone is very effective in lowering T levels, (worked on me) and has been chosen as the drug of choice in the US for Ts because of the dangers of Cyproterone and others used in other countries. And yes anytime you are taking any of these there should be regular blood work to test liver and potassium levels.

"Spironolactone significantly depresses plasma testosterone levels, reducing them to female/castrate levels at sufficient doses and in combination with estrogen. The clinical response consists of, among other effects, decreased male pattern hair, the induction of breast development, feminization in general, and lack of spontaneous erections."

"There are very few available options for androgen receptor antagonist drug therapy. Spironolactone, cyproterone acetate, and flutamide are the most well-known and widely used agents.[15] Compared to cyproterone acetate, spironolactone is considerably less potent as an antiandrogen by weight and binding affinity to the androgen receptor.[16][17] However, despite this, at the doses in which they are typically used, spironolactone and cyproterone acetate have been found to be generally equivalent in terms of effectiveness for a variety of androgen-related conditions"

"Unfortunately, both cyproterone acetate and flutamide have been associated with hepatotoxicity, severely so in the case of the latter, and cyproterone acetate is not available in certain countries such as the United States. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues are another option for antiandrogen therapy, and are the most effective of any other by far, but on account of their limited use and peptide nature, despite the fact that many are now available as generics, they tend to be very expensive, and are not always covered by insurance.[13] Thus, spironolactone may be the only practical, available, and safe option in many cases."

[Ariamythe]

All the literature I've read has been on the side of spiro being a necessary and effective part of HRT. The alternative here in the US is finasteride, but my doctor said that they only give that to older patients or those who they don't think will tolerate the spiro. There WAS one article published earlier this year that suggested spiro may lead to "less satisfactory" breast growth, but hopefully the progesterone will even that out.

[thechic]

May be I should not of said what I said in my comment, it seams to of changed the topic here.all I was saying was that spiro tastes horrible with out water, by the way( I am Paula )I started out with Cyproterone doesn't have the bad tast.

[Angela Campbell]

I wouldn't dream of trying to swallow any pill without something to drink with it. Besides with the spiro you will need a lot of water. I took my first dose of it in the car with a diet coke. LOL.

The estrogen under the tongue tastes fairly pleasant though.

I guess after going through the therapy, and the Dr.s appt it is normal to want to get started as soon as you can. And even to this day I get in a bit of a panic if I think I might miss or be late taking a dose.

[Ann Louise]

Congrats Honey! I, too, gulped down that first dose in the grocery store parking lot. Yaay for you!!!

[LeaP]

... The alternative here in the US is finasteride, but my doctor said that they only give that to older patients or those who they don't think will tolerate the spiro. ...

Finasteride may be an alternative in some cases, but it is often prescribed in conjunction with Spiro. I have taken both from the start.

Different drugs for different aspects of androgen regulation. Spiro is both an androgen receptor blocker as well as acting to suppress T synthesis. Finasteride prevents metabolizing T into DHT. Wash and rinse. Clean and sterilize. Pick your metaphor!

[Kathryn Martin]

A great day for sure, in a year from now you won't even remember where you took the first pill, three years you won't even remember what day it was........ Wonderful...

[StephanieC]

Yay! I'm happy for you.

[Megan72]

Congratulations! I am hoping to be there soon.

[Julie8181]

Congrats, Ali! Big milestone.

[Leah Lynn]

Welcome to the girls' club!

Hugs,

Leah

[Ariamythe]

Well, the first week has been underwhelming. You mean these aren't actually magic rapid boob pills? ;)

[Angela Campbell]

The only thing I noticed the first week was going to the bathroom a lot more often. Give it a few months.

[JohnH]

Well, the first week has been underwhelming. You mean these aren't actually magic rapid boob pills? ;)

Um, it does take time for the medication to take effect. I have been on HRT for over two years - the first year with Estrogel and the second year by estradiol injection and my breasts are still developing as I still have breast growth pains!

Johanna

[tori-e]

Spironolactone is a potassium sparing diuretic, it will, at best, tend to block the T receptors but the proven effects only affect <10% of those who use it. And it can be rather dangerous for anyone without constant blood testing. There are far better T blockers out there without those side effects. Be wary and be sure to get those blood tests regularly.

I agree wholeheartedly that taking any medication without the supervision of doctor would be a mistake. However spiro is a regular part of virtually every transwomen's HRT. It's prescribed because it considered safe for long term use.

[LeaP]

... You mean these aren't actually magic rapid boob pills? ;)

OMG - they didn't tell you ... The Truth???

[tori-e]

I love the parking lot comments. I always thought that that moment should be more ceremonious. When I got my first estrogen prescription I decided to keep it in my wallet for a week or so, so I could think it all over. I think I lasted a day or so before I got it filled. I really wanted my spouse to be on board with the decision to start so I waited until we could be be together. It was a nice spring day and we were sitting on our patio with a drink. A big moment for me. She was not as impressed.

I started HRT about 8 years ago and had GRS 5 years ago. I was in my mid forties. Before I started, I took all my measurements, so I could track my progress. We all pray that the pills will somehow change us into the women that we want to be, but they are really only one small step. There is no doubt they will help to feminize you. But if you are hoping to transform into a curvaceous bombshell, you may be disappointed. For me, over the years I've gained about 25 pounds and a dress size or so. And more of the curves are on my belly than on my hips. Frequently those that transition after 30 will experience modest breast growth. That said, I'm still pretty amazed at with the changes and am glad that I transitioned.

From my experience and that of quite a few friends, in the first months you will notice budding and soreness in the nipples. Your skin gets softer and you may notice less body hair. You might notice some loss of male function and reduced erection girth. A lot of people talk about feeling calmer and more relaxed. For me I always thought that the mental changes had a lot to do with the fact that I was starting to take positive steps against my GID. Some claim to have more substantial changes. (Frankly I think some tend to exaggerate.)

Congrats to all that are moving forward in transition! :)

Victoria

[Barbara Ella]

The starting point is always interesting, just remember that it is the end point that is so much far more interesting and is where you want your focus. Nice start dear.

Barbara