Half HRT to start as soon as...

[whowhatwhen]

So I saw the endo today and walked out with a script for spiro :)
In 3 months I go back to get bloodwork done and start E.

Why can't I start now?
The doc thinks it's a good idea for me to bank some sperm while there still is a chance so I'm getting referred to somewhere I think in Mt. Sinai hospital that deals with that stuff.

Even though I believe more in adoption and don't want any kids myself, I feel that it's still a good idea in case my feelings change as I get older.
There is a 99.9% chance it'll go unused, but it's good insurance I think.

That all depends on how expensive it is though and if they'll let me pay in installments.
Then there's the awkwardness of hospital porn plus I have no idea how I'll sneak the bullwhip in.

[LeaP]

It's odd that a doctor will press someone starting HRT on this when they would not for something like a vasectomy.

Every doctor seems to have their own start up regimen. I also started on Spiro alone, with a low E dose starting about a month later. I didn't like that at the time, but it turned out to be a good approach, as I've had some issues.

Congratulations! Big step.

[I Am Paula]

That's truly great news. You are on the way. Enjoy the hospital porn, in three months it may bore you to death.

[whowhatwhen]

"I can't follow this plot at all and I highly doubt those instruments are sterile."

[Marleena]

You better put in a porn request for making your specimen.lol. Oh scratch that.... if I remember correctly your little head is too cooperative.:heehee:

It seems the endos have different approaches. Mine starts you out on a full regimen with T-blockers, E and progesterone from day one.

[whowhatwhen]

Yeah, I guess you can say it's a real dick! ohohohohohohohoho.
:P

Okay I'll stop.

I think he might want to take it a bit slower because of all the meds I'm already on plus all of my existing health issues.
I'm still wondering how I'll afford to bank it though.

[StephanieC]

A major step on your journey...congratulations!

[BOBBI G.]

After two sessions with my head crusher asked "What are we waiting for?". I guess I was ready. Low dosages have now been taken for for about three months now, and I am witnessing some alterations already. I guess that is the difference between having been a service electrician all my career and having a big piece of paper to hang on the wall. Its going to be a long road, but I guess my Endo knows best, at least I hope so.

Bobbi

[mikiSJ]

Corinne, I understand your need to maintain semen beyond your transition, but I think you need to think about the cost benefit if the chance of you using the semen is 0.1%. The setup and storage cost can run well over a $1,000 per year.

I like your idea of adopting and you can solve a personal and societal problem with an adoption.

[Jennifer Marie P.]

That is great news youre on your way.Congrats.

[Lisa O]

It depends on your Doctor's/Endo's personal approach.
My GP provides my prescriptions for HRT and had me on an amount of E and Spiro when I started 3 months ago. First set of blood tests were looked at yesterday and everything is in the normal female range already so no change required. I had a niggling thought that this would be a "starting" regimen and that we would be stuffing around for ages getting levels and doses right and dealing with side effects. Luckily, not so. My GP actually doesn't want my E any higher to avoid the risk it gets converted into T. He seems to prefer dealing quickly with side effects quickly rather than a very gradual approach - on a normal day and it not being an emergency, I can get a call back from him in abut 3 hours. I didn't actually think my doses were high (and still don't) but it seems they are enough. He was very pleased with himself and also said that I must very happy with the result too. That seems to please him the most - my welfare over GD.

My point - your endo seems cautious but there may be a good reason for that. There obviously wasn't any reason for caution in my case (age 51) but I do not live in a very litigious place either. 3 months ago, I would have been a tad disappointed if my doses had been broken down by amount or types of medications. I was unsure so busied myself with more electro, work, skin care, happiness that I had started. Being the recipient of HRT, it seems like a snails pace but 3 or 6 or 9 months will pass and changes will be obvious. Congrats on starting and cherish the moment.

[whowhatwhen]

Corinne, I understand your need to maintain semen beyond your transition, but I think you need to think about the cost benefit if the chance of you using the semen is 0.1%. The setup and storage cost can run well over a $1,000 per year.

I like your idea of adopting and you can solve a personal and societal problem with an adoption.

I took a quick look and if I qualify for it being a medical reason I may only have to pay $300 for the setup/first year and $240/year after that. Otherwise I think it's $500/300.
I think, that's if I interpreted it correctly from their site.

I'm still not sure how I feel about the whole having kids thing which is why I think it's a good idea to have the biological option open even if I don't use it.

[KayleeTaylor]

Congrats Corinne!!! I think it would be worth it to still have the option of having children in the future, you never do know what might happen.

[Daphne Renee]

great to hear that.. so your doc whats you to take it slow. its better than not at all.

[whowhatwhen]

Going for a blood test on the 17th and then I'll book an appointment 2 weeks after that to collect the sample I guess.
Looks like it'll be $300 which means I'll probably have to come clean to borrow money.

[sandra-leigh]

How long does the banked stuff stay viable? General newscasts seem to imply "a long time" (20+ years), but one person I was speaking to said in passing that the viability went down after about 5 years.

Here in Winnipeg, someone had to fly out to BC to do the banking as there wasn't anywhere closer that would do it for "elective" purposes; the one in town will only do cancer patients undergoing chemo.

[whowhatwhen]

From what I've read it's indefinitely viable.



A private collection room is provided in our clinic. When the lab receives your sample, the sperm cells are mixed with a substance called a cryoprotectant that reduces cellular injury, and the sample is then frozen. Once frozen at an extremely low temperature, the sperm are stored in liquid nitrogen at -196° C. Sperm frozen in this manner can be stored indefinitely.


Since I'm immature I'm going to LOL at "Coming For Your Appointment" on the navbar of their site.
:D