Depressed :(

[Nyx]

About two weeks ago, I got a letter from the Canadian health ministry informing me that my hormones were intercepted at the border. It's illegal here to order medication from outside the country without a prescription. Hence, I was forced to stop hormones for the third time. I got rather desperate, and decided it was time to do something about it. So I went to see a doctor at my university's health clinic to explain him my situation... And fortunately, he accepted to prescribe me hormones. I've had a blood test done this monday, and I have an appointment in a little less than 2 weeks where he said he would "start me up on hormones".

This is all good, but despite the good news, I'm still feeling down. I have a summer research project for school to finish within two weeks, but I'm feeling very tired, and I'm not working on it. Everything seems stressing... My driving lessons, the upcoming semester, my driving lessons... Plus I have to apply for a very important scholarship for my masters in september, and I have to maintain my grades very high... I feel a bit sad they actually made me wait two more weeks for the hormones.

Somehow, I feel more energetic with the hormones, and I'm in a better mood. But without them, I'm just down and lethargic it seems. I feel like testosterone is poison. I'm feeling depressed and I don't know how to overcome this. I have to do something, because this project must be finished.

All that, plus I'll have to come our at some point during the year, since the hormones will make it more and more obvious. and quite frankly, I'm getting a bit sick of living as a guy.

[GypsyKaren]

Wow, it really sounds like you have a full plate there Nyx. All I can tell you is to hang in there sister, it's bound to get better. One day at a time, just take it one day at a time.

Karen

[Dee 1062]

Maybe you should do some more research on the net...maybe you'll find what you are looking for......Good Luck...and cheer up:)

http://www.jadephoenix.org/lvtgw/Info_htm/Social/cd_faq.htm

[GG Vanya]

Nyx,

Several years ago, I had a bout with what, at the time, I thought could possibly be crippling arthritis. I literally could not drag myself out of bed. Every joint and bone in my body ached and I had absolutely no energy.

After a few weeks of this, I scheduled a visit with my GP. After a physical examination, and while he was scheduling an entire battery of tests, he asked offhandedly: Have you by any chance been on HRT and stopped "cold turkey"?

In fact, I had done exactly that. My diet doctor had prescribed the patch for me, as I was showing signs of pre menopause, and she felt the hormone fluctuations could be hindering weight loss as well. Silly me, I had not informed my GP's nurse so my files would be current.

I had decided after attaining my goal weight that I "couldn't be bothered" with the patch any more, and simply stopped wearing one.

I got a severe scolding from my GP! It seems HRT has to be "tapered off" and quitting cold turkey results in the very symptoms I had.

I am not at all surprised you are lethargic! I *am* surprised that your doctor has not recognized the urgency of resuming your hormones. Does he/she know that you were previously on them? If not, please tell your doc!

By the time my doc and I figured out the source of my discomfort, I was far enough into "withdrawal" that we both decided I should stay off them, if that was my wish. The symptoms do subside, but it takes quite a while, much longer than two weeks. Is there a possibility you would be allowed an "emergency interim" supply?

[Clare]

Look at the bright side Nyx. At least you under the care of a Doctor whilst taking hormones now. You can be monitored for progress and get the right dosages etc...

In a months time you'll realise this was the best option all round.

Stay healthy kiddo!

[azure]

Hi Nyx,

I dont know if this is any help for you, I .....er...well...I sort of bought some androcur, and estriodial(is that how you spell it) in tablet form from a reuputable on line chemist here in the uk. (cue lots of tutting and cross looks from the girls).

Anyway.......

Thier imported from the east, genuine medication. I bought them becuase here in Wales the health authority has decided that all TG work will no longer be funded by the NHS,leaving us all high n dry. I got really fed up and ordered the hormones, but then Maria(on here) very kindly recommended me to a Doctor in London, and after my appointment with him he prescribed me HRT patches in conjunction to monitoring from my GP(who irronically has to now ask the health authority if he has the permission to do blood tests...thier answer will probably NIET!) But Doctor Curtis (in London) said if that happens he'll organise the whole blood tests n prescription for me. He just wants me to be seeing a doctor near me to monitor my health and treatment.

(get to the point azure)

oh ok, my piont is you are welcome to the meds I have. I havnt used any of them.

I hope life is taking better care of you today : )

Azure

[Nyx]

Well that's interesting. My mom suggested it might be "withdrawal" as well... I don't know about an emergency supply though... I'll probably just have to wait 2 weeks... It might just make an additional argument if the doctor is ever hesitant to prescribe them.


Nyx,

Several years ago, I had a bout with what, at the time, I thought could possibly be crippling arthritis. I literally could not drag myself out of bed. Every joint and bone in my body ached and I had absolutely no energy.

After a few weeks of this, I scheduled a visit with my GP. After a physical examination, and while he was scheduling an entire battery of tests, he asked offhandedly: Have you by any chance been on HRT and stopped "cold turkey"?

In fact, I had done exactly that. My diet doctor had prescribed the patch for me, as I was showing signs of pre menopause, and she felt the hormone fluctuations could be hindering weight loss as well. Silly me, I had not informed my GP's nurse so my files would be current.

I had decided after attaining my goal weight that I "couldn't be bothered" with the patch any more, and simply stopped wearing one.

I got a severe scolding from my GP! It seems HRT has to be "tapered off" and quitting cold turkey results in the very symptoms I had.

I am not at all surprised you are lethargic! I *am* surprised that your doctor has not recognized the urgency of resuming your hormones. Does he/she know that you were previously on them? If not, please tell your doc!

By the time my doc and I figured out the source of my discomfort, I was far enough into "withdrawal" that we both decided I should stay off them, if that was my wish. The symptoms do subside, but it takes quite a while, much longer than two weeks. Is there a possibility you would be allowed an "emergency interim" supply?

[JenniferMint]

I try to have extra supply on hand in case a shipment gets intercepted. What I've heard is the online pharmacy can just send another shipment and it might get through (apparently, customs doesn't keep your address on file as an automatic blacklist or something like that).

[Nyx]

I try to have extra supply on hand in case a shipment gets intercepted. What I've heard is the online pharmacy can just send another shipment and it might get through (apparently, customs doesn't keep your address on file as an automatic blacklist or something like that).

Yeah well, I don't have an extra $150 right now... And my appointment is now 12 days away (less than it would take them to ship here). But seeing how they actually intercepted two packages sent one after the other (2 days interval), containing two different types of medication, I wouldn't want to try again.

[~Dee~]

I *am* surprised that your doctor has not recognized the urgency of resuming your hormones. Does he/she know that you were previously on them? If not, please tell your doc!

i was in a similar situation.. where they wouldnt give me my hormones until i had seen certain people and their waiting lists were several months long ...

so all i had was my anti-a and nothing much else ...
the explaination to this that i was given was:
ladies who have been on HRT require the tapering off process so that they do not experience any side effects due to the fact that they have no replacement hormone in their bodies that can help deal with this.
whereas guys are meant to rely on their testosterone production to start back again and deal with the side effects ... and that fact that i was on an anti-a and therefore didnt have any hormone in my body at the time was given that it was my choice to remain on them for that time, so essentially it was shown that it was my problem alone.

they had also said that if there were any signs of permanent problems that were developing, then they would obviously step in and do something about it. mind you .. i got the distinct feeling that this intervention would have been something like stopping them prescribing my anti-a's .. rather than prescibing a small dose of oestrogen.

so i was left hormone free for a little over 7 months.
im betting my bones and joints etc are just loving me for that :rolleyes:

Nyx~
its a harsh thing to go through, i know ..
and i wish that there were a miracle cure that i could suggest .. but in all honesty theres little that can replace the actual hormones.

if they are deliberately waiting for the 2 week period, other than due to booking restraints, then the tests that they are doing may include such things as a thrombophilia screening .. and that requires time ..
so they will be unsympathetic at this point as they do not know for certain that the hormones wont hurt you in taking them ... and they tend to follow that "do no harm" part rather viciously.

if you get desperate, you could try certain phytoestrogens as a temporary replacement .. i would suggest shying away from high doses that might end up doing more damage than good ... but at low doses they can help trick the body into ditching the withdrawal symptoms.
i was suggested to try a certain cream that is meant to be good .. which essentially just had a bunch of different known phytoestrogens in it, eg chaste berry, fenugreek, wild yam etc ..
mind you, it also carried a hefty price tag ..
if you want to try this kind of thing ... its actually better if you seek out your local herbalist or naturopath and explain to them the situation and they can mix up a bottle of these extracts... at a good potency that would help, without causing damage.

*shrugs*
thats about all i can suggest as a filler, sorry i cant be more help...
hang in there.
D.

[JenniferMint]

BTW Nyx which pharmacy do you use? I use MedicaPharma.com. (I live in Canada too; InhousePharmacy and many other places won't ship to Canada)

[Nyx]

BTW Nyx which pharmacy do you use? I use MedicaPharma.com. (I live in Canada too; InhousePharmacy and many other places won't ship to Canada)

That's the one I used as well... I got 4 shipments fine. The third had a notice that said "this package has been inspected yadda yadda yadda", but I still got it. It's just the last two that have been intercepted. I think it's because medicapharma is obligated to specify the content of whatever it's sending...

Well, that being sais, things might be different in Quebec... The envelopes may get inspected by other people, so there's still a good chance yours won't get intercepted.


I *am* surprised that your doctor has not recognized the urgency of resuming your hormones. Does he/she know that you were previously on them? If not, please tell your doc!

Yes they did know... I guess he just wanted a blood test before. There's a fair chance he'll just prescribe them on my appointment (in 12 days). But if not, I'll make sure to remind him... And if he wants me to get a mental evaluation first, I'll suggest he still prescribes it before, until I can get the evaluation, because of the urgency. The doctor seemed understanding though, and he did say "I'm going to get you started on hormones then", when reffering to the appointment... Sooo.... Well, I guess I should just stop worrying.

I'm feeling a bit better and less tired now. Thanks for the support everyone :)

[ToyGirl]

i recently had the misfortune of having to go 3 days without my HRT for the first time in years. I'll never let that happen again, the withdrawels were pretty bad :( ..ALOT worse than when i quit ciggarettes and pot

depends on your dosage i guess , all the best though and glad your seeing a doctor now , its definitly the way to go if possible.

[Priscilla1018]

I too am glad you are seeing a Doctor now Nyx,it really is the best.I am hoping to start HRT shortly, after my wife feels more comfortable with my TS status.:rose2: