Results 1 to 17 of 17

Thread: 10 Years ...

  1. #1
    Silver Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    4,382

    10 Years ...

    After reading another thread about someone's first HRT appointment, I looked in my calendar and found that I reached 10 years on HRT on Aug 2. I'm still the same old me, of course, but with shifts, some subtle, some not, in personality, emotional profile, and the psychological fallout of growing up trans. Depression is under control between hormones and anti-depressants. Physical changes for the most part simply make me feel normal and for the most part I don't really notice them any longer. Facial and body hair was a huge trigger. Electrolysis was a relief and hormones mostly took care of the rest of that. Anti-androgens removed the volatility and I attribute the integration of my emotions to E. Far less dissociation, which was profound. Most of all, the longer I continue on HRT, the more I apprehend the long-term nature of the changeover, of being E dominant rather than T dominant, seeing effects in terms of evolution, maturation, and interplay over years. Most of the emotional drama of the early stages, positive and negative, was just that and frankly more due to taking down T levels than the changes that E brings over time.

    Every once in a while I remember a question my doctor at that time said she asked herself (she's TS) ... "Did I really have to do this?" I wonder the same thing. But that's normalcy for you. As the memories how I was recede, especially the deep, creeping darkness and being constantly at the brink of suicidality, the greater the wonder. The few times I've questioned whether I still need the meds, someone usually has counseled that physical need is just that. I.e., take the meds ... and so I continue.

    For those seriously considering HRT and patient enough to read this far, I hope this encourages you to take the long view. Outside of the medical considerations, which you should treat as unique to you and which are fodder for your (hopefully competent) physician, there is really little to fear, despite the apparent magnitude of the decision. (I do remember THAT.)

    Thank GOD for modern medicine and HRT, for saving what is left of life.

    See you in 2032!
    Lea

  2. #2
    Silver Member Devi SM's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Banning, east of Los Angeles.
    Posts
    2,571
    Lea, thanks for this brief story about you HRT experience.

    I'm near the half of your journey.

    Can I ask, how old are you?
    HRT 042018; Full time 032019
    Orchiectomy 062020; gender& name legal changed 102020
    Electrolysis face begins 082019, in genitals for GCS 062021
    Breast augmentation surgery 012022
    GCS 072022; BBL 022023; GCS revision 04203;END TRANSITION

  3. #3
    formerly: aBoyNamedSue IamWren's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    1,274
    I’ve only been on hormone therapy for a couple of years but there have been at least few times where I’ve seriously thought, “what am I doing? Did I really need to do this? Should I continue doing this?”

    There is a guy I used to work with whose wife is schizophrenic and took medicine to keep it under control. There were times when she asked herself similar questions and went off her meds. The result was, as you might imagine, disastrous.

    MY wife’s answer to those questions is an emphatic, “YES!… you need to keep taking that little pill.” Tamping down the T has made me much more pleasant to be around. And being powered by estrogen and it’s resulting physical effects has been a very positive experience for my mental and emotional well being.
    Last edited by IamWren; 08-24-2022 at 12:09 PM.
    I am not a woman nor am I a man... I am an enby. Hi, I am Wren.

  4. #4
    Gold Member Lana Mae's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    North Carolina
    Posts
    8,606
    Lea, thanks for sharing!
    I am now on two patches of E, 1/2 original dose of spiro, and on Progesterone! With the addition of the Progesterone, I calmed right down and am the woman I was meant to be!
    Hugs Lana Mae
    Life is worth living!
    "Foxy lady! You look so good!!" Jimi Hendrix

  5. #5
    Silver Member Aunt Kelly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    Greater Houston
    Posts
    3,041
    Quote Originally Posted by IamWren View Post
    MY wife’s answer to those questions is an emphatic, “YES!… you need to keep taking that little pill.” Tamping down the T has made me much more pleasant to be around. And being powered by estrogen and it’s resulting physical effects has been a very positive experience for my mental and emotional well being.

    Better living through modern chemistry...
    Calling bigotry an "opinion" is like calling arsenic a "flavor".

  6. #6
    Silver Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    4,382
    Kelly - one of my fav. lines!

    Devi - My age? I'm a relic of the dark ages. Walked to school, rain, shine, cold, hot, or snow. Played outside all day in the woods and fields without parental supervision. One phone in the house ... it had a cord and a dial. 3 channels on the B&W TV and they went off the air in the afternoon until the news came on. I watched the Lone Ranger and Howdy Doody. They weren't reruns. Cable was a knit pattern for sweaters and internet was a fisherman's problem. The child seat in the car was grandpa's lap ... while he was driving. Cameras had film on rolls. We had t-shirts. They were underwear. Nothing was open on Sunday except church and the doughnut shop. Oh, and psychiatrists handled the odd trans person, institutionalized and lobotomized some of them, too. That should give you a pretty good idea.
    Lea

  7. #7
    New Member JessicaMW's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2022
    Location
    Austin, Texas
    Posts
    5
    Oh my, the life that I have lived...
    Last edited by char GG; 08-27-2022 at 03:50 AM. Reason: Not necessary to quote the post directly before yours

  8. #8
    Member traci_k's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Hammond, Indiana
    Posts
    443
    Lea, Thank you for sharing.

    I too was a child of the 50's. Didn't understand the depression I was experiencing for over 35 years until I slapped the first E patch on at age 65. A few days later I realized the depression was gone. I've thought about stopping HRT several times as I'm fast approaching the point of no return. I may not be the prettiest or most feminine woman but when I look into the mirror and see that smiling face, I know there's no turning back. I've been coming out to more people as Traci Melissa and so far nothing but acceptance. Now planning how to go fill time and quit leading a double life.
    Traci Melissa Knight


    To thine own self be true
    When the student is ready, the teacher will appear

  9. #9
    Silver Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    4,382
    50's? Did I say anything about the 50's? Good God, I can't be THAT old ... Can I?

    I'll tell you what - I'll commit to saying my advent was in the 20th century. Sheesh, it's getting to where even the youngest of those still leaves you too old for some ...
    Lea

  10. #10
    A Brave Freestyler JohnH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Irving, TX
    Posts
    1,946
    Lea,
    I have been on M2F HRT for over 11 years and you describe the experience I went through. Before I was suicidal, depressed, and drank to much alcohol. Now I feel much calmer and feel more contentment. I take my estradiol (estrogen) by injection.
    John (Legal name)

    Preferred pronouns: he, his, him

  11. #11
    Silver Member Natalie5004's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
    Location
    X
    Posts
    2,448
    I would love to get on HRT. The earth would probably burn up if I did. At least my life would.

    I am so very happy for you ladies finding your way.

  12. #12
    A Brave Freestyler JohnH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Irving, TX
    Posts
    1,946
    Natalie,
    My primary doctor referred me to an endocrinologist. So I suggest you talk to your primary care physician.
    If M2F HRT is not right for you, you will know it right away before any permanent changes take place. For me it is a God send.

    John
    Last edited by Jeri Ann; 09-07-2022 at 04:17 PM.

  13. #13
    Junior Member DaniellaUK's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2022
    Location
    Ibiza, Spain
    Posts
    75
    What an amazing thread. I dream of being able to start one like this in ten years time.

  14. #14
    Silver Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    4,382
    Quote Originally Posted by DaniellaUK View Post
    What an amazing thread. I dream of being able to start one like this in ten years time.
    You just may!
    Last edited by Jeri Ann; 09-07-2022 at 04:15 PM.
    Lea

  15. #15
    A Brave Freestyler JohnH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Irving, TX
    Posts
    1,946
    I AM under the care of an endocrinologist and I did have blood analysis performed before going on HRT.
    John
    Last edited by Jeri Ann; 09-07-2022 at 04:19 PM.
    John (Legal name)

    Preferred pronouns: he, his, him

  16. #16
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    238
    Ahh, I had to look to see when I started HRT; I'm 9 months away from 10 years. I felt many of the same things, asked myself if what I was doing was the right thing to do and the answer was always the same---yes.
    Now it's getting harder and harder to remember the feelings of what was before, but I know I don't want to go back.

    Congratulations on 10 years.

  17. #17
    Silver Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    4,382
    Thanks, Rachel. I can't evoke the way I used to feel and react anymore (not that I'd want to), but I sure remember the insanity of it all.
    Lea

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  


Check out these other hot web properties:
Catholic Personals | Jewish Personals | Millionaire Personals | Unsigned Artists | Crossdressing Relationship
BBW Personals | Latino Personals | Black Personals | Crossdresser Chat | Crossdressing QA
Biker Personals | CD Relationship | Crossdressing Dating | FTM Relationship | Dating | TG Relationship


The crossdressing community is one that needs to stick together and continue to be there for each other for whatever one needs.
We are always trying to improve the forum to better serve the crossdresser in all of us.

Browse Crossdressers By State