a dyslexic man walks into a bra

[twaddler (imported)]

Congrats on your improved T range!!

Have you noticed any personality effects?

I'm not sure... I'm definitely become more emotional and tear up easier. I definitely love how I feel compared to before when I spent most of last year weighed down by testosterone (couldn't afford anti-androgens). I really, really love how I feel. So much happier in general. Which is really helpful for such a chronically depressed person like myself.

What about scrotum size? Has the sac shrunk?

I think so, but I'm not really sure. It's almost empty, that's for sure, but I'm not sure about shrinkage yet, I havn't really examined it much.

How is your doc reacting to your situation?

So far quite well. Though she's worried about how possibly (probably, I think) higher estrogen levels will affect me -- particularly in relation to cancer, since it runs really heavily on my mom's side of the family and I've already lost a couple years to Hodgkins many years back.

I'm really not too worried about that. Cancer doesn't scare me at all anymore.

Hope the question's not intrusive.

No problem, I don't mind talking about it at all; I'm not bashful (anymore -- oddly since I did my self-castration I just feel generally I can be more open about everything with everyone.. strange).

[joydivision_27 (imported)]

Wow --

I'm really intrigued by your emotional changes.

Sounds like your decision was not only brave, but intuitive.

Just because we are born with male equipment and chemistry, it doesn't mean that individuals don't have different needs.

I'm curious about your T levels.

Are you converned about bone density at all?

Have you considered HRT with E?

As always .... you are my hero!!

joey

[twaddler (imported)]

Wow --

I'm really intrigued by your emotional changes.

like your decision was not only brave, but intuitive.

I suppose one emotional change I love is how I just in general feel much better; much more comfortable with my body and with my life. This all still seems very odd to me... what a strange, screwy life I've lived. Seems even stranger to me that I love it, now more than ever. lol..

Are you conc

erned about bone density at all?

Definitely. I'm just still trying to figure out what I'm going to do. My main goal is to avoid testosterone. heheh... other than that I'm certainly going to try to do what's best for my health.

I'll be going in to have all my tests done for my oncologist soon (finally, after three years of ignoring doctor's orders)

and I know they had wanted me to get a bone density scan done before so that, along with all the other wonderfully annoying tests, is probably something I'll be doing soon.

Have you considered HRT with E?

I did that for all of January, using 1mg of Estrofem/day (sometimes more... at times. Okay, sometimes a lot more.. heheh..). I ran out of pills and I really don't think I'll be buying any more. I experienced rapid breast growth, swollen up to like twice my normal size. Though now that I've been off those pills for about two weeks breastiziz have shrunken down back to their normal abnormal size.

I'm guessing of the estrogen supplementation is why I didn't start experiencing much of all the hot flashes and night sweats until recently. (Night sweats -- my god, how annoying!)

I really don't want to take any damned testosterone, but osteoporosis looks none to appealing. I love how the estrogen feels, but that's not really a realistic option, even at only 1mg/day (I've had to hide my chest since I was 15 or so, I'd really like to not have to do that anymore someday. I see a couple mastectomies in my future). I suppose I must check with my endocrinologist about getting a lower dose than what I tried myself.

[kristoff]

I'll be going in to have all my tests done for my oncologist soon (finally, after three years of ignoring doctor's orders)

Endocinologist or oncologist? Cancer issues? Sup? Presume a mis-brain fart?

[twaddler (imported)]

Endocinologist or oncologist? Cancer issues? Sup? Presume a mis-brain fart?

Oh, I went through treatment for Hodgkins lymphoma in 2001 and 2002. I've been cancer-free since completing a stem-cell transplant in November 2002. Though I've really not been keeping up with my doctors orders since February 2004 (thanks to intense fear of hospitals and doctors, lots of frickin' PTSD issues). I've finally gotten past that (my hospital visit for my castration actually helped) and am now finally going to keep up on that kind of thing.

I'm really not looking forward to the battery of tests (CTs, PFTs, what-the-hell-ever else), but it'll be nice to get them out of the way.

[Paolo]

Keep on that and take care of yourself. Ignoring things like that won't make them go away. Glad to hear that things seem to be lining out for you.

[twaddler (imported)]

I notice my underarms now drip sweat for no reason. This a new. The night sweats seemed to have settled down but now I get drenched when I'm completely inactive (my normal state of being -- lazy bastard that I am). I really don't think I should be sweating from my underarms heavily while reading a book... lol... not cool at all.

And I somehow equate my recently acquired unquenchable thirst for chocolate somehow to lack of testosterone.

Hmmm... I have nothing else to bitch about.

Kill whitey.

[JesusA (imported)]

Reduced testosterone ought to result in an enhanced sense of smell and taste. Chocolate OUGHT to taste better now. As should other foods. Flowers should become more important as the power of their odor is enhanced. Enjoy!

The underarms sweating is a new one for me. Maybe someone else can help you on it. In the meantime, I'll do what I can to find information for you.

[kristoff]

I, too, crave chocolate. Is this a bad thing? It is an essential food group, after all.

Excessive and seemingly spontaneous perspiration (glistening - sorry, honey, we DON'T sweat), even while sedentary, is quite "normal" for someone who is adjusting to new hormone levels. Been there, done that, so have quite a few others I've spoken with - just kind of gets lumped in with "hot flashes."

[twaddler (imported)]

Reduced testosterone ought to result in an enhanced sense of smell and taste. Chocolate OUGHT to taste better now. As should other foods. Flowers should become more important as the power of their odor is enhanced. Enjoy!

Hmmm.. I hadn't heard of that. Now I just need to try to subtley convince someone to send me flowers... lol... Woot...