Oh, I’ve been in the closet for 11 years. I’ve had a LONG time to do my research. The problem is that the clinic I’m seeing is being overly cautious, and I don’t want to end-run them to DIY because I need them for lots of other things, some related and some not. They put me on 50mg spironolactone, which I guess did the job. Almost. T is at 70ng/dl. Since I’m in the US, cypro isn’t an option and the clinic is paranoid and told me they won’t prescribe anything with a side effect of “death” listed, even though you and I both know that’s infinitesimally small a chance and bigger for cis-women than us. So that means no bicalutamide.
I’m also unfortunately on 4mg oral estradiol tablets. They don’t want to make ANY changes until the 3 month mark, so my E2 is sitting at 70pg/ml. The clinic seems happy with this. I’m beside myself at how low it is. I have asked to move to intramuscular estradiol valerate at monotherapy dosages, but they keep pushing back. My age likely doesn’t help, though. I’m over the hill. And fairly lean, since I run marathons and cycle centuries. So there isn’t a lot of fat to redistribute, but I should still feel the pain and sensitivity. It’s frustrating.
honestly, spiro is an awful medication that should be totally unacceptable as an anti androgen. On top of that, I was able to get planned parenthood to prescribe injection monotherapy, and they’re much cheaper and quicker to work with than most other places. 70 ng/dl is way too high, to the point that you’re probably getting the worst of both worlds. I’d find new doctors if I were you.
fewest? it makes you constantly dehydrated and puts strain on your kidneys. My advice as someone who wasted 15 months getting fucked around by useless doctors is to plan your healthcare without them, and do whatever it takes to get doctors who will help you. You really cannot rely on them.
I’m on a really low dosage of spiro (25mg/day), so that might be why I haven’t felt it as badly.
But yeah, that’s basically what I did. My doctor is actually pretty okay (didn’t mind that I didn’t have the psychiatric diagnosis that you’re “supposed” to have (not a legal requirement)), but she definitely did underdose me, and I am awful at making appointments, so I’ve just increased my own dosage of E in line with what’s actually a reasonable amount.
I would say stick to that for now. It’s not that long of a wait. If they still refuse, though, then I’d honestly say pursue DIY. Sometimes, you know what’s best for you.
Oh, I’ve been in the closet for 11 years. I’ve had a LONG time to do my research. The problem is that the clinic I’m seeing is being overly cautious, and I don’t want to end-run them to DIY because I need them for lots of other things, some related and some not. They put me on 50mg spironolactone, which I guess did the job. Almost. T is at 70ng/dl. Since I’m in the US, cypro isn’t an option and the clinic is paranoid and told me they won’t prescribe anything with a side effect of “death” listed, even though you and I both know that’s infinitesimally small a chance and bigger for cis-women than us. So that means no bicalutamide.
I’m also unfortunately on 4mg oral estradiol tablets. They don’t want to make ANY changes until the 3 month mark, so my E2 is sitting at 70pg/ml. The clinic seems happy with this. I’m beside myself at how low it is. I have asked to move to intramuscular estradiol valerate at monotherapy dosages, but they keep pushing back. My age likely doesn’t help, though. I’m over the hill. And fairly lean, since I run marathons and cycle centuries. So there isn’t a lot of fat to redistribute, but I should still feel the pain and sensitivity. It’s frustrating.
honestly, spiro is an awful medication that should be totally unacceptable as an anti androgen. On top of that, I was able to get planned parenthood to prescribe injection monotherapy, and they’re much cheaper and quicker to work with than most other places. 70 ng/dl is way too high, to the point that you’re probably getting the worst of both worlds. I’d find new doctors if I were you.
Is spiro really that bad?
I get that it’s the least effective among the choices but it also has the fewest side-effects, from my understanding…
Something to bring up w/ my doctor, I guess… I’ve been trying to reach them for a dosage increase anyway
fewest? it makes you constantly dehydrated and puts strain on your kidneys. My advice as someone who wasted 15 months getting fucked around by useless doctors is to plan your healthcare without them, and do whatever it takes to get doctors who will help you. You really cannot rely on them.
I’m on a really low dosage of spiro (25mg/day), so that might be why I haven’t felt it as badly.
But yeah, that’s basically what I did. My doctor is actually pretty okay (didn’t mind that I didn’t have the psychiatric diagnosis that you’re “supposed” to have (not a legal requirement)), but she definitely did underdose me, and I am awful at making appointments, so I’ve just increased my own dosage of E in line with what’s actually a reasonable amount.
that’s good, but those t levels really don’t need to be so high. that’s the benefit of monotherapy is that no anti androgen is necessary
I would say stick to that for now. It’s not that long of a wait. If they still refuse, though, then I’d honestly say pursue DIY. Sometimes, you know what’s best for you.
You gotta do what you gotta do.