[Brianna]

I still get dull aches. That means it's working!

Estrogen is very addicting, so chances are you will love it.

Cialis is excellent for erections, much more better than Viagra.

I will second the Cialis over Viagra. Viagra gave me a stuffy nose and flushed face. It also has to be taken shortly before the encounter. Cialis can be taken several hours before the encounter and can last into the next day. My PCP started ne at 10mg and it was ok. He raised it to 20mg and that does a wonderful job for me.

[CM213]

Yea. The bo and Reshi is def working. My e levels were at 54, just ever so slightly above normal levels. 

I was just wondering if the dull aches ever go away, and if so if that meant it was a sign that the obvious changes will start to happen (ie feminizing breast growth, fat redistribution etc )

I do currently have a prescription for Viagra, not sure if I could get the VA to change it to Cialis or not. I think I'd definitely prefer Cialis over Viagra. Viagra usually gives me a slight headache, but for me I do feel the affects into the next day, as in still easier to get an erection. But I hate having to guess and take a pill before the end of the night wondering if she's going to be in the mood or not. Once I start im sure I will feel right at home on estrogen.

[tomi66]

I concur with Stevenator and Brianna, it's working and cialis and/or viagra work wonders.

While everyone is different, BO really knocked out my ability to get an erection, which got more difficult with time. I had to double up my viagra. I have been off BO for 2 months and on estradiol for 2 months. My ability to gain an erection without cialis has returned, but the cialis still helps.

I must say that the HRT has brought my hip discomfort to a whole new level, and my gonads ache once in a while, similar to BO, and my nipples are getting more sensitive than they were with BO.

I am in the camp of taking it for feminization and not transitioning.

[CM213]

Granted I haven't started my prescriptions yet. But I feel they are very low for what I was prescribed, and I know the VA and most health care will take a very slow and gradual approach to hrt. But at what point should I be worried that they are just chasing blood work numbers and giving my the basic one size fits all program that they are required to?

When I asked about the dose they said with the help of an anti androgen the dose of estrogen should be enough for feminizing effects and they're only shooting for 100-200 for estrogen levels and that they're worried about over dosing.

And I again I know they have to start somewhere and establish a baseline to see how I react once I start. But I already get the feeling that this VA clinic is and will only be doing the bare minimum and not treat me as an individual. But I guess we will see as time goes on once I actually start (which I am hoping to do so here in the very near future)

[OOO]

CM,

I know everyone is different, every Dr is different in their treatment plan and beliefs. But for me she started me on a very low dose.  Two months later I went in and told her the HRT was just not working and the train had not left the station. She told me, yes it had, as of two months your estrogen level is at 50 and your T is 295.  She did double my meds. Told me if I felt the train was still not moving to come back in two months but not before. In two months I went back and told her my wife could see some changes but I couldn’t and I was not having any side effects from HRT and I really wanted to move this train.  She told me if I really wanted to see the effects I was asking for then we need to put you on injections. My labs at the start of injections were estrogen 141 and T 11.  I asked her where she wanted my estrogen levels and she said somewhere between 200 and 300, we will just have to wait and see.  I told her I was wanting SRS and wanted my hormone levels to support that. She told me I will have you there in a year from the start and will write your letter supporting that at your year date.

As I am self pay, and I can pick and choose my providers. This way I feel I have the best chance to obtain the end results I desire.  It’s just my opinion when a person is at the mercy of society you will get what society wants you to have and not necessarily what you deserve.

This is just my story and my opinion.

[CM213]

I guess first things first, I need to start before I get worried about the quality of DR I have.

[OOO]

I will be the first to admit I have judged a lot of people wrong. I felt my PC physician was not on my side.  My wife see a different physician in the same practice.  My wife asked me can I say something to my Dr.  I said be my guest.  She did and to my surprise her Dr. said let me talk with Caylee’s Dr. as this office is a safe place.  Was I wrong he is one of my biggest supporters.  I have found the people I choose to be around me are my best supporters if I let them in.

I find that I don’t get along with the majority of the male species in society.  My problem.

I find it difficult to be patient.

[CM213]

@caylee thanks for the advice

[CM213]

I have my first laser hair removal consultation tomorrow 11/2/24.

I'm excited about it, as well as curious to see what we discuss as to my options with it.

[CM213]

So the laser hair appointment with okay. As expected they were under the impression that the VA will only pay them for face and Brazilian. Per the va's policy the last two sentences specifically state any body hair that causes gender dysphoria or misalignment from the veterans gender identity can be removed. 

So now I get to play the game of going back and forth with the VA in the salon to try and get them to cover more areas than just my face and Brazilian areas.