FTM's and Transitioning

[atomiczombie]

My voice is really changing now. People are noticing and commenting. Yay!

Way to go Logicaly, good luck with the T.

[Rufusboi]

Originally Posted by Logicaly

So I went into the doctor's today for a follow up, they have done tons of blood work lately and while my cholesterol is a little high, 9 points over what they would like, I got my first T prescription today!

I just need to wait for it to arrive in the mail, and I have an appointment on Tuesday to learn how to self inject, and for my partner to do it as well.

In the mean time, I also need to work on getting my cholesterol down more.

Logically

Glad to hear you were prescribed T.

After having all my blood work I also found out I had high cholesterol. When my doctor prescribed my T six months ago he also prescribed cholesterol pills. The last time I had a check-up with blood work my cholesterol was lower and my T level was fine. Get your cholesterol lowered and you will be fine.

Rufus

[theoddz]

I don't remember if I've posted this before and if I have, I'm sorry for being redundant.

A good natural, non-prescription way to control cholesterol is Niacin . You can buy it over the counter at any drug store, health food/vitamin store or...ugh...Walmart. You should get the timed release or long acting type, such as "Niaspan". A typical therapeutic dose of this stuff is usually around 500 mg. Twice a day. Even the sustained release stuff can cause hot flashes or flushing, but if you stick to it, your body should get used to it after awhile. I found that my cholesterol went down appreciably after adding niacin to my diet.

Good luck to everyone fighting the cholesterol war!!

Theo

[Logicaly]

Thanks for the advice Theo. I'm not too bad, im only 9 points over where they want me to be, so I figure with a good workout schedule and improving my eating habits that I should be able to get it fixed. So I would like to try and do it without any pills first. Doctor said I have 3 months to get it to go down or they will put me on a prescription for it.

[Logicaly]

So I got my first shot today. A cute medical assistant did it for me while teaching my girl and I how to do it. They have me taking only .25ml every two weeks to start while we watch my cholesterol for 3 months. After that they will talk with me about upping the dosage.

[Leigh]

Originally Posted by Logicaly

So I got my first shot today. A cute medical assistant did it for me while teaching my girl and I how to do it. They have me taking only .25ml every two weeks to start while we watch my cholesterol for 3 months. After that they will talk with me about upping the dosage.

This is amazing news bro, I'm very happy to hear - this month it'll be four months for Me being on T and I couldnt be happier so yay for you

[Logicaly]

What kind of changes have you noticed so far in yourself Matthew and whats your dosage like?

[Leigh]

Originally Posted by Logicaly

What kind of changes have you noticed so far in yourself Matthew and whats your dosage like?

My dosage is .5ml every two weeks and I've been on T for almost four months now. What I've noticed is that I'm starting to get some hair where sideburns usually go, some hair on My upper lip, and quite abit of hair on My chin and on My neck (atleast the top part of it below My chin anyways). My voice has definately gotten deeper, even after a couple of months one of My very closest friends noticed it had gone down an octave or two. I'm definately noticing a spike in My sex drive (not sure how this will be for you) but personally its like I want it *alot* more than I did before. The biggest thing that I've notived is I'm much more comfortable in My own skin, even when I talk and I hear the deepness in My voice I cant help but wanna talk to actually hear it *LOL*

[Logicaly]

So I am participating in a study that someone is doing on FTM voices for their grad project. Every two weeks or however often I would like he is going to record my voice in normal conversation as well as having me read the same script every time. At the end of it, I get a cd with all the recordings and 50 bucks. The recordings will go on for a year.

I think its pretty neat, and I really like that I am getting the recordings so I will have recordings for the first year. I also like that I am able to help someone out.

[SelfMadeMan]

Originally Posted by Logicaly

So I got my first shot today. A cute medical assistant did it for me while teaching my girl and I how to do it. They have me taking only .25ml every two weeks to start while we watch my cholesterol for 3 months. After that they will talk with me about upping the dosage.

Congrats! It's an exciting journey!

[atomiczombie]

My top surgery date is May 4th. *happy dance*

[HerDaddy]

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

My top surgery date is May 4th. *happy dance*

Congrats, you feel more at peace with yourself.

[EnderD_503]

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

My top surgery date is May 4th. *happy dance*

Drew, that is so awesome! Total congrats, dude! You must be excited as all hell! I don't think I'd be able to sleep until May 4th if I were you right now, lol!

[SelfMadeMan]

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

My top surgery date is May 4th. *happy dance*

AWESOME!!! Congratulations! You're going to feel like a million bucks!

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

My top surgery date is May 4th. *happy dance*

Wow!!!!! How friggin' exciting!!

I'm happy for you, Drew!

[Mister Bent]

I don't know if it's been brought up here before, and my apologies if it has, but when it comes to changes in your voice it also helps significantly (for some, maybe not all?) if you retrain your voice (as a singer might) so that you speak "out of your chest," as male bodied people naturally tend, instead of out of your throat, as is common for female bodied people. You'll find doing so even without the assistance of T will drop your range an octave or two. I wish I could give more technical input, but that's all I've got!

While the T will drop the normal range, still speaking out of their throats is why many transmen have that "strangled chipmunk" sound. I mean no offense, this is simply how a few of my friends refer to it.

Anyone else have any experience with this?

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by Mister Bent

I don't know if it's been brought up here before, and my apologies if it has, but when it comes to changes in your voice it also helps significantly (for some, maybe not all?) if you retrain your voice (as a singer might) so that you speak "out of your chest," as male bodied people naturally tend, instead of out of your throat, as is common for female bodied people. You'll find doing so even without the assistance of T will drop your range an octave or two. I wish I could give more technical input, but that's all I've got!

While the T will drop the normal range, still speaking out of their throats is why many transmen have that "strangled chipmunk" sound. I mean no offense, this is simply how a few of my friends refer to it.

Anyone else have any experience with this?

Heh... I know the "voice" you're talking about. I never knew the reason that occurred so often, but what you're saying makes total sense.

I admit that I made a conscious effort to speak differently when my voice started to change. What I did NOT want to happen was for me to start sounding flat and lifeless, so it's been quite an effort to strike that balance.

Good stuff, Mr. B...

[Logicaly]

So, question for everyone whose doing the shots. Today was the first day my girl gave me the shot, rather then a nurse doing it. My thigh now hurts big time. The nurse supervised the shot, and said she did every thing right. So I am wondering if y'all that are doing it in the thigh, end up hurting a lot sometimes? The entire thigh muscle is sore and even just sitting here, I can feel it hurting. Its 6:30 now and the shot was done at 11 to give you an idea of how long it has been too.

What do you do for the pain? Besides the obvious of popping an advil, as I try to avoid any medication if at all possible.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by Logicaly

So, question for everyone whose doing the shots. Today was the first day my girl gave me the shot, rather then a nurse doing it. My thigh now hurts big time. The nurse supervised the shot, and said she did every thing right. So I am wondering if y'all that are doing it in the thigh, end up hurting a lot sometimes? The entire thigh muscle is sore and even just sitting here, I can feel it hurting. Its 6:30 now and the shot was done at 11 to give you an idea of how long it has been too.

What do you do for the pain? Besides the obvious of popping an advil, as I try to avoid any medication if at all possible.

I'm sorry to hear about the pain, T. I don't have anything personal to contribute here because I get mine in the gluteus and don't have any discomfort.

Perhaps an ice massage will help. In college we used small paper cups to make ice "popsicles" and used those to give ice massages to affected areas. That will allow you to go deeper and stimulate circulation as opposed to simply laying ice on the area.

I'm sure others will have better feedback for you. I hope you feel better.

[princessbelle]

I'm not sure if I can post in here or not. I get confused sometimes as who can post where. So, i'll make this brief or ummmm, try to.

Logically,

Since i am a nurse and i read your post i wanted to offer some thoughts to you.....

I have never given T injections but have read that you can give these IM (in the muscle, bigger needles) or SubQ (small needle just under the skin)

Not sure which way you are taking it. However, I have a few thoughts on why this hurt you today and it hasn't normally.

1. You may have been tensed up. Especially knowing this was her first time giving it. If it is an IM injection and your muscles clinch, it will certainly hurt worse and it will be more sore. Sorta like clinching your jaw while having dental procedures and then feeling how sore the muscle is after.

So.......moral of that is....relax next time.

2. She *may* have, not saying she did, but being new to giving injections, she may have "moved" the needle around a tad not meaning to while it was in your muscle. Almost EVERYONE does this at the beginning. I'm sure she was nervous somewhat at least, and had to aspirate (making sure she was not in a vessel) and learning to do this takes practice.

So... moral to that is.....practice makes perfect.

3. Nerves. Not the kind that make you nervous. Nerves as in the ones located on and under your skin. You can't see them. Ever hear someone who has just had blood drawn say "wow i didn't feel that" or "omg that nurse hurt me bad". Honestly, a lot of it is luck. You can't see nerves and yes they are everywhere, however the nerve base or root when it is hit by a needle.....it HURTS. You have no contol over it. It's just luck.

Moral to that is......you have about a 40/60 shot (not pun there) to not hit a nerve root. That is my opinion from experience that's not scientific.

Just a few things i wanted to mention.

I hope that helps.

ps. ice is good for pain but remember this....it slows down the travel of the medication that is put into a muscle. The med will eventually get into the blood stream but icing it may slow it down just a tad.

pss. I would suggest messaging that muscle, NSAIDS and a hot bath.

I hope i haven't overstepped by posting in here. I'm just honestly trying to be helpful.

Peace all....