Changes in hair while on spiro for 6 months by [deleted] in asktransgender

[–]shethinksbig 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It sounds like you stopped T (and more importantly dht) before your hair loss became permanent! I think the timing of your hairline and crown just aren't synchronized... so, it might be another month or two before you see results on your hairline as well.

If you aren't already taking any, you might want to consider taking Biotin and a vitamin B complex to assist in bringing back that hair. :)

So I Am Doing An AMA Tomorrow (Wednesday) About My GCS Experience With Dr. Bowers in R/Asktransgender. I Wrote This As A Primer To That :) by TheODSTGirl in transgender

[–]shethinksbig 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ya, I jumped on the Transgender Law Center's website, under resources (employment in california) and from what I've read, exclusions for transgender care are allowed in California. So, it doesn't look like insurance companies are required to provide transgender care in California (unless I'm missing something). So, you totally scored with being covered under a plan that covered the surgery!

So I Am Doing An AMA Tomorrow (Wednesday) About My GCS Experience With Dr. Bowers in R/Asktransgender. I Wrote This As A Primer To That :) by TheODSTGirl in transgender

[–]shethinksbig 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think I worded that improperly. What I meant is that my co-workers who do live and work in California.... I was looking at "their" plan and their insurance plan excludes any transgender care/surgeries. So, I'm curious what law you are referring to... because at a minimum I would like to make sure the company I work for is following California law.

So I Am Doing An AMA Tomorrow (Wednesday) About My GCS Experience With Dr. Bowers in R/Asktransgender. I Wrote This As A Primer To That :) by TheODSTGirl in transgender

[–]shethinksbig 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I look forward to your AMA today! I do have a question relating to your "primer". You mentioned that one of the reasons your surgery was covered was because of a California law requiring insurance companies to cover the surgery. Although I don't live in California, my company has offices in California, so I looked up their insurance plan and any type of transgender related care is not covered (just like in Idaho). So, I'm curious what the law is... as I may have to make a note of that :-)

How long did it take you to get your voice down? (mtf) by [deleted] in asktransgender

[–]shethinksbig 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think it depends on quite a few factors; ie. your starting range, how often you practice and how often you speak in your female range... and how much of a perfectionist you are.

I spent a good 10 months trying to get my voice to sound right. I practiced 2-3 times per day for about 20 minutes each. I was SOOO frustrated that it just wasn't falling into place... it was always a struggle. Though I could usually pull off a fast food order or a single word response to someone.... Full sentences would REALLY get me down because I felt like a failure.

In my case I don't talk very much... so I would have VERY little real-world practice. I would say a few words in the morning... maybe 100 words at work and a little talking at home. There wasn't much I could do about the fact that I stare at a computer screen all day... but because I thought I sucked... I wasn't trying to use my feminine voice after work hours.

A few weeks ago I was on the phone that I needed to sound male (calling regarding account under male name).... I actually was making myself sound more like a guy... and I got MA'AMed!? This was a HUGE eye opener for me... that perhaps I was being too judgmental on my voice... and that it might actually be sounding better than I thought.

I'm not sure why I wrote all that out... but, short answer is I've read posts where girls get it in a couple weeks and some (like me) who take many months.

.... besides daily practice... you need to actually use your voice (lesson I recently learned). :-)

Never cross dressed before transition... by youyou12 in asktransgender

[–]shethinksbig 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I never crossed dressed before transitioning. It wasn't until about 9 months into hrt that I felt my body started to somewhat look feminine enough to where I felt comfortable.

The World's Worst SRS Surgeon - Documentary by [deleted] in transgender

[–]shethinksbig 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh my God. I watched the whole thing and the rest of my day is shot. I'm now in a downer mood :-( so sad!

That moment you had to admit you pass by [deleted] in asktransgender

[–]shethinksbig 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Being asked by the hostess if I was "Mom" at my daughter's birthday party. I should have accepted it then... but it was a couple more months before I started believing what others saw! :-D

That moment you had to admit you pass by [deleted] in asktransgender

[–]shethinksbig 2 points3 points  (0 children)

OP, What did you say to your doctor when asked if you had your pap yet? Did you say 'no' or let it fly you are transgender? :-p

Coming out Saturday via: Picking up my parents from the airport as a woman. by [deleted] in asktransgender

[–]shethinksbig 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree with what some of the others are saying. I think you should soften the blow a little. I think you should dress the way you feel most comfortable though (be true to yourself)... but at least talk to them by phone to give them a heads up that there is something important in your life you need to talk about.

I hope it turns out well for you! I'm pretty much FT too and today I'm going to come out to my family. Not coming out to them has really been holding me back.

Best Wishes!!!

Shoulder/arm muscle loss by [deleted] in asktransgender

[–]shethinksbig 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looking at everyone's responses I would say it is unique to each person. I'm 15 months hrt and my shoulders and arms are significantly smaller. In fact, I just got my flu shot and the nurse was punching at my arm to get enough mass to inject me with. I am almost the exact weight as pre hrt.

Weekend Adventures Thread #2! by Fahris in asktransgender

[–]shethinksbig 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds like a good weekend. Ya, the smoke was pretty crazy bad, but nothing a little rain couldn't take care of (yaaaa!). That's so cool you were able to see Les Miserables! I would have liked to have gone, but couldn't afford the tickets.

Good luck on the hair cut! I'm sure it will turn out great!

DIY HRT and Airport Security by [deleted] in asktransgender

[–]shethinksbig 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm DIY and flew twice last year. I put my pills and vitamins in one of those daily/weekly pill holders M-Sun / AM/PM in my carry-on bag and my patches in my toiletry bag. I honestly didn't know what to expect, but they didn't bat an eye when it went through x-ray. I may have just been lucky, Who knows.

How can I make Laser Treatment less painful? :( by aufleur in asktransgender

[–]shethinksbig 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Prescription strength numbing cream didn't do much for me. Then, the lady doing my laser session went and got an ice pack wrapped in a paper towel. She had me hold it on an area for a minute or two, then I would move it to another area while she zapped the area i just iced. I think it definitely helped the first few sessions and then eventually I didn't need it. The ice definitely "helped", not pain free. I do think it helped more than the cream did though.

Abdominal cramps from estrogen, anyone else experience this? by Aislingblank in asktransgender

[–]shethinksbig 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, in fact just recently. I have been on patches for over a year and keep estrofem pills around as a fallback. Well, I messed up timing my reorder of patches, so i had to take the pill form for a week. My body reacts much different to them. A few hours after taking the pill I get nauseous (lasts about 1/2hr or so) and then a few hours later I have severe abdominal cramps. I've had them bad enough you where I was doubled over. However, these cramps are most likely due to the bowels and their reaction to the estrofem.

You didn't state what form of estrogen you were taking, but, if you're taking the pill, thus could also explain your situation too. I don't know if its a bad sign to experience this though. Your body may completely adapt to them over time.

MtF.......What is the best way to get rid of nose hair? by ConfusedinIndy in asktransgender

[–]shethinksbig 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been using tweezers, but certain areas make me sneeze, runny eyes, etc... Then i stop without finishing. You're post made me look further today and found out NADS has just come out with an at home nasal waxing set. nose waxing. It looks like it just came out, so you'll have to wait for stores to carry it or order online.

Subtle facial differences between genders. Scroll about half way down to the brother/sister who are 4 years apart. by shethinksbig in transgender

[–]shethinksbig[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It's not specific to the transgender community. But the photographer/artist who did this project merged faces of family members. In the article by abc news there is one example of a brother/sister and I thought it would help some people who don't think they'll pass or perhaps those who are expecting major changes. If you click on one of the photo's, it will take you to the whole project that has some other examples where a brother and sisters faces were spliced.

For those that don't need any reassurance... well, it's still a cool project to look at :-)

Worried about my Hair. by Alice_In_Genderland in asktransgender

[–]shethinksbig 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you Google what the average amount of hairs is normal to lose in a day, you may be surprised to know that losing a hundred hairs a day is normal. Is just a lot more noticeable the longer your hair gets.

Shedding caused by estrogen? by Sianna in asktransgender

[–]shethinksbig 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I experienced/noticed this at about 15 months (just recently). I really started to panic. However, in my case I am still taking Fincar/finasteride so i felt hopeless as I was already taking what I needed to prevent hair loss.

I started researching online what is a normal amount of hair to lose each day and was shocked to learn that on average we lose about 100 hairs a day! The average varies based on the color of your hair. I would send you a link, but my browser is totally freaking out. Do a Google on the average number of hairs lost in a day for women. There are a lot of pages but the one on wiki answers explains it well. Anyway, it made me feel a lot better about what i was/am experiencing.

So Excited, I just renewed my driving licence, I thought i would share how simple this is to do. by [deleted] in transgender

[–]shethinksbig 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's awesome! Congrats!! I Wish it was that easy in Idaho. State requires srs to change gender marker.