side effects

I was tired from the time I woke up this morning. After work, I went home and took a nap and was STILL tired upon awakening. This isn't your normal everyday didn't get enough sleep tired. This is every cell in my body is tired. Usually, I feel awake and refreshed after a nap. But not this time. It should be noted that I ate 3 times today AND downed a protein shake so I seriously doubt it was a blood sugar thing. I have to wonder if perhaps I am low on T already. I get my second shot on Monday.-

I felt buzzed for most of the day. Not that "hey man, don't bogart the bong" buzz but very energetic. In fact, I was sort of climbing the walls, or making those around me want to climb them. The guys have talked about this effect when they started T. I didn't pay much attention to them about this. I thought "ooh energy would be nice but I bet they are exaggerating." They aren't. I just kept thinking, "I gotta work out. I must work out." Feeling so much energy and not being able to channel it effectively is quite frustrating. Unfortunately, work took priority and I had a previous engagement in Federal Way which kept me from being able to blow off some steam.

I blow off steam by getting in shape. I bought a membership to the gym by my work and I am there 3-4 times a week. Couple that with biking or hiking and I am in better shape than I have ever been in my life. I have noticed so much progress in my overall strength since starting to work out that it keeps me highly motivated to keep it up. This is a good thing because one of the less desirable side effects of testosterone therapy is increased weight (probably due to increased appetite). Now, if I am going to weigh heavier, I'd rather it be muscle instead of fat. I want to be in optimal health for my surgery. Heck, I want to be in optimal health for life. I feel so much better and while my body image has improved dramatically since making the decision to transition, it is going through the roof with this new commitment to take care of it.

For the first time since my endo ablation, I was spotting. Normally, this would be no big deal but I am talking close to 4 years with absolutely nothing even resembling such an occurrence. I was also a bit crampy. I'm attributing this to the war being raised between the estrogen and testosterone. Since I know what the outcome is going to be, I'm not too concerned.

It should be noted that I am under active care with a physcian and I told her about these new symptoms. Because I have direct family history with ovarian cancer (my mom had it but survived), my doc has a very low threshold for anything like this that is going on. Because I have lived under constant fear of getting cancer since my mom was diagnosed, I happily agreed to an ultrasound to make sure everything is in proper working order.

My doctor is so concerned about the mental health of her FTM patients and it is kind of cute. As I mentioned earlier, she and her staff are fantastic as far as respect and knowledge goes. But it was almost like she regretted me having to go through a pap smear during my physical. And she kept re-assuring me that I would be in control of the ultrasound because she only likes to refer patients to healthcare providers who are also respectful of trans health needs.

Now, I'd like to be rid of my female parts and that will happen in due time. For now, though, I consider it vitally important to take care of all aspects of my health so I am pretty matter of fact about such medical issues. This female genitalia is still a part of my body and I cannot afford to simply ignore it.