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thesocklesswonder · 4 months

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Ohio's mental health authority is trying to ban transgender healthcare - esp for people under 21 years of age, BUT they are asking for public input! Hurry, though, as it's only through 5pm local time (US Eastern Standard Time) on January 19th!

Changes to the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services rule, "5122-14-12 | Private Psychiatric Hospital: Program, Specialty Services, and Discharge Planning", are to prohibit any kind of transgender care for those under 21 in a psychiatric hospital. Full document here, but be aware it is to a pdf

The rule includes the text, "Medical services shall not include any of the following: ...the prescribing, administering, or furnishing of any prescription drug or hormone...", which means if someone under 21 enters a private psychiatric hospital and who is already on puberty blockers or hormones, the doctors there would be prohibited from giving them the prescription they already have.

A new proposed rule for the same Ohio department, "5122-26-19 | Gender Transition Care" states the requirements for anyone needing transition care under this department. They are targeting the most vulnerable with these rules: young people who have mental health issues who also need transgender care. Full document here, but be aware it is to a pdf

Included in this rule: A doctor may only provide transgender care after three requirements have been met - a psychiatrist who has experience with the patient's age group must be employed by/contracted with the provider, an endocrinologist who has experience with the age group, and the provider has a comprehensive written plan that includes a detransitioning provision.

It also requires any such patient to have a thorough mental health evaluation and counseling period of at least 6 months prior to any transgender care. It also appears to become part of their medical record.

In addition to a ban on any transition surgeries, even if the patient jumps through all of those hoops, is a curious item that prevents doctors from referring patients out to other doctors that can provide care:

Another thing that made me pause was what seems like a scare tactic:

The terms "orchiectomy" and "penectomy" mean the removal of testicals and penis, respectively. The word "castration" could only be redundant or referring only to chemical castration, which seems to not fit in with gender reassignment surgery (correct me if you know it does fit). "Castration" is a scary word for most people with penises. I think it would likely provoke a knee-jerk response, like, "Oh, no, castration is bad. No castration! Enact these rules to keep people from being castrated!"

⚠️ The time is now to tell the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services what you think about this! ⚠️

The option to comment on these needless restrictions can be found at the link in the first paragraph, but it's just an link that takes you to your email app. You can also just email them directly at [email protected] no later than 5 pm EST on Friday, January 19, 2024.

Please reblog to get this message out! We all have a stake in how rules and laws are enacted. They often lead to more in other states/countries. So, even if you don't have a stake in this personally, please make sure others see it.

Why do I care? I don't live in Ohio, but I have friends all over, including Ohio, who need transgender care. You might know someone like that, too.

#transgender #trans healthcare #ohio #ohio law #lgbtq+#comment #comment period #mental health #transition #transitioning #transgender healthcare ban #ban

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genderqueerdykes · 1 year

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Testosterone HRT Overview, Guide & Information for All People Seeking It

Hello, we're a genderqueer person who's been taking testosterone HRT since 2015. I've also worked in a pharmacy and we've seen a lot of the roadblocks that comes with people trying to start HRT. Nobody really explains how difficult it can be, even when you get your prescription. Because testosterone is a controlled substance in many places, it creates hurdles. There can be a lot going on, and some folks become very disheartened if their T isn't covered by insurance. i get that. We wanted to create a relatively easy to digest and succinct post detailing some common hurdles people have to face on the doctor/prescriber and insurance level, as well as after getting their hormones. *please note that a lot of this information is United States centric as that's where i live, i can't give information for a country i've never lived in, unfortunately.*

The estrogen HRT version of this post is here!

Doctors, Insurance & Getting Your Prescription

If your primary care provider is already familiar and comfortable with prescribing HRT, you can go through them, find an informed consent clinic, or seek an endocrinologist or gender affirming care specialist. Planned Parenthood is a good option for many people. If you don't have insurance, check to see if your area offers medicaid or other low income insurance plans, T can get pricey in some areas, especially for topical. if you can't access insurance please look into services like GoodRx that offer coupons and discounted rates for prescriptions.

Here is a list of informed consent clinics in the US for HRT.

Your provider will ask you some questions about your experience with gender, any dysphoria, why you want to seek medical transition, if you'd like to seek surgeries, assess your mental health, and then screen you for potential health problems or roadblocks. Your liver enzymes will be screened, as will your hormone levels, blood pressure, and some other things. Make sure your doctor knows to note that you are a transgender patient so that your blood tests are not discarded because your gender says "F" instead of "M" on the paperwork.

In some areas it is required to seek treatment with a therapist who specializes in transgender care to make sure this avenue is right for you. Not everywhere requires this step.

Make sure you talk to whoever is prescribing the testosterone to you about insurance, and if they are aware that testosterone is a controlled substance. A controlled substance is a substance that has been restricted by your country's government or governing medical organization and has to be monitored carefully. You need what's called a "prior authorization" from your doctor in order to get your insurance to give you your hormones in most states. Talk to your doctor and pharmacy about prior authorizations for your testosterone and syringes if you need them.

Currently, the only forms of testosterone available for masculinizing HRT are testosterone cypionate (injectable), topical gel, and patches. Topical forms are usually applied daily, injections can be done once or twice a week, or even more or less frequently if a person needs it. There is no pill option available for masculinizing HRT currently.

Do NOT become disheartened if you do not see the effects you want to see right away. It can take several years for the full effects of certain aspects of medical transition to show themselves. Stay patient, talk with your provider, talk to other trans people!

Stay patient, Stay positive!

HRT and Administering Testosterone

When you get a prescription, how things go will depend on if you get your doses administered at the clinic, or if you choose to do them at home. If you are not comfortable self administering, ask if they will at the clinic. many places offer this service.

if you choose to administer at home, if you are using injectable T, note that pharmacies may give you the wrong gauges of needles because they don't often give out needles for HRT. You need two different sizes- a thicker, longer needle for drawing from the vial, as testosterone cypionate is thick. You will generally be given large 18g needle for drawing and a small 22 or 23g needle for injecting. Many people have preferences for different gauges so ymmv. Depending on if you are injecting intramuscularly or subcutaneously the gauge of the needle with vary. Sanitize your injection site and your hands, never using the same needle tips twice for any reason. Never use needles that have touched another surface, and get a sharps container.

Make sure you are injecting in different spots every time you inject. you do not want to inject into the same patches of skin every time, as this can cause tissue damage, tissue death (necrosis), and severe scarring after long periods of time of having to heal but being interrupted over and over again. inject into slightly different spots every time to make sure your skin and muscle tissue can heal.

Here is a guide on safely injecting your own testosterone, including steps on how to prepare your skin for the injection, hold the vial while drawing, change needles, and more.

Another guide for hormone injections.

Make sure to check with your provider to see what type of injection you are meant to do, many do intramuscular injections, but many opt for subcutaneous (just below the skin) injections because they are less painful and require less frequent injections.

If you receive topical testosterone like androgel or other alcohol based testosterone gels, make sure you read the informational packet that comes with it to ensure you are administering it in the correct areas- your exact formulation will need to be applied in a certain area, if you do not have the guide or packet that came with it, please read this page to figure out where you need to apply it. if your topical T isn't working you may be applying it in the wrong place.

When applying topical T, make sure you clean the skin before putting it on, and do not shower or go swimming for 2 - 5 hours after application. make sure you cover the skin with some kind of clothing. You want to make sure it doesn't rub off on other people, as other people can absorb it as well by touching you. Do not ever have someone else apply topical testosterone for you, even if they are also trans, as this can mess with their levels in a bad way.

After starting T you may have to adjust your dose over time to achieve desired effects. if so, you will start on a starter dose and then you can move up to higher doses as your body adjusts. This process is called titration.

No matter HOW tempting it is, NEVER TAKE MORE T THAN YOU ARE PRESCRIBED! It is processed through your liver, which can completely wreck it if you take more than it can handle. Slow and steady wins the race with HRT. If you take too much T at once, your body can also aromatize it, meaning your body will convert it and encourage the production of further estradiol, which will provide unwanted effects. Do not increase your dose without your doctor's advice or knowledge, and do not go any faster than advised.

Effects of Testosterone HRT

Growth and thickening of facial and body hair begins 3 - 6 months after treatment starts and the full effect happens within 3 - 5 years.

Menstruation (periods) stop. This occurs around 2 - 6 months within starting treatment, and is one of the most desired effects.

Voice deepens. The vocal cords thicken, which can cause uncomfortable sensations in the throat for a time, such as a scratchy feeling, dryness, tightness, pressure, and a 'sore' throat that isn't sore in an illness related way. This begins 3 - 6 months after treatment starts, and the full effect happens in 1 - 2 years.

Body fat redistribution begins 3 - 6 months after treatment starts and the full effect happens within 3 - 5 years.

Growth or enlargement of Adam's apple.

Clitoris grows larger, and vaginal lining can thin and become drier. Some experience vaginal atrophy and/or painful levels of dryness, while some maintain a healthy level of vaginal fluids without problem. This begins 3 - 12 months after treatment starts, and the full effect is usually seen within 1 - 2 years, though some experience growth over a long period of time if their dose is low.

Change in body odor and increased sweating occurs within 1 - 3 months of starting treatment.

Muscle mass and strength increase, this will begin within 6 - 12 months and the full effect will be seen within 2 - 5 years.

Possible libido increase, though some report no changes or even the inverse.

Potential but not guaranteed balding or receding hairline, which is treatable, and not seen in everyone.

Potential increase in energy in general, some report an almost antidepressant like effect.

Possible increase in red blood cell production leading to high blood pressure, which is treatable via medications and donating red blood cells when appropriate and safe.

There is not really a guide book to masculinizing HRT and medical transition, most of the information there is is passed along between each of us. We will continue to edit this post as we think of more important information.

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genderkoolaid · 2 years

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I’m a transman who is medically transitioning, which means I’m on hormone therapy and self-inject testosterone every week. With testosterone, I stopped menstruating. It does a lot of other things, too, but my uterus is essentially on pause. There isn’t a lot of research about the long term effects testosterone can have on my uterus because we are just starting to have enough trans people actually reaching geriatric age. So it’s recommended by my endocrinologist, who checks my hormone levels, to see the OBGYN regularly. When I called to make an appointment, they kept asking me the name of the patient because they didn’t believe it was me. My medical records list my gender as male so they didn’t believe I would need to see an OBGYN. The first person I spoke to thought I was trying to prank her, so I had to have my primary doctor set up the appointment for me. When I arrived, once again, I had to explain the appointment was for me and that I’m a transgender man. I explained that I was there for a pap smear and the nurse told me I didn’t know what a pap smear was, and they couldn’t help me. The nurse at the reception desk started loudly misgendering me (calling me “she” and using my birth name) while she called over another nurse to help. I asked her to use the correct pronoun and to call me Jaden. I went to sit and wait and the next thing I know, LAPD is coming in. The nurse had called the police because she felt like I was threatening her. So I left. I felt humiliated, and this kind of experience is so common. I run a support group for trans men and transmasculine people (people assigned female at birth and don’t identify as women and not necessarily as men) called Toolbox TransLA and this kind of experience comes up a lot. I was already concerned about having to out myself as trans by being there. I know she called the police, not even the hospital security, because I’m Black. The second time I made an appointment, I finally got to see the OBGYN. I explained that I had a history of sexual violence and would need a lot of communication during the exam. I asked her to not gender my body parts when we’re talking about them. She didn’t tell me what she was doing before she started the exam. I told her I was having some abdominal cramps and some spotting, which is cause for concern after 3 years of not menstruating. I know how common fibroids are for people of color who are assigned female at birth, at that was my concern as well. She said, “That’s common for black women to experience phantom pain.” I told her I wasn’t a woman and that I don’t think the pain Black women are saying they feel is “phantom.” She apologized and said, “Well you have woman parts. And with most of those women, it ended up being nothing.” I responded that I’m a man so my parts are “man parts.” She didn’t really answer any other questions after that. She told me everything was fine and that I needed to lose weight.

#antiblack transandrophobia #racist transandrophobia #racism #antiblackness #transandrophobia #m.#medical abuse #experiences with transandrophobia

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spiderfreedom · 2 months

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identity disorders and becoming the perfect me

I feel like the big connection between gender dysphoria, 'racial dysphoria', body integrity disorder (wishing to be disabled), body dysmorphia, 'species dysphoria', etc. is all are based on the promise and joy of self-transformation.

Something is wrong with you. The source of this wrong-ness may be internal (e.g. people who report wishing they were amputees as age 10, boys who wish they were girls after cross-dressing at a young age, etc.) or external (beauty culture and the demands to look beautiful, or fatphobia). This sense of alternative identity is deeply felt and almost precious to you.

You have a self-image that doesn't match who you are. The distance between your self-image and you is excruciatingly painful. You are aware of your failure to realize your self-image every day, all the time. However, there are steps you can take to get there. Every step shows you that transformation is possible, and you can become closer to being your 'ideal self.' Much like how putting on makeup brings the joy of being able to change your appearance, doing things like pretending to need crutches or using a packer brings you closer to your self-image.

You fantasize about what you're going to do. You feverishly research cosmetic procedures (am I describing cis people or trans people?). You fantasize about your life after the procedure. You bask in the happiness of knowing that your outer appearance will melt away, and finally other people will be able to see the "real you."

Unless the procedure is completely experimental, it will probably look more or less like the surgeon promises. You've heard that gender affirming surgeries have very high satisfaction rates. Did you know this is also true of breast augmentations? (88% satisfaction per one study.)

For instance, as discussed earlier, breast augmentation is relatively routine with a fairly high satisfaction rate [...] This said, studies do report that patients gain psychological benefits from surgery, for instance in terms of improvements in body image, and that they are mostly happy with surgery [...] Given the small size and small number of these studies, any attempt to make claims about the psychological harms and benefits of surgery on the individuals who engage should be treated with some caution. But undoubtedly some individuals do benefit, and most report satisfaction.

"Decreasing depressive symptomatology, and alleviating their eating disorders," now who wouldn't want that?

Several longitudinal studies on breast augmentation have shown that its impact on women is positive, increasing their psychosocial and sexual well-being and their satisfaction with their breasts and body image, improving their self-esteem, decreasing depressive symptomatology, and alleviating their eating disorders. In short, women have a better quality of life derived from changes in their sexuality, satisfaction with their body image, and personal wellbeing. (Source)

What liposuction, sex reassignment surgeries, and voluntary amputations all have in common are the promises of getting closer to your ideal, imagined self. Your hard work is paying off. It has to pay off.

First, simply engaging in body work evokes feelings of satisfaction, as this is active work on the self and, irrespective of outcome, is virtuous. Second, those who undergo such procedures have invested significant time and effort and commitment, and therefore are likely to report that the engagement is worth it, as the alternative is to suggest that they made a mistake. Because the language of choice (and consent) places the whole responsibility on the individual, those who “chose” to have surgery either have to claim that they feel better, happier, for it, or they have to recognize that they made a bad choice.

And it's hard to turn back when you consider, for example, that surgery is a point of no return. By the time you arrive at the surgeon's door (or the endocrinologist's), you've already made up your mind.

Likewise, studies show that those who have had cosmetic surgery commonly report that they would not have changed their mind, no matter what information had been given to them at the point of consent; implying that at this point had they been alerted to additional risks they would still have gone ahead. For example, Davis’s interviewees reported that more information would not have altered their decision. This suggests that the point of consent is not a point at which people seeking cosmetic surgery are likely to change their mind and consider alternatives (if this is the case, effective intervention needs to be earlier in the decision-making process).

Though gender dysphoria, body integrity disorder, body dysmorphia, and the other identity conditions all have different origins, they all share the same common theme of moving towards a newer, better self, one that is more 'authentic' and more 'you'. Often this self is imagined as more successful and accepted. (When it comes to conforming to beauty and gender expectations, the fantasy may be rooted in a reality.) There is work to be done, and you look forward to doing it. You have the power in the hands to change yourself from the current you, the you you can't stand, to the fantasy you in your head, which must be the real you. You're worth it, aren't you?

All unlinked quotes are from "Perfect Me: Beauty as an Ethical Ideal." Previous posts on the matter include "my suffering is profound and legitimate, yours is frivolous nonsense" (on the relationship between beauty culture and gender dysphoria) and a reblog elaborating on the commonalities between trans-gender and trans-racial identification and dysphoria (more on racial identity here).

#mypost #radical feminism #beauty culture #identity disorder #bookcitation

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doberbutts · 21 days

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Thanks for sharing your story, its so great to hear how well hormones helped you! (Although sorry about how long it took, and the difficulty with top surgery) Im wondering, how does one even ask to see an endocrinologist? Im trying to get my messed up symptoms diagnosed, so i asked if i could get my hormones checked out. But they basically said "no, people only see endos for diabetes and getting pregnant." I know thats bs, so if you know of any magic words or referrals i could try, id appreciate it, thank you

You may want to consider pursuing a second opinion, or finding a doctor willing to dig deeper. People see endocrinologists for all sorts of things, not just pregnancy or diabetes. Any sort of hormonal concern is enough for an endo referral and I'm sorry your doctor is being annoying about it. Your hormones do a lot of the heavy lifting in your body chemically-speaking, and if you have an imbalance anywhere it's usually findable via a blood test that your endo could order. Your regular doctor could order it too, but I'm feeling somewhat doubtful yours will considering the pushback already, and I also feel somewhat doubtful that truthful and accurate doctor interpretation of results would happen with this particular person.

With me it was a bit easier to find a doctor willing to play ball because I have extensive medical history and also you could look at me and see that there had to be an imbalance somewhere because I already had a (fairly sparse) beard and thick body hair and Adam's apple without being on T at all.

If you experience any sort of trouble with your internal or external genitalia, you may be able to get a obgyn (if you have the parts for it) to write the referral if your pcp isn't willing to do so. And if you are an individual who has a penis, I've hears that most doctors are pretty willing to try and figure out penis and testicle problems so you can always try that angle. You may also have to insist, "I know you don't feel an endo is necessary, but for my peace of mind I think I should see one" or something like that.

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wittymanatee · 3 months

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Baby your love shot me in the Head (Literally) [Ghoap] Part 1 of ?

Setting- Task force are doctors and nurses, all of them are close and some are pinning,

Ghost- Dermatologist/Surgeon

Soap-Pediatrician

Gaz-Neurologist

Price And Laswell-Head Chief's

Alejandro-Gastroenterologist

Rudy-Endocrinologist

The rest, they work there but I haven't decided what-

TW-Maybe Main Character Death, Blood, Gun wound, Panic attack

(First writing this long) Don't know how people be writing such amazing story's, so i want to say i envy all you writers out there. <3

"He might not make it from what we were told" Gaz said solemnly by the doors.

~~~~~~~~~♤~~~~~~~~

The ambulance was getting closer, Ghost and Gaz were already waiting by the sliding doors for the patient, who was a male, late 20s, was shot in the head out at a stoplight, but the man still had a pulse when paramedics came.

"A shot to the head surely should have killed on the spot, but the idiots still breathing." Ghost said mutely, voice straight. Ghost would have felt a little bad if the guy died on the table, but people die every day, so he wasn't going to have his hopes up.

Right when both of the men by the sliding doors heard the ambulance, and got into stance, Price, their Chief came running over with a hand towel.

"Price?" Gaz said, both him and Ghost watching Price catch his breath before straightening up and looking at the both of them with a scared face, brows pinched, face pale.

"This patient that's coming in has to go straight to surgery and by no means does his face get revealed, do I make myself clear." Price said strictly. Ghost and Gaz looked at each other in confusion.

"But if the wound is on his face, how are we going to-" Ghost began but was cut off by the ambulance getting there.

Price started to run out and yelled behind him, "I got that covered, just try your best!" Price ran out right when the back of the ambulance back doors open, hopping in. A second later, medics were wheeling the patient out, a towel on his face but a hole where the wound was. Price helped pushed the man into the building where Gaz and Ghost where waiting.

Once in the teams, Price, Gaz, and Ghost brought the man into OR room 141. A nurse there had the place set up for them to begin as quickly as possible. The man was hooked up with tubes, wires and stickers. Another nurses and doctors came to assist.

(Im sorry but i don't know how to describe a surgery well enough so time skip 4 hours later)

Ghost was tired but he wasn't giving up, the man on the table flat lined 2 times already but they were able to get him back each time, but they knew that if he flat lined one more time, there was a chance he wouldn't come back that time. Ghost finally was able to locate the last bullet piece and oh so slowly started to pull it out.

Everyone in the OR held their breath as they watch Ghost oh so slowly pull the last piece of the bullet out the man's head. Everyone was about to let out a breath of relief before the man's heart stop, making the flat line noise. Ghost got to work but pumping his chest again, while Gaz started to close the head wound.

Pushed down once wait a second, push down again repeat, pushed down once wait a second, push down again repeat, pushed down once wait a second, push down again repeat, Ghost repeated in his head waiting for the flat line to beep. He didn't know how long he was at it before Price layed a hand on Ghost shoulder stopping him.

'Ghost, enough...time it" Price said looking down, eyes covered by his bucket hat.

Ghost sighed, feeling pity for the man, before checking his watch. "6:32 Pm". Gaz walked up to Ghost and patted him on the shoulder, both of them tired.

"We did everything we could, the wound was just to fatal." Gaz said.

"By the way-"Ghost began while everyone started to file out the OR, "who was he? we got to call someone or run a test to see what family he's got?" Ghost said turning to looked at Price but finding Price facing the patient on the bed.

Ghost and Gaz looked at each other in worry wondering if Price knew the man, but before they would say anything, Price's hand slowly went up to the towel and slowly removed it...

Revealing-

"...Johnny?"

!!This was inspired by a scene from a doctor show but i dont remember the name! If anyone knows, PLZ tell me the name of the show to give some credit!!

#call of duty #soapghost #ghostsoap #john soap mactavish #simon ghost riley #kyle gaz garrick #alejandro mw2 #no beta we die like 09 soap #PLZ GIVE ME FEEDBK #john price

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alpaca-clouds · 6 months

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Be Kind

Yesterday I had an experience, that reminded me of this. As I already wrote: I spend most of my day yesterday in the hospital, because I am finally going on testosterone for my transition and they wanted to do all those exams that were needed before. Now, I was not announced before yesterday, because the endocrinologist wanted to see me first. But he gave me then a ton of forms to run around at the giant hospital complex to get my checks done. For the most part it was no problem. They could fit me in somewhere. In fact I never waited more than 15 minutes at any given station. With the exception of x-rays. They were crowded. So, I waited for a while, only to be told that they were sorry, but they could not fit me (who was not an emergency) into their schedule. I just shrugged and went: "Alright. Nothing to be done about that. Don't worry." And the nurse looked at me in utter shock. Because, apparently, everyone else that day that had been sent away had thrown a hissy-fit at them. And guess what. Instead of me having to wait like 10 days for the x-rays, they ended up finding an appointment for me today.

Why am I telling you this? Because this is a thing that recently has happened a lot to me. And that looking back has probably happed throughout most of my life.

See, the German state agency workers have often the reputation to be unkind and all-too happy to treat you as badly as possible, for example when you need unemployment or disability benefits. Or when you have to pay taxes. All those things. Yet, for the most part, I rarely ever have encountered one of those unkind workers at the agencies.

I have no doubt that they do exist. But I also think the problem is blown completely out of proportion. I think that for the most part... those people are service workers. And as such they are often treatet unkind - reacting unkind in return. But if you are kind to them, 9 out of 10 will be actually nice to you, too. Many going out of their way to find a solution to whatever problem you might have.

It is why I put in Waymond above. Because it is the same with him. When they have problems with the IRS, he is kind towards Deidre, who then grants them kindness in return. Because it turns out that people are more likely to be kind to people, who themselves are kind and do not look down on them for their often not even chosen but given profession.

I know that interacting with government agencies is frustrating in many regards. Especially in a hyper-bureaucratic country like Germany. Same goes with other stuff. Be it like at the hospital. Be it with the hotline of your phone company because they somehow have booked too much from your bank account. Be it with some other companies.

Always keep on mind: The person you interact with in those scenarios often is not personally responsible for your issues, but works within a system that has been designed to work against both them and you. Chances are good, that they had to deal with at least six Karens today throwing a hissy-fit for some other thing that they were not responsible for.

So... Just be kind. Be it in the knowledge that it will make their day. Or be it for the purely egoistical reason that if you are kind to them, they are more likely to try everything to help you out with whatever problem you have.

#in a world where you can be anything be kind #be kind #kindness #everything everywhere all at once

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troublefemme · 5 months

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How’d you get your nails to grow so long and healthy?

so, sorry in advance, this is gonna be a bit long.

First thing would be to avoid acrylics and other nail extensions that involve filing the nail bed. That fucks up your nails so much, even if your nail tech says it doesn't, it really does, they can become extremely weak. And I'm saying this from personal experience, I've only ever gotten acrylics once and it took me about a year and a half, perhaps more, after that and a lot of patience to get back to where my natural nails were before that. And the only way out once you've done that is cutting and starting from 0.

I think press ons are fine as long as you or your nail tech are really careful with how you do them. I mention this mostly because I understand how frustrating it can be to wait for your nails to grow, so press ons can help with that frustration without messing up your nails in the same way extensions do.

Oiling your nails helps a lot too, I use coconut oil on my nails, but I know jojoba oil is also really good.

The shape is kind of important as well, in my experience square shaped nails are more likely to break, I think it puts more stress on the nails, so I like to go for a nice almond shape as soon as they get long enough to shape.

I'm very careful with my manicuring, I change my nail polish multiple times a week and I can't guarantee mine is the best way to do it, but this is what works for me:

- I always start with removing the nail polish, washing my hands and cleaning my nails and then oiling them all over (and on the back of the nail) for at least 30 minutes before wiping off the oil;

- then I apply a base coat and mine is supposed to help keep the nails strong and help them grow (I don't know how much of that is true, but it works for me). Overall start with a good base coat.

- next is my colour, I apply no less than 3 coats of colour, every single time, no matter how sheer or how pigmented. I also don't use gel varnish, I use one that's a two step kind, so there's the colour -step 1- and the top coat -step 2-, the top coat helps it dry (it dries so quickly!! And stays shiny the whole time). *

- I'd keep your manicuring to 5 to 7 layers, 5 works just fine for me (1 of base coat, 3 of colour, 1 of the top coat). It gives me some security with using my hands (adding a little strength to my nails, because of the amount of layers, so it kind of protects them a bit from impact) and it lasts a decent amount of time. **

Oiling your nails at least once a day. I do it before I go to bed and it helps a bunch because I don't like the feeling of the oil on my skin.

Now, taking a "from the inside to the outside" approach:

if you can, check which vitamins your body might be needing, that might be in the way of your nails growing and making them weak. My body is always low on iron, vitamin d and vitamin c, so I've been adding them to my diet through supplements. If you can't be specific like that (I mostly am, because I have to see my endocrinologist for my diabetes regularly and he always asks for blood tests), there are supplements that are more general for nail and hair growth.

I hate saying this, but my diet has also been significantly better along with exercising, so that might have contributed to it.*** Which is to say:

eat some veggies if you can, drink your water, you know, keep it simple so it doesn't become overwhelming and don't restrict yourself (that can be a slippery slope), baby steps are already good enough.

Oh, also avoid opening things with your nails, like soda cans etc, use a spoon or something like that.

Also, if you can, leave your cuticles alone.

I think that's it and if I remember something else I'll add, sending you so much love ♥️

*this two step situation is slightly pricier than classic/regular polish, but way way way cheaper than nail extensions and even gel. So overall, maybe more steps, but also cheaper and I really enjoy having a "me time" doing my nails and use it as self care, so I think it's fun.

**I don't do my layers too thick, so they don't look weird, just enough to cover the nail.

*** I didn't start exercising and eating better for the nails, I'm just aware that that might have helped.

#femme hands #ask

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x22817 · 2 months

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I love my endocrinologist, and I know how rare it is to have a good doctor you really like and is willing to work for your wellbeing. It took four tries, but I guess four is the magic number?

A rheumatologist is now in order because my endo is concerned about my joint pain and discoloration returning. I shouldn't be having any unless I have something that's undiagnosed the higher dose of prednisone is helping manage. If this turns out to be the case, the rheumatologist will take over managing my prednisone doseages because I will need more than an adrenal support dose. But my endo will still be in charge of my Hashimoto's and my fludrocortisone doses, so I'll still get to see her.

Outside of this, my endo is very impressed with my ability to manage my Addison's and stay out of the hospital. Addison's is such a rare disease that depends on the individual. She admits it is a lot of trial and error for the patient, but not many are as successful with their trials as I am.

Bloodwork for electrolytes, testosterone, DHEA sulfate, and a full thyroid panel has been ordered. I didn't even have to ask for any of it!

I'm getting 1mg prednisone tablets so I can try lowering from the 12.5mg in 1mg doses instead of 2.5mg. Hopefully, slowing down will help reduce the side effects of the taper and make my life easier not having to cut up pills every week. The fludrocortisone is going to stay the same because my salt cravings and water retention have been pretty good lately. The DHEA is the biggest thing in question, but only the bloodwork will determine if I am getting enough of that. We discussed how much it has helped with my mental health and energy levels, but I may need even more than the 30mg I'm already taking.

Side note:

Hekate got an entire corner all to herself during my endocrinologist appointment this morning. I've always worried about her taking up too much space and making too much noise. It's part of my issue of not wanting to be seen or heard myself, and unfortunately, I've let that impact her as well. It really comforted me when one nurse mentioned how quiet she is, then another admiring how well she tucks into the corner behind my chair.

#beans beans the magickal fruit #spoonie #service dog #chronic illness #autoimmune

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