I got my first shot of T yesterday: April 2, 2008
I visited with my family doctor in the morning and we reviewed the recent blood test results and report from the endocrinologist, which were normal. She asked when I wanted to start. My response: TODAY! So, she gave me a prescription for a 10ml vial of Depo-Testosterone (cypionate) in oil (100 mg per ml).
I immediately left for town to pick up the goods at the Wal-Mart pharmacy (cost: $28.01 + $7.98 fee = $35.99). I would like to learn how to do this myself, but for now I’ll get the shots—50mg to start—at the office.
I didn’t really feel anything with the injection, just a very small pin prick. Immediately however, I felt something different coursing through my system, like an adrenaline rush after I get stung by a wasp. I also noticed a different taste in my mouth within a few minutes.
I went for a my daily hike to the beach with my dog afterwards and noted I felt a distinct sense of calm. For many months now, my daily walk has been the theatre for my T thoughts—the hike has provided the time and focus to contemplate testosterone and what it would/will mean to me. On this day though, I was free from all of that. What I had been thinking about for months had come to fruition. Now the real adventure starts!
That evening, I hiked out to a quiet place on my land with my dog and cat, and we planted a Mac/Spartan apple tree to commemorate the day.
Gender Outlaw 
Wow! Congratulations! 😀
Congratulations! Having forgotten a lot of the early experiences, (which would be the reason I documented them) I’m interested to see what you’ll go through; and how similar or not your perceptions will be to mine.
Get used to the adrenaline rush! It never ceases. Go on a couple long bike rides or test your physical endurance in a couple weeks — you might find as I did that even when you’re about to drop from exhaustion, you can pause for 30 seconds, and then merely keep going as if a second, third, and fourth reserve of energy kicks in.
Congratulations!
Thanks!!! I’ve already noticed some minor changes… the skin on my hands for instance is quite different. It’s drier and rougher, and there are lines coming out on them that I had never noticed before. My GF noticed an area on my back that also feels rougher.
I’m really looking forward to the extra endurance. I like to push myself physically, and tending a piece of land takes a lot of physical work. I get the sense that I’m going to get quite a bit more work done around the property.
Of course, with surgery coming up in just over three weeks, I will need to take a break, which won’t be easy! I’m not very good at relaxing.
Woohoo! Congrats!!!!! Thanks for sharing how your day went. What a major life change, eh? And certainly something to mark.
I’m looking forward to writing a similar post in a couple of months (got my letter yesterday and an endo appointment next week).
Right on, Jacky! I look forward to comparing notes with you.
how old do u have to be to start?
I wanted to say hi, and thank you for sharing this experience. For me. I’m here as a good friend of mine is going for his first jab with T in a few weeks time. I came here to learn and understand more about this. I’m just so ignorant about all of this. I look forward in reading your articles. I must say the pics of yourself after two years of taking the drug are amazing.
You’re a very good friend to seek out information!! Personally, I remember thinking that my physical changes happened slowly, and that was frustrating for a while. I went through a seriously awkward phase! But you can see a pretty big shift in my photos after I had a hysterectomy, in that second year. I’ll be posting 5 year photos in a couple of months. Time flies!
My boyfriend has told me I’ve been way calmer since i started t. I agree. I’ve been in a rage my whole life, and even top surgery only lessened it. But since starting t a few months ago, things that used to enrage me just make me say “whatever”. My experience is a nice counter point to the cliche of “t makes you aggressive”.