Some observations and questions on HRT and the risk of over-analyzing

[forrest_and_trees]

Is it just me or does anyone else here struggle with constantly analyzing how you feel and adjusting your meds accordingly?

I find it very tricky not to get caught up in how I feel day to day since I never seem to know for certain what that will be. Ever since I began HRT I've made some HUGE progress when I think about how I used to feel. And that's obviously a good thing however, now I find I get concerned every time there's a noticeable change in the way I feel.

For example, I finally joined a gym last month. This is *HUGE* for me since I've felt so crappy for so long that it's been years since I've belonged to a gym or even had a regular workout routine. All was going good, I've been working out 4 days a week and doing some walking on my off days then all of a sudden, for seemingly no reason I felt extremely weak and fatigued. My joints did seem to click a little so I immediately assumed I tanked my E2 and backed off the AI. However, it turned out what I really had was a full blown cold which lasted about a week. I started feeling better so I went back to the gym and now I'm back to my normal workout. [Thank God] But clearly it was not my E2, it was the cold that made me weak and tired.

On another occasion about a month ago, I switched brands of thyroid med, hoping to address some issues that were not responding to medication, and I had a bad reaction. That time too it sure as hell seemed like low E based on the symptoms. Most people on this site even thought it was that; but once I realized it was my thyroid med and stopped taking it, within a day I began feeling better. Clearly E2 levels can't go up that quickly.

Colds and med changes aside, how about those good days when everything is *awesome* and life is good but then just as suddenly, you crash for seemingly no apparent reason. It can be maddening. At times I feel like a junkie, "chasing the dragon" if you know what I mean.

Is it just me, am I over thinking this stuff and becoming some sort of hypochondriac or do most of you struggle with this in some way?

Is it possible to "dial in" that perfect regimen and feel awesome most of the time, rather than on those surprise occasions?

Perhaps as time passes and through more experience I'll be able to better tell what is HRT related vs just normal stuff. Until then, it can a little frustrating at times, just
trying to figure it out.