The Hind End of Space

Please help save my kidneys.

pansgrrl:

Hello world! I’m Vikki, and I need your help raising money to pay for my orchiectomy. I am a transgender woman (meaning I suffer from gender dysphoria) and must take spironolactone – a testosterone blocker that is very hard on the liver and kidneys. I have been taking spiro (among other hormones) since November of 2012. Long-term use can cause complete renal failure, and the damage to ones’ liver and kidneys is cumulative.

According to my doctor, my kidneys are showing the first signs of being damaged by the Spironolactone. There are some things I can do to possibly slow down the progression of this, but in reality, renal failure is a major risk we trans women take when beginning hormone therapy. My doctor told me that my current levels would lead to pancreatitis if left unchecked.

Spiro also likes to hang on to potassium. High levels of potassium will cause heart failure. There are some dietary changes I am making which will temper the damage, however my doctor would really like to take me off the spiro all together.

Because spiro blocks testosterone, it is essential to the treatment of gender dysphoria. My dysphoria got much worse when my dose was lowered, and my emotional state was far from stable. However I must stop taking spiro within the next 6 months, or the damage can be irreparable. I asked my doctor for an alternative, and he told me I should get an orchiectomy, or de-transition. The latter is NOT an option.

A lot of people think that transgender related surgeries are elective or cosmetic, this is one that isn’t. It will save my life. I need it before the damage to my kidneys gets worse, and before liver damage begins. While my ultimate goal is full surgical transition, the first step for me must be an orchiectomy (the removal of my testicles) so that I can stop taking this medication which is damaging my kidneys.

Every donation is appreciated more than you realize. Please share this page with everyone, and please donate if you can. No donation is too small.

Thank you all for your support!

— Vikki

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