I lost 5 or $600 in the first few months of playing on-line in 2004. I didn't play live. The next year I won a couple thousand $$. One of the first win's was $11 PL Hold-em, 373 entrants for $932. I think there was a $3. NL Hold-em win for $1100. After a few months warm-up, I was hot!
That answers your question, but the story wouldn't be complete without adding that aside from a few cashes in 05 and 06, I've lost almost all of my winnings. Cash games are part of the reason, I suck at them, but I'm still trying to figure out what's wrong with my MTT stratagy. That's why I'm here, lol. After about a year off from playing for money on-line, I'm back at it again. Not quite as obsessed this time.
Good Luck,
Tom