seriously contemplating self-medicating hormones

[Erin H]

Im really thinking about it. I really don't know what to do
My like doctor person said i can be on anti-androgen's in about 3 weeks maybe a month so that's ok, but oestrogen may take 3 months or longer

he said i could wait between 3 and 6 months with my legal name change and everything and then get oestrogen  or pay for 6 counselling sessions to speed it up, but that will cost a lot like probs about £1000.
I could do the longer one but self-med at the same time and it would be cheaper :/

IT NOT FAIR !!!!!!  i don't even need counselling and the only reason i cant have it now is because i don't have some stupid deed poll to prove my name change URGH

What do you think ?

a very angry Salisha x x

[madirocks]

I wouldn't chance it, it could make things worse for you in the long run. A big concern being your health.

Be patient.

~hugs~

[Bird]

I advise self-medicating only if you really know what you are doing and you have no choice.

For me it sounds like you have the change of geting into HRT while waiting a few months. I do self-medicate, but I am nearly graduated in medicine and there is zero chance I could find a doctor to help me. Things are tougher for TGs in certain countries.

[flux_capacitor]

If I had some doctor/therapist telling me to wait (if I understand the situation right?), I'd contemplate the same thing (and I am, although my limitations are different in nature).  Honestly though it's probably better for you to wait.  A few months is nothing compared to the payout and I'm thinking you'll do better with actual prescribed hormones rather than self-medicating.  It's your choice though.  If you do self-medicate, tell me how it goes!

-Annetta


Edited for language

[V M]

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,2.0.html


8. The discussion of hormone replacement therapy(HRT) and it's medications are permitted, with the following limitations:

A. Advocating for or against a specific medication or combinations of medications for personal gain is strictly prohibited.
B. Discussing the means to acquire HRT medications without a prescription, and self medication without a doctors care is prohibited.
C. Discussing dosages is strongly discouraged to prevent information obtained on this site from being used to self medicate.

We can not in good conscience condone the self administering of these medications. Not only may self medication be illegal, but HRT medications can cause serious health problems, and many have the potential for life-threatening side effects that can only be detected and prevented with proper medical supervision.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think you should try to be patient    While you're waiting, maybe look over the Site Terms of Service and rules to live by

[BillieTex]

the best and safest way is to stick with the doctor's guidelines, there is no rush and they take it slow for a reason - if you do go it alone your really are alone -

[JungianZoe]

Remember too that the real enemy here is testosterone.  Getting on an anti-androgen right away will at least stop T's negative effects on your body while you wait out the time for estrogen.  And if you're going through a regimented national health system, you don't want to jeopardize your chances of being a prime candidate for further treatment!

I know it's tough to hear this right now, but some day you will be able to look back and smile because you made it.   Take the several months to prepare as much as possible for the life ahead of you.

[Princess of Hearts]

I am disappointed with the replies in this thread.

[Whitney]

I am disappointed with the replies in this thread.

That's incredibly ambiguous of you. 


As far as self medicating, don't do it. Hormones are ridiculous in the strength of their effect on your bodies chemistry and basic function. Furthermore they can have catastrophic side effects that require regular monitoring. For instance, Estradiol can cause blood clots, which can lead to death, a rather undesirable outcome of HRT. Oh, and you'll end up paying way way WAY to much money for them. Right now I pay a grand total of $14 for my months dose of Estradiol and Spiro. That's with insurance mind you, it would be about $40-50 without any coverage at Costco. However, I also live on the west coast. On the east coast I was paying a grand total of $8 without insurance at my local Wegmans, some how they have a special prescription deal with the pharmaceutical companies for generics. This is, of course, all inside the States. As I understand things are much less expensive over seas. A girl I knew from uni was paying $300~ month to self medicate, if that gives you any idea of the silliness.

[Rebekah with a K-A-H]

I am disappointed with the replies in this thread.

Honestly?  In a sense, I am too.  I realize that there is a reason medical professions have the jobs they do, but with so many unwilling to prescribe hormones (I have to travel two hours to my doctor for six-month blood tests, and I live in a 2-million-inhabitant metropolis), it's often impractically difficult to obtain official sanction to take them.

I didn't need a doctor to tell me I was suffering from GID, and that hormones were the solution.

For many, it's more affordable to move straight to medication, as well: doctors aren't cheap.  Hormones, if you read up a little bit, aren't dangerous to self-administer, and it can only help one's case if one is later fully transitioned, seeking a prescription, such to the point where the normally requisite therapy would be unnecessary.

My advice?  If you feel you need them for your continued well-being, and no one is about to prescribe them, get them.

[kelly_aus]

Honestly?  In a sense, I am too.  I realize that there is a reason medical professions have the jobs they do, but with so many unwilling to prescribe hormones (I have to travel two hours to my doctor for six-month blood tests, and I live in a 2-million-inhabitant metropolis), it's often impractically difficult to obtain official sanction to take them.

I didn't need a doctor to tell me I was suffering from GID, and that hormones were the solution.

For many, it's more affordable to move straight to medication, as well: doctors aren't cheap.  Hormones, if you read up a little bit, aren't dangerous to self-administer, and it can only help one's case if one is later fully transitioned, seeking a prescription, such to the point where the normally requisite therapy would be unnecessary.

My advice?  If you feel you need them for your continued well-being, and no one is about to prescribe them, get them.

Unless you are able to arrange regular blood work, both to check levels and LFT's, and you can read and understand the results don't do it.. You'll have no idea of your levels, and so will be inclined to go for a larger dose.. This larger dose may not be needed, but you'll only know if you can see the levels.. Theses are also the main reasons for the blood work..

[VeronikaFTH]

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,2.0.html


8. The discussion of hormone replacement therapy(HRT) and it's medications are permitted, with the following limitations:

A. Advocating for or against a specific medication or combinations of medications for personal gain is strictly prohibited.
B. Discussing the means to acquire HRT medications without a prescription, and self medication without a doctors care is prohibited.
C. Discussing dosages is strongly discouraged to prevent information obtained on this site from being used to self medicate.

We can not in good conscience condone the self administering of these medications. Not only may self medication be illegal, but HRT medications can cause serious health problems, and many have the potential for life-threatening side effects that can only be detected and prevented with proper medical supervision.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think you should try to be patient    While you're waiting, maybe look over the Site Terms of Service and rules to live by

Yes we all know talking about those things is verboten. We don't need to talk about them, anyone who can punch letters into a Google search box can get all that information, it's not hard to find.

As far as it being illegal, there are a lot of things that are illegal, but that doesn't necessarily make them wrong. And there are quite a few things that are legal, but that doesn't necessarily make them right. Not everything is black and white. Laws should only be followed if it makes sense to do so. I don't feel guilty one bit for breaking bad laws.

I don't personally have anything against self medicating if you have no other choice. I don't condone it, but I think in some cases it may be necessary. If I lived in a place where I couldn't get them legally, I'd get them illegally. if I lived in a place where I couldn't find anyone to treat me, I'd treat myself. But only as a last resort.

And for the love of Bob, you can't overdo it. More is not necessarily better.... do it as safely as possible.. 

For those of you who don't like my point of view on self medicating, I'd like to point out that what I've just said doesn't violate any of the rules that VM just posted. And I don't think anyone should do it if they have access to medical professionals who are willing to treat them. But given the choice of a miserable, suicidal existence, or getting the hormones that I NEED illegally... I'd choose the latter.

Im really thinking about it. I really don't know what to do
My like doctor person said i can be on anti-androgen's in about 3 weeks maybe a month so that's ok, but oestrogen may take 3 months or longer

he said i could wait between 3 and 6 months with my legal name change and everything and then get oestrogen  or pay for 6 counselling sessions to speed it up, but that will cost a lot like probs about £1000.
I could do the longer one but self-med at the same time and it would be cheaper :/

IT NOT FAIR !!!!!!  i don't even need counselling and the only reason i cant have it now is because i don't have some stupid deed poll to prove my name change URGH

What do you think ?

a very angry Salisha x x

in your case, you have a doctor willing to treat you. You might just want to start on the anti-androgens now and wait it out. Much safer that way, and cheaper if it's going to be covered by insurance...  or since you posted a monetary figure in pounds, I'm assuming you're in the UK... and all transition-related care is covered by the NHS isn't it?

I know it feels like you need hormones NOW NOW NOW, but honestly you'll get them soon enough... start the anti-androgens (which will likely make you feel a lot better right away), concentrate on other things like hair removal (if you need it) and other transition related things, and before you know it you'll have your hormones. Trust me, I felt the same way... but soon enough you'll look back and realize you've been on hormones a year, two years, five years, ten years, and that few months you had to wait for them is insignificant. A few months is NOTHING... a blink of an eye in the greater scheme of things.. If you stay busy the time will pass so fast, you'll wonder where it went.

[Bird]

What veronika said.

I will state again, I self-medicate because I CANT find a doctor to help me. No psychiatrist to referall me even. I found a online gender therapist, but guess what, even though she is a WPATH member, the doctors here in Brazil refuse to regonize her referall. Why? The gender therapist profession doesn't exists in Brazil.  In addition, this countries laws are so weird that even though I can't get a prescription, I can buy the hormones legally without one.

So, it is the stone age here. There are a few specialized medical services that prescribe HRT and do the follow up of patients up to GRS but for research purposes only. That means I'd have to follow their guidelines and if things wen't wrong, I'd have no reassurance.

So, self-medding is not bad for me, it is good. It is the only way, and know what, since I went full time I have not looked back.

[Jennifer]

For those of you who are self medicating, do you get your levels checked? What tests do you ask for and how much does that cost?

Thanks,
Jennifer

[versuchsanordnung]

I am self medicating on a low dosage because where i live it is almost impossible to aquire a script for hrt without 50hs of psychotherapy and 1 year rlt- yes without hormones. It stabilised me a great deal, took the edge off my depression, something no antidepressant i have been on over the years could ever do. And it takes a great deal of pressure out of the system. So, works for me.
However, if i lived somewhere where i just have to wait 1 to three months with no more hassle and hoops to jump through, self medicating would not even cross my mind. It is imho simply not necessary.
Just my 0.02€.

[versuchsanordnung]

For those of you who are self medicating, do you get your levels checked? What tests do you ask for and how much does that cost?

Thanks,
Jennifer

i plan to do so this week. I'll ask for liver enzymes and t-levels. Should be covered by my insurance. Yes, thats my country. Therapeutic stone age, leading personell of nazi killing facilities teaching psychiatry and serving as expert witnesses up to the late eighties, but good coverage.

[ZeldaHeart]

So sorry about the doctor making you wait so long.  Right now, I'm sure it must feel like a lifetime away.  Very soon after my 14th birthday, I ordered anti-androgens online and took them for about a year.  However, my parents figured out about the anti-androgens and made sure I never received any more money from them.  They took me to a few therapists and the therapists made me wait until I was 17 to start taking anti-androgens.  It truly did feel like hell on earth for those years.  Then they made me wait another year to start estrogen after that.

Since you do have a willing doctor, it seems like the best option to wait, you know?  It's nice that you are going to get what you need, but it's hard to be patient when you're so close that you can taste the delicious taste of victory!  You are done puberty, right?  I hope you are!  Because, if not, then it's truly a moral dilemma about what to do with self-medicating and puberty and stuff.  Best of luck to you.  Stay strong.

[MarinaM]

I felt relatively the same way, once. Your doctor seems to be willing to work with you, at least. Do not take this for granted (this is one of the people who may write you a letter for surgery). Show them that you take your health seriously and try to follow their advice. HRT is different for everyone, unique for each individual, and produces different results in every case.

Drugs flown in from elsewhere are not to be trusted.

edit: do they write letters for surgery in the UK?

[Stephe]

My advice, get on the anti androgens and wait it out. If you're like me just getting on spiro (or whatever you get) made me a different person and in a GOOD way.

[Adabelle]

I too would take the AA's. These alone made a pretty significant change in my body over time (I took them for about a year before estrogen). Many doctors will want to put you on AA's first and then start estrogen later anyway.

Three months is nothing, if you have the AA's you'll be in a very good spot biologically to start estrogen I'd think. It's not worth the risk to self-medicate and then turn a potentially friendly doctor against you. Unfortunately in this world it's much harder down the road if you don't have a doctor on your side (but people do do it, I just think if you have this path you should consider working with this doctor. I would, and I did.)