Social work & injection question.

[RenM]

Hey guys!

I know I don't often post here but I had a question that's been riding on my brain for a bit.
After some self discoveries, I'm torn between taking the money path of working at a resort and chasing a major in that area; or doing something more fulfilling and becoming a social worker type and taking strides to start help/support groups here in my area for transgender individuals, since the nearest one is a three hour drive on a good day.

Here's what's stopping me thus far:
Can I even TRY to get into human services work being a transman?
I don't have my name changed yet and no top surgery but I pass as male (even with my hair being shaggy crazy right now) almost all the time.
I've been on T for just at 8 months now, but sadly for me, because FL law has changed I've had to alter my means of buying my vial and now have to use those small, single dose vials that are a paaaaain.
I've also noticed that it's harder for me to push the needle in? I've been working out some (and I can slightly see/feel my muscles changing) but is this common?

Anyway, should I just go for my major in social services and worry about all the legal crap later?
My worry is that A) I will be flagged because of my name change and B) when I am drug tested, my T shots could show up funny?

Maybe I'm just paranoid but some advice would be great.

[spacerace]

A name change will probably come up and require some sort of base explanation at any job with a background check, social work or resort management. Resort employees can handle cash and are around customers a lot, so some companies background check everyone. when social work is done by the government or a private company - it seems likely they will background check you as well, as you will see sensitive personal information about the people you are helping.

as for drug tests...if T even shows on those, which it may for some bizarre reason, you would just have to show the prescription I think. You might have to explain you're on T, but not why or for what, and hopefully only to the testing people.

above is only my opinion, by the way, no actual experience working in either field

[nickm1492]

I live in Florida too. And I know for a fact, the people aren't always the most accepting. It really depends on where you live and other factors. However, no matter what career you look for, as the person above me has stated, you WILL have to go through some sort of background check most of the time. And it's not like you're pushing drugs into your body without a medical reason or without permission from a doctor. You aren't doing anything illegal. So before you take any drug test, you should explain that. And let's say you don't work for the government as a social worker, other jobs too require drug testing.
There is no way that EVERYONE would refuse to hire you because you're trans. If it really worries you, try applying in areas where you know people will be more accepting/tolerant. I hear that Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, Orlando, and I believe Key West are great areas for the LGBT community. Think about it this way, if they don't hire you because of who you are, then maybe you never wanted to work for them in the first place. They did you a favor.

I'm getting my degree in Criminal Justice. I considered Social Work as well but for various reasons I have decided to just stick to CJ. I'm hoping to get a job in probation/parole which is pretty much social work but for criminals. Don't let being trans get in the way of your dreams.  If you do, you are letting the ignorant win. Be proud of who you are.

Oh and on a side note, how did Florida laws change? I haven't started T yet but you said something about that. If you could explain what happened I'd really appreciate it

[RenM]

Hey guys!
Thank you for the swift replies.

Nick,
My pharmacist informed me that about 2-3 months ago, the law on controlled substance prescription drugs changed. Unfortunately, T falls under that label. Apparently now you can only get a 30 days supply worth of any script that is renewed by calling in to the doctors office (which, as far as I know, is every script). I asked him what I could do because buying 30 days at a time instead of my large 2 1/2 month vial at once will cost me more money.
He told me the only way they can legally over ride it is if I have the new prescription written from the doctor for a larger vial (mine is currently listed as 10cc, which is 76 shots total. He wants me to ask for 12cc which is 84 so he can give me my larger vials), and this prescription has to be delivered directly to them- no call in, no faxing. They actually have to have the legal paper. It can either be through me handing it over or directly from the doctors office via mail.

Honestly, it's a pain in the ASS because the new assistant at my doctors office refuses to return my calls asking if I need to schedule a appointment (that is a 5-6 month waiting period for my doctor, minimum.), or if he can simply fill out a new script at the request of myself and my pharmacist to override the restriction law, and driving all the way out to my doctors is more of a pain because the only qualified endo is a good quarter tank of gas away from where I live. -.0; 

[nickm1492]

Wow, that is crazy...Ugh. Is the only way to get T from an Endo? I think I have seen cases where an Endo isn't the only one you can get it from. I had to go to one once. I really didn't like him but whatever.

[wheat thins are delicious]

Hey guys!
Thank you for the swift replies.

Nick,
My pharmacist informed me that about 2-3 months ago, the law on controlled substance prescription drugs changed. Unfortunately, T falls under that label. Apparently now you can only get a 30 days supply worth of any script that is renewed by calling in to the doctors office (which, as far as I know, is every script). I asked him what I could do because buying 30 days at a time instead of my large 2 1/2 month vial at once will cost me more money.
He told me the only way they can legally over ride it is if I have the new prescription written from the doctor for a larger vial (mine is currently listed as 10cc, which is 76 shots total. He wants me to ask for 12cc which is 84 so he can give me my larger vials), and this prescription has to be delivered directly to them- no call in, no faxing. They actually have to have the legal paper. It can either be through me handing it over or directly from the doctors office via mail.

Honestly, it's a pain in the ASS because the new assistant at my doctors office refuses to return my calls asking if I need to schedule a appointment (that is a 5-6 month waiting period for my doctor, minimum.), or if he can simply fill out a new script at the request of myself and my pharmacist to override the restriction law, and driving all the way out to my doctors is more of a pain because the only qualified endo is a good quarter tank of gas away from where I live. -.0;

That's odd but I wonder why that doesn't apply to mail order pharmacies, because the pharmacy I buy my T from is in Florida. 

Also you could go through a mail order pharmacy in another state and I think that would get over the law.

[RenM]

I'm not sure.
It might be because of my insurance or the fact that, because of the company I work for, I get an in-store discount and have to pay only my co-pay.
Which basically means I pay 12 dollars for a month supply or 30 for a 2 1/2 month supply if I recall right.
The way I figure it, it will only be a few dollars difference max but still...Apparently if I got for the 12 cc dosage, I will get more for my money.

[Adio]

I'm not sure.
It might be because of my insurance or the fact that, because of the company I work for, I get an in-store discount and have to pay only my co-pay.
Which basically means I pay 12 dollars for a month supply or 30 for a 2 1/2 month supply if I recall right.
The way I figure it, it will only be a few dollars difference max but still...Apparently if I got for the 12 cc dosage, I will get more for my money.

With mail order pharmacy I use (out of OR), it's $60 for about a 5 month supply (depending on dosage).  So that's roughly the same as your co-pay.  Might be worth looking into getting your T that way.

[RenM]

My only problem with anything mail here is that my apartment complex's mail is usually picked up by my roomies, who I never officially came out to.
One of their girlfriends know and she's 100% supportive, so I imagine they heard from her and/or read my facebook post.
However, I'm still very um...weird about getting mail in my 'legal' name. It just makes me feel so weird and I guess almost dirty.

Thus, why I stick two just two of the same techs at the pharmacy who refer to me properly.

[Adio]

That's understandable.  I'm pretty though that the package wouldn't be obvious about what was inside.  And I received my packages in my preferred name before I changed it legally.  The customer service at Strohecker's is awesome as they have a large volume of trans men who get their T from them. 

But if your pharmacy treats you right, then it's certainly alright to stick with them.  Just have to take a look at the pros and cons.

[Liam K]

I'm in school for my masters in social work, and while obviously acceptance and whatnot is going to vary by region, circumstance, etc., I'd say that on the whole social work is a fairly accepting field to be in.  Especially if you're wanting to do work within the LGBT community.  I mean, it's all about social justice and stuff, at least in its ideal form.  I've never been drug tested, though I know that some agencies do drug tests.  But testosterone is not going to show up on a drug test, unless you're like way out of the normal range, in which case you have bigger problems.  And nobody's ever had a problem with the fact that I've changed my name; in fact, nobody's even ever brought it up.  So if you're interested in social work, go for it.