How to talk to a doctor?

[Jasper]

Het guys, it's been a little while and i need some guidance from y'all, please.

So I really want to start T and I recently got some new insurance that I'm pretty sure will cover part of my costs. My family doctor (GP) is almost four hours away from me and my car will probably literally fall apart on the way there. I don't have a doctor that I go to here. I'd like to just go to one and ask about starting T, but it seems extremely awkward to just walk into a clinic or something and be like "Oh hey. Gimme T please. Kthx."

I won't be able to get home to my family doctor for probably at least 6-8 months because of money and car issues.

I know there aren't any really trans-friendly doctors here that anyone knows of. I've been asking, trust me. And I haven't found a therapist that I can get in with yet. I just want to get the process started, you know? I want to get more local information, if that makes sense.

Where should I go? How do I ask a doctor I don't know about starting T?

[Kreuzfidel]

Unless you've personally spoken to every single doctor in or near your area, you don't know who is trans-friendly.  Just because a doctor has little or no experience with transfolk doesn't mean they won't help you.  My GP has never seen a trans patient but is eager to learn and help me in any way he can.  What I'm saying is that you're limiting your options by not talking to different doctors.  As for what to say, I'd be honest and put it something like you need to begin treatment for your transsexualism and is he/she familiar with the condition or willing to learn and help you.  If not, ask can he/she refer you to someone, preferably locally, who can.

[AndrewL]

I second asking around. As for telling the doctor once you find one, I found it easier to just say it. I scheduled a needed physical and during the initial contact stated I'm transsexual and that I wanted to discuss options for treatment. The doctor I saw said that she had never met someone who's transgendered before but she was willing to learn.

To find a therapist took a bit more work. I started with practitioners covered by my insurance and started cold calling them. I first asked if they had any experience working with transgendered individuals. If/when they said no I asked if they knew someone who did. The person I ended up seeing was recommended to me by one of my cold calls. She didn't have a lot of experience but was easy to talk to and gave me my T letter after one visit since it was obvious that was the only service I needed.

I hope that helps. Good luck. Taking those first steps can be hard. With time though I've found it gets easier. But then I do have a problem with wanting to educate so I don't mind the fact that out of six doctors/surgeons I've worked with since coming out only one has a lot of experience working with trans-guys.

[supremecatoverlord]

You should try to find a trans-friendly (or even pro-trans) doctor.
If not, you may need to have a letter from a therapist before you end up seeing a doctor about testosterone.
Some doctors will outright refuse to treat a person who identifies as trans without this letter.
Unless you are sure you can find someone who is really trans-friendly, because that's the type of area you live in, you might need to see a therapist first  - if you have not already done that, that is.

[anibioman]

you need to find a psychologist and an endo. then get the psychologist to write a letter to your endo saying you have GID and recommending you start HRT.

[wheat thins are delicious]

Get a list of all doctors in the area (aside from specialists that won't really treat trans patients) call them.  Ask the receptionist or whoever answers, "does Dr. X treat transgender patients?"   This will give you a good indicator if they are willing. 

[lilacwoman]

I can't relate to being 4 hours from a doctor but there must be some local doctor who knows the basics of transitioning or should have directory of state medcial services and help.

have to pick up the phone and call around.

[Jasper]

Thanks to everyone who's replied.    guess I'll have to get off my butt and call around then. This being a small community, I'm not sure it'll get me anywhere, but it won't hurt to try.

I guess my problem with that is that my gf's parents don't know I'm trans and we live with them. One of them is basically always home.


But thanks!

[wheat thins are delicious]

Thanks to everyone who's replied.    guess I'll have to get off my butt and call around then. This being a small community, I'm not sure it'll get me anywhere, but it won't hurt to try.

I guess my problem with that is that my gf's parents don't know I'm trans and we live with them. One of them is basically always home.


But thanks!

Don't be so negative about small communities.  You'll be surprised what you find.  I live in a very small town with one doctor's office.  My doctor (who delivered be btw and is a very strong Christian, his exam rooms have things he got on trips to Jerusalem coating the walls) is the one that is handling my transition now. 

Just go outside or walk down the street to make the calls.  Take a pen and paper with you to take notes on.  That's what I do when I need privacy for a call.

[Troy]

You don't necessarily need an endo. I see a doctor in Internal medicine who if she has questions calls a doctor at a clinic in Minneapolis that specializes in Transgender care.


Troy

[kaelais]

This is a great place to find a friendly doctor. I've used it in four different states now and it has not let me down.

http://www.glma.org/index.cfm?nodeid=1