Terrifying and humiliating experience donating plasma.

[TheAwesomePrussia]

I've considered trying up north. So far my experience has been....discouraging...to say the least. I've been run out of a facility before, and once pulled into a room where the doctor tried to get me to see a mental health specialist for schizophrenia, saying there was no possible way I could be sane if I "thought I was a man"...
I hate the south with a burning passion at this point...

[Arch]

Inkwe, how are you feeling about all of this now? I know that I tend to obsess and replay...still haven't learned how to shut that off, and it seems to just make things worse. How can I forget it if it's always running in my head?

[Hayzer12]

That's crap. My doctor ALWAYS listens to my heart above my shirt AND binder.

[Inkwe Mupkins]

Well, I guess it is what it is. If i donate again I'll get $50, but I can't bring myself to go back. The positive of this was that I faced one of my biggest fears, which was exposing my chest to someone that didn't know about my trans status.

The only way to overcome our fears is to face them head on I guess. I still think it was unnecessary. If i had been going to a doctor to check about a heart condition or chest pain, I could understand having to expose my chest. However, donating plasma doesn't involve my moobs. I'll be so glad once I can afford surgery, then things like this won't matter.

[RagingShadow]

i'm not a big fan of the south's treatment of trans people either -__-
in Southern Comfort (i think)  this older transman who was fully transitioned and dying of ovarian cancer b/c no one would treat him
and Tennesse's no change /super difficult change policy makes me...rather upset...
there's a documentary on that too, it's on Youtube, I forgot what it's called... oh! it's called Transman. just search in youtube Transmen Part 1

I've never heard about hyso issues though, but I haven't done much research.

[justmeinoz]

I have trouble with the idea of being paid to donate. Here the Red Cross give you a cup of tea and a biscuit, or a milkshake.

[Arch]

I have trouble with the idea of being paid to donate. Here the Red Cross give you a cup of tea and a biscuit, or a milkshake.

I don't believe this is the Red Cross or any organization like it. I think he went to a private for-profit company--hence the compensation.  In the U.S., these companies are supposed to be regulated by the FDA, and they do screen donors, much as the blood banks do (actually, it's a bit more involved). But from what I understand, they do not use the blood products for transfusions; the plasma is used by researchers and pharma companies. In fact, lots of blood donation centers are actually OWNED by pharma companies. Thus, the company can make and sell blood-based products for a huge profit with no middleman.

[CosmicJoke]

i hate going to medical people for this reason. really, if i broke my arm right now, i would not want to go to the "family doctor," because he's only one person who's played with my junk before. i don't mean molested, but it was because i wasn't "developing." this all lead to my mom taking me to some "endocrinologist" who also made me strip down, and had said that testosterone shots would make me feel male. btw, i didn't do it, but i hate most MD's for this reason. the only ones i've had a positive experience with were ones who specialized in transgender treatment.
what's more, one of  the nurses for the "family doctor" is annoying as hell. she pushes all my buttons because she's loud and obnoxious, and has to patronize me for being "afraid" of her. i have asperger's, so maybe she's just some bitch who needs to get a life?

[yarblockos]

Ugh. I'm sorry you had to go through that. In fact, just a few weeks ago, I went in for an annual physical (my doctor is aware that I identify as male and am transitioning, as I've been seeing him since I was a baby - he's "old school" and isn't too keen on the idea of surgery and HRT) and he made me pull out my undershirt so he could put the stethoscope against my bare skin and listen to my heart. I mean, what the hell? He's never had to do that before. Anyway, I found it unnecessary and extremely uncomfortable. It's whatever, though - I had top surgery less than a week ago and the dreaded moobs are gone. Next appointment I'll proudly rip off my shirt for him and let him put his stupid stethoscope all over my chest.

[Madison Leigh]

Wow he just sounds like an incredible prick! I've never had to undress to have my lungs & heart listened to. They can listen through a t-shirt.

The Doctor I used to see always reached up my shirt.  The one I see now, she always listens through my shirt.  Of course I haven't seen her since I decided to pursue transitioning; I'm hopeful she's open minded about it as I *really* like her and would hate to have to change Doctor's.

Madison

[aleon515]

I have trouble with the idea of being paid to donate. Here the Red Cross give you a cup of tea and a biscuit, or a milkshake.

Whole blood is a donation and plasma is paid for. It has mostly always been this way.

--Jay Jay