Transitioning questions.

[Anima88]

Hey yall. After years of thinking about it ive decided that i really want to do it. Im sick of having to express myself as male on the outside, when im so completely not on the inside. Ive just come out and my close freinds have been really great about it. Others not so much( family).  Im going shopping for makeup and cloths tomorow with some of my girlfirends. Nails next week. And Nair whenever i can find the time. Eeeeeee!:) I sooooo cant wait.

However i get really burned out and jaded, cause when i look in the mirror, im just a dude in makeup.  Barely passable. Sharp angular features:/ Im learning though. Ive allread gotten pretty good around feminizing workouts.  I really really really want to start on hormones. Did i say really? cause actually im pretty desperate to start them. Its all ive been thinking about for months now. It looks like they do wanders. Though i know they are not some magic pill, that cures all maleness.

I also know.. from lurking, that HRT in the Uk requires a your gp and and gender therapist, with multiple sessions, which can take years. Thing is i dont want to wait years. Im unhappy with my body now. Ive been battling with this decision since i was a child, and just now i have managed to find the courage to show everyone who i really am. This disphoria has held me in this dark place for years, and being able to know this is and what i want makes me incredibly excited, and scared. But mostly excited. Why should i have to prove to a doctor what ive felt about myself for a long long time?

Any advice i could get i would really really appreciate.

[Padma]

It's not necessarily such a dark prospect the UK . Many GPs are very supportive - and if the one you approach isn't, go to another instead. It took less than 2 months from me first talking to my GP (I didn't need to prove myself to her, I just told her what was going on, and she said Okay, I'll refer you) to having the initial psychiatric assessment (which is just to make sure you don't have anything else going on that they could help you with) and get referred to the gender clinic, and I was in there a month later. Yes, you can expect a few months of assessment at the clinic before they'll start you on hormones, though. A lot depends on where you are in the country and which gender clinic you get referred to - I'm near Exeter and am lucky to be going to The Laurels there, they're pretty progressive.

Anyway, don't despair, just begin the process, and while you're waiting for it all to kick in properly, let yourself settle into yourself, have supportive people around you.

[Jayne]

I agree with Padma, it depends what part of the country you are in, she is lucky to be in an area that goes through the motions quickly.
Bristol isn't the same however, I saw my GP early february last year, I had my first psychiatrist appointment either march or april & it then took about 6 months to recieve approval for funding, I had my first appointment at the GIC in London march this year (1 year to get my 1st proper session with a gender therapist),
My next apointment is November so at this rate it will be close to 2 yrs from seeing my GP to starting HRT.


If you have the option then i'd advise moving to Padmas area as they sound on the ball

[Padma]

For what it's worth, I know someone who lives in Bristol who managed to get referred to Exeter because she got her GP to write a letter stating that anxiety prevented her from travelling across London . The Laurels isn't perfect, but they do a good job, they're in the process of expanding due to increased demand, and they are more flexible than (I've heard) Charing X is about stuff like being a woman who doesn't like wearing dresses .

[Jayne]

I've been told that the Bristol Royal Infirmary runs a gender clinic but as it's only one day a month it's almost impossible to get in there so I have to travel to the other side of the country.
Now that i'm in the system i'm reluctant to rock the boat by asking to get transfered elsewhere, the last thing I need is some beaurocratic mistake delaying things further, i'm in a limbo state between being male & female, my life is on hold now & I want to resume living.


I was told by the GIC that Bristols PCT is one of the slowest at granting funding, this is one of the reasons this is taking so long, on the bright side I was told that they hardly ever refuse funding so if someone gets turned down then maybe a move to Bristol would be in order.


I wish this postcode lottery would end in the NHS, it doesn't just effect our community but every patient in the UK has to deal with this.

[Jayne]

Anima88, I wish I could give you some advice but I'm in the category of barely passing myself, I normaly only pass at a distance & have only passed close up a couple of times (I suspect those people should have gone to specsavers).
Unfortunately you're probably going to have to be patient, it's hard I know but as you've had the strength to come out to people then i'm sure you'll have the strength to hang in there, you sound very lucky to have female friends who are comfortable enough with your situation to take you out on a shopping trip, I went out with a couple of female friends for my birthday shopping trip last year & it was one of the best birthdays i've ever had.


Very best wishes
Jayne

[Anima88]

Do yall know the state of the NHS lottery here in Scotland near aberdeen. I hear there is a clinic in edinburgh. Thats like an hours train ride away:) Just hope the waiting list isnt long.

Though this is dominating my thoughts, its not of the top of my to do list.I need to find a jerb and a roomie. Just moved back to the country. How does one go about getting a gp? Do i just show up to a doctors office and ask for an appointment?

[Padma]

Yes, first you have to register with a GP, which means you need proof of address - utility bill/letter or council tax letter or something. That's why it took me a while to get registered, because my bills are included in my rent, so it was a while before I could prove I lived here .

[Jayne]

This site has a link to the new NHS Scotland gender reassignment protocols: http://www.transgenderscotland.org/


I can't access the link on my PS3 to give you a direct link, I hope this helps.


Most GP's in my area are happy to accept a tenancy agreement as proof of address if accompanied by a birth certificate, the last time I had to get a replacement a couple of years ago it cost £7 & took 2 days.
As for the postcode lottery, I havn't a clue, sorry

[Bexi]

Do yall know the state of the NHS lottery here in Scotland near aberdeen. I hear there is a clinic in edinburgh. Thats like an hours train ride away:) Just hope the waiting list isnt long.

Though this is dominating my thoughts, its not of the top of my to do list.I need to find a jerb and a roomie. Just moved back to the country. How does one go about getting a gp? Do i just show up to a doctors office and ask for an appointment?

Hey, Im in Glasgow so you aren't alone  I know the feeling of wanting to get everything going.


Dr Lindsay Myskow is the one in Edinburgh. I heard she's quite good but has a 20 month waiting list in her NHS practice at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary but can work privately, so it may cost you (http://www.medicalternative.com/gender-dysphoria).

The Sandyford GIC in Glasgow (http://www.sandyford.org/do-you-want-information-on-sexual-orientation-or-gender-identity/gender-identity/sandyford-gender-identity-services.aspx) only has an 8 month waiting list. The Megabus from Aberdeen to Glasgow was only £10 last time I was on it, so its not extortionately expensive. 
x

[Bexi]

How does one go about getting a gp? Do i just show up to a doctors office and ask for an appointment?

As Padma and Jayne said, you need a proof of residency and some form of ID.

Regarding the Gender specialists I posted above, you can self-refer yourself to both if you feel you know what you want. All you need to do is give them a call 

Hope this helps
x

[Keroppi]

Just want to emphasis what Bexi said in the last post. You can refer yourself to Glasgow thus skipping the middle man so to speak. You should still register with a GP though. And yes, if you can afford it and don't wan to wait, there's always private.

[Anima88]

Hey thanks for the info everyone. Ive kinda got a plan togeather now.

[Jayne]

Cool beans   


I don't know what plans you have for hair removal but i'd advise you to start saving now, I did read that Scotland may be supplying electrolosys on the NHS but i'm not 100% sure about that.


best wishes


Jayne

[Cindy]

Hi Anima,


I know nothing about the UK, but if you have supportive friends that is so good. Also miracles don't happen overnight. You have to work at them. Each step is a small one and before you know you are running.


Safe Journey Sweetie


Cindy

[Bexi]

I don't know what plans you have for hair removal but i'd advise you to start saving now, I did read that Scotland may be supplying electrolosys on the NHS but i'm not 100% sure about that.

You can get it, but you have to go to the therapist first and they can refer you. Its still a bit hit and miss though, with regards to the availability, the spending power of the PCT and the doctor's consent. I would still factor in the costs of the electrolysis - if you get them its an awesome freebie (and you can add the saved money to your FFS or SRS fund) or if not you already have the costs covered 

x