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Not sure what I should do, try to take the quicker route or the sure fire one?

Started by DeeW, February 10, 2013, 02:33:07 AM

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DeeW

Hi all. I got my license Friday which means I can finally start to go towards HRT. I already have my letter and everything.
At the start of November or December I searched for an endocrinologist for when I got my letter, which didn't take that long.(later on my mom suddenly decided that she would not help me anymore so I had to get my license.) I found a center that lists transgender health and hormone therapy as something they're staff are trained in, and it's also close to me. Perfect, yeh?
But I called and it turns out they take at least a month or two for a first appointment(tried two different times) I don't know if once I get in there for a first time if it will take another month to even get another appointment. (I have a loose knowledge of the exact protocols for hormones, I'm having a hard time getting the information. I assume that they will first take the tests, then determine what my dosage should be if nothing is wrong, prescribe me hormones and show me the how to on my first injection, follow up tests two months later, monitor and so on.)

Time is crunching down on me, along with anxiety and dysphoria which is decidedly getting worse every week. Time is important because I need to pass by the time I go to community college in the fall, I need to change my name, change drivers license, might need to get a new job to pay for it. So two-three more months just to get my first shot? I can't express how much that would piss me off. I'm so tired of waiting because first I had get out of school, watch all my friends go off to college while I had to put it off because I know I couldn't emotionally handle it, then get a job, then I have to wait months at a time between driver tests because my mom saw my dad cry about me and changed her mind.

So I was thinking if it may be quicker to try to find an endocrinologist or a GP that can help me.(maybe? I'm not sure if scheduling would be quicker.) Of course no one advertises that they are also able to treat trans people, it's hit and miss, and there are bound to be rude secretaries.

So opinions? Knowledge also, please?
Should I go to my current GP, explain what I need and see if he can refer me to some one. That's going to be an extra expense...(I don't have insurance)
Or should I be patient and just go with the clinic, with their sliding fees but long wait time.

I'm in such uncharted territory, I'm so ignorant about the little details that matter. I feel like I can't ask my mom because though I've made it clear what my intentions are to do and she has told me that it's my body my choice, I fear she and the rest of my family may freak out and try to stop me if I am close to succeeding. So I'm trying to keep all my cards close to my chest and fake it when things start changing.
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summer710

Why the rush?  I mean, I know you've listed your reasons why you want to be fast-tracked, but really...why the rush?  You've laid out a rather phrenetic post full of angst and anxiety.  Yes, we all have emotions tied to our GID, but I think the 2-3 months 'waiting' time might help you and your mom sort out some emotional issues; it may also benefit you to think about the road you are about to embark on.  I'm sure it's difficult seeing off your friends in college...however, you post that you delayed college because you couldn't handle it emotionally...you're in a world of emotional turmoil right now - I honestly think waiting a few months for HRT would help your emotions settle down; once you're able to think (without being so emotionally charged), you will have a better chance to lay out solid foundations for your future (TG, work, family, etc).

I know it's difficult - I was (also) faced with the cross-roads of jumping headfirst into HRT (without really thinking about what it do to me physically, emotionally, socially, professionally); I also watched my friends jump one year ahead of me (for post-graduate work) since I was also at an emotionally untenable place (and knew I wouldn't be able to deal with the stress of said post-graduate work).  I waited for both, and am happy I did.  Looking back, I can't imagine what would have happened had I jumped for the 'magic pill' and started in my early 20s (yes, the physical changes would have been more dramatic...but the emotional and other aspects...for me, they probably would not have gone too well).  I suggest you wait the few months; I know some of the emotional angst is being driven by this singular need to begin HRT...but that should only be a 'single' aspect of your life...surely you have other aspects of your life to also focus on in the 2-3 month interim to potentially being HRT.  In the meantime...perhaps you can continue to grown in your understanding of HRT, its impact on your body, bloodtests, diet and exercise, etc...heck, I don't know - find a new hobby in your downtime (that's what I did).

Your self-imposed timeline to pass by the time you begin CC - why is it so undesirable to start with androgyny and transition while in CC?  Unless you're already so class to passing that a few months of monitored HRT will push you over the edge...I've not met many people whose HRT effects were so drastic that they went from unpassable to passable in a few short months (with the exception that they were already semi-passable or androgynous without HRT...and even then, it wasn't the HRT that made them passable, it was their 'aura' and overall presentation that made them passable).  Name change, driver's license...maybe someone else can chime in on those. 

And finally (!) - if you do end up scheduling your own appt. with a GP or other physician, please don't walk in their with your letter and demand you receive hormone therapy, or dismiss their medical knowledge if they refuse to prescribe HRT.  Maybe prescribing HRT to the TG community just isn't within their scope of comfort, interest, or knowledge base.  And honestly - the wait times you list for your TG center are actually not bad (in my experience).  My suggestion - just stick it out the few months until you can get into the TG center (plus, they should be more knowledgeable and a better resource for you during the period of your transition).

Just my 2 cents...good luck
You have suffered enough and warred with yourself - It's time that you won.
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Tessa James

Dear DeeW,

Summer was very comprehensive in her excellent reply.  I just want to encourage you to relax and reduce your stress levels as much as possible.  You're going to need that energy and it really does get better.  I still get impatient but, genuinely feeling those significant changes begins between your ears not your legs for many of us.  I pushed myself to make disclosures in some arenas to ensure I would not backslide in to the closet.  You have so much to look forward to!  College is typically a venue where people of the rainbow are your faculty, staff and fellow students.  Susan's Place is a great resource for understanding other people's experience.  Hang on.
Open, out and evolving queer trans person forever with HRT support since March 13, 2013
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