HRT at long last!

[El]

April 2010- started living "full time"

October 2010- Had my referral sent to Charing Cross

Oct 2010- April 2013 - Waiting, arguing with Charing cross over whether or not a referral had been sent for me, referral sent 5 more times

April 2013 - Received third letter from Charing cross in reply to my GP trying to find out when i would get a first appointment. It basically said "We have never heard of this patient, please arrange for them to see Dr Olive your local gender specialist so he can send a referral" despite the fact that Dr O sent 4 of the 6 referrals already sent.

April 17th - GP and Dr O agree to let me have HRT without dealing with ChX as they keep claiming I dont exist

April 21st - OMG I've been incredibly happy for 4 days, my skin already feels soft like silk! I've gone from deep depression to the happiest I've ever been in less than a week! Yay for magic hormone stickers! (Im on patches rather than pills cos I have a liver disease and patches are easier on the liver)

[Padma]

Very happy for you - dearie me, I hear so many similar horror stories about Charing X, I don't understand why they are so much worse than the other clinics in the country, but they do seem to be running about 50 years behind everyone else. I really hope one day they get a real shake-up, and grow up and start operating as the client-centred service they're supposed to be. Meanwhile, enjoy your hormones .

[bethany]

Congratulations on finally starting HRT!!!  I don't know how you were able to wait so long, but you sure showed your resolve.

Hugs
Bethany

[El]

I would have self medicated by now if it wasn't for the risk to my already damaged liver. Patience was my only real option.

[Padma]

I've been on gel for 15 months now, dermal E is great.

[Henna]

Congratulations El. I know what you mean with feeling happy. I think that's even an understatement. I feel finally alive and happy to be alive after 1 week on hormones.

My grandmother today said, that I seem to be glowing 

[SarahDoll1987]

Very happy for you - dearie me, I hear so many similar horror stories about Charing X, I don't understand why they are so much worse than the other clinics in the country, but they do seem to be running about 50 years behind everyone else. I really hope one day they get a real shake-up, and grow up and start operating as the client-centred service they're supposed to be. Meanwhile, enjoy your hormones .

I've not really had any problems with Charing Cross.. The waiting times seem a bit excessive (Roughly 5 - 6 months between appointments), but the clinicians are great and do a good job. I've been seeing Dr Davies as my lead clinician and Dr Lorimer as the other (For the 2nd opinions) and only have good things to say about both of them! I've heard of people saying that the clinicians at Charing Cross often try asking you difficult questions to test you, but my appointments have been more like: I get there, start talking about a load of rubbish, get asked a few questions about the stuff I've been talking about, then done... I think they mainly just want to know how you've adjusted to life and how you're coping with the changes. I'm glad I got referred to Charing Cross as I've heard nightmare stories about the other GIC's in the UK, with even bigger waiting times and things...

[Bex80]

Congratulations El. Onwards and upwards girl! x

I don't want to hijack your thread so apologies but as you've posted you're GIC experiences at Charing Cross. Has anyone got experience of Leeds or Sheffield GIC's (in the UK) they'd like to share please? Mods please move if you feel this question should be on it's own/another thread.

Thanks.

[El]

I've not really had any problems with Charing Cross.. The waiting times seem a bit excessive (Roughly 5 - 6 months between appointments), but the clinicians are great and do a good job. I've been seeing Dr Davies as my lead clinician and Dr Lorimer as the other (For the 2nd opinions) and only have good things to say about both of them! I've heard of people saying that the clinicians at Charing Cross often try asking you difficult questions to test you, but my appointments have been more like: I get there, start talking about a load of rubbish, get asked a few questions about the stuff I've been talking about, then done... I think they mainly just want to know how you've adjusted to life and how you're coping with the changes. I'm glad I got referred to Charing Cross as I've heard nightmare stories about the other GIC's in the UK, with even bigger waiting times and things...

I've heard nothing but good about the actual standard of care at ChX but my 6 month wait turned into a 30 month wait. Every time my psych sent the referral they claimed not to have received it. In the end I bypassed them.

[FrancisAnn]

El, you look great even without HRT. I'm sure you will improve greatly soon. Love your long hair.

[Padma]

I'm glad to hear that some people have positive experiences of care at Charing X. I assumed they must be doing some good to balance out the bad stories people have told me. Aside from very long waiting times (and loss of correspondence etc.) the main thing I hear is of people whose presentation or gender identity is not Gendernormative Heterosexual Woman/Man being treated very shabbily indeed, and with a lot of prejudice.

[Tammy Hope]

I've been on gel for 15 months now, dermal E is great.

Gel fascinates me but I don't know how to discern the proper dosage in any other format but pills.

I relate to the waiting bit though, mine has been all economics forced. I went full time November 7, 2009 - and took my first proper dose of E in February 11 2013...the wait was torture.

Fixed typo

[Jamie D]

April 2010- started living "full time"

October 2010- Had my referral sent to Charing Cross

Oct 2010- April 2013 - Waiting, arguing with Charing cross over whether or not a referral had been sent for me, referral sent 5 more times

April 2013 - Received third letter from Charing cross in reply to my GP trying to find out when i would get a first appointment. It basically said "We have never heard of this patient, please arrange for them to see Dr Olive your local gender specialist so he can send a referral" despite the fact that Dr O sent 4 of the 6 referrals already sent.

April 17th - GP and Dr O agree to let me have HRT without dealing with ChX as they keep claiming I dont exist

April 21st - OMG I've been incredibly happy for 4 days, my skin already feels soft like silk! I've gone from deep depression to the happiest I've ever been in less than a week! Yay for magic hormone stickers! (Im on patches rather than pills cos I have a liver disease and patches are easier on the liver)

Congratulations!  I was on patches too at one time.

I found a long time ago, whenever I had to deal with a bureaucracy, I sent correspondence by registered mail, so some person had to sign for it.  With that receipt, they always had to admit their error.

[El]

Congratulations!  I was on patches too at one time.

I found a long time ago, whenever I had to deal with a bureaucracy, I sent correspondence by registered mail, so some person had to sign for it.  With that receipt, they always had to admit their error.

Considering how many smart people I must have complained too about this for the last 30 months I'm amazed none of them suggested that xD

Definitely something to bare in mind for the future though!

[Nicole]

I had to wait 2 years because of my age and it was "court ordered". I could start blockers, but the doctors, my mothers and the judge, who I must say was great and knew enough about my case all thought it was for my best.
The day I turned 18 I was able to pick my hormones up.

I know how you must have felt, but you can now rest easy the time will fly by and you'll enjoy the ride and your life.