Quote from: Renee Amanda on June 27, 2013, 02:12:03 PM
So a therapist basically helps you down the transformation (that's what I call it, I think it sounds better) and gives advice? Neat!
Yeah... I'm Canadian, but when I begin my transformation, I'm moving to TX, because of social issues, and possible problems here.
When could I get the orchiectomy?
Once I have it, the testosterone stops, right?
Right now, that's all I've got for questions, A. I'm glad to have met you. Your journal, btw, especially the beginning, is EXACTLY what I feel like. Is your family situation better, at least, or did you have to make a new family, as I have?
Oh, and to Jamie D. Yes, I'm planning on relocating early next year, to around the Dallas area (Plano and the like) for work reasons.
If you can, AVOID Texas. At all costs.
1. Texas is world-known for narrow-mindedness and religiousness, isn't it? Here, when you talk about about something politically awful, you generally refer to Texas in a humourous comparison. It's a "red state", and you don't want to be in a "red state". Meanwhile, Canada is generally regarded as a very accepting place with good protection laws. If you think you might have problems here, then be prepared to have a LOT of problems in Texas. Oh yeah, and if I recall well, Texas is the place where the most people carry a firearm in the whole US. Reassuring, eh?
2. In Canada, all medications are very reduced in cost, and genital surgeries are FREE. In the US, many, many, many people are stumped in their transition because surgeries cost a lot. Not to mention you need to pay the full cost of all medications, which can easily become overwhelming. Oh yeah, and if you get sick/break a leg/whatever and need to go to the hospital, you're looking at probably a few hundred thousand dollars in fees. Recently, I saw a picture of an American hospital bill for a woman who gave birth to twins there. 800 000 $.
3. In the US, you're going to be prescribed spironolactone, which is primarily used as a diuretic, if I recall well, for an antiandrogen. It does the job fine, but it's less effective than cyproterone, which is prescribed in the world minus the US. With spiro, many people feel the need to get an orchiectomy, for various reasons, but notably because their testosterone remains too high for what they'd like, or simply because spiro, as a diuretic, makes them pee all the time and it gets on their nerves. None of these problems with cyproterone. My testosterone level is in the VERY LOW range for females with an average dose of cyproterone. Haven't heard that much from many spironolactone users... Which is why if you stay in Canada, an orchiectomy is most likely irrelevant. Especially since you can get SRS for free after just one year of living full-time as a female.
Seriously, unless you're rich with a strong will to escape taxes, there is nothing to gain by moving to the US. ESPECIALLY Texas. Your family is a weird exception in Canada. In Texas, it's not so far from the norm. Move to another city, another province, anything. But seriously, you're shooting your own foot if you move to Texas.
As for my family, eh... Haven't spoken with my father in years, but apart from him, my whole family is fine with it, and my mother is being quite supportive.
And yeah, the therapists helps you down the road, but they also help you before transition by making checks for your own good, etc.
