Anyone in philly?

[MugwortPsychonaut]

also anyone who thinks we wont have anything to talk about, i can talk about anything if im comfortable enough. :p

Alright, tell me about electoral reform and its effect on foreign policy!

[Emo]

I think it should be popular vote. Not electoral. And... Wait.. Youre joking, arent you...

[Embrace]

Rescinded.

[Emo]

So i can get care without having lived in philly?
How was your process?

[Embrace]

Absolutely, in fact I came in from MD.  My other option was Baltimore, but I opted for Philly as it's closer to where I work.

I simply called and made an appointment, telling them that I was interested in starting HRT.  I was lucky in that there was a cancellation that had just occurred and I got in later that week (which I've since learned was a miracle).

I met with a PA, discussed my situation and he ordered blood tests (the lab is on site).  He had me set an appointment to come back in a month.

A few days later the blood tests came back and using the online portal I got to see all of the details along with a note indicating that everything looked good enough to proceed.

So when I returned in a month I met with an intake person then with the PA again, then filled my prescriptions at the attached Walgreens and that was it.  Beyond that I go back every four months or so for blood tests to make sure everything is ok.

One piece of advice- the place is particularly busy so I'd strongly suggest including ample time for your commute or you'll risk losing your appointment.  They're pretty strict on lateness; twice I've seen them having to turn people away who had been running late, and the waiting room seems to nearly always be full (at least when I've gone).

[Emo]

That seems much easier than i thought it would be.

Wait.. Theres one in baltimore?

[Joanna Dark]

It took me exactly one week from sending a message to going to Mazoni. But I was self medding and told them so they saw me with a quickness. It cost me nothing though they keep emailing me about the $25. That is the cost of each visit which includes bloodwork. But you dont have to pay until you can. What you will have to pay for are hormones. It costs $18.36 for a one month supply of a rather high dose of E and $46 for a 90 day supply of the normal dose of Spiro.

I went to one group, Evolutions, at 12 and Market. Or something like that. Mt BF thinks I need more friends and should stop being his shadow (which I get he is only trying to help) but at that group there were two people but it was Halloween. I might go this week. But I made a new friend that I go shopping and hang with nightly so...yeah.

But if you come to Philly I'd love to met you Emo. We could go SHOPPING!

[Emo]

It took me exactly one week from sending a message to going to Mazoni. But I was self medding and told them so they saw me with a quickness. It cost me nothing though they keep emailing me about the $25. That is the cost of each visit which includes bloodwork. But you dont have to pay until you can. What you will have to pay for are hormones. It costs $18.36 for a one month supply of a rather high dose of E and $46 for a 90 day supply of the normal dose of Spiro.

I went to one group, Evolutions, at 12 and Market. Or something like that. Mt BF thinks I need more friends and should stop being his shadow (which I get he is only trying to help) but at that group there were two people but it was Halloween. I might go this week. But I made a new friend that I go shopping and hang with nightly so...yeah.

But if you come to Philly I'd love to met you Emo. We could go SHOPPING!

Thats under 24 yo also?
I might be able to pay for it as long as i keep my job and dont have too many extra expences.

Id love to go shopping! I dont really have a reason to as of now but i will when i start being myself.
Right now i just window shop or shop online. I even draw designs myself altho unintentionally. Lol

[Embrace]

That seems much easier than i thought it would be.

Wait.. Theres one in baltimore?

No- but with where I live it was the only other (known) option in terms of finding an endocrinologist or doc who had experience in this arena.

Sorry for any confusion!

[MugwortPsychonaut]

One piece of advice- the place is particularly busy so I'd strongly suggest including ample time for your commute or you'll risk losing your appointment.  They're pretty strict on lateness; twice I've seen them having to turn people away who had been running late, and the waiting room seems to nearly always be full (at least when I've gone).

She's not kidding. I got to my appointment two minutes late the other day and had to reschedule. Thanks, Septa!*

(For those who don't know, Philly's public transit system is notoriously awful!)

I went to one group, Evolutions, at 12 and Market. Or something like that. Mt BF thinks I need more friends and should stop being his shadow (which I get he is only trying to help) but at that group there were two people but it was Halloween. I might go this week. But I made a new friend that I go shopping and hang with nightly so...yeah.

But if you come to Philly I'd love to met you Emo. We could go SHOPPING!

I went to Evolutions twice, I think. It was pretty boring, and I didn't get much out of it. I don't feel a need to go to trans meetings, but that's just me.

If you guys are gonna shop, shop at AIDS Thrift! It's the best goddamn thrift store on the planet!

[TessaMarie]

I went to Evolutions twice, I think. It was pretty boring, and I didn't get much out of it. I don't feel a need to go to trans meetings, but that's just me.

I went to one group, Evolutions, at 12 and Market.  ... but at that group there were two people but it was Halloween. I might go this week.

Oh dear.  Sounds like the 6-7 meeting @ 21 S 12th St isn't as helpful as I thought it might be. 

I'll still make a point of going to it to see for myself, but I can't get there this week or next
I had forgotten that Thursday this week is the wife's birthday.  I would be quite severely wifed if I were to try abandoning her on her birthday.
I have Group Therapy out in Malvern on Thursday of next week.

Has anyone been to the group at the William Way Centre, 1315 Spruce St @ 7-9pm on Thursdays ?
I am planning to go from S 12th to 1315 & see what both are like (but not until the 23rd Jan).

[Emo]

How often would you have to go for checkups?
Is it more than once a month?

[Rachel]

I am on a 6 month checkup and blood work schedule now.

[Emo]

Howd you start out tho? Or was it that way forever?

[MugwortPsychonaut]

Has anyone been to the group at the William Way Centre, 1315 Spruce St @ 7-9pm on Thursdays ?
I am planning to go from S 12th to 1315 & see what both are like (but not until the 23rd Jan).

I've been to a couple of those. It's more laid back. Evolutions was uptight. At one of the Way Center meetings, we watched an episode of Orange is the New Black. That's alright, I guess. Maybe group meetings just aren't for me.

[Rachel]

I had blood work already done and electronically available ( I had just increased my life insurance significantly and had blood work done) . I did an intake with Elaine Dutton and sent her the blood work electronically to give to Dusty. I had made an appointment for HRT at intake. The first available appointment was 3 months away. 2 weeks prior to the appointment I had to make a presentation and reschedule which added 2 months. I meet with Dusty and originally wanted low dose but by then I was really ready and started full does ( I was in therapy about 4 months by then). HRT was the best thing I have ever done.

I had self medicated with Finasteride for 5 months prior to HRT. HRT is E, AA and Fin. My therapist reasoned to me to not self medicate when I had to reschedule my HRT appointment, a good decision.  My T at 3 months HRT was not detected on the test <20 ng/dl. If I self medicated HRT I would have way over done it.

[MugwortPsychonaut]

I had self medicated with Finasteride for 5 months prior to HRT. HRT is E, AA and Fin. My therapist reasoned to me to not self medicate when I had to reschedule my HRT appointment, a good decision.  My T at 3 months HRT was not detected on the test <20 ng/dl. If I self medicated HRT I would have way over done it.

Yes! This is a great example of why not to self-medicate! Always transition with the guidance of your doctor.

[TessaMarie]

Has anyone been to the group at the William Way Centre, 1315 Spruce St @ 7-9pm on Thursdays ?
I am planning to go from S 12th to 1315 & see what both are like (but not until the 23rd Jan).

I've been to a couple of those. It's more laid back. Evolutions was uptight. At one of the Way Center meetings, we watched an episode of Orange is the New Black. That's alright, I guess. Maybe group meetings just aren't for me.

Ugh.  'Uptight' does not sound inviting, & I am not much of a telly fan    
Ah well.  I'm still going to show up a few times to each of them.  Maybe I'll find something to like.

TY for the heads up, M.P.

Tessa

[L G]

The more I hear about support group in general the more I think they aren't for me. I feel like I am just looking to meet people and not in that kind of setting really. Mainly since I am awful at giving advise and not one to really share.

Just have to actually get out there then...

[how-audrey]

I hope to be moving there in the spring or summer, and I'll be going to Mazzoni for my HRT sooner than that (hopefully).