Stuck in Alaska

[Vicki]

Greetings all,

I'm new to this website, so I guess it would be appropriate to start off with an introduction. I'm currently 28 years old and I've definitely had some turbulent times in my life, but I'm sure most people transitioning could say the same thing. My family is a military family, we ended up moving everywhere in my lifetime. Anyways, my mom finally settled down and retired from the military in Alaska while I was still in Texas. Unfortunately, due to some hardships and wanting to finish my Electrical Engineering degree I decided to move up to Alaska with my mother. Fortunately, my mother is totally supportive of my lifestyle and actively encourages and motivates me to go forward.

Now to get to the problem at point, living up in Alaska is unfortunately a double edge sword, I save some money by living with my mom, but there is really no support groups up in Fairbanks. The problem is I've been seeking therapy for the past few years to transition and start on HRT. I really feel set back by moving up here, there are no endocrinologist in the area that assist with the MtF process. I did find one in Anchorage, but Anchorage is about 7 hours away, that might be a possibility, but I have no idea if that is feasible at this point. I was going to call them today, but there office is currently closed. I sent them an offline message describing the problem, hopefully they will be willing to work with me considering the situation here in Fairbanks.

As the title mentions, I feel sort of stuck in Alaska, literally jarred between a rock and a hard place. Sorry to be so whiny on an introduction post, but I'm beyond frustrated and disappointed right now. I just needed to share some of my concerns since there really isn't anyone up here to talk to that understands these problems. I appreciate you hearing me out!

~Vicki

P.S. if anyone is curious, it was -34 degrees this morning xD

[Jamie D]

Hi Vicki.  Welcome to the site.

You are in the same boat as many of our members who live outside of major metropolitan areas.  Some of our members do use online therapists via skype and other media.  That's a start.

Let me check for therapists in your area.  Be right back.

Found this one:

http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/prof_detail.php?profid=113595&sid=1389670206.3_8917&city=Fairbanks&county=Fairbanks+North+Star&state=AK&spec=187&tr=ResultsRow&trow=1&ttot=4

Here is a psychiatrist:

http://psychiatrists.psychologytoday.com/rms/prof_detail.php?profid=153886&sid=1389670376.6105_9844&city=Fairbanks&county=Fairbanks+North+Star&state=AK&tr=ResultsName&trow=1&ttot=1

[Brooke777]

Welcome! Fairbanks is beautiful, but I sure wouldn't want to be there right now. I've been there during the winter before and it was no fun.

I'm sorry that you are in such an area. I think you might be surp rised at the LGBT community up there. From what I know, they are mostly underground due to the "typical" way people in that area think about the LGBT.

If you don't mind an idea, maybe you could work something out with the endo in Anchorage to where you only go there once a year or so, and just have your GP send the lab results. That way they can work on your hrt dosage, and you won't have to spend so much money going down there. Just a thought.

[ThePhoenix]

Hi Vicki, I'm from Alaska as well, but now live on the east coast.  I know what you mean about the lack of trans* resources and the isolation.  And I am from Anchorage! 

But I think there are some up there.  I would suggest checking in with some of the known friendly resources such as the Pride organization in Fairbanks.  As of 2012 there was a trans* support group formed in Fairbanks called TransAlaska.  They had at least one meeting at the Unitarian Universalist Church up there, so you might be able to find info on them through the church.  I found some info on the www.bentalaska.com website.

You also might try calling the LGBT community center in Anchorage.  I hope this helps!

[kathyk]

Looks like Jamie found some information for you.  And so I'll just add you can always call, or stop into the Gender and Sexuality Alliance at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.  It doesn't matter if you're a student or not because from everyone I've talked to these University centers always help.  Anyway, maybe it's a good place to meet up with groups to discuss tg/ts issues.

Take care Vicki.  You'll get past this. 

[Vicki]

I certainly appreciate all the information and support that all of you have given me. I was a little on edge when I posted that, so I felt like I had to vent a little bit.

kathyk -
I'm actually enrolled at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks so I'll definitely check on the Gender and Sexuality Alliance when I head to campus. The first day of class is this Thursday, I should have some time in between classes to find it.

ThePhoenix-
You certainly did a lot better than I did at finding a support group. I'll visit the site and see if I can find some contact information for that support group. It's kind of nice knowing that a member of this website is up in Alaska as well.

Brooke777-
I haven't actually considered doing something like that, but it would definitely save me a lot of time if they are able to work out that kind of arrangement

Jamie D-
I searched from some therapists in the area, but I guess I was primarily focused on finding people that specialized in working with gender issues, so that limited the results. Thank you for taking the time to find that therapist for me, I'll definitely be sure to check out the people in the links you included.

Again, I really appreciate the links and advise, I'll be sure to let everyone knows how it goes. 

[Cindy]

Hi Vicki,

I can't other much as I'm in Australia, all 46C today (115F) Mmmm.

Hugs Honey and welcome

Cindy

[ThePhoenix]

ThePhoenix-
You certainly did a lot better than I did at finding a support group. I'll visit the site and see if I can find some contact information for that support group. It's kind of nice knowing that a member of this website is up in Alaska as well.

Google is a powerful resource.  All I did was search transgender support Fairbanks or something like that.  A single search found it. 

Ummm, just to clear up a misconception though:  I am not in Alaska.  I moved to the D.C. area for grad school in 2000.  I've lived in lots of places, but I think of Anchorage as home.

[Paulagirl]

Your GP can prescribe HRT, as can Planned Parenthood. You may have to educate them, and a good endo is ideal, but sometimes we have to make do. You can gather some resourses, print them, and have your GP mull them over. HRT is not rocket science, but I would never ever recommend self medding.