Anyone have experience of moving "abroad"?

[Make_It_Good]

Ok, I know "abroad" means different for many people here, but I wanted to see if many people have advice or stories to share about moving away from the Country they began/completed transition. I know of atleast one guy, (sorry, cant remember his name) on here who lives in Japan.

Anyway, Im from England, have been on T almost 5 years, and top and all lower surgery is done, so all I have to think about is T (Im on Nebido, so have my injection every few months). I have never been taught to self inject, although I have been asking for about 3yrs hahaha, maybe one day they'll agree to teach me :p
   I have lived and worked abroad but for only 3months at a time, each time, which has always worked out perfectly, i.e my injection the day or so before I fly, and then asap once I return.
 
However, I have been looking into moving abroad, either China or Thailand. Whether this is permanent or not, itll atleast be for a minimum of a year. Does anyone know how to go about this regarding medication? Do I just take a bunch of T with me, store it out there and try to find a nurse out there willing to inject it? I am still pushing to get permission to be taught, but I just seem to be hitting walls here....

[FTMDiaries]

The reason why you're hitting walls is because (in the UK at least) Nebido has to be administered by a trained medical professional with experience of administering intramuscular injections; it's not something that can safely be self-administered. So unless you're medically trained, you're not permitted to administer it.

Also, I'm afraid you can't simply take a bunch of Nebido out of the UK. Testosterone is a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (Schedule 4 part 2 if you're curious). Taking more than 3 months' worth into or out of the UK is an offence under the Act that could result in imprisonment or a hefty fine. So if you want to take more than one vial into or out of the country, you need to apply for a licence to do so. Here's how: https://www.gov.uk/controlled-drugs-licences-fees-and-returns

So... your options would be a) get your doctor to prescribe a year's worth, apply for a licence and find a nurse when you get there, or b) check out the local laws, customs etc. where you're planning to go, to see whether they prescribe and/or administer T for transguys.

Incidentally, Nebido is currently available in Thailand but not China (it is, however, available in Hong Kong and Taiwan).

[Make_It_Good]

Oh wow, I did NOT know those facts about taking Nebido out of the Country!
  Thankyou very much for you reply, for topping up my knowledge and the advice.

I really appreciate your response



*Update* Just saw the fees for the license. !@*% me, that's expensive :O Well, Ill continue to look at my options anyway haha.

[Sincerely Tegan]

Travel abroad? I don't know about that. I did, however, try to study abroad once.

Unfortunately, she just wouldn't hold still long enough!

BA-ZING!!!

Sorry, I've literally got nothing helpful to offer. Have a great Friday! 

-Tegs

[FTMDiaries]

Just saw the fees for the license. !@*% me, that's expensive :O Well, Ill continue to look at my options anyway haha.

You're welcome. But I don't think the licence is that pricey; I'm reasonably sure that the personal licence (or individual licence, as they call it on the fees page) is only £24. So it might be worth pursuing, especially if you have concerns about convincing a doctor to prescribe it to you overseas. You could always check with the relevant department at the Home Office: their contact details are at the bottom of the Licence Fees page.

[Ayden]

Hey man. I can only speak to a few of the Asian countries (I have no experience with China so I'm no help there). I was able to bring basically a years supply with me in person and have another six months mailed to me. There are forms here that I had I fill out along with a copy of my prescription to have my needles sent to me, but the medications got through just fine. Go figure.

I have always self injected, but here the doctors prefer to be the ones doing the injections (along with monthly blood work) so you may not have to worry abut self injecting unless you bring your own supply with you. What I can tell you about my experience with the Japanese system is that I was never in a position to lose my medication. After even just two years they were very hesitant to take me off of T and my doctor, while a little stiff lipped, has been excellent.

One thing I will caution against is this; if you do not speak any of the local language it may be very difficult. I speak some Japanese and I am passable in most daily interactions, but I had one hell of a time finding a doctor who *would* treat me. It wasnt due to being turned away so much as being unable to understand all of the damn signs and medical paperwork. A lot of the English speaking hospitals that I know of here are Christian hospitals and they don't exactly smile upon guys like us. At least, not in my experience.

That being said, it isn't impossible. My doctor doesn't speak much English but one of the nurses does. If you end up on Korea or Thailand, a lot of people speak English and it won't be a problem. Very Chinese person I have met can speak English pretty well, but I have never been to china so I can't attest to their abilities at home.

One last note that I can think of right now is insurance. Y'all over in the uk are damn lucky to have nationalized health care (us in the US can't seem to figure that one out...) but, at least here in Japan, transitional medications are not covered at all by health care. They do not pay for your bloodwork, medications or doctors appointments. It doesn't cost all that much for me coming from the US, but it might be expensive given your last experience in the UK.

If I'm rambling, I apologize. I just woke up right before I read this and my coffee is taking its sweet time waking me up. If you have any questions I'm happy to try and help.

[@Diana]

I am originally from Bangkok, Thailand ... I moved to live here in Australia for 9 years ago , living here with my Aussie partner...

Thailand is great , good food, cheap stuffs, but weather is hot & humid most of the year ...

Its very easy to buy hormone pills for MTF trans girls ... no need for prescription before going to chemist. I am not sure for FTM's hormone pills/injection though ..

But I am pretty sure you can take all your T hormone items to Thailand, you can go to hospital/clinic and ask the nurse to inject them for you easily & very cheap .. no need to take syringes with you there, just the T .. I did that hundred of times when I lived there, I just brought my hormone solution to the nurse & she would inject me.

[Kreuzfidel]

I didn't start my transition until after I moved away from my native country to Australia.  Admittedly, I ended up in one of the two states in which it is pretty difficult to get started on T without jumping through hoops, so it was a challenge.  It wouldn't have likely been any easier if I had already been on T before coming here as things can be a little backwards in these parts. 

That being said, I have no complaints on the experiences I've had finding doctors willing to help me. 

Your biggest issue will be the language barrier if you're moving to an Asian country with no prior language training and possibly some cultural barriers.  I agree that Thailand is probably the better option, but I'm not familiar with their policies regarding T.  They are world-renowned for transgender surgeries, though. 

If I were you, I would honestly recommend that you look into going to a country where they speak the same language as you and have a similar attitude towards trans* people and treating them.

[@Diana]

btw, Thailand is very trans-friendly country

many people can speak English & have at least basic Eng. communication .. traffic signs are also written in Eng. as well, so it's not hard to read , but the traffic is very bad though especially in Bangkok .. too many cars .. ugh

[Natkat]

I haven't study in another country yet but planning on doing so soon, (maybe soonest after summer and if not then in about a year)

I know someone who is a lesbian moving to china but from what I heard China seams more strick toward lgbt people than Thailand at least thats the feeling I get from my lesbian friends who been there. I haven't been in china so I can't say for sure how strick or friendly they are with these things, sure also would depend on where you live but I would prefern thailand, I heard alot of good about it from the transfolks who been there.

I think theres an mtf from China here on susan you can ask about all the details, I dont remember the profil but you can try ask in the mtf forum.

For medication I dont know much beside homones like Nebido only is available in certain contrys.

[Make_It_Good]

Wow, thankyou everyone for your replies. I genuinely appreciate your input on here.

FTMDiarie - I will be contacting them in order to learn a little more and figure out how much it would be, as I think it is worth getting, it that is the case (fingers crossed youre right about the cheaper price compared to the 3grand one haha).

Ayden - No need to apologize for the rambling at all, it is very helpful to me and the more info, the better I can learn.

Its good to hear that its not impossible, or atleast, not as close to being the biggest hassle in the world, as Id feared. I am still figuring out my options. I have always felt that England, as great as it is (and I do think it has many pros) that it just isn't for me. I have, in a way, felt more comfortable in Countries Ive been in that are not so Westernized.
  Anyway, I do speak some Mandarin, and have always wanted to visit China, but even away from this site, I have heard of it being abit more difficult to move to. And that is not taking into account transition stuff.
  I am in contact with a few people who are/have lived in China through a teaching programme, so was getting a feel for things through them, but ofcourse they do not know about my situation, so I truly appreciate you guys on here helping me out.

I hear Thailand is great, diverse, laid back etc. I have had a few people who have travelled/lived there say it would suit me :p

Diana - That sounds like it would be handy and the best option, if I CAN take a decent amount of hormones out there and just get them to inject it for me.

Natkat - Thanks, I will have to see if I can find her on here.
Also I will have to look into where Nebido is legal! Good point.

[Ayden]

I contacted a friend of mine after reading this thread. He's 'cis' for lack of a better word, but lives in Shandong province and is on hormone therapy for a condition. He couldn't provide much insight but he said it seemed like the LGBT population wasn't readily recognized there. I think he's close to Beijing but my Chinese geography is awful.

What I can say about most Asian countries is that they are hesitant to stop medical treatments. My doctors here flat out said that since it had been so long they didnt want to stop my medical treatments, even though they would have in other situations. If you want, I can ask Dave if he minds you contacting him. I can't promise anything but I can ask.

What I can add is that it's harrowing trying to secure the meds that make you 'normal' in foreign countries. But, a good doctor is a good doctor despite their culture. Dr. Sato (my doc) is generally against hormone therapy (a lot of trans folk on both sides don't need it since the Japanese are pretty androgynous) but he was very understanding. Be ready for tough questions and be willing to be honest. A good doctor anywhere is worth their weight in gold. I certainly don't regret finding someone here. In a lot of ways Sato-Sensei has been really great for me.