Kaiser NorCal

[Jill.sperry]

Hello,

Anyone here have Kaiser in Northern California (near Sacramento), and have advice as to which therapists are trans-friendly, and where/how to begin HRT?  I have not yet seen a therapist, but I am interested in moving forward, and I assume hat seeing a therapist is a necessity in order to begin taking meds?  Also, can you explain what I (MTF) will likely be taking?  Third, I see this term "AA" mentioned sometimes, what does it signify?  Thank you :-)

[Madeline182]

I did not visit a therapist first.  I found a doctor through the San Antonio gender association website, and I let him know I was ready to start hrt.  He asked very basic gender identifying questions and then discussed the options I had available and what he recommended. 
I'm sure many people will recommend you see a gender psycologist a time or few before you take this huge step. 

There are a few choices your doctor may discuss with you. 
I am taking a daily pill to block testosterone receptors and a weekly injection of estrogen.  That's it ^_^
A pill to distract the testes and a vial of sugar n spice & everything :3

My doc also recommended an amazing price finding app called GoodRX  OMG AMAZING!

[Madeline182]

Third, I see this term "AA" mentioned sometimes, what does it signify?  Thank you :-)

I searched for a little bit, and I can only come up with alcoholics anonymous.. I did see something on wiki that looked like it was graphing different forms of transgender in some weird way.. Sorry, it confused me

[Jill.sperry]

What did you find out?  I am interested in knowing more about where I am at now, and what to expect in the future.

[Madeline182]

Ok, sorry, really late and I feel silly for not noticing before.  AA is going to stand for anti androgens aka t-blockers

[allisonsteph]

Hello,

Anyone here have Kaiser in Northern California (near Sacramento), and have advice as to which therapists are trans-friendly, and where/how to begin HRT?  I have not yet seen a therapist, but I am interested in moving forward, and I assume hat seeing a therapist is a necessity in order to begin taking meds?  Also, can you explain what I (MTF) will likely be taking?  Third, I see this term "AA" mentioned sometimes, what does it signify?  Thank you :-)

You are correct, Kaiser requires you to see a therapist before beginning HRT.

I am in the Sacramento area and saw Dr. Flemming at the Folsom facility. It is my understanding that she is currently on a leave of absense with no return date known. I do not know who is picking up her caseload.

To my knowledge there are only two doctors that will prescribe hormones in the Sacramento region: Dr Abraham Thomas at the Folsom facility, and Dr Curtis Witcher at the Fair Oaks Blvd facility in Sacramento. Both are awesome. I am fortunate enough to have Dr Thomas as my GP and Dr Witcher managing my HRT.

The "AA" that you are referring to most likely is anti-androgen which is a medication that suppresses testosterone.