low dose & the doctor

[DanielleA]

Hello everyone . I have been taking a low dose of my transitioning pills for quite a while now ( low enough that I feel like I am in menopause often ) and I have decided to see a doctor in a town near me who specialises in gender related issues. The thing is that I have been getting extremely anxious any time I think of my upcoming appointment. I think that it is like fear of the unknown.

[Hope springs]

Most anxiety is fear based, and fear of the unknown sounds plausible in your situation. Fear of what higher doses mean to your future, fear the doctor may not know what he is doing, fear the sky is blue.
  Now step back and think, is it the doctor visit? Probably not, what are your feelings on transitioning? Will it adversely affect your family and social life? Are you concerned what you will look like after HRT? There can be alot of anxiety surrounding these things.
  If you are comfortable, please share some more information about your life surrounding HRT. It could be enlightening and help us figure this out

[DanielleA]

I admit that I am excited to be able to talk to someone in the know about what my hormones should be doing as I haven't been able to do so in four years. Not since the sexual health clinic I originally went to closed down the transgender side of things. My doctor is kinda new to my area and she has made it very clear that she doesn't know squat about trans things and asked me to involve someone who does that she can legally confer with. My mum who is a nurse does try to help by helping to fix my symptoms like lack of sleep. But as much as mum is very supportive she also has trouble dealing with my transitioning issue at times. It is like Russian roulette at times. But she is supportive in the end.
   With my pills though, I started on them with a low dose which my then doctor gradually added more to override the testosterone. Then the clinic closed my area.  The pills made me really sick. Like I couldn't eat from throwing up and the tummy ache.... And I have gradually been taking less and less (under mums guidance) which alleviated the sickliness but caused menopausal problems.

[Hope springs]

Getting an upset stomach from HRT is new to me. Im really sorry about that. So im a little confused. Is it the doctor you will be visiting that doesnt know squat or the old doctor at the mayo clinic?
  If the new doctor isnt experienced that could be the source of your fear. I bet your tired of getting sick from the pills and arent certain the new guy can fix it. Most are anxious to move forward in their transition and it sounds like some unfortunate roadblocks have been thrown your way.
Please let me know what the new doctor says. Im curious to know what is causing your upset stomach. Keep your chin up girl.

[AnonyMs]

What kind of pills are they?

[greencoloredpencil]

Do you have issues with anxiety in general and you find that this is a trigger for your anxiety? Or is it just isolated anxiety regarding this? Either way is understandable. The first is true of me. I went with a friend to my first appointment.

[DanielleA]

Hey everyone. I went to that new doctor and it was a waste of time. He doesn't work with transgendering medications either. Bummer...
My anxiety has mostly gone and in the meantime I decided to take a little extra oestrogen to see if it would help  relieve my symptoms. Self medication isn't a good thing but No doctor like person was really helping me. It has stopped the night sweats and hot flashes. I think that my memory has gotten a little better too.
I was given the option to have a blood test but I am scared of needles and if my GP doesn't know trans stuff, how can she interpret  the results properly. And also I found out were the doctor who prescribed me my hormones initially, now practices so I will be booking in to see him soon. My pills are zumenon and spironolacitone.
Sorry for not getting back to you all sooner but my life has been hell at the moment.