Planned Parenthood Informed Consent

[Dupi]

Apologies in advanced if this is the wrong place to ask in this forum.

I live in South Carolina, but the Planned Parenthood here does not offer hormones. I'm planning to going to the nearest one that does, which is in North Carolina (the one in Asheville to be specific). It's around a 4 to 5 hour drive from where I live, and was wondering if I would get a same day prescription, or would need to schedule a follow up appointment? Also, after getting my prescription, I can get it pretty much refilled at any pharmacy? For future periodic check ups (to monitor and alter my dosage if needed), do I need to go to Planned Parenthood specifically, or can go to any physician now?

Or am I mistaken on how the process works?

If anyone has experience with Planned Parenthood or this specific location general, feedback would greatly be appreciated.

Edit (to be more specific):
I've read other peoples experience at Planned Parenthood, some say they have gotten their prescription on the same day of their blood test, where others say that they had a blood test done and had to wait (a week or two) for the results to come back? Could I just have a blood test done by any physician (since it's just a general blood test) and have it faxed?

UPDATE:
I called. Due to the Planned Parenthood in my location being an affiliate, I can possibly get my blood test done here and have it faxed. However, the person I was talking to on the phone says I will not get my prescription on the initial visit, and will have to wait a month before I can... (so I might as well just have it done there). After a month of getting my prescription, I have to go back to that specific Planned Parenthood location for a check-up, and every three months thereafter for an estimated 9 months. I will still have check ups afterwards, but depending on my results, it depends how often and frequently. Assured me it's not a forever ideal. Also, I was told the estimated costs would be around $250 for the initial appointment, and $100 for check ups. They do not accept out of state Medicaid.

Might consider Raleigh, NC if I can get a faster prescription. Please post if you have any experiences with these locations.

[Laura_7]

I'd suggest you explain your situation and talk to them.
If they are understanding and helpful things might be able to be arranged.

Like doing as much as possible on the first meeting...
and if necessary having your lab values taken at local places...

I'd simply explain you'd have to travel for quite some time from your place...


hugs

[suzifrommd]

It took about four visits to get up to the full dose. The first visit, all they did was take blood. The second visit they gave me a low dose, and then they upped it twice until they got the blood levels they wanted.

This was a private doc who is especially cautious. I don't know what he would have done if travel was a hardship for me the way it is for you.

[katrinaw]

Warm welcome to Susan's Dupi

Please can I draw your attention to the following  xx :

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service and rules to live by	Standard Terms and Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, and signature images policy

It'll help you around the forums...

Sorry not being US based I can't really help you, myself...

Laura's advice for discussion is the most sensible approach

I'm in Australia, but I went the same path as Suzi did.

Anyway, welcome and look forward to seeing you about the forums..

L Katy 

[Dupi]

I called. Due to the Planned Parenthood in my location being an affiliate, I can possibly get my blood test done here and have it faxed. However, the person I was talking to on the phone says I will not get my prescription on the initial visit, and will have to wait a month before I can... (so I might as well just have it done there). After a month of getting my prescription, I have to go back to that specific Planned Parenthood location for a check-up, and every three months thereafter for an estimated 9 months. I will still have check ups afterwards, but depending on my results, it depends how often and frequently. Assured me it's not a forever ideal. Also, I was told the estimated costs would be around $250 for the initial appointment, and $100 for check ups. They do not accept out of state Medicaid.

Might consider Raleigh, NC if I can get a faster prescription. Please post if you have any experiences with these locations.

[Laura_7]

You could have a look here:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,118696.msg926397.html#msg926397
and here:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,94746.msg693443.html#msg693443


hugs

[KristinaM]

Might consider Raleigh, NC if I can get a faster prescription. Please post if you have any experiences with these locations.

I'm afraid I probably don't have all the answers you are hoping for, but I can give you a first hand account of working with Planned Parenthood in Raleigh.

I called, made an appointment, and went in.  Filled out tons of paperwork on my medical history and so on while waiting in the lobby, including the Informed Consent paperwork for MTF hormone therapy.  I got called back (by last name only I believe) and the nurse took my vitals, weight, BP, temp, and so on, and I explained to her why I was there.  Then the doc came in and we chatted for a bit.

She conducted a physical and gave me a form for some basic bloodwork to be done.  She doesn't check Testosterone or Estradiol levels unless you ask her to though because she says it's irrelevant in her experience.  I told her to check mine anyways!  I plan to switch over to the care of an Endocrinologist in the near future and wanted to have a good baseline value to work with for the new doc.

The bloodwork results took about a week.  Then the doc called me and said everything looked OK and she phoned in my prescriptions for Estradiol and Spiro.  I went and picked them up that day.

All I paid was my insurance copay for both the visit and the prescriptions.  The doc said she'd keep me on that low intro dosage for 3 months, then have me come in for another examination and more bloodwork before doubling the dosage.  Then the same routine for the next 3 months and the next 3 months.  So the plan is to be at "full dosage" after 9 months I believe.

According to my ticker it's been nearly 6 weeks, so I'm almost halfway there!

[Dupi]

I'm afraid I probably don't have all the answers you are hoping for, but I can give you a first hand account of working with Planned Parenthood in Raleigh.

I called, made an appointment, and went in.  Filled out tons of paperwork on my medical history and so on while waiting in the lobby, including the Informed Consent paperwork for MTF hormone therapy.  I got called back (by last name only I believe) and the nurse took my vitals, weight, BP, temp, and so on, and I explained to her why I was there.  Then the doc came in and we chatted for a bit.

She conducted a physical and gave me a form for some basic bloodwork to be done.  She doesn't check Testosterone or Estradiol levels unless you ask her to though because she says it's irrelevant in her experience.  I told her to check mine anyways!  I plan to switch over to the care of an Endocrinologist in the near future and wanted to have a good baseline value to work with for the new doc.

The bloodwork results took about a week.  Then the doc called me and said everything looked OK and she phoned in my prescriptions for Estradiol and Spiro.  I went and picked them up that day.

All I paid was my insurance copay for both the visit and the prescriptions.  The doc said she'd keep me on that low intro dosage for 3 months, then have me come in for another examination and more bloodwork before doubling the dosage.  Then the same routine for the next 3 months and the next 3 months.  So the plan is to be at "full dosage" after 9 months I believe.

According to my ticker it's been nearly 6 weeks, so I'm almost halfway there!

I would like to thank everyone who posted. ^_^

I'm assuming that you went to Planned Parenthood under the Informed Consent model. You seem to have gotten your prescription rather quickly, and I might look into having my blood test done in advanced after all (if it means I could possibly a hormone prescription on my initial visit). You also mention switching over to a different care giver, which sort of conflicts with what I was told. I may call again to reconfirm, but would I be able to switch my care over to a different physician/endo/etc. after I get my prescription? I've been trying to plan how to get there for check ups when scheduled, but it has been hectic so far. Looked into Amtrak and Greyhound, and so far Greyhound + Airbnb is my cheapest option (would have to stay overnight since Greyhound does not have a bus back on the same day). For my initial appointment, my older sister has agreed to drive me there, but won't be able to after summer vacation ends.

Congratulations on being almost half way there (:! Must be exciting . I can imagine myself being overly excited waking up each day and trying to examine any changes as minuscule as they may be, haha.

[KristinaM]

I'm assuming that you went to Planned Parenthood under the Informed Consent model. You seem to have gotten your prescription rather quickly, and I might look into having my blood test done in advanced after all (if it means I could possibly a hormone prescription on my initial visit).

I did use the Informed Consent Model.

This is possible I'd imagine, just get your Primary Care doctor to submit for the following tests:
Complete Metabolic Panel
Lipid Panel
Testosterone (Optional)
Estradiol (Optional)

And bring the results with you, or have them faxed/sent over to the Planned Parenthood site.  Just call them ahead of time to setup the patient account and let them know to be expecting it.

You also mention switching over to a different care giver, which sort of conflicts with what I was told. I may call again to reconfirm, but would I be able to switch my care over to a different physician/endo/etc. after I get my prescription? I've been trying to plan how to get there for check ups when scheduled, but it has been hectic so far.

I told the lady at PP that I'd be keeping my endo appointment and possibly switching.  But that's because I have Multiple Sclerosis and wanted to be in the care of a specialist just for the peace of mind and to monitor both situations.  And we are not only allowed, but encouraged to seek a second opinion when it comes to our medical care.  I am also under the care of a Neurologist for the MS who is aware of my transition.
I don't know that it would be recommended to switch over to your GP after the PP visit, but rather to a specialist probably yeah.  You'll possibly still need a referral from a psych though for the endo, and the endo may have a very long waiting list for an appointment, so plan to visit PP again in 3 months.

Congratulations on being almost half way there (:! Must be exciting . I can imagine myself being overly excited waking up each day and trying to examine any changes as minuscule as they may be, haha.

I don't have much noticeable development.  Mostly in the body hair and skin department.  No boob pain to speak of since the first week, but I'm starting to see the development of cleavage.  I think I'm just starting to deposit fat in all the right places!