Transitiong in the UK?

[karalee]

Hi everyone
I'm really confused about transitioning in the UK, it seems like it will take years just to get an appointment, it's really making mme want to self medicate.
The only thing I really know what to do is go to a go to get a referral to somewhere in London.
Can anyone help? I'm just a confused mtf 17 year old 
Thank you in advance xxx

[Matthew]

Self medicating is not only dangerous but I know for a FACT that if you are found out to be self medicating while you're in the NHS under gender therapy leading up to hormones, you will be discharged from the service and you could end up being delayed for years (this is information given directly to me by a local endocrinology unit describing NHS protocol).


Speak to your GP about a referral to a gender clinic and go from there. Waiting lists are long for adult services, but you will get there eventually.

[Elis]

Please don't self medicate; it can seriously impact your health. You'll need to go to a GP and ask to be referred to a GIC. You no longer need to see a general psychiatrist first; although GPs still think you do. You can be admitted to any clinic you want. If you definitely need to be referred to a clinic in London ask for Charring Cross. The waiting time is usually 13 months unfortunately. There's one called Tavistock also in London but that's for under 18s. I wouldn't want to have your time wasted by having the GP put your referral through to them and not Charring Cross.

http://uktrans.info/waitingtimes

[Laura_7]

Hi everyone
I'm really confused about transitioning in the UK, it seems like it will take years just to get an appointment, it's really making mme want to self medicate.
The only thing I really know what to do is go to a go to get a referral to somewhere in London.
Can anyone help? I'm just a confused mtf 17 year old 
Thank you in advance xxx

Just go to a GP and tell them you want to be referred to a GIC.
Since you are under 18 that would be tavistock in london.

Over 18 you can self refer yourself to a GIC you like.
There are some with short waiting lists and a quite good reputation like the laurels.
It mght be worth a few rides, waiting times are shorter.

You might additionally contact the mermaids, its a group specifically for transgender youth.
http://www.mermaidsuk.org.uk
We offer information, support, friendship and shared experiences.

And maybe you can make a few friends here:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,195129.msg1758946.html#msg1758946


*hugs*

[Megan.]

I saw my GP Jan'15 and have my first GIC appointment next week, tbh this has given me the time to understand and develop my internal feelings. If you can find the funds there are private gender clinics where you can start the ball rolling while the NHS catch up.

[Laura_7]

To go private you could have a look here:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,197023.msg1753642.html#msg1753642

and here:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,204334.msg1816704.html#msg1816704


*hugs*

[Jestwacked]

Self medicating is not only dangerous but I know for a FACT that if you are found out to be self medicating while you're in the NHS under gender therapy leading up to hormones, you will be discharged from the service and you could end up being delayed for years (this is information given directly to me by a local endocrinology unit describing NHS protocol).


Speak to your GP about a referral to a gender clinic and go from there. Waiting lists are long for adult services, but you will get there eventually.

You I totally agree with this, I was tempted to self medicating but it is extremely dangerous, in short, what's more important, your life or the treatment, besides you might not get the dosages right etc etc, just is not worth it.

Speaking for experience I went to see my GP last year, it took about two months to see my first psychiatrist, about 8 - 12 months to see the Gatekeeper, and now I am waiting for my appointment date with Charing Cross. I recently received a letter requesting blood tests and from my Gatekeeper saying I was approved for funding

I understand the frustration, but you will get there, if I can make it, and I am the most impatient person ever, you can do it too <3

[Zeno]

I should be able to help you with this I hope.

I'm 15 but due to the fact I live in Wales I have to go through some sort of mental health clinic seeing as Wales has limited budgets to be able to refer me to Tavistock without doing so. I do suggest that maybe you get a referral for Tavistock, but they have a waiting list of around 6-8 months these days which sucks. If you are turning 18 soon your best bet is to just get a referral to the closest GIC near where you live.

I don't recommend going to Charring Cross if you get offered elsewhere, just due to the fact they have a really long waiting list of over a year and some GICs are just as good as they are.

This is just my opinion and I'm not on any waiting list yet although I should be soon. In all honesty I was going to go private to TransHealth but they changed the ages and I can't go there anymore which sucks. You should do what you decide is best, whether it is getting as referral for Tavistock, Charring Cross or somewhere else.

[karalee]

Self medicating is not only dangerous but I know for a FACT that if you are found out to be self medicating while you're in the NHS under gender therapy leading up to hormones, you will be discharged from the service and you could end up being delayed for years (this is information given directly to me by a local endocrinology unit describing NHS protocol).


Speak to your GP about a referral to a gender clinic and go from there. Waiting lists are long for adult services, but you will get there eventually.

Oh, I didn't realise they will discharge you if you self medicate, Ill wait then 
Thanks x

[karalee]

To go private you could have a look here:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,197023.msg1753642.html#msg1753642

and here:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,204334.msg1816704.html#msg1816704


*hugs*

I was looking at going private but I noticed that all the private gender clinics now say that they can only treat over 18s. Thanks x

[karalee]

I saw my GP Jan'15 and have my first GIC appointment next week, tbh this has given me the time to understand and develop my internal feelings. If you can find the funds there are private gender clinics where you can start the ball rolling while the NHS catch up.

I'm just scared that without testorone blockers, my voice will get deeper, I don't have an Adams Apple and never really grew facial hair but now I'm starting to see my hair grow thicker and thicker

[Laura_7]

I was looking at going private but I noticed that all the private gender clinics now say that they can only treat over 18s. Thanks x

Have you looked at the second link ?


*hugs*

[karalee]

Have you looked at the second link ?


*hugs*

I just checked it, it looks like a lot of money but thanks x

[karalee]

I should be able to help you with this I hope.

I'm 15 but due to the fact I live in Wales I have to go through some sort of mental health clinic seeing as Wales has limited budgets to be able to refer me to Tavistock without doing so. I do suggest that maybe you get a referral for Tavistock, but they have a waiting list of around 6-8 months these days which sucks. If you are turning 18 soon your best bet is to just get a referral to the closest GIC near where you live.

I don't recommend going to Charring Cross if you get offered elsewhere, just due to the fact they have a really long waiting list of over a year and some GICs are just as good as they are.

This is just my opinion and I'm not on any waiting list yet although I should be soon. In all honesty I was going to go private to TransHealth but they changed the ages and I can't go there anymore which sucks. You should do what you decide is best, whether it is getting as referral for Tavistock, Charring Cross or somewhere else.

Yeah I noticed that trans health changed  the minimum age, that's where I wanted to go, thanks 

[Louisa]

What has been stated in this thread about GIC policy isn't necessarily accurate. For example, this CX GIC guide (published by CX GIC/WLMHT) states the following on page 5 of the document: http://www.wlmht.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/GIC-patient-information-pack-April-2016.pdf

======
Myths about GIC

...

The GIC will stop your hormones

Our concern is that you take hormones safely. We routinely carry out blood tests at the first appointment and will advise you of any risk to your health, but we generally do not ask people to stop established hormones.
.
The GIC will penalise you for having private medical care or self-medicating with hormones

Given the significant health risks associated with self-medication with hormones we do not endorse this. However, we recognise that it is a modern reality and do not penalise people for it. We also do not discriminate against patients who have chosen to access private gender care.
======

I realise susans doesn't endorse or encourage self-medicating, however, for accuracy, given it's about such an important matter, I hope you'll let this correction stand.

[karalee]

What has been stated in this thread about GIC policy isn't necessarily accurate. For example, this CX GIC guide (published by CX GIC/WLMHT) states the following on page 5 of the document: http://www.wlmht.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/GIC-patient-information-pack-April-2016.pdf

======
Myths about GIC

...

The GIC will stop your hormones

Our concern is that you take hormones safely. We routinely carry out blood tests at the first appointment and will advise you of any risk to your health, but we generally do not ask people to stop established hormones.
.
The GIC will penalise you for having private medical care or self-medicating with hormones

Given the significant health risks associated with self-medication with hormones we do not endorse this. However, we recognise that it is a modern reality and do not penalise people for it. We also do not discriminate against patients who have chosen to access private gender care.
======

I realise susans doesn't endorse or encourage self-medicating, however, for accuracy, given it's about such an important matter, I hope you'll let this correction stand.

Thanks for this, I still haven't decided if I will self medicate as I haven't gone to the doctors yet but if  it is going to be a year wait I might have to.