Question on HRT and how to proceed

[ChristiVee]

This is my first post here, as I've not even posted in the intro yet. XD

I have a situation I wanted experience/opinions on. I've been diagnosed for a while with GID, but live in the bible belt where things like this are not openly accepted. Let's say the closest physician listed to prescribe HRT is 80+ miles away in a town I've never been to, and I've been taking  Estradiol Valerate for 5 months from another source, but am having trouble with ordering from now. I'd like a less covert way of getting the hormones and want proper dosage.

Due to research, I'm not looking for Spiro without having a doctor to get labs done, so am just looking to refill my estro for now, and plan to keep the dosage of that low until I find a local doctor to supervise it. The estrogen "cures" many symptoms of what was initially diagnosed as ADHD, then Asperger's, which is why I'm keen on not running out, so my question is two parts:

-Many online stores only require an initial RX to order and refill, and I've read IHP a few times on these forums, but don't know what site that is. Could someone please fill me in, and/or offer another a site that I could re-order on, as I could not get to the above doctor within the next 2 weeks, which is all the meds I have left.

-If I was to go to the said doctor about this, how does it work? Is it an exam and such first? Would I get in some kind of trouble for admitting I was taking it before (to my knowledge Estro is legal to take without a RX, but not sell)? Anything else I need to know?

Thanks, and sorry if this ran on too much... I wanted to post this before my intro, so I may have some good info while I'm typing the intro up, before I got off the computer to work. Thanks!

[purplewuggybird]

I would presume that it would be nearly impossible to just "get a prescription." You would need to go through all the labs, receive regular re-labs, and they would probably become your doctor. They might also put you on another medication or a combination of medications for your other conditions


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[Rachel]

You could call the doctor and ask how the process works for the practice.

Being monitored by a doctor is needed. There are online pharmacies that can fill your scripts.

[ChristiVee]

They might also put you on another medication or a combination of medications for your other conditions

Aspergers is a form of autism: With no proven medicating for it, the estradiol is closest prescription with hope to "treatment". I guess I'll include that info in my intro. ^_^;
They also cannot become my doctor, because I have one through the on-campus medical center. It's also there where I got the GID diagnosis, this area just isn't very LGBT friendly.

You could call the doctor and ask how the process works for the practice.

Thanks, it's just that schedules makes it hard to be up currently, when the office is open. I'd basically have to sleep 4 hours before waking up to go there on appointment, and I'm the type unable to go back to sleep after being awake, until the day's over. That's why I was hoping for "the norm" others experienced when getting started, as well as if I should keep to myself that I've been on HRT, or tell them (if I'd get in any sort of trouble).

[SophieD]

I think it would be important for a treating physician to know you have been taking estrogen, so they can understand the "baseline" as they work out a treatment plan.  I have never heard of anyone getting into trouble for explaining to a physician that they have been self-medicating.  What I believe is typical in terms of treatment is to begin with a blood screen to evaluate current hormone levels, as well as certain enzymes, such as those indicating health of the liver, with periodic reevaluations (quarterly is the norm in my experience) to monitor the body's reaction to the meds and to readjust as appropriate.  There are on-line services (e.g. Express Scripts) that will fill prescriptions through the mail, up to a 90 day supply.

[ChristiVee]

I think it would be important for a treating physician to know you have been taking estrogen, so they can understand the "baseline" as they work out a treatment plan.  I have never heard of anyone getting into trouble for explaining to a physician that they have been self-medicating.

Thanks so much! This is what I was looking for!

in terms of treatment is to begin with a blood screen to evaluate current hormone levels, as well as certain enzymes, such as those indicating health of the liver[/quote]
This, I was aware of, but from what I read, was more important with Spiro. I am no chemist, though....

There are on-line services (e.g. Express Scripts) that will fill prescriptions through the mail, up to a 90 day supply.
[/quote]
Thanks, I've just been looking for a way to cover myself until I could get to the doctor. Time and money don't allow an office visit for at least a few weeks.

[ChristiVee]

Sophie, I wanted to give you rep for your response... but how do I do that here? 
Thanks!

[SophieD]

Sophie, I wanted to give you rep for your response... but how do I do that here? 
Thanks!

You're welcome!  I'm delighted if it helps.  I had similar worries; when I went in for my first appointment, I nervously admitted my own transgressions.  The physician's assistant looked at me, shrugged, and said "you gotta do what you gotta do". 

Over time, I've had to overcome my fears in order to get different types of medical attention, and particularly to "come out" to physicians.  So far, knock on wood, I've not encountered prejudice or rejection by medical folks.  I wish you the same luck along your own journey.

[Dena]

Welcome to Susan's Place. In the United States estrogen requires a prescription to obtain and any prescription medication is only to be used by the person it's prescribed for. Some people attempt to bypass this by ordering out of the country however if it's intercepted coming into the country it will be held by the custom officials and there is a risk of charges for importation without a prescription. Your best options would be to see if planned parenthood does informed consent in your area or if your local LGBT center can help you with this. If we know a city near you, possibly we can locate a doctor in your area. Even maintaining a low dose of hormones without the proper blood work can be dangerous. A few people have had medical difficulties and needed to stop all HRT for a year or more because even a low dosage was dangerous to them.

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