Making the move

[Rambler]

I worked up my courage and arranged a first appointment to discuss HRT with a doctor on Monday. I'm still nervous and probably will be on the day of, but I'm set for Monday, March 27th the same day as my next laser hair removal. I'm so excited to finally be moving forward with this aspect of my transition. What should I expect out of the first appointment?

[Devlyn]

Yays for the big step!

I went informed consent. I was weighed, measured, and had my blood pressure taken. The doctor came in, explained that she didn't believe in gatekeeping and as long as I knew the effects and ramifications of HRT, and was healthy enough to take them pending the results of bloodwork, that she would prescribe. Then she asked me to tell my story of how I came to be sitting in her office asking for hormones.

I told her how my path of self discovery unfolded, and how I had been taking supplements to feminize myself, and presenting fulltime as a woman* for a couple years. It took me twenty minutes, and then she said "You've obviously put a lot of thought into this. Come back next week and we'll start you on estradiol patches and spironolactone ."

It was that simple. 

Hugs, Devlyn


* I don't identify as a woman, I'm genderfluid. My presentation is female, however.

[Rambler]

Thanks Devlyn!

That's sort of how I pictured the process going. I'll also be doing informed consent through the HBHC in Chicago; not that I couldn't get a letter from my therapist if I asked, but informed consent was definitely the way for me to go based on the options I found in the Chicago area.

[Devlyn]

Just go in and tell them the truth, they're there to help, not judge. Make sure you update us after the appointment!

Hugs, Devlyn

[RobynD]

Yays for the big step!

I went informed consent.

I told her how my path of self discovery unfolded, and how I had been taking supplements to feminize myself, and presenting fulltime as a woman* for a couple years. It took me twenty minutes, and then she said "You've obviously put a lot of thought into this. Come back next week and we'll start you on estradiol patches and spironolactone ."

It was that simple. 

Hugs, Devlyn


* I don't identify as a woman, I'm genderfluid. My presentation is female, however.

Devlyn - your experience was very similar to mine. My doctor basically said "it sounds like you know what you are doing " and away went.

[Rambler]

Just a little update.

Because of an impromptu work trip creating a scheduling conflict last week, I had to set up a new appointment at the Howard Brown Health Center where I'll be starting HRT. My new appointment is set for April 19!

[Jessica_Rose]

I went the informed consent route also, and my experience mirrors Devlyn's. The medical assistant asked about any general health issues, checked height and weight, then took blood pressure. Needless to say my BP was high due to being nervous and excited.  Doctor came in and reviewed blood tests, then asked about my background and why I wanted HRT. I told the doctor my story, and after a few more generic questions I signed the paperwork and my prescription was on the way to my pharmacy. I did not feel that any gatekeeping was involved. I still present as 100% male, and that did not have any affect on the discussion.

For now I am taking finasteride (for BPH) and estradiol patches. My next checkup is end of July to see how things are progressing.  Estradiol alone may work for some folks. Even without spironolactone, I was happy to get the journey started.

Best of luck on you appointment!

[JillianC]

Rambler, my experience with HB so far has been positive.  The staff there is very friendly and I never felt judged or uncomfortable.  The first appointment went well and was a breeze.  They took my vitals and reviewed my medical history.  The nurse practitioner brought in some information on HB informed consent procedure and info on hormones.  I then had my blood drawn and since I choose injections, they give you a choice, a nurse showed me how to inject the medicine.  The site I went to had a pharmacy on premises and I was able to leave with 2 month's worth of hormones just enough to last me until the follow-up appointment. 

Good luck.

[Rambler]

Rambler, my experience with HB so far has been positive.  The staff there is very friendly and I never felt judged or uncomfortable.  The first appointment went well and was a breeze.  They took my vitals and reviewed my medical history.  The nurse practitioner brought in some information on HB informed consent procedure and info on hormones.  I then had my blood drawn and since I choose injections, they give you a choice, a nurse showed me how to inject the medicine.  The site I went to had a pharmacy on premises and I was able to leave with 2 month's worth of hormones just enough to last me until the follow-up appointment. 

Good luck.

I'm glad to hear some positive feedback about the HBHC. If you don't mind.my asking, which location did you end up going to? I'll be going to the one in Roger's Park because it will be the easiest commute from work & home.

[JillianC]

That's the location I go to .  The staff and Walgreen's pharmacists there are very friendly.  Another member of a support group I go to also has good things to say about HB but she goes to different location.

[Rambler]

That's the location I go to .  The staff and Walgreen's pharmacists there are very friendly.  Another member of a support group I go to also has good things to say about HB but she goes to different location.

That's great! I know Chicago is a big place, but I hope we cross paths sometime!

[josie76]

Congrats on getting started.

I see an endocrinologist in St Louis. So I did need to get a letter from my therapist for him to start prescribing HRT. I can understand the reason for it although the waiting was hard. The nurse took my blood pressure and did my weigh. My BP was like 150/90 that day. Another nurse used a finger prick to get blood samples. She then put them into a couple of machines right there in the exam room. A little while after the machines quit making noise the doctor came in. We talked a bit. He reviewed the letter. He asked me how I wanted to start, slow o full on. Due to my BP he suggested low does to start. So I'm on estradiol, Spironolactone, and finesteride. I don't know if it's the added Spironolactone or just the change in mental state from the Estrace, but my BP has been running 120/80 area now. I was already taking BP and cholesterol meds.

[Rambler]

Congrats on getting started.

I see an endocrinologist in St Louis. So I did need to get a letter from my therapist for him to start prescribing HRT. I can understand the reason for it although the waiting was hard. The nurse took my blood pressure and did my weigh. My BP was like 150/90 that day. Another nurse used a finger prick to get blood samples. She then put them into a couple of machines right there in the exam room. A little while after the machines quit making noise the doctor came in. We talked a bit. He reviewed the letter. He asked me how I wanted to start, slow o full on. Due to my BP he suggested low does to start. So I'm on estradiol, Spironolactone, and finesteride. I don't know if it's the added Spironolactone or just the change in mental state from the Estrace, but my BP has been running 120/80 area now. I was already taking BP and cholesterol meds.

Thanks for the input, Josie & congrats to you as well!

I have a friend from college living in St. Louis who started her own transition a couple years ago. As far as your timeline goes, it looks like we are pretty close to each other. I only started therapy about 4 months ago as well and probably would have started HRT sooner had my own situation allowed me to. I'm glad I don't need a letter, but had I required one, I'm confident that my therapist would have given it if I were to ask.

[KayXo]

Due to my BP he suggested low does to start.

Both bio-identical estradiol and spironolactone actually lower BP (studies support this). The bad press about estrogen having an adverse effect on BP is due to horse estrogen (Premarin) and contraceptives that contain estrogens that aren't bio-identical.

So I'm on estradiol, Spironolactone, and finesteride. I don't know if it's the added Spironolactone or just the change in mental state from the Estrace, but my BP has been running 120/80 area now. I was already taking BP and cholesterol meds.

It probably has to do more with Spiro as it is a diuretic and can reduce BP significantly on its own.

Have my own thoughts about cholesterol meds but I will say this...
lowering your carbs significantly lowers triglycerides (and BP)
increasing saturated fat (studies have shown no association to cardiovascular risk) will raise HDL significantly

p.s.: I'm not a doctor.

[Barb99]

I'm glad to hear some positive feedback about the HBHC. If you don't mind.my asking, which location did you end up going to? I'll be going to the one in Roger's Park because it will be the easiest commute from work & home.

Hi Rambler,
I've been going to HB for two years now. I go to the one on Irving Park and Sheridan. They have been great. They even provided the letters I needed to change the gender marker on all of my ID's and helped me find therapists that provided the letters I needed for SRS. Even the Walgreen's there was helpful in keeping me supplied with Estradiol during the shortage.

I think you'll find you in good hands there.

[Rambler]

Hi Rambler,
I've been going to HB for two years now. I go to the one on Irving Park and Sheridan. They have been great. They even provided the letters I needed to change the gender marker on all of my ID's and helped me find therapists that provided the letters I needed for SRS. Even the Walgreen's there was helpful in keeping me supplied with Estradiol during the shortage.

I think you'll find you in good hands there.

Charley

That's so great, I can feel my anxiety melting away with all the good reviews from them! Now all I have to deal with is another 2 weeks of this awful impatience!

[JillianC]

Good luck with your appointment

[Rambler]

Thank you! I'm leaving work around 2 to grab a quick bite and drive into Chicago for my 4:00 appointment. In the weeks leading up to the I've felt so impatient & anxious to get started but now that the days is here I'm just a ball of nervous energy. All good things though. With any luck I'll be pushing down the plunger on my first dose tonight