Looking for help in Winnipeg

[Feeltrapped]

Hey everyone I'm hoping someone can help me out with who to see about beginning transitioning MTF in Winnipeg. I'm not overly comfortable with my GP, and feel super awkward calling around asking places if they can help me. Just curious who others have seen here. Want to stay discrete as possible for the time being, until I feel more comfortable coming out to my family and friends, so also don't want a bunch of returned phone calls, mail being sent to my place, etc. I need to deal with making myself feel better before I break the news so to speak.... should have done this when I was 19 like I wanted to but didn't have the courage to, now I'm 34 and things are even more complicated but I can't carry on like this anymore, it's driving me crazy and consuming every aspect of myself.

Thanks!

[Cassi]

Did you google the area?

That's how I became aware of my doctor.  Someone had posted that this particular doctor provided HRT.  I called, set up an appointment and now I'm a happy girl, or newboob, or wantaboob....

[StacyRenee]

Yup. Google led me to Psychology Today website. I then searched for gender therapist. I picked mine because she listed her connection to a transgender support group.

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[Cassi]

I had gone to the VA here in Vegas prior to my HRT appointment.  It was my first time at the hospital here after moving from Texas.

Anyway, I knew the VA will provide psych and med assistance and thought I'd see if I could go that route which would save me a few hundred dollars.

Anyway, when I told the doctor I wanted to begin HRT she said they would have to take a blood test to see if my T level warranted it.  She thought that I wanted a T shot and I said no, I'm a transgender woman and want the female stuff.

She said, no we don't do that here.  Anyway, I continued with the outside doctor and am happy.

Cali

[Feeltrapped]

Ya I did all that, and sent an email to one Dr. Was just hoping someone from my city knew someone personally, and I could get a name. Would much rather see someone that someone else has experiences with. If that makes sense...

On another note... how long does it usually take (in Canada) from your first apptointment till you can start HRT? As well, how quickly does it really start to "change" certain things. I know it's different for everyone, just wondering what others experiences were first hand. It's January right now, and I usually take vacation in August, and wondering if by then it would be super obvious or not so much.... not going to be coming right out and saying "hey everyone I'm a girl now", family and close friends yes... for now... and just let others catch on over time. Again.... if that makes sense.... forgive me, I've lived in the closet for almost 30 years, new to this and not really a "surprise!" Kind of person.

[Cassi]

Did you try here:

https://rainbowresourcecentre.org/support/groups/winnipeg-transgender-support-group

[KathyLauren]

On another note... how long does it usually take (in Canada) from your first apptointment till you can start HRT? As well, how quickly does it really start to "change" certain things. I know it's different for everyone, just wondering what others experiences were first hand. It's January right now, and I usually take vacation in August, and wondering if by then it would be super obvious or not so much.... not going to be coming right out and saying "hey everyone I'm a girl now", family and close friends yes... for now... and just let others catch on over time. Again.... if that makes sense.... forgive me, I've lived in the closet for almost 30 years, new to this and not really a "surprise!" Kind of person.

It will probably vary province-to-province.  Waiting lists, in particular, depend on how backed up the system is. 

But you asked about the time from first appointment.  Ignoring wait times, it took me three one-hour sessions to get my HRT letter.  I think that in simple cases (i.e. no complicating psychological issues, and your symptoms and experiences of being trans are quite clear), that would be fairly typical.  How long that takes in calendar time is dependent on wait lists.

Once I had my letter, there was another wait list to see the prescribing doctor.  I had a couple of sessions with her and then I had my prescription. 

The total elapsed time from first therapist contact to script in hand was about five months.  I jumped the queue by paying my own way with a private therapist.  Staying in the public system would have added another four months to that time.  Nova Scotia is about the worst in the country for waiting lists, so it's likely better in Manitoba.

Once you are on HRT, things start to happen quite quickly (YMMV).  Nipples start to tingle within a couple of weeks, indicating breast growth.  I had no trouble keeping the girls concealed for three months, but by the end of that time, I had to choose my male wardrobe carefully.  No T-shirts; baggy flannel shirts only,  and I was wearing a sports bra all the time.