Living in the South

[Tuffcreampuff]

Picked up my first prescription for HRT yesterday. Once I finally got through the obvious confusion the pharmacy technician had with regard to an obvious "male" being prescribed estrogen patches and Spiro I got my meds and proceeded to walk out emotionless. I got to my car and broke down crying because I had to explain myself in front of several other people. It reminded me of just how sacry the road ahead is for me. The internal pain I have had for 50 years out shadows that but I am questioning my decision right now

[krobinson103]

Its the start of a much longer journey. People will question because its outside of their experience. Be brave and trust your decision because its worth it, and the people that matter generally support you.

[Deborah]

The first time I got my prescription filled at Walmart in Georgia the pharmacist questioned me too.  Once I told him what it was for and that I knew what the meds were he filled them with no problems.  I was never questioned again.  I just assumed the pharmacist was doing his job to make sure a customer wasn't getting something by mistake.  His questions really didn't bother me.

Now I get them filled in an Army hospital and nobody there has ever questioned it at all.


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[CallMeKatie]

It is difficult but I grew up with social anxiety.  Fearing judgement from everyone about everything.
You will learn to nother give a damn.
What are these people whom you will never meet again going to do? Tell their friends? You'll never meet their friends either.
Live your life and only let those close to you opinions matter

[2.B.Dana]

Having lived many years in the south and now being back in the north for a fair amount of time I think you could have just said living. As others have said the pharmacy was just doing their job but it meant so much more for you.  I have lived out the exact scenario you described and can say you will question it all, most likely daily for quite a while into your future.

Now at one month full time and nine months on HRT I still struggle to sort out exact feelings and reasoning in all of this. I know it is what I should be doing but at certain times the price seems so very high. I go on faith that the stories of potential better times in the future are true.

One thing I have to point out to myself is that the bad feelings I get, sadness etc. Are a response to what I perceive in others, not what I generally feel about myself.

[Tuffcreampuff]

I suppose what bothered me most was the inability for this person to realize the personal nature of the conversation. A little hush to the voice would have been appreciated. Thank you all for the encouragement

[KathyLauren]

I suppose what bothered me most was the inability for this person to realize the personal nature of the conversation. A little hush to the voice would have been appreciated. Thank you all for the encouragement

Yes, the pharmacist was rude.  Asking the questions isn't a big deal, since it is part of his job to ensure that people are getting the right medications.  Asking them so others can hear is rude.

Most customers at pharmacies around here politely stand back from the counter while waiting in line, so as to give the customer at the counter a bit of privacy when talking to the pharmacist.  Pharmacists should show the same discretion.

[Tuffcreampuff]

Yes, the pharmacist was rude.  Asking the questions isn't a big deal, since it is part of his job to ensure that people are getting the right medications.  Asking them so others can hear is rude.

Most customers at pharmacies around here politely stand back from the counter while waiting in line, so as to give the customer at the counter a bit of privacy when talking to the pharmacist.  Pharmacists should show the same discretion.

Same here with regard to distance but it was a broadcasted voice. I know this is a sometimes bumpy road, guess I'll just pick up my undies and toughen up a bit. Funny, I'm a tough looking male..tattoos n all...wish I was that on the inside at times

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[AnamethatstartswithE]

I get mine filled at Walgreens and the person you pick up the pills from doesn't even see what you've been given, they just see your name and a barcode so they can have you pay for it.

[Tuffcreampuff]

Next gonna do the drive through

[HappyMoni]

Same here with regard to distance but it was a broadcasted voice. I know this is a sometimes bumpy road, guess I'll just pick up my undies and toughen up a bit. Funny, I'm a tough looking male..tattoos n all...wish I was that on the inside at times

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Don't let it phase you. Consider it basic training. It will all come so much easier very soon. These are experiences you have to have. As you get past more events like this, your confidence will grow and not be shaken. Have faith, you can do it, whatever your goal is.

[Tuffcreampuff]

Don't let it phase you. Consider it basic training. It will all come so much easier very soon. These are experiences you have to have. As you get past more events like this, your confidence will grow and not be shaken. Have faith, you can do it, whatever your goal is.

Thank you honey, survived basic training once already. I guess this girl still has some fight left

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[kitchentablepotpourri]

I suppose what bothered me most was the inability for this person to realize the personal nature of the conversation. A little hush to the voice would have been appreciated. Thank you all for the encouragement

There's a HIPAA protocol which mandates that your healthcare is supposed to be confidential between you and your healthcare provider unless you specifically authorize them to disclose the information. I don't know if HIPAAis enforced at a pharmacy, but you still have a right to privacy, and I would have reported the rude behavior to the person's supervisor. 

[Tuffcreampuff]

There's a HIPPA protocol which mandates that your healthcare is supposed to be confidential between you and your healthcare provider unless you specifically authorize them to disclose the information. I don't know if HIPPA is enforced at a pharmacy, but you still have a right to privacy, and I would have reported the rude behavior to the person's supervisor.

True true...I was just trying to keep it together at that point. Besides, I didn't have my "I wanna see the manager" wig on lol

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[Lady Sarah]

Hopefully, the pharmacists won't feel any need to ask you those questions anymore. I live in Texas, and have never been questioned over my hormones. The difference is that I don't appear male. You will certainly feel much better if you never have to deal with the loud questions again.

[amydane]

I get mine from Costco. I still present as male. One day there were two pharmacy technicians standing at registers next to each other. The one that wasn't helping me began to comment on how good my skin looked, and wondered what I did to have such good skin... the technician helping me saw that I was taking estrogen and spiro, and thank goodness she didn't say anything (at least while I was there).

In another experience, the pharmacy technician announced loudly the names of my prescriptions and asked if they were right. I felt a little embarrassed because so many people could hear.

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[pamelatransuk]

I sympathise completely.

The first time the pharmacist may query (in any geographical location) but it should have been quiet, discreet and courteous and certainly NOT by a broadcast.

I hope you have recovered from the embarrassment.

[Tuffcreampuff]

I sympathise completely.

The first time the pharmacist may query (in any geographical location) but it should have been quiet, discreet and courteous and certainly NOT by a broadcast.

I hope you have recovered from the embarrassment.

Gonna put on my lady patches tomorrow morning, take a breath and get ready for the next time. Had I not been in major man mode picking it up I guess it would have been better but I'm not ready yet to go out as Leah

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[Bobbie LeAnn]

I am so sorry that you had such a bad experience. I wish you could have had my experience LOL. When I got my prescription for my hormones I ran into the prescription shop waving my prescription like a victory flag. The druggist has known me for years and he never said a word.



Love
Bobbie LeAnn

[Janes Groove]

I live in Denver and I once had to argue with a Walmart pharmacist about my name change.  He was too lazy to take the my old name which was printed next to my new name off my scripts.  He said something to the effect that, "What's the problem. It's just as good. Your new name is on the script too."

I wanted to scream!  Took a few breaths and explained that he would most like have problems with billing my insurance if he left my old name on.

But most of them are pretty nice tho.  Now most of them know me and greet me by name which NEVER happened back when I was a dude.