A Further Update On My Therapy, Not Going So Well Admittedly

[TranSketch]

To bring a further update to my now second appointment I am disheartened to say they would not authorise my hormone treatment on a ccount I don't dress up and live female in a area notorious for being rough and essentially painting a big old target on my back saying "Beat me up" so the only thing useful to come out of trying to do this through the proper channels is to realise I should never have bothered at all it seems, he give me a number for Tran Support group and they are looking into a clinical trial of sorts to see if they have a means of speeding up the waiting list for TG patients and bridging the hormones, the woman in charge said she'd email the one dealing with the program about putting me on in so for now I'll await her phone call to see if I can still do this the legitimate way. <not allowed> I have my battle plans drawn not taking no for an answer, I am not potentially waiting 2 years to go the GIC in London just to get approval then, time is ticking and I've waited long enough so I'll be damned if there refusal to sign me off on them today stops me getting the medication I need to feel more happier in my mind and my body just because I'm making sure I don't get myself beaten up for dressing up in a rough area or putting up with my mums partner who is not exactly supportive of this transition and just bursts into my room at his own pleasure without knocking when I could be getting changed etc, one way or the other this is happening with or without me coercing the situation my way it's just unfortunate it may have to come down to this way but c'est la vie.
In any case this is my update it's bad but may have a silver lining if the trial thing goes through or if not I'm prepared to pony up for medication privately so that the NHS has to take notice, if strongarm tactics need be then they need be.

[Nicole70]

Hi TranSketch
That completely sucks that they expect to to present as female before they will prescribe HRT, and a two year wait is not good for your mental health, it would appear that the NHS is not following WPATH guidelines or the therapist you have seen is ignorant of the latest guidelines, encouraging you to self medicate is not only reckless it can be downright dangerous.
I hope you get a resolution soon, and feel for you.
Hugs
Nicole

[TranSketch]

Hi TranSketch
That completely sucks that they expect to to present as female before they will prescribe HRT, and a two year wait is not good for your mental health, it would appear that the NHS is not following WPATH guidelines or the therapist you have seen is ignorant of the latest guidelines, encouraging you to self medicate is not only reckless it can be downright dangerous.
I hope you get a resolution soon, and feel for you.
Hugs
Nicole

The didn't so much say it out right but mentioned had I been self medicating they'd have signed it off as I was doing it anyway and it'd be better on there trms knowing I'm doing it by safe standard

[Dani]

WPATH standards no longer require dressing as the desired gender for a real life test. This has never, to my knowledge, been a requirement for HRT and only recently been dropped as a requirement for surgery.

For myself, I hardly ever cross dressed before transition and even today, I usually wear androgynous clothing. I am just not impressed by make up and high heels. I live in Florida and everybody here dresses for comfort. Shorts and a t-shirt is my daily wardrobe.

I am not alone in this. Christine Jorgensen has publicly stated that before her transition in the 1950's, that she never cross dressed. Anyone who still insists on a real life test to see if you like female clothing is missing the point. We transition to live the rest of our life as we wish.

I would find a different therapist, if possible.

[pamelatransuk]

Sadly here in UK there is a long waiting list for NHS transgender patients - at least 16 months and some locations over 2 years and they usually insist on RLE for hormones which is in my view ridiculous.

For those two reasons many here on Susans including me have decided to go on hormones privately but I know Transketch that unfortunately you cannot do so I do appreciate the problem.

Just to clarify please, Transketch, are you saying that there a possibility of a bridging system for HRT for you which would indeed be medically supervised without RLE? I hope that is the case as that would get you started but I would not advise any unsupervised HRT.

I think many UK members here on Susans would like to know details of the trail/system you refer to. Perhaps you could provide further details if you wish please.

Thanking you and wishing you the best of luck.

Pamela

[TranSketch]

Sadly here in UK there is a long waiting list for NHS transgender patients - at least 16 months and some locations over 2 years and they usually insist on RLE for hormones which is in my view ridiculous.

For those two reasons many here on Susans including me have decided to go on hormones privately but I know Transketch that unfortunately you cannot do so I do appreciate the problem.

Just to clarify please, Transketch, are you saying that there a possibility of a bridging system for HRT for you which would indeed be medically supervised without RLE? I hope that is the case as that would get you started but I would not advise any unsupervised HRT.

I think many UK members here on Susans would like to know details of the trail/system you refer to. Perhaps you could provide further details if you wish please.

Thanking you and wishing you the best of luck.

Pamela

My understanding is they will bridge it if they feel you are basically playing devils advocate with your life but it'd be better to consult the therapist if this is indeed true or not.

[TranSketch]

WPATH standards no longer require dressing as the desired gender for a real life test. This has never, to my knowledge, been a requirement for HRT and only recently been dropped as a requirement for surgery.

For myself, I hardly ever cross dressed before transition and even today, I usually wear androgynous clothing. I am just not impressed by make up and high heels. I live in Florida and everybody here dresses for comfort. Shorts and a t-shirt is my daily wardrobe.

I am not alone in this. Christine Jorgensen has publicly stated that before her transition in the 1950's, that she never cross dressed. Anyone who still insists on a real life test to see if you like female clothing is missing the point. We transition to live the rest of our life as we wish.

I would find a different therapist, if possible.

Only one Therapist in the clinic I go to, that's the sad state of affairs that our NHS is in, the supply and demand isn't balanced so basically for every couple of TG patient there's only one therapist to handle there case.

[BlueJaye]

That's terrible. Gatekeepers are the worst! Here in the States I was able to obtain HRT with a support letter from my therapist, which has never required me to dress or live in a certain way. In fact I have never dressed feminine to any of my appointments. I am not "out" yet publicly and always leave straight from work to my appointments, and always dress in "guy mode" for work.

[Tatiana 79]

Hello TranSketch

I think that that's an absolutely horrible policy you have in the UK.
Some of us are not blessed with the female type body and should have HRT first and not letting you walk around like that when you don't feel comfortable that is not a good mindset to be in but please don't be deterred and stick to it know that many of us have very masculine bodies but a female brain.  hopefully things will change in the UK for the better hang in there sweetheart we're all pulling for you

Best wishes for your future love Tatiana

[TranSketch]

Hello TranSketch

I think that that's an absolutely horrible policy you have in the UK.
Some of us are not blessed with the female type body and should have HRT first and not letting you walk around like that when you don't feel comfortable that is not a good mindset to be in but please don't be deterred and stick to it know that many of us have very masculine bodies but a female brain.  hopefully things will change in the UK for the better hang in there sweetheart we're all pulling for you

Best wishes for your future love Tatiana

It's because it costs the NHS money to do the surgery etc and they want to see commitment however I'm not putting myself in a dangerous position of getting beaten up and needing to go the hospital for other reasons than transitioning, this gets put on hold till I can angle it to my terms if I can, not there's.

[Mendi]

I got help from Dr. Graham Peveller. He wrote a recommendation letter for SRS, but he wrotes also letters for HRT. Online meetings and he is based in UK I believe.

[TranSketch]

A further update, this may be in my favour now, I do not suggest for a minute it's a guaranteed fix and I mysel haven't spoken to the therapist in person but the receptionist passed on the message I was planning to and have bought estrogen to self medicate, he has said he will be ringing me on the 14th about forwarding my appointment date from September and from what he said last time hopefully it means he'll bridge the hormones so I can take them officially, I will keep people posted on this and as I say this is not a guarantee so please no one instantly think that it'll push them to approve, some therapists may be stubborn and even myself I don't know what he'll say but here's hoping the end game is in my favour now.

[pamelatransuk]

Thank you for the information and good luck on the 14th.