new to the boards, hiiii !

[jixe]

hey everyone,

My names Jo (or Joe)
I thought it'd be nice to introduce myself before I post messages...
I'm 22 yrs old MTF transperson from London, UK.
I've had thoughts about transitioning in a serious context for at least a year & a half, previously in mid/late teens androgyny & looking androgynous was of paramount importance to me! Later > from 20-22 I've been obsessed/distressed/etc about wanting to correct my body-mind mismatch and take hormones. (I am a non-op) I don't want doctors cutting me all up!
I did experiment for about 3 months last year with some hormones I bought from the web, I felt very peaceful, calm and incredibly happy with my self, comfortable in my body, etc... despite the dose being low and a kinda mild depressing cloud hanging over me a bit, I'm sure with a higher dose this wouldnt be an issue...
Anyway, I haven't taken any hormones for about 4 weeks and the changes that occured have reversed (I still look boyish & androgynous thankfully!!!)
I really hate it right now, its not me & I'm looking into going privately, the NHS seems to be archaic and slooooow... I really want to change within this year, I know everyone says that, but I want to change now!! :-) I've waited too many years.. anyhoo...

some advice, tips, stories, helpful pointers of what is needed along the path (laser - I have white skin and dark brown hair), voice therapy, etc..
All this would be greatly appreciated !!
thanks :-)

[lady amarant]

Yay! Another Londoner!

You're in the right place to find answers to those questions you mention. Look around a bit, and once you've done, start posting specific questions and you'll get more answers than you can shake a stick at!

As to the NHS... plenty of stories on here about the woes of trying to get your GID sorted under the system. If you're lucky enough to have won a professional GP under the postcode lotto, then things might go more smoothly, but sadly most people end up spending months and even years on various waiting lists.

I'm a South African, been in London almost 2 years now, and I've pretty-much given up on the NHS, except maybe for them to do bloodtests for me, and maybe for getting a reference to a general kind of counsellor (because it does help to speak to somebody) Getting into one of the gender clinics though? I can't see that happening ANY time soon.

That said though, it does happen for people. It all really boils down to lucking into the right people at the right time. Also, sometimes going after the right people helps - for example, phoning your PCT directly and finding out about funding for trans-people, reporting a GP that's being obstructionary, that sort of thing.

Good luck hon!

[jixe]

well, i've already been referred, so we'll see what happens...
can I ask what a PCT is?

thanx for the reply :>

[Berliegh]

hey everyone,

My names Jo (or Joe)
I thought it'd be nice to introduce myself before I post messages...
I'm 22 yrs old MTF transperson from London, UK.
I've had thoughts about transitioning in a serious context for at least a year & a half, previously in mid/late teens androgyny & looking androgynous was of paramount importance to me! Later > from 20-22 I've been obsessed/distressed/etc about wanting to correct my body-mind mismatch and take hormones. (I am a non-op) I don't want doctors cutting me all up!
I did experiment for about 3 months last year with some hormones I bought from the web, I felt very peaceful, calm and incredibly happy with my self, comfortable in my body, etc... despite the dose being low and a kinda mild depressing cloud hanging over me a bit, I'm sure with a higher dose this wouldnt be an issue...
Anyway, I haven't taken any hormones for about 4 weeks and the changes that occured have reversed (I still look boyish & androgynous thankfully!!!)
I really hate it right now, its not me & I'm looking into going privately, the NHS seems to be archaic and slooooow... I really want to change within this year, I know everyone says that, but I want to change now!! :-) I've waited too many years.. anyhoo...

some advice, tips, stories, helpful pointers of what is needed along the path (laser - I have white skin and dark brown hair), voice therapy, etc..
All this would be greatly appreciated !!
thanks :-)

Whatever you do please avoid the NHS if you can....I was hoping to do it in 18 months with the NHS....and because I went through the NHS I'm nearly 10 years down the line and still no SRS...

[lady amarant]

well, i've already been referred, so we'll see what happens...
can I ask what a PCT is?

thanx for the reply :>

The PCT (primary care trust) is the regional body that oversees funding for medical procedures in your region. You can get in touch with them by phoning the NHS helpline - can't remember the number off-hand, but you should be able to get it easily enough from the NHS website.

And just be aware that it really DOES boil down to luck. I know only a few trans people in the UK, and about equal numbers have transitioned well under the NHS ... or have run into the horrible situation Berleigh has sadly had to suffer. You might end up in one PCT that has a good bunch of people in the right places ... or fall under the next one over that has Hitler in charge. I hope, in your case, the former.

I would start seriously researching private alternatives though. They are hellishly expensive (sometimes prohibitively so) but you might be able to end up with a situation where your care is privately led, but most of the additional stuff like regular bloodwork and perhaps even medication can be done by your GP, thus keeping your costs down. Feel free to PM me if you've got questions I've not answered.

[Moira Midnigh]

Hullo Jo.

Welcome to Susan's and I do hope you will find your answers here. From what I can tell, they are a really helpful bunch and you will be sure to recieve the right information in the right way in the right...ah, you get the point!

Other than that, I can't really say much else or tell of personal experiences, 'cause I really haven't been here long and I really don't know much myself, so...yeah.

Wonderful to have you here!


Moi.

[tinkerbell]

Hello Jo and welcome to Susan's!

Please take a few moments to get familiar with all the boards of the site, review the site rules before posting, and take advantage of our many resources such as the wiki, chat, and the links listed at the main page.  We look forward to your future posts and participation.  Enjoy your stay

tink

[jixe]

thanks for the help everyone.
I was told the NHS now like to give appoitments early and review the case, then the waiting can be long before anything actually gets done...
either way I'm looking into going privately if its too slow, I'll follow up on my referral and see whats going on with that before making any descisions...
I don't want surgery so that makes things a little easier for me and them...
perhaps that will be to my advantage and I might get moved along swifter through the system. Time will tell!

blessings!