Difference of opinion.............

[Chynna]

being a transsexual who aspires to be nothing more than just a Transsexaul I learned quite sometime ago that being a woman is based upon your actions & demonor not what is between your legs!
I have no aspiration of having the full change I am quiet comfortable being what I am after all it makes ME well.....ME!:)

I just read a posting On this site in reference to an individual requesting dosage information for Lynoral. What disturbed me is the fact that no one tried to help the individual instead everyone seemed only concerned with tell her that self medicating is a really bad idea (which I agree with 100%) However i m a realist and being a woman of mixed ethnicticy who comes from a low-income background and does volunteer transgender work in low-income areas I know that self medications does and will always happen for the simple fact that most of us (especially minorities) do not have the resources to do it the correct\appropriate way I just wanted to say instead of just telling the individual that self medicate was a really bad idea (which again I agree totally) we all need to realize this individaul already had the pills in hand so regardless of your advice he\or she was going to take them more than likely. Now from experience I found that most of "us" (transgender individuals) often mistakenly think "more is better" which those of us who have been "in the game" for a while know this is not true. You has a community should have 1 point out self medication is dangerous but also added that there are resources on the web which provided guidlines on dosage values and the risk involved with self medication and side effects and usage of most medications in regards to transgender therapy this would have been helpful to this individual tio not only communicate your point but to prevent her from overdosing and causing more harm than good. I see on a constant basis the ease at which anyone can obtain harmones so instead of just saying "no I won't help you"  take the approach of "well this is not a good idea however, if your set on doing things your way it is in fact your life so here is  information on the pros & cons of what you are asking the choice is yours to make."

Again This is only one womans opninion and sveral apologize if I have offended anyone.

SDK
Where fantasy meets reality and all points therein

[Sarah Louise]

Nice to meet you Chynna,

Good, bad or indifferent, the owners of this board have made the decision that No doseage information should be passed out on this site.  That we always will suggest seeing a doctor and doing hormones the correct way.

If you happen to contact someone on your own through email then we can't say anything.  Also, anyone who does want to "self" medicate has all the information available to them numerous places on the internet.  If "they" want to self medicate, let "them" do the research.   Let "them" take the responsibility of thier own body and medical future.  I certainly don't want to take that responsibility for them.

Sarah L.

[Terri-Gene]

Chynna, your post about your feelings in regard to self medication was justifiable from your point of view, but the reply from Sarah Louise is the fact we live by on this system.  Susan has declaired discussing such matters in the manner you discribe to be off limits on this system and we must adhear to that wisdom.

While most of the viewers here do not realise the actual dangers involved, they are real, very real.  I have been brought down by two stokes since November of 2004 while under the best of psychiatric and medical care.  I was prevented from taking hormones for several years because I have a chronic case of Hepititus C, which slowly but surely distroys the Liver and the doctors would not let me take estrogens.

About 3 years ago I managed to get my psychiatrist and doctor together and because of my belief in my ability to overcome the disability and my intense desire to physically transform my body, they allowed me to begin hormone therapy, with the stipulation that estrogen would be discontinued if I displayed any problems.

Things went well until a stroke brought me down one night at work.  While in the hospital, my estrogens were taken away from me.  I fought that decision and after a lot of straight forward communication we agreed that if I had a Orchiectomy I could resume on a much lower dose of estrogen and continue to physically develop.

The resumption went well untill I had another stroke at work and was transported to the hospital.  This time the doctors are steadfast about me never doing estrogens again.  I have gotten through both of these strokes with no permanant damage, retaining all my movement and speach, but somewhat slow in my ability to reason.  My last stroke was in January of this year and I still am not allowed to drive.  I will be taking an 8 to 9 hour test next week to determine my ability to return to work.  Yes, it can be rough, and I have been lucky.  And this is despite the best medical care I could hope for.

What I'm saying is that even with proper medical care, these things can happen, and only a foolish desperate person would self medicate under these circumstances.

Please take to heart that we here at Susans do as we do because we believe in safety and have concern for those who wish to transition.  There are almost unlimited sources of information out there for those who are in the foolish set, and we do not want to be a part of one of the many problems those who wish to Transition to female form.

Just a word of wisdom to you Chynna, and I hope you understand

Terri

[stephanie_craxford]

Chynna please read the rules as they are quite explicit when it come to HRT and dosages.  Also in your post you seem to be using a rather large paint brush to coat members here and others of our community with disdain which I can assure you is not warranted, and wholly unfair.  Members are always directed to seek competent medical help and are often told of the dangers of self medication.  Additionally members are always directed to our Wiki that is full of information and support advice.

"simple fact that most of us (especially minorities) do not have the resources to do it the correct\appropriate way "

and

Now from experience I found that most of "us" (transgender individuals) often mistakenly think "more is better"

I don't understand where you get this "most of us" from, are you referring to those who you have been in contact with through your volunteer work or is this a national/international phenomena.

One last point is that to refer to some of us as being "in the game", trivialises our issues as I do not consider myself in anyone's game.  I feel that to refer to our situation as such is improper.

Steph

P.S. Can you provide a link to the post you mention as I can't seem to find it...

[Chynna]

 
To all,
First let me say thank you for the welcome to the site.
As I originally stated in my first post I apologize if I offended anyone, Sarah, Stephanie & Terri I respect your opinions and comments whole heartedly.

I don't understand where you get this "most of us" from, are you referring to those who you have been in contact with through your volunteer work or is this a national/international phenomena.

I obviously was stating ONLY from personal experience...not having meet every transgender individual on the planet per say....But I am sure someone will claim or think they have.

Chynna please read the rules as they are quite explicit when it come to HRT and dosages

I have read the rules of the site and no where does it prohibit any user\member\guest  the empowerment of knowledge (by shaing a link to a website which would contain the information the person asked for with all the dangers and warings of self medicating)so that individual herself\himself could make thier own intelligent life choice on self medication. TO ME (and again this is purely based on my opinion and point of view ONLY) it appeared as if everyone was trying to influence or make the decision for that individual.
I come from an area where self medication is (believe it or not) the norm.
Stephanie as for my comment "in the game" refers to life in general as a metaphor

I am not here to cause drama or argue with anyone I just always speak my mind especially when something weighs on my conscious, So again I apolgize if I painted with a broad brush when I originally posted my comment. I thought this was a little simplier than picking apart each members comment who responded to the post.


I will attempt to locate the original post if I can remeber what search i used to reach this site.

SDK
Where fantasy meets reality and all points therein 

[stephanie_craxford]

To all,
First let me say thank you for the welcome to the site.
As I originally stated in my first post I apologize if I offended anyone, Sarah, Stephanie & Terri I respect your opinions and comments whole heartedly.
I obviously was stating ONLY from personal experience...not having meet every transgender individual on the planet per say....But I am sure someone will claim or think they have.

I don't think that anyone took offense to your post some just questioned it

I would just like to clarify some points Chynna.  Firstly posting links to any site from Susan's is prohibited without Susans permission (Rule # 1)  Additionally posting links to sites that provide information on "Self medication", "Obtaining Hormones through other than prescriptions", or so called "do-it-yourself sites" etc. can not be condoned or supported by Susan's we will delete such links and the member will be advised that the practice must cease.

While self medication may be the norm in your location it doesn't make it right everywhere.  We fully understand the difficulties that many TS suffer through when their particular situation prevents them from acquiring HRT through normal means.  Additionally those who are seeking to self medicate can easily "Google" the net to find that information they do not need this site to obtain such information.

I just did a quick Google on "Self Medication" and came up with 21,700,000 hits, "Black market hormones" produced 2,060,000 hits.

It is obvious that with a little refinement  a user can easily narrow these searches down to produce the results sought.  Now that is empowerment.

This site will always strive to provide answers and/or advice to do what is considered the right thing, or what the members think is best, and from that advice the recipient must decide for themselves on a course of action.   For us to do otherwise would be reckless and would go against Susans philosophy for her site.

I apologize if you thought I was "picking apart" your post, but I just wanted clarification on some of the points that you raised.

Steph