What to ask doctor?

[Jamie_B]

This may be sort of an odd question and I'm probably thinking too much about it but that's me.  I have been seeing one therapist or another for many years.  I have not seen one specifically for GID but my latest therapist is going to be working with me on that.  My short to mid term goal is to start HRT.  I am looking for a doctor for this.  Certainly I'd like someone with experience in this area.  I may have found a doctor close by, which is convenient.  Now, what do I say to this doctor at the very very beginning of the conversation...how do I approach this?  "Hi, I'm transsexual and I want hormones, gimme.".  That doesn't seem like the right way. :0)   My mother says I may need to be referred to this doctor.  I suppose I could simply call and ask for an appt... just kind of curious as to how to go about approaching the subject initially...without being awkward.  Thanks in advance for any advice.  :0)

[Nigella]

The therapist should refer you to a specialist doc in GID. They have to go by the Harry Benjamin rules which means an official diagnosis of gender dysphoria before any HRT treatment.

I think it is a pain the kind of hoops we have to jump through but when you think about the hrt you will be taking and finally srs they have to be as sure as you are that this is the correct path to take. This is serious stuff Jamie.

I waited a year after my first consultation with the GID clinic they would have started me after six months.

I seriously doubt they would prescribe on initial visit and if they do I would start asking questions of their ethics for your own welfare and good.



Stardust   

[Gwen]

You say "Hi, I'm <Insert your name here>, I'm a male to female transsexual seeking hormone therapy and here's the letter from my therapist recommending this treatment for me per the Harry Benjamin guidelines. "  Then give the letter from your therapist to the doctor and you will likely be given your prescription when the doc is satisfied there are no contra-indications.

If you don't have a letter from a qualified therapist you most likely won't get anything except a lecture from the doctor and a quick trip out the door.

[Jamie_B]

I suppose I was thinking a bit too much about "which words to use".  I don't expect this to happen immediately though I, of course, wish it would all happen *right now*.  I have only just begun, really.  As I said I have been seeing a therapist years.  I have also been seeing a psychiatrist for the same amount of time and have a caseworker who helps me gather information.  I only came out to my parents and revealed my feelings to my psych and therapist mid December.  It's very early for me still I realize.  There are still many things I need to discuss with my psych.
I have felt this way for a very long time.  I was 100% sure I wanted to transition before I came out.  I am still 100% sure.  At this point then I am simply waiting for others to feel satisfied as you said stardust.  I am a long way off from passing in public so that is not really my concern at the moment.  I still look very male and barely have any hair at all ...on top of my head.  I tend to think far ahead into the future anyway and that coupled with my impatience adds up to some fair amount of frustration.  My desire at this point is to get this testosterone out of my body and replace it with the chemicals that should have been there in the first place. 
In any case, thanks to both of you for your advice...I was over-thinking it as I am prone to do.  I will ask my therapist and psych for advice and referrals and see what happens.  Thanks so much again. :0)

[Gwen]

No worries girl, I think we TS's are by nature pretty introspective and tend to over-think things sometimes.

But in all seriousness the sentence I put in my reply for what to say to the doc is pretty close to what I really said on my first visit.  After she read the letter from my therapist she had some questions for me about Gender Dysphoria which I did my best to answer.   And then she wrote me a scrip...  That's pretty much how it went.

As big a pain as the hoops we have to jump through are, they really are there for a reason... mainly I think so some confused person doesn't mis-identify him/herself as TS, then transition, and find they can't look in the mirror without wanting to cut their own wrists.

For anyone who truly is Trans the hurdles are minor inconveniences on the path toward one's true self.   Patience and perseverance do pay off though... honest!  I wish both for you, as well as a pleasant journey along the way.

[Jamie_B]

Thank you Gwen :0)   Very helpful.  I agree that it is extremely important that your health care givers: doc, therapist, etc... be sure and competent.  Although I want everything to happen *right now*, I keep reminding myself that this journey does not have a specific length...that this is a process that takes the rest of my life.  There are milestones sure, but I don't anticipate ever saying: "ok, I'm done now".  Half of my impatience stems from how aggravated I am at myself for having waited so long in the first place...but again, I remind myself that the past is the past and I must live for the present and the future.  Thanks again.

[Gwen]

It's my pleasure to help! 

You are learning well my young padawan.  =)