Problems with GP trying to get HRT prescriptions

[Naturally Blonde]

I live in the U.K and trying to get my GP to prescribe a new HRT is virtually impossible. I would like to try HRT implants but she won't prescripe them. I want to try injectable HRT but she also will not prescrible those either? HRT implants are actually licenced by the NHS in the U.K but HRT injectables are not. My GP's arguement is they are only licenced for menopausal women and not transsexuals and my arguement was that goes with all HRT medications but she was still willing  to prescrible other forms of HRT. Basically I am singled out because I am not a genetic female.

I have been on HRT patches and tablets for 10 years and I feel they haven't worked. I believe injectable HRT or HRT implants will be more effective in my quest to achieve better fat redistribution.

I will try and see a private consultant like Richard Curtis and find out if I can get these products privately in the U.K, or alternatively it's a case of surfing the net for internet pharmacies.

[rejennyrated]

Or maybe you could try moving to another GP. It sounds as if yours has some rather firm beliefs about this.

I have mine very well trained. Even he admits that I probably know more about it than he does and if I want to try something new, as long as it isn't too costly and it isn't obviously dangerous, he generally goes along with it.

That said I'm almost an ideal patient from his point of view. I don't ask for much and apart from once a year when he takes my Blood Pressure he just lets me send in my home BP readings and by return issues me with a repeat script (6 months supply at a time). In 14 years he has seen me maybe 20 times at the outside.

[Naturally Blonde]

Hi Jenny, thanks for the message. I didn't realise you were also in the U.K.

I've had the same GP for about 12 years and to be honest she has hindered my transition on many occasions. I did try and change surgeries but I found the only way to do it was to move away from the area and then move back again and register as a new patient to the area at another practice. The GP's here have no concept or knowledge of gender dysphoria and I am like a fish out of water!

By the way my GP insists she checks my blood pressure every visit as I have high blood pressure and high blood pressure is in my family. She sometimes uses this as an excuse not to give me medication.

[rejennyrated]

Since a few years back when the last healthcare reforms became law you actually have a LEGAL right to move to another doctor. I don't know why your surgery is trying to prevent that - but you could talk to the local PCT. You should be able to just request your NHS card and take it to another surgery and register there.

Problem is some PCT's are better than others. In cornwall, where I now live, they are very sympathetic to transpeople.

I was originally from London, and in any case I was a private patient, but my partner was born and bred in Cornwall and she got funded for everything - even her electolysis.

(Sadly I didn't meet her until I was already longterm postop having paid for everything.)

But the moral is, in the UK it does pay to shop around both in terms of GP, and if you can even in terms of which PCT area you live in.

[Naturally Blonde]

Since a few years back when the last healthcare reforms became law you actually have a LEGAL right to move to another doctor. I don't know why your surgery is trying to prevent that - but you could talk to the local PCT. You should be able to just request your NHS card and take it to another surgery and register there.

I cannot register with another GP practice in the same town. They are all full and will not take a patient who is thinking of leaving another surgery. As I said before the only way is to leave the area and then move back again.

I was originally from London, and in any case I was a private patient, but my partner was born and bred in Cornwall and she got funded for everything - even her electolysis.

(Sadly I didn't meet her until I was already longterm postop having paid for everything.)

But the moral is, in the UK it does pay to shop around both in terms of GP, and if you can even in terms of which PCT area you live in.

I have heard that some people in different areas get all kinds of stuff paid for on the NHS including electrolisis. When I first started on HRT about 10 years ago I had to go private for HRT as the NHS refused to prescrible HRT.  I have had to fight for my rights right from the start and your friend has been very lucky with her NHS treatment in Cornwall.

[rejennyrated]

I cannot register with another GP practice in the same town. They are all full and will not take a patient who is thinking of leaving another surgery. As I said before the only way is to leave the area and then move back again.

I have heard that some people in different areas get all kinds of stuff paid for on the NHS including electrolisis. When I first started on HRT about 10 years ago I had to go private for HRT as the NHS refused to prescrible HRT.  I have had to fight for my rights right from the start and your friend has been very lucky with her NHS treatment in Cornwall.

Oh dear. That is a real shame. Sadly I don't know what else to suggest although I have heard from Russell that Richard Curtis is very nice and helpful.

I feel very sorry for your difficulties in originally getting the HRT too. That seems really cruel. Even I managed to get that.

[Naturally Blonde]

Oh dear. That is a real shame. Sadly I don't know what else to suggest although I have heard from Russell that Richard Curtis is very nice and helpful.

I've never met Richard Curtis and he wasn't going when I started out. I am of course ever grateful to Russell.

I feel very sorry for your difficulties in originally getting the HRT too. That seems really cruel. Even I managed to get that.

I blame my GP who sent me to Charing Cross GIC and it was charing Cross GIC who refused HRT. They then continued to refuse every referral I applied for. That was a pretty horrendous 6 years!

[Chrissty]

I'm really sorry you are continuing to have problems..

..and I hope you find a way to resolve them..

..your current problem seems particularly crazy, as last I heard our favourite CHX were using implants, at least for T-blockers..

Maybe a consultation with Richard might help, but from what I have heard, you still need to "enlist his help", and he does not react well to being told he must prescribe something particular.... and then unless you get him to prescribe directly, I suspect you GP could still change the script locally, at least on repeats..

Whatever you do... I wish you luck.. you really don't deserve this..



Chrissty

[Naturally Blonde]

I'm really sorry you are continuing to have problems..

..and I hope you find a way to resolve them..

..your current problem seems particularly crazy, as last I heard our favourite CHX were using implants, at least for T-blockers..

What Charing Cross GIC actually do is put patients on Zoladex implants, which is an anti - androgen. I did try Zoladex implants and I had a reversal effect and a surge of testo! so that was a no no for me... But it is definitely not a form of HRT.

Maybe a consultation with Richard might help, but from what I have heard, you still need to "enlist his help", and he does not react well to being told he must prescribe something particular....
Chrissty

Is he related to my GP? as Richard Curtis doesn't react well to HRT suggestions from the patient it's worth saving the £200 consultation fee then!

[Chrissty]

What Charing Cross GIC actually do is put patients on Zoladex implants, which is an anti - androgen. I did try Zoladex implants and I had a reversal effect and a surge of testo! so that was a no no for me... But it is definitely not a form of HRT.

Is he related to my GP? as Richard Curtis doesn't react well to HRT suggestions from the patient it's worth saving the £200 consultation fee then!

OK, yes the implants are Zoldax, and clearly they would not help from what you say, I was only endorsing your views on the odd reasoning of your GP over the delivery method, but then I'm also not a doctor.

I understand Richard to be reasonable and professional, and as I said the people who seem happiest with his consultations are those who work with him rather than question his judgement. I'm sure if he thinks he can help you he will, and he will listen to suggestions; but I don't think the fact that you are paying for a private consultation will automatically get you what you want.

I thought you were already going private to get your current HRT anyway?

[Naturally Blonde]

I thought you were already going private to get your current HRT anyway?

No, I went private in 2003 to start on HRT. My private prescription was converted to an NHS prescription straight away. I've not been private since 2003.

I have been on HRT ever since but it has difficult to get my GP to try different types of HRT despite back up letters from my endocrinologist. I'm still with the NHS but not affiliated with a gender clinic.