Good for you Plix, you seem to be at least starting to think. after the last few posts, I hope you realise the long term effects of the orchie and how necessary it is that this issue be addressed.
Yes Plix, The drop in testosterone can definately affect your thinking and bring on depression like effects. I experienced this myself, though not to a dehibilitating degree, as a result of having an orchie myself which was considered a medical necessity to restart HRT on post menapause dose after a thromboses incident made it unsound for me to continue on conventional high doses of estrogen and I had to be pulled from the HRT program for a number of months. After the orchie I was allowed to restart on the low dose. We have been working with that to achieve exact levels of what I need without exceeding that amount thus increasing the risk, though I am told that any amount at all is a prohibitive risk in my case. It is only because of my relationship with my doctors and their concern for my quality of life that allows them to wiegh and try to balance the risk vs. life issue as in most cases, HRT would not be allowed at all in such cases.
the referral request is not an easy issue depending on if Transsexual HRT is specifically prohibited by your HMO, which if it is a smaller one, probably is. I wouldn't know, but could you show her some documentation from the previous therapyst? Perhaps with some work, things can be worked out with the HMO itself, thats what it took to get my HMO to pay for my own Orchie, though they never had any problem with the specific therapy, HRT or related medical concerns at all. It was my psychiatrist who stood up to them and pushed it through for me, or I would have had to pay for it myself, but at half price since I work for the HMO that insures me. You need to work with your people and it is sometimes surprising what they will do for you if you cooperate with them and they have confidence in your commitment and need. It's just something you have to work with, but I'm sure there is a solution, the problem is finding it.
It is possible that she can refer you to the endo on the orchie issues and documentation from the other therapyst might work for the endo, though from what you said, she never recommended HRT, which complicates that issue. You are in a bit of a mess and it would seem at square one, diagnoses and recommendation. My best guess is that your best hope is therapy, beginning with the depression, not GID and let the therapyst work toward GID as the underlying cause. If the therapyst can see things in this direction, she or he can referr you to a more specialized person who can work with you.
This is going to be a long drawn out process over many months and you are going to just have to realize that and make the patience if you haven't got it. As to the progesterone issue, Stop right now with any conceptions of what you have already decided, you start talking that crap and given the fact that you have already "taken matters into your own hands" and you will be considered irresponsible to participate in any HRT program at all and they will not let you do it on that grounds alone. YOU do not make the rules here, THEY do and you better get used to that right now or you are D.O.A. on this issue. BELIEVE IT.
This is a problem you are going to have to address right from the beginning. Despite what you think you want, you don't tell the mechanic how to fix the car unless you want to find another mechanic, and your options are a little limited for that arn't they? And if you plan on taking estrogens before they tell you to, remember what I have just told you. You have already gotten yourself into a real mess and if you want out, Play it straight or don't expect to play at all. You've already had your strike and now you are playing on thier mercy unless you want to come up with the $$$ to hire your own people.
and please, STOP already with the perscriptions without a letter, havn't you figured out allready thats a dead end street unless you got more cash then brains? Thats exactly why you are where you are now, trying to do it the "easy" way. there is no free lunch, get that straight right now if you want to actually get anywhere.
As to the medical exam for HRT, depending on the doctor, it could be as simple as a blood test checking for any irregularities of various body functions. Any doctor familiar with Female Post Menapause HRT will know what to look for. Some doctors may want to go further, such as EKG tests, and medical history not only of yourself but of your family will enter into it because of genetic dispositions. I have no idea what blood tests in your area will cost, I know here, depending on the test, can run $100 to $200 or more, depending on the depth of the report requested. depending on the initial report, more tests may be necessary. My initial report for HRT some years ago indicated exceptionally high liver functions which are an indicator of Hepititus, so Hepititus C had to be specifically checked for and came back positive which ment I was inelligible for HRT. It took me two years to work that one out with the doctors before I was allowed to initially even start. Like I said, you have to be patient and you have to work through the issues.
Just a lot of things to think about I guess Plix, but for starters, simply see about a complete medical checkup to make sure you are in good shape at this time. It isn't about qualifiying for HRT right now, it's about making sure you have not already done yourself any damage and are in good health. Also see that therapyst about Depression, and while that issue is being addressed, the GiD issue will come up, but remember, it was the depression that stopped the process in the first place, so don't pull that to impatient to work with it routine again. You are going to have to take this by the numbers or you are just going to be right back at sqare one again. Capish?
Terri