Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: Robin Mack on October 09, 2013, 10:28:28 AM Return to Full Version

Title: The wait begins...
Post by: Robin Mack on October 09, 2013, 10:28:28 AM
My gender therapist recommended I go ahead and make an appointment now for January.  My first meeting with her was last Monday and toward the end she gave me some information so that I could get started as soon as possible after the three months mandated by the standards of care.

There are, at present, two endocrinologists in my city that specialize in care for trans people.  The first referral she gave me was with a glowing recommendation, "Everyone I send her gives me good feedback about her.  Her staff is very aware of trans issues, courteous, helpful, and responsive" and she wrote the name on my appointment card.

Then she said there was another, and gave me his name.  She wouldn't say anything bad about him, but her body language when she gave me the name led me to believe he would be less than satisfactory.  She did mention that his staff was "somewhat less supportive".

Finally she told me that Planned Parenthood in town would also help with HRT, and wrote down contact information on the appointment card.

When I left the office, I noted she hadn't even put the second doctor's name on the card.  So, to me, it looked like the possibly supportive choices would be the first doctor or Planned Parenthood.  Later, checking around with people, I have discovered the second doctor (or at least his staff) dispenses HRT rather grudgingly and apparently has moral objections to it.

So I began calling, trying to make an appointment with the first endo on the list... they keep odd hours which made things difficult, but I finally managed to leave a message on Monday, and yesterday morning they called me back... The doctor was not taking new patients, but given my referral from my therapist, she had made an exception!!!  I have an appointment for January 20!  Longer than I wanted to wait, but from what I've heard I'll be getting top-notch treatment and, well, I will have been the wrong gender for forty years officially earlier in January, so I guess a few weeks won't hurt me.  Too much.

*happy dance*

*wait, wait, wait*

ARGH!  Why isn't it time yet?  :)

Title: Re: The wait begins...
Post by: mrs izzy on October 09, 2013, 10:33:13 AM
Not happy having to wait on anything. But time does have the ability to move faster then one thinks.

Joins in to the happy dance.

Izzy
Title: Re: The wait begins...
Post by: justpat on October 09, 2013, 10:28:41 PM
  My first visit with the endo is Nov 5.Stay busy stay busy  keep mind busy oh is it here yet? Tme does pass but slowly if you think about it and I have waited 63 years.   Congrats ,hugs Pat
Title: Re: The wait begins...
Post by: Gina Taylor on October 10, 2013, 05:51:28 PM
Congratulations to you Robin! Sometimes you have to go with your gut feeling on what is best, and it appears that that is what you've done with choosing your endocrinologist. Personally I would want only the best looking after me as well.  
Title: Re: The wait begins...
Post by: Robin Mack on October 10, 2013, 07:19:10 PM
Thank you, Izzy! 

Quote from: buddy on October 09, 2013, 10:28:41 PM
  My first visit with the endo is Nov 5.Stay busy stay busy  keep mind busy oh is it here yet? Tme does pass but slowly if you think about it and I have waited 63 years.   Congrats ,hugs Pat

*heh*  That's coming up pretty quickly! ;)  Congrats, yourself!

Quote from: ginataylor on October 10, 2013, 05:51:28 PM
Congratulations to you Robin! Sometimes you have to go with your gut feeling on what is best, and it appears that that is what you've done with choosing your endocrinologist. Personally I would want only the best looking after me as well.

Mucho appreciado, chica!  ;)  I'm just grateful she made an exception for me. :)
Title: Re: The wait begins...
Post by: JaneNicole2013 on October 10, 2013, 10:12:14 PM
Good luck with the wait! I only had to wait a few weeks myself for my first appointment and boy, did the time drag on. But, it was well worth the wait, that's for sure.
Title: Re: The wait begins...
Post by: PrincessDayna on October 11, 2013, 03:39:45 AM
It took me two monthes to get to my appt date with my endo as he is so backlogged (which says a ton to me about reputation too!), and a month prior to that to find an endo who specialized in intersexed people after I got my letter! And quite a few phone calls to my insurance company to be put on hold for what seemed like hours at a time, lol. Best of luck on your wait, once you get that script, your whole worlds going to change around for the best! :)
Title: Re: The wait begins...
Post by: Sammy on October 11, 2013, 03:48:53 AM
Hey :) Good news, aren't these? :) The waiting ordeal begins, but You have a lot of work to do in preparation... Dont waste those precious months while You have T in Your system and start dieting for the weight loss and female-pattern workouts :). Jog like crazy and bring Your body to the "clean slate" before the HRT as much as You can - You wont regret that afterwards :)
Hugs :)
Title: Re: The wait begins...
Post by: Robin Mack on October 11, 2013, 08:20:38 AM
Quote from: -Emily- on October 11, 2013, 03:48:53 AM
Hey :) Good news, aren't these? :) The waiting ordeal begins, but You have a lot of work to do in preparation... Dont waste those precious months while You have T in Your system and start dieting for the weight loss and female-pattern workouts :). Jog like crazy and bring Your body to the "clean slate" before the HRT as much as You can - You wont regret that afterwards :)
Hugs :)

*heh*  Thanks, Emily... I'm pretty close to ideal female weight as it is, so exercise sounds like the right thing for me... working on yoga and will (try) to start running again.  I run like an alien, but at least I can move. ;)