Community Conversation => Intersex talk => Topic started by: genopunk on September 26, 2007, 01:46:02 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Information that is making me question myself
Post by: genopunk on September 26, 2007, 01:46:02 PM
Post by: genopunk on September 26, 2007, 01:46:02 PM
Okay, here is the story as far as I know it.
First, I am a Male to Female Transsexual. Age 29.
All my childhood, I was told that when I was born I had a Hernia surgery. I went though most of my life thinking I was a normal child. I hit puberty late, and was slow to develop male traits. I was unable to conceive any children, and was eventually told (at 25 years old) that I had been born with undesended testicles, and that I had a surgery to correct that, not a hernia surgery. Since this is a common procedure, I figured everything was fine, and went on with my life. I went to seem my doctor about taking female hormones in early 2006. they did a blood test and found that my testosterone was low for a male (but still in range), and estrogen was high (but still within range). I once again contacted my family, only to discover that they still hadn't told me everything.
The most recent conversation I had with my mother was that when I was born, I had a semblance of a penis, with no exterior formation of testicular tissue, or scrotal material. When I was 2 years old they brought me in for surgery to construct a scrotal sac and surgically move my testicals, as they had no way of moving on their own. The initial doctor botched the surgery, leaving a great deal of scar tissue, and a second surgery was scheduled to fix what the first had failed to do.
I do not have much more information than that, and I am trying to get my doctors records on the subject, but is has been so many year that I keep hitting dead ends.
I do not know if my parents have told me the whole truth in this matter either, as each time I speak to them, the story gets more involved, and complicated every time I ask about it.
I do not know where to go from here. This information has made a drastic impact on my surgical plans, and because of the scar tissue that is down there, I may have complications during surgery. This scares me on a lot of levels, first becuase I don't want complications, second because of the extra costs involved, and third, because I may not be able to find surgeon outside of the us who will be willing to take me, due to the possible complication.
I have other concerns as well.
Please let me know what you all think.
Hugs
Mila
First, I am a Male to Female Transsexual. Age 29.
All my childhood, I was told that when I was born I had a Hernia surgery. I went though most of my life thinking I was a normal child. I hit puberty late, and was slow to develop male traits. I was unable to conceive any children, and was eventually told (at 25 years old) that I had been born with undesended testicles, and that I had a surgery to correct that, not a hernia surgery. Since this is a common procedure, I figured everything was fine, and went on with my life. I went to seem my doctor about taking female hormones in early 2006. they did a blood test and found that my testosterone was low for a male (but still in range), and estrogen was high (but still within range). I once again contacted my family, only to discover that they still hadn't told me everything.
The most recent conversation I had with my mother was that when I was born, I had a semblance of a penis, with no exterior formation of testicular tissue, or scrotal material. When I was 2 years old they brought me in for surgery to construct a scrotal sac and surgically move my testicals, as they had no way of moving on their own. The initial doctor botched the surgery, leaving a great deal of scar tissue, and a second surgery was scheduled to fix what the first had failed to do.
I do not have much more information than that, and I am trying to get my doctors records on the subject, but is has been so many year that I keep hitting dead ends.
I do not know if my parents have told me the whole truth in this matter either, as each time I speak to them, the story gets more involved, and complicated every time I ask about it.
I do not know where to go from here. This information has made a drastic impact on my surgical plans, and because of the scar tissue that is down there, I may have complications during surgery. This scares me on a lot of levels, first becuase I don't want complications, second because of the extra costs involved, and third, because I may not be able to find surgeon outside of the us who will be willing to take me, due to the possible complication.
I have other concerns as well.
Please let me know what you all think.
Hugs
Mila
Title: Re: Information that is making me question myself
Post by: seldom on October 01, 2007, 03:20:56 PM
Post by: seldom on October 01, 2007, 03:20:56 PM
At least your parents told you what was going on. I just have the scar tissue on my genitals consistent with infant IS surgery and I am left to wonder.
PS. I had Testosterone half of what it should be for my age and free testosterone in the female range. I have no clue about estrogen. Sadly I was sensitive to DHT, and that is what the body did with the testosterone since it was not being used by the body, so I lost alot of hair.
My medical records at the hospital I was born at were destroyed. I know the feeling tracking these things down and I am 29 too, so I know the situation all to well.
PS. I had Testosterone half of what it should be for my age and free testosterone in the female range. I have no clue about estrogen. Sadly I was sensitive to DHT, and that is what the body did with the testosterone since it was not being used by the body, so I lost alot of hair.
My medical records at the hospital I was born at were destroyed. I know the feeling tracking these things down and I am 29 too, so I know the situation all to well.
Title: Re: Information that is making me question myself
Post by: genopunk on October 06, 2007, 03:17:43 PM
Post by: genopunk on October 06, 2007, 03:17:43 PM
It really is a bad deal to not have that information. I think that there must be a lot of us out there that have no idea what was done to them until it is far too late.
Thanks for sharing your own struggles with me.
Hugs
Mila
Thanks for sharing your own struggles with me.
Hugs
Mila
Title: Re: Information that is making me question myself
Post by: Hazumu on October 06, 2007, 04:30:53 PM
Post by: Hazumu on October 06, 2007, 04:30:53 PM
RE: birth information. I believe from a comment my mom dropped that I'm a DES baby. I went to my birth hospital here in Sacramento -- "Oh, those records were destroyed YEARS ago!"
Karen
Karen
Title: Re: Information that is making me question myself
Post by: NickSister on October 09, 2007, 06:25:44 PM
Post by: NickSister on October 09, 2007, 06:25:44 PM
I was just thinking about what you could do to try work out whether this is going to be a real problem. Could you get a consultation with a US surgeon? Only they could really give you a defininative answer on the subject. Talk to them about your fears, ask their medical opinion. Perhaps they will have channels to follow up on your medical history that you don't have access to. You should be able to get a free consult (though I'm not sure about how things work in the US).
Have you tried other relatives? - aunties are often in the know.
Best of luck with all things in the future.
Have you tried other relatives? - aunties are often in the know.
Best of luck with all things in the future.
Title: Re: Information that is making me question myself
Post by: genopunk on October 10, 2007, 08:49:20 PM
Post by: genopunk on October 10, 2007, 08:49:20 PM
Thanks for all the help.
I spoke with my doctor and we believe that a sonagram of the area will determine if there is any scar tissue that will interfere with anything. So I hope to have this done soon. I will then be able to send these to my surgeon and ask about complications and such. My doctor also recommended a few other tests that may help track down the cause of everything. I'll keep you all updated.
Hugs
Mila
I spoke with my doctor and we believe that a sonagram of the area will determine if there is any scar tissue that will interfere with anything. So I hope to have this done soon. I will then be able to send these to my surgeon and ask about complications and such. My doctor also recommended a few other tests that may help track down the cause of everything. I'll keep you all updated.
Hugs
Mila