Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Well, I do. I just got a sudden phone call from my future endo office stating that my appointment to see that endo next Monday has been cancelled simply because my letter was from a gender therapist and not a psychiatrist. However, they still want to see my letter. So I just emailed it to them like 5 minutes ago. I should hear back from them by tomorrow. This is very stressful. I wonder if I really should just give up and be used to how I am now. I feel like people are legitimately wanting to stop me from doing this or God or something wants me to stay in this woman body because its "unnatural" to do HRT. I figured if other FTMs can get this done, why does it seem so impossible for me? Sorry for whining and not having a happily super-charged positive attitude all the time. Sorry for being a human. Sorry I even had to exist.

You should also forward them a copy of the WPATH guidelines as they apply to HRT. A referral from a psychiatrist is only required for sexual reassignment surgery, definitely not for HRT or top surgery.

Many hormone doctors feel uncomfortable with transgender patients

http://news.yahoo.com/many-hormone-doctors-feel-uncomfortable-transgender-patients-215616200.html

Reuters
By Andrew M. Seaman
1 hour ago    03/09/2016


The medical community is against all of us

Quote from: FTMax on March 09, 2016, 05:38:41 PM
You should also forward them a copy of the WPATH guidelines as they apply to HRT. A referral from a psychiatrist is only required for sexual reassignment surgery, definitely not for HRT or top surgery.

That's an awesome idea, Max! You always think ahead.  :) I would not had even thought of that. I was so distraught from this sudden, abrupt news I hadn't the slightest idea as to what I should do. I will email that to the office as well. As I did read the WPATH guidelines myself and recall that a therapist can indeed refer me for HRT and surgery through a letter and that is exactly what mine has done. Even my therapist says his letters always got his patients on hormones if that is what they want. So I will do that right now. Thanks, dude!

Quote from: stephaniec on March 09, 2016, 06:06:04 PM
Many hormone doctors feel uncomfortable with transgender patients

http://news.yahoo.com/many-hormone-doctors-feel-uncomfortable-transgender-patients-215616200.html

Reuters
By Andrew M. Seaman
1 hour ago    03/09/2016


The medical community is against all of us

I haven't read this article yet, but I will right away. I'm curious about this. It's not even surprising to fathom about but it's a big shame. The doctors who are supposed to help us don't even see us as human beings. To be honest, I bet once I start hormones I will still feel a tinge of rejection all because I am trans. When will the world get to a point where we accept everyone no matter what?

Some doctors are biased, this is FACT as far as I'm concerned. Any surprise we are not always being treated properly hormonally, given a hard time and sometimes even denied treatment? There is an answer to this. PERSISTENCE and KNOWLEDGE. Don't give up and learn as much as you can about hormones, the whole process, your rights, etc.

Thank you for that KayXo. I needed that lift. And I will definitely heed your advice also. And guys, great news: the nursing assistant at my endo's office received my letter and said he will have his physicians look it over. I still wanted to be safe and sent him a copy of the most recent edition of WPATH SOC as FTMax suggested and referred him to the page that talks about who can write the letters and sure enough on page 26 it tells us that a mental health professional can and therapists fall under that category. My therapist is confident that I will be on hormones in no time. I'm staying as strong as I can through this. Thanks for being here for me guys even though none of you have to. :)

If you're still with the same therapist (Dr. Borer) and he recommended you to Jacksonville Center for Reproductive Medicine (Dr. Fox), honestly I find that slightly surprising (I go to both of them). They didn't even have my letter until my 1st appointment when I went through some of the new patient stuff, and he pretty much accepted it right there. Basically he went through hormones and effects and all that, said it was good that I had a letter already, I signed an informed consent form, and he gave me T blockers and progestin inscriptions right afterwards, as well as a blood test order (I'm mtf, and I guess it helped that I already had some blood tests done in October. Needed another blood test before they prescribed my Estradiol injections, though.).

I have a decent memory remembering people on forums and internet and stuff. It's good that your pushing this issue to them because I haven't been having the problems you've been having.

And good luck with your appointment. I'm sure everything will sort out for you.

Quote from: ~^FC^~ on March 10, 2016, 06:25:12 AM
If you're still with the same therapist (Dr. Borer) and he recommended you to Jacksonville Center for Reproductive Medicine (Dr. Fox), honestly I find that slightly surprising (I go to both of them). They didn't even have my letter until my 1st appointment when I went through some of the new patient stuff, and he pretty much accepted it right there. Basically he went through hormones and effects and all that, said it was good that I had a letter already, I signed an informed consent form, and he gave me T blockers and progestin inscriptions right afterwards, as well as a blood test order (I'm mtf, and I guess it helped that I already had some blood tests done in October. Needed another blood test before they prescribed my Estradiol injections, though.).

I have a decent memory remembering people on forums and internet and stuff. It's good that your pushing this issue to them because I haven't been having the problems you've been having.

And good luck with your appointment. I'm sure everything will sort out for you.

I was trying to see Dr. Chehade, not Dr. Fox. I don't like how I must pay an $100 deposit just to see any of those doctors from there, the Jacksonville Center For Reproductive Medicine. Unlike you, who probably had a job and some stable source of income, I don't. Guess I won't get treated until I finish school nearly two years from now and am able to work. I hope I can even make it that long and don't die from drug overdose. :) Then all my problems would finally cease to exist. Thanks for trying to make me feel better. At least you tried.

Quote from: King Phoenix on March 09, 2016, 09:36:19 PM
Thank you for that KayXo. I needed that lift. And I will definitely heed your advice also. And guys, great news: the nursing assistant at my endo's office received my letter and said he will have his physicians look it over. I still wanted to be safe and sent him a copy of the most recent edition of WPATH SOC as FTMax suggested and referred him to the page that talks about who can write the letters and sure enough on page 26 it tells us that a mental health professional can and therapists fall under that category. My therapist is confident that I will be on hormones in no time. I'm staying as strong as I can through this. Thanks for being here for me guys even though none of you have to. :)

You can do it man! Whenever you run into a road block like this, if you can't figure out a way around it, definitely bring it here. Don't get down about it! We've got almost 23k members whose knowledge is at your fingertips - you've just got to find the ones that have been there, done that, and overcome.

And as far as deposits/copays - that is pretty standard with specialists and unavoidable. I pay $30 to see my doctor plus $10 for lab work every time. It's usually $100 to consult with a surgeon.

Nah, it's not some supernatural force against you, just the monumental inefficiency and dumbassery of bureaucratic institutions. Legendary stuff. 

I see. My pay to see JCRM is only $50, but I suppose my insurance covers some of it.

And on the contrary, I've been more or less in a hole these past few years after college (and even during college; I was almost forced to change universities and almost gave up right there), so stable income is not one I've had. I've hardly left the house since then since I didn't want anyone seeing me. But I'm slowly digging myself out of it, and I guess it helps that I do have a support network (my parents and sister; I guess they just want me to succeed and be happy, despite some of the ish they sometimes give me).

The way I like to see it, is that there's always a path. Sure there'll be some bumps and bruises along the way, but c'est la vie. Just keep a tight grip on that will.

Come to Canada. It's free here. :)

To answer the question posed in the title, I'd have to honestly answer that I have felt that way. But not always. For most problems, there are ways to resolve them. I too have a similar problem in that I can't find a competent medical professional to help me with endocrine problems. I keep hitting a dead end. I'll resolve it. I know several paths out of this. I just have to get off my back side, away from the computer, and make some phone calls.

Of course, I need to work up the nerve. I transitioned thirty years ago and wow but I hate to discuss private issues on the phone with a receptionist. I nearly choke. I know I'll choke. I get scared. And before I know it, I've talked myself out of it another day. I'm giving myself a pass because I have some other stuff going on in my life that I'm working on and I'm single tasking on those. The doctor thing seems to be low on the priority list. I promised myself that I'd take care of it this month and I will. Even if I have to find a doctor in another state. ;)