I see my GP on Monday, and I am anxious because I want to do HRT under a doctors care, but I am soo scared that they will tell me that I cannot. There is no way I will ever be happy if I cant transition, and there is no way I can transition if I dont at least do HRT.
Am I worrying over nothing, or is there a possibility that I could be denied? Im 33, so age isnt a factor. Ive been self medicating for 3 weeks, but I promised my therapist I would tell my gp at my physical. Spare me the drama please, I understand the risks of self medicating, I think most of you know how bad I need this. I cant live a lie anylonger, plus I am out to my family, even though they dont believe I am trans. Its not like theyve been in my head for the last 28 years.
Okay....deep breath :-)
I'd think if the doctor says no it would be because of medical conditions that need to be addressed first, and then worry about it later. If it's like can't do it ever, I can understand being upset about that, I would be too.
But since you don't know what they will say yet, don't start worrying about it yet.
has anyone ever been denied?
You're not going to be denied treatment... The only issue I see would be if your GP doesn't have experience with trans patients
and doesn't feel comfortable prescribing HRT. If that happens, ask for a referral to someone that does.
Please don't drive yourself crazy with the "what ifs." Having a positive attitude is so important for you right now! The best thing you
can do for yourself is form a backup plan; start your research and work on finding a backup doctor before your appointment, just in case.
I have no idea what current medical philosophies may be on a new HRT patient. I found a gay/lesbian friendly internist back when I was starting and he admittedly had few other trans patients. But that was 20 years ago. It mattered not one whit to him who I intended to sleep with as I finished my journey...I showed up, paid for the initial bloodwork (or rather gave my insurance info) and off we went on handfulls of pharm samples.
It was a far cry from what I experienced in teh mid-80's, which was just a few years earlier...
* has anyone ever been denied? *
Yes, it happened to me and made me suicidal. So it is a good question you are asking.
To boot, I was denied WITHOUT ANY reasons given whatever.
Started sobbing like a baby, - my 15min of torture over and leaving the office --- I was also told if I'd not stop crying the "process" was over!
This was 3 months into RLE -FULL TIME-, a full as it gets. I had no more boy cloths (yes, I did enjoy shopping a lot BTW :-)
Ok, for my by now much mentioned "gate-keeper". An absolutely traumatic experience it was.
Following I was so desperate I went on the net and got my own, which only lasted for about one month and then I got my GP to get "legalised" and was easier then I'd thought. I was desperate and would have come out in the market square if needs be.
Still after 1 year "->-bleeped-<- therapy" (ticking off boxed for my psych) he would never approach the subject of HRT and apart from *not being ALLOWED!* to speak ever about SRS, - HRT was also a closed subject, else the process was over!
Traumatising 15min stints for one year.
When I told him after all was over, he changed me from being his best "transitioner" to GID NOS i.e. unsuitable for anything like SRS, or HRT but can run around in women's cloths so what does he care. ->-bleeped-<-ig control-freak bastard, eh!
So long story short: If all fails help yourself and make a plan to get legal some other place, after *sanely* explaining yourself.
There are a lot of VERY questionable psychs about and I do hope yours is not one of them!
And so much for informed consent, yes?
But you'll be OK!
Axelle
If you have been self medicating some doctors will want you to wait a bit before they prescribe hormones, because they want to get a baseline level for your bloodwork, that isn't influenced by external sources, I am not sure how long that would take, but I wouldn't assume it would be too long probably just long enough for your hormone levels to return to "normal" so that the doctor can figure out what dosages they want to give you.
Stay cool & relax. You will not be denied. Just tell them this is what you want & it is their job to prescribe. They are not in charge of your life, you are. I've been there several times with numerous physicians.
Be careful of pharmacies however. Have the physician suggest the right one. I had a pharmacist once refuse to fill the prescription & would not return the actual prescription. Hard to believe but it happened. I had to return to the physician for another prescription.
You are young, strong & allready out to some of your close family & friends. You are almost there, just be calm & enjoy. It will all work out.
Francis
thank girls. I dont know how I fell in the what if trap last night. Ive been feeling so great. Ive never felt more feminine and brave.
Most of my friends know, and I have already sifted through those who werent real, and now what little are left truly love me, My sister is trying hard to stay in my life albeit through texts, but she is still doing it. I feel pretty most of the time. Work is awkward, but Im just there to work, and I have soooo much reponsibility that I really have no time to think.
Ive begun to feel better than I ever have. Really quick I am left with nothing to hide. Well, except work, seeings I have no protection here in Nevada until Oct 1st, but the execs seem to love me because I work like no one else the company has. Im left pondering the fact that I can make them 50% interest on a 3 million dollar job, and I wonder if they will even care about my gender identity. My only fear is that of the Doc. She flipped out when I brought up medicinal cannabis. Well, not flipped out. but said an adamant NO.
Axelle, can I ask you why you were denied?
The only thing I can think is my Mom got blood clots after menopause, however both sisters have been on birth control, ohh and also I have borderline high blood pressure. However she told me if I lost 20 pounds it wouldnt be a concern. I have since dropped from 220 to 186 :-) I guess time will tell.
Quote from: jillian on July 07, 2011, 08:15:12 PM
has anyone ever been denied?
Yes I was denied HRT in 2002 by the NHS GIC at Charing Cross. So I went private to start on HRT.
Just stay cool & be smart. Be a smart woman!!! Your job & income take care of that first. Any outside drugs, STOP. Weight it will take time, go slow, normal loss is. better Be cool, be smart. You will do fine, it all takes time, you have plenty of time.
Jillian honey,
Why I was denied? The idjet never so much as told me. Just moved back in his armchair and say: oh no I can't do that. Like hey, if you're enough depressed I'll prescribe PROZAC... as he did to some others I know. He happens to be "expert" for BI-polars (manic-depressives)...
So he never told me. He did tell me i was NOT allowed to bring up GRS/SRS :Because EVERYONE always asks him. No idea what this dumbo expects being supposedly a Gender-expert (well, gate-keeper).
It sounded to me as if THAT (HRT) was for some other person to prescribe?
Yet, he mentioned if I do ANYTHING that he had not approved of, the processes was OVER.
Sorry, all I can tell you. Gives you an idea about my position towards psychs.
Axelle
he doesnt seem professional if the one thing that is centralized in your life, is the one thing that cannot be discussed at therapy.
I dont think I will have that kind of issue. From what you describe, I am now wondering if you live in the states.
Quote from: Hikari on July 08, 2011, 02:34:08 AM
If you have been self medicating some doctors will want you to wait a bit before they prescribe hormones, because they want to get a baseline level for your bloodwork, that isn't influenced by external sources, I am not sure how long that would take, but I wouldn't assume it would be too long probably just long enough for your hormone levels to return to "normal" so that the doctor can figure out what dosages they want to give you.
Umm.. I've never had bloodwork done. My Doctor. didn't see the need for it. I've only seen her twice now. Should I be worried about this? Because one of my Sisters had the same doctor and she had to get evaluated by a staff Psychiatrist, have blood drawn.. A whole bunch of hoops I was dreading and... All I got was a general physical exam, a little speech about HRT and I was on my way with a prescription in hand.
I was treated badly by my GP and haven't been back. I am in the stages of finding new therapist and GP and have been off my meds for around two months to establish the baseline for bloodwork that I will be getting soon. Hang in there and be confident-that will speak volumes to your care givers.
Randi
Jillian, I live in South Africa on Permanent Residence and am a German citizen, for perspective.
The guy I HAD to go to is the MOST "professional" and only one in the country! ->-bleeped-<-e, yes!
Shut up, suck up or?
Also what I hear is the case in Germany sounds even worse. Interrogative therapy: "Vie aks de qeshuns, ja!"
:-)
Axelle
PS: All I related may just show you that you have very little reason to worry. I mean how bad can it get, hey?