Hey everyone,
I've been seeing a theropist for couple of months now and really want to start hrt right now and she knows this but she has only talk about hrt in the first meeting.I had an theropist that was all for me going on hrt but she is just to far for me to see anymore.
Should i just find a doc and go from there or what?
But my real question is how long did it take for you to get on hrt?
Quote from: Nic on April 11, 2007, 11:50:49 AM
But my real question is how long did it take for you to get on hrt?
It took about 10 months of therapy (biweekly sessions at first, weekly thereafter) before my therapist gave me my HRT letter. It wasn't that she didn't think I was TS, but just that she didn't feel I was ready for the trials of a transition until then.
Kate
I think it depends on when you are ready. I know that the Standards of Care recommend three months of therapy and/or three months of living full time in your corrected gender. Now, as far as it was explained to me, those are just guidelines and everything really goes on a case-by-case basis, depending on your readiness.
A GP can prescribe the HRT, and he or she may want a letter from your therapist.
As for me, it took a couple of months before I went on HRT. I went to a GP and got the HRT. I recommend that you try to find a GP that is trans-friendly. I have had one experience with one doc that was quite anti-trans.
If you are seeing a psychiatrist, I believe he or she can prescribe the hormones, too. An endro doc can do it as well.
Maybe bring your HRT question up with your therapist, who may be able to provide a letter if needed to your GP to get on HRT.
Generally speaking under the standards of care, it will be at least three months of therapy (or three months of living full time) before you get the letter. Different therapist handle it differently and this is at there leeway with regards to them. The American Educational Gender Information Service (AEGIS) are generally the most supportive and try to throw up the fewest barriers, but even they require three months of therapy, and will not sign a letter unless they feel it is appropriate and you have taken positive steps. My therapist said once the three month mark is hit I will be getting the HRT letter, and she is an Aegis therapist. But I have been rather calm, other than breaking out and crying a few times, during the therapy sessions. I am going forward with a very clear head. That and I have taken some very big leaps in a very short time period.
I've been in therapy for six months and I'm just now getting my letter. Finding a doctor to PRESCRIBE them has been even more difficult- I've spent the last two weeks trying to find someone.
It took me about four months of therapy. I understand that the HBSOC requires a minimum of six months of psychotherapy now.
tink :icon_chick:
Quote from: Tink on April 12, 2007, 04:19:58 AM
It took me about four months of therapy. I understand that the HBSOC requires a minimum of six months of psychotherapy now.
tink :icon_chick:
It's still three months under the most recent version.
From the SoC:
Eligibility Criteria The administration of hormones is not to be lightly undertaken because of
their medical and social dangers. Three criteria exist.
1. age 18 years
2. demonstrable knowledge of what hormones medically can and cannot do and their social
benefits and risks;
3. Either a documented real life experience should be undertaken for at least three months prior
to the administration of hormones Or
4. A period of psychotherapy of a duration specified by the mental health professional after the
initial evaluation (usually a minimum of three months) should be undertaken
5. Under no circumstances should a person be provided hormones who has neither fulfilled
criteria #3 or #4.
Readiness Criteria. Three criteria exist:
1. the patient has had further consolidation of gender identity during the real-life experience
or psychotherapy;
2. the patient has made some progress in mastering other identified problems leading to
improving or continuing stable mental health (this implies an absence of problems such as
sociopathy, substance abuse, psychosis, suicidality, for instance);
3. hormones are likely to be taken in a responsible manner.
Page 22 - 23. Standards of Care
Quote from: Amy T. on April 12, 2007, 11:40:23 AM
It's still three months under the most recent version.
Right, I believe it's 3 months for M2F and 6 months for F2M.
Kate
Quote from: Kate on April 12, 2007, 11:47:43 AM
Quote from: Amy T. on April 12, 2007, 11:40:23 AM
It's still three months under the most recent version.
Right, I believe it's 3 months for M2F and 6 months for F2M.
Kate
That's correct, and generally speaking the standards for F2M are very different, the Standard of Care are not followed so strictly because there are major issues with them (I know that is the case in both DC and LA). Largely because they are woefully inadequate with regards to transmen to this day, some say even outdated and maybe a bit bigoted. I am not saying they are completely ignored, but they do not carry the same weight as with trans women.
If there is going to be any major revisions to the standards it will be with regards to transmen. But the three month rule is probably going to stay around for us girls, and there is a number of reasons for this.
:) ;D
Great news,
This weekend i went to my theropist and we had a great talk and going to go ahead and call the endo shes works with and set up a time to go about getting on hrt.I'm so happy right now...She said give her a few days to make some calls and she'll have me an appt. to go and see the endo asap. and it's only been seeing her for almost two months.But she said she noticed alot has changed since i started seeing her and things seem to be more stable in my life now,as in my relationship with my soon to be wife this june ;D and the fact i don't feel like i'm loosing control and going crazy.My Aimee is so great and supportive she's the best and helping me get throw all of this,I love her so much.June 23rd, this spring is the big day and we can't wait.O'well just wanted to tell someone the great news!
I had the fortune of finding a GP that prescribed them to me off the bat after a short interview. I love her to death, and I'll miss her horribly.
For those who CAN'T find a GP willing to prescribe them, my suggestion would be looking for a women's health clinic. Or, if you're in VA, you can contact my GP.
PM me for more details if you need my GP contact info....
I got them 2 days after my first visit to my psych, he was very very nice. I just told him my life story, and he said that he agreed that I had GID, and wrote a letter for my doctor.
2 days later I visited my GP, who has a lot of experience with hormones and TS, and I had my first lot of hormones.
Now, almost 3 months later, I have fully transitioned, have an A cup breast size (and still growing), and I am the happiest I have ever been.
Quote from: SallyTPol on May 09, 2007, 07:23:55 PM
I got them 2 days after my first visit to my psych, he was very very nice. I just told him my life story, and he said that he agreed that I had GID, and wrote a letter for my doctor.
2 days later I visited my GP, who has a lot of experience with hormones and TS, and I had my first lot of hormones.
Now, almost 3 months later, I have fully transitioned, have an A cup breast size (and still growing), and I am the happiest I have ever been.
Wow, after 3 months?? Those must be some magic hormones.
Quote from: Lori on May 09, 2007, 08:56:08 PM
Quote from: SallyTPol on May 09, 2007, 07:23:55 PM
I got them 2 days after my first visit to my psych, he was very very nice. I just told him my life story, and he said that he agreed that I had GID, and wrote a letter for my doctor.
2 days later I visited my GP, who has a lot of experience with hormones and TS, and I had my first lot of hormones.
Now, almost 3 months later, I have fully transitioned, have an A cup breast size (and still growing), and I am the happiest I have ever been.
Wow, after 3 months?? Those must be some magic hormones.
LOL ;D I was beginning to miss your sense of humor! Stay blessed kitty cat!
tink :icon_chick:
Quote from: Lori on May 09, 2007, 08:56:08 PM
Wow, after 3 months?? Those must be some magic hormones.
Remember we are all different, and things develop at different rates for all of us, even for GG's when they go though puberty.
Just because you did not develop along the same lines as my self, doesn't mean it is not possible.
I know that my doctor is quiet impressed with my development.
Quote from: SallyTPol on May 10, 2007, 09:27:42 PM
Quote from: Lori on May 09, 2007, 08:56:08 PM
Wow, after 3 months?? Those must be some magic hormones.
Just because you did not develop along the same lines as my self, doesn't mean it is not possible.
I know that my doctor is quiet impressed with my development.
I'm not so sure you didn't break a rule here. I don't recall saying anything about the speed of my development. I'm glad your doctor is impressed. I'm not.
QuoteI'm not so sure you didn't break a rule here.
Rule? What are you talking about?
QuoteI don't recall saying anything about the speed of my development.
Your original comment, which I did not appreciate, as it was very disrespectful, esp being new to this forum, suggested that I was lying. I simply wanted to point out that we are all different, and all develop differently. I did not say that you developed slower or faster than myself.
QuoteI'm glad your doctor is impressed. I'm not.
Do you think I actually care if you are impressed or not? RTFL.
Now lets all be friends.
Quote from: SallyTPol on May 10, 2007, 11:09:18 PM
QuoteI'm not so sure you didn't break a rule here.
Rule? What are you talking about?
You sure are new. These rules:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?PHPSESSID=725348bf8c3fc94ff958b1890060c711&topic=2.0
Ive memorised them and you should too. :o
I read the rules, and if you want to get technical, the other poster quiet possibly broke a rule first by attacking me, so lets not play that game, cause really it is boring, and I did not come here for that.
Now lets get back to the topic.
Hi all,
All the snobs there picking on SallyTPol should be ashamed of themselves,I thought we were here to help each other.
If you want to trash other people there are other sites and forums to do that and one last thing people that throw stones will get it back.
Two days after I saw my psych for the first time my endo had a script for me ready and I was on hormones,at lest in Australia we don't have to jump through hoops if you have genuine GID.
Floritine :eusa_dance:
Quote from: SallyTPol on May 10, 2007, 11:18:50 PM
I read the rules, and if you want to get technical, the other poster quiet possibly broke a rule first by attacking me, so lets not play that game, cause really it is boring, and I did not come here for that.
Now lets get back to the topic.
I didnt attack you. I simply said "those must be some magic hormones" because you "fully transitioned after 3 months" Most ppl have to wait at least 6 months to two years because of the standards of care and nature usually does not work that fast even in gg's.
You made it personal by saying "Just because YOU didnt develope as fast as me". I never said you were lying, I just think its miraculous....
Quote from: Floritine on May 11, 2007, 05:44:45 AM
Two days after I saw my psych for the first time my endo had a script for me ready and I was on hormones,at lest in Australia we don't have to jump through hoops if you have genuine GID.
IMHO, It's *impossible* to diagnose GID in a single - and especially initial - therapy session. Reaching such an important clinical diagnosis takes many, many sessions, with the therapist getting to know and understand the patients' history and motives before rendering his or her professional opinion.
~Kate~
I saw my therapist for almost 2 years before he referred me to an endocrinologist, and I didn't start on hormones till almost a year after that.
I probably could have been referred a lot earlier if I had pressed the subject, but I didn't. Mainly due to other circumstances - finances, living arrangements, and a serious lack of self-confidence. Basically I felt like, in the situation I was in at the time, transitioning was not going to be something that I would cope with. I probably spent more time with my therapist discussing these issues than we ever did in discussing my gender identity. And once I managed to resolve everything, I had my prescription within two weeks.
So, I probably did jump through a few hoops. But really I was the one that put them there.
Megan
Quote from: SallyTPol on May 09, 2007, 07:23:55 PM
I got them 2 days after my first visit to my psych, he was very very nice...
Now, almost 3 months later, I have fully transitioned...
I looked at this message and felt that maybe her "psych" was very very weak at his profession. It isn't that someone can't ignore the Standards of Care, but after the first visit is not normal.
As for her transition, when "you" decide to transition is up to you. For someone who has been fighting GID for a long period, I do not see it unrealistic to "fully transition" in a short period of time. Transitioning does not have anything to do with how much "breast" developement you have or have not had to date.
Because of my distrust (from past issues) of therapy, I had transitioned long before I ever went to a therapist and I had done the unthinkable of getting hormones without a prescription (NOT RECOMMENDED, I made SURE to tell my general doctor of this, what I was taking and how much. She had never worked with a TS patient before, but she helped me, she was monitoring my blood levels and health) since then I got all of my letters (so I could get hormones legally and SRS).
I hope maybe we can work together to understand each other better and let misunderstanding stay in the past and move forward together.
Sarah L.
Quote from: Lori on May 09, 2007, 08:56:08 PM
Quote from: SallyTPol on May 09, 2007, 07:23:55 PM
I got them 2 days after my first visit to my psych, he was very very nice. I just told him my life story, and he said that he agreed that I had GID, and wrote a letter for my doctor.
2 days later I visited my GP, who has a lot of experience with hormones and TS, and I had my first lot of hormones.
Now, almost 3 months later, I have fully transitioned, have an A cup breast size (and still growing), and I am the happiest I have ever been.
Wow, after 3 months?? Those must be some magic hormones.
Not really. I hit an A cup after about a month, so 3 months is nothing. I was also passing as female before I ever start HRT, so also transitioning at that point is not an impossibility. However, I waited to get facial hair removal started and grow my hair longer, which is why I didn't go fulltime until after 5 months on HRT.
Quote from: Sarah Louise on May 11, 2007, 09:47:22 AM
I looked at this message and felt that maybe her "psych" was very very weak at his profession. It isn't that someone can't ignore the Standards of Care, but after the first visit is not normal.
I agree with you. I got my first HRT letter after only 2 visits from the first therapist I saw (not a gender specialized one), but it didn't feel quite right since all I had to do was ask for it. Since it is such a major life altering step, I went to a gender specialized therapist and after seeing her less than a month (4 visits), I got another letter. However, in the interim between the 2 letters, my dysphoria underwent a tumultuous growth and I was panicking by the time I finally started HRT.
It took me three months to get my letter. I have my first appoinment for bloodwork and HRT at the end of this month. My therapist was pretty strict about the three month rule in the Standards of Care, largely because she is known enough in the community it would get around pretty quickly if she was not following them.
By all accounts I do pass (bear in mind with a wig, it seems my hair is cursed, as I have stated many times before, not all of us have the option of growing our hair out, some of us have had extreme damage from DHT, even though I am only 28, I know I complain about this alot, but it really bothers me. I used to have really nice long hair, but T has done its damage to me in that respect.), but I don't feel comfortable going full time until HRT has its effects and the facial hair is mostly gone. I have frame and facial advantages though, where I could start tommorow if I wanted too. I also have workplace considerations since they are very supportive, I want to do things right. Which means making a schedule and sticking with it to the best of my ability.
I am lucky in the respect the DC are has a trans friendly clinic with the Whitman Walker Clinic. They are in my in-network for my insurance and my insurance respects thier claims, even though there is a trans-exclusion in my policy. WWC has an endo on staff who specializes in transgender patients! The problem is it is going to be another few weeks till the appointment, but its nice not having to search around for an endo or GP, and not having to worry about my health insurance.
Quote from: Lori on May 11, 2007, 08:40:38 AM
I didnt attack you.
You wanted to play the rules card, so you I simply pointed out that you were the one that quiet possibly broke the 'rules' first. Had you not bought rules into the topic, I would not have pointed out that you quiet possibly broke them first. As I said that game is boring, so lets leave it there.
QuoteI simply said "those must be some magic hormones" because you "fully transitioned after 3 months" Most ppl have to wait at least 6 months to two years because of the standards of care and nature usually does not work that fast even in gg's.
Transition has nothing to do with hormones, and the way you wrote your comment, indicated that you were referring to my development and not transition. Physical development has nothing to do with transition, transition is something you do when you feel you are ready, and since I was not passing as a boy any more, and for several other reasons, transitioning when I did was the right time for me. There is no rule for the right time to transition, just as there is no rule for how quickly one should develop physically.
QuoteYou made it personal by saying "Just because YOU didnt develope as fast as me". I never said you were lying, I just think its miraculous....
As others have pointed out, some people (yes even GG's) can go from a flat chest to an A cup in 3 months, some take longer. We are all different, that is just the way it is. Some of my friends had developed as quick as I, some were slower. BTW, re-read my comment, I did not say "Just becase you didn't develop as fast as me" [sic], I said "
Just because you did not develop along the same lines as my self, doesn't mean it is not possible.", what I said was very different.
For everyone who thinks that my psych is wrong for allowing me to start hormones so quickly, the medical community in my city deals with GID are quiet close, and know each other. I had been a girl full time except for work for sometime before seeing my psych, for various reason, mainly thinking of my parents feelings as they dealt with death, I had not started hormones earlier. I had been seeing my GP for some time, who is also my councilor, before seeing my psych, and my GP is very experienced in dealing with GID.
My psych is one of the most experienced with GID in my city, not everyone that goes to my psych for GID gets the OK for hormones on their first visit, there are lots of things he takes into consideration. Some people have to wait 12 months, and visit him frequently before they get hormones, others like myself who already presented female most of the time, and were already quiet passable, get the OK for hormones quicker. The same goes for other psych's who have lots of experience with GID in my city, I know some girls who have gotten the OK for hormones quickly, some take a year or 2.
Since I was quiet femme to begin with, and always have been, transition was not much of an issue, I did not have much facial or body hair, I had already had several sessions of laser before transition, and I was actually being picked as female, even when wearing the only boy clothes I owned (my male business clothes), so I was already very passable before transition.
I had the full support of both of my managers, my clients and human resources for transition, and post transition I have the full support of my co-workers who have treated me as if I was female all along. I really could not have asked for a better transition.
Quote from: SallyTPol on May 11, 2007, 10:05:36 PM
Since I was quiet femme to begin with, and always have been, transition was not much of an issue, I did not have much facial or body hair, I had already had several sessions of laser before transition, and I was actually being picked as female, even when wearing the only boy clothes I owned (my male business clothes), so I was already very passable before transition.
That's great Sally! And just think: you were already doing so well, and the HRT changes are just barely even getting started!
~Kate~
Thank you Kate, I have been very happy with the changes hormones have already made, I did not expect it to have gone so well, but I am certainly not complaining. I am a very happy girl now days.
My psychairtist said i have GID after just talking with me for an hour. Is that weird?
My gender psych's letter to my doctor after the first one hour session ....
QuoteAt interview Laura is slim and attractively feminine in stylish woman's clothes and accessories, with female body language. She is personable and stable, and gives a good account of herself. She is not depressed or mentally ill.
My impression is that she is gender dysphoric with evidence of this dating to childhood with regular cross dressing and a strong sense of her female identity which she has faced up to and dealt with by the emergence of Laura. She is aware of the difficulties of living openly as a Transsexual woman and is mentally competent to make decisions in this regard.
Current guidelines recommend that it is preferable for hormones to be medically prescribed and monitored and I reviewed her current regime suggesting a trial of Progynova 2mgs three times daily, Androcur 50mgs once daily (or if necessary twice daily), continue Finasteride 2.5mgs daily and increase Duphaston to 10mgs twice daily. Thank you for prescribing on a shared care basis and for monitoring her liver function, lipids, FBC, and U&E's six monthly, along with occasional weight and blood pressure checks.
"my impression is that she is gender dysphoric" after first interview,
but not "I diagnose her as gender dysphoric" ...
subtle and important difference !
I believe HBGD guidelines allow for the immediate prescription of hormones if there is evidence that you have been "self medicating" (lesser of two evils ?). I'd been self medicating for 6 months, and although my general practitioner dissaproved of it he had supervised blood tests for me ....
Laura
P.S. think the earlier attacks on Sally (a newcomer) were a bit out of order ... all she said she developed to an "A" in three months ... so did I, it was the biggest spurt of growth that happened ... but nearly three years on and I still can't fill out a "B" !
Quote from: SallyTPolFor everyone who thinks that my psych is wrong for allowing me to start hormones so quickly, the medical community in my city deals with GID are quiet close, and know each other. I had been a girl full time except for work for sometime before seeing my psych, for various reason,
Recently, I switched therapists (for a number of reasons, the big one being face-to-face meetings rather than via telephone.)
One of my first questions at our first meeting was how soon before I could start the RLE clock? Her answer -- "Right now, if you feel ready for it." Basically, I was fully presenting as female from the first time she saw me and, barring finding any contraindications, she expected I would be certifiable a year from that day.
Although I was already on HRT, I also needed a hormone letter for my new trans doctor. My new therapist wanted four weekly appointments to confirm I had no contraindicating issues before writing that letter.
Yes, the SOC is a set of guidelines. Perhaps in some cases they are overly conservative, especially if followed to-the-letter rather than in-the-spirit. The path of transition is rarely a straight line, and is different for each one of us, depending on our choices. If you hire a caring, knowledgeable transition support staff, your transition should progress at the speed that's optimum for you. (I know, that's difficult in some cases, but it is possible.)
On a lighter note, my electro and I joke that a real indicator of an MtFs readiness for surgery is having had more than 150 hours of electrolysis ('south pole' work is less necessary with the new crop of surgeons, but if undertaken, hours should accrue at 3 for 1 ;) )
Karen
Hey Peeps,
I saw a Psychiatrist at the Gender Clinic I was reffered to, we discussed how I felt and what I would need to do next. He asked me to come back in 6 months to see him again at which point my name had been legally changed and I was already full time. At that meeting he requested my GP start me on hormones but I didn't start them for another 12 months due to funding issues amongst other things, so from first appointment to starting HRT it would have been 18 months.
Becky
xx