I have a doctor's appointment with my general practitioner in a week and I'm planning to come out to her then and explain that I'm on HRT. I've only seen her once and I didn't have a doctor for over a year before that, but I have a good impression of her, it helps that she's a younger woman instead of an elderly man like many doctors. I don't think I strictly need to tell her yet, but I'd like her to be on the same page regarding medical stuff and if it's going to affect my treatment and I'll have to find a new doctor I'd rather know sooner rather than later.
Do you all have any advice or experience? Still presenting as male, etc.
your doctor needs to know asap. The main person in all the world that needs to know the little quirks about your body chemistry :P
Its important you tell her before she would prescribe any other medication for you. Drugs can interact poorly, she needs to know for your own protection.
That's why I'm telling her people. :-\ But I've basically seen a GP once in the last 2 years so it's not the most pressing thing over actually seeing a doctor.
I didn't mean to come off like that, I swears! :angel:
But just be straight up with her. " Doc, I just need you to know.... "
If she refuses to treat you, then you find another one. Just be honest. People, no matter how close minded, tend to respect it, whether they like it or not.
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Hi Carbon,
I phoned my GP receptionist that I am making an appointment re my gender, so my GP knew what I was coming to discuss. Docs seem to only have a short period of time for you, I was hoping for 20min. but I had to almost point form articulate from my teens to 70 how I got to believing I am trans. I have discussed with my cd & trans friends about my story enough that I am comfortable, not anxious, been out to my family so I just relaxed into the 12 minutes I had and was just me. She is a very caring and empathetic Doctor and immediately had me set up for blood tests and a pelvic ultrasound. The next day she had an appointment for an Endo a few months later.
So breathe, relax and be yourself. Docs are there to listen and help, they don't bite.
All the best in your journey.
Jamie
Quote from: Carbon on November 29, 2012, 05:48:39 PM
I have a doctor's appointment with my general practitioner in a week and I'm planning to come out to her
It is a good step. As a practical matter, I see my nurse practitioner more than the MD.
I came out to my primary care doctor - I was worried but she was great about it. She asked me questions about where I was in the process and what my plans were. She went over the risks and side effects of HRT (but I already knew them). She was completely non-judgemental and only concerned about my health.
It's important because, as others have said, some drugs can interact. For me it was important because I wanted her to monitor those things that are affected by HRT - clotting factor, liver, and kidney function.
I wish you well.
Lori
Thanks so much for the input everyone.
I've got to fly now (metaphorically speaking) but I just had the appointment and it went really well, she expressed support of it in a respectful way and is going to help me work out getting blood work done locally since I have to travel to get to my endo. I also ended up talking some about other problems I've been having so it went well.