Hi, I'm new here and I am a semi-out FtM from Australia. I currently am waiting for my Endocrinologist appointment which is in April to get hormones as I received my letter from my psychologist and my referral from my GP. I am out to my parents and a few friends, still female to the majority, despite my short hair and male appearance. Just graduated high school last year, and am taking this year off to transition before university to make things easier.
Reading up on these forums made me realise how lucky I am to be doing this so young, although I am still envious of you already transitioning and out to public. I have felt this way ever since I could remember, I used to play online games all the time when I was little and I'd always make sure my character was male and I'd have all these friends online who thought I was a guy and it was the only place I felt comfortable and it was basically my reality as a child. I recognise this isn't really healthy, plus I played this game from like 7-14 'pretending' to be a guy, but it helps with me realising that this is real and I DID feel this way younger too.
Here's my life story, feel free to skip it.
At 14 was when I realised this isn't going away, I assumed after puberty I'd feel like a 'normal girl'. That's what my parents told me too. I'd grow out of it. They wouldn't let me cut my hair cause they said I'd regret it when I'm finally over my 'tomboy phase'. I had a breakdown at 14, realising how uncomfortable all these female things are to me that girls my age were now starting to do. Go to parties, wear make up, wear sexy clothes, talk to boys. etc (I'm straight, attracted to girls). So, I finally turned to the internet and for the first time I discovered the word 'transgender'. By the way, let me just say how <Not Permitted> up that is that it took me 14 years to even learn what this term was.
Then I read up on it and EVERYTHING made sense. This was me. Since 14, I've been googling and looking up stuff on transitioning, hormones, researching ways to get there, watching YouTube views of other FtMs. I finally came out to my parents last year around August-September? And I started seeing a psychologist. They were accepting even though they were in shock and didn't really understand before educating themselves also. They think I'm taking things too fast but they need to realise the quicker the better, especially in terms of my mental health. And I can't focus in university like this, I basically flunk high school because of my anxiety, dysphoria and depression, when I used to be one of the smartest.
So here I am now, when I turn 18 in April I can finally go to the endocrinologist who will first run some tests and then put me on testosterone. I'm very excited. I plan on coming out to everyone else closer to that date, as I know I will be extremely uncomfortable with everyone knowing when I still don't really pass, and I know it will make it easier for them to view me as male also.
If you actually bothered to read this, thank you. :)
Mod Edit:Language
Hey Moneyless!
Welcome to Susan's :) Great to have you here - looking forward to seeing you around the forum.
And welcome from Sydney too! We have a fairly large Aussie membership on the forum a lot of ladies but also plenty of guys and NBs.
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Hello
Hi from Sydney, and I read it all!
Just a thought, but perhaps you can go to the endo and get the tests before you're 18, then schedule the actual HRT for your 18th birthday. You might save a couple of weeks.
If your endo is like mine (Dr Hayes), you might want to see if you can book both appointments beforehand, as he has a long waiting list. If wait until you see him to book the second you might be looking at 6 weeks delay.
Hi :icon_wave:
Welcome to Susan's :) Glad to have you here, join on in the fun
Hugs
V M
I'm also new here, but hello & welcome. Good luck with your upcoming appointment!
It can be a difficult transition (no pun intended) going from "passing" as female to being out as male but not yet being read as male. :icon_neutral: :eusa_wall: Ask me how I know. :icon_wink: Taking a year off is a fantastic idea. School can wait while you do this extremely awesome thing that you've been waiting years to do.
Hi Moneyless, welcome to Susan's Place! I'm a Bostonian. Get busy posting and I'll see you around the site!
Hugs, Devlyn
Hey Moneyless, welcome to Susan's Place!
Giving you a big wave from Southeast Queensland. :icon_wave:
Quote from: AnonyMs on February 14, 2016, 11:22:33 PM
Hi from Sydney, and I read it all!
Just a thought, but perhaps you can go to the endo and get the tests before you're 18, then schedule the actual HRT for your 18th birthday. You might save a couple of weeks.
If your endo is like mine (Dr Hayes), you might want to see if you can book both appointments beforehand, as he has a long waiting list. If wait until you see him to book the second you might be looking at 6 weeks delay.
I want to do that to but for some reason the Endocrinologist I'm going to just won't see anyone under 18. I might ring up and ask that more directly to see if that's possible. Thanks for the advice :)
And thanks everyone else, I'm also from Sydney. :)
EDIT: Just rang up and they said it could just take 1 session, if not two so I shouldn't worry and I probably won't be able to get it much earlier anyways :/
Quote from: Moneyless on February 15, 2016, 08:27:04 PM
EDIT: Just rang up and they said it could just take 1 session, if not two so I shouldn't worry and I probably won't be able to get it much earlier anyways :/
Easy for them to say, they don't know what it feels like to wait a session or two!
I expect they didn't want to see you before 18 because they can't prescribe you anything before then. Nothing stopping them doing blood tests before then though.
If you're not seeing Dr Hayes, I'd do a bit of research into it. I guess you got it all organized by now, but Dr Hayes is the main endo for trans people in Sydney. I think I heard of someone who does FTM, but not sure. I wouldn't see anyone else myself (I'm mtf).
Quote from: AnonyMs on February 15, 2016, 09:36:51 PM
Easy for them to say, they don't know what it feels like to wait a session or two!
I expect they didn't want to see you before 18 because they can't prescribe you anything before then. Nothing stopping them doing blood tests before then though.
If you're not seeing Dr Hayes, I'd do a bit of research into it. I guess you got it all organized by now, but Dr Hayes is the main endo for trans people in Sydney. I think I heard of someone who does FTM, but not sure. I wouldn't see anyone else myself (I'm mtf).
I'm seeing Dr Crawford in Croydon Hospital whom apparently deals with FtMs all the time even though he's not exclusive to it. When I spoke to him he knew exactly what I was talking about. I had blood tests not long ago with my GP that covered literally everything as I also saw a GP who has dealed with many FtM patients transitioning, along with an ECG and respiratory test, which I faxed to the endocrinology clinic so maybe it's possible I won't have to take more blood tests? I hope so lol. On the phone he said he understands I want it as soon as possible but not to worry because 'it'll happen' lol.
Hi Moneyless from Adelaide ,
The problem with under 18's is that to go on to cross sex hormones you need the Family Court to decide if you are 'Gilick competent', that is capable of making an informed decision, you also need the support of your family. Unfortunately the Family Court costs about $30,000 to hear the case. So if you are nearly 18 it is far cheaper and quicker to wait.
I am reliably informed that this rule will be changed shortly but it requires an Act of Parliament.
Quote from: Cindy on February 16, 2016, 12:09:27 AM
Hi Moneyless from Adelaide ,
The problem with under 18's is that to go on to cross sex hormones you need the Family Court to decide if you are 'Gilick competent', that is capable of making an informed decision, you also need the support of your family. Unfortunately the Family Court costs about $30,000 to hear the case. So if you are nearly 18 it is far cheaper and quicker to wait.
I am reliably informed that this rule will be changed shortly but it requires an Act of Parliament.
That's ridiculous. I'm glad I just happened to do this a couple months before I turn 18. Would've been torture waiting years :(
Hope it gets changed for future transpeople
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Hello Moneyless
Welcome :) I'm also in Sydney. Hopefully see you around the site. Good luck with the endo and everything else. xxx
Hi and welcome to Susan's, Moneyless.
:)