Feel free to post. :)
;D
Happy this is up.
I'm in Arkansas. I know there is a specialty clinic in Tucson though. My Doc is confused about where to start and has put in for a consult (according to the Med notes the consult is for the Doc). And now i'm playing the waiting game. I saw in my notes that to get HRT, I have to see a psych and get diagnosed under gender dysphoria.
any help navigating would be helpful.
Nahia
To kill the "waiting game". They always have a mental health provider for walk-ins. See them and they'll hear you out. More than likely they'll have to research a little bit, as most of them don't specialize in this field. There's a good chance that nobody there actually does. So they'll get the checklist and have you come back.
When you speak with them, the best approach is to be calm and collected. Articulate your feelings and answer any questions they have... too often people go in desperate and half crazed. The mental health provider more than likely specializes in crazy pills... don't give them that impression. It eats a lot of time, and turns out to be detrimental.
If you are rational they're more apt to believe that you have thought this through.
After that initial Mental Health clear, what should I expect next? I think the stress of not knowing what my PCP is doing is worse than anything.
You'll first see a psychologist and then they'll have you interview with a psychotherapist and endocrinologist. They all respond best to a calm demeanor and a matter of fact approach. It was about 3 weeks start to finish and I started hormones.
The endocrinology department will more than likely prescribe your hormones. An initial blood test on day 1 and method of administration of hormones will be established. Then you will see them in 3 months.
The VA offers, injections, pills, and patches for estrogen. Spironolactone is their standard AA, and if you have some balding, you can ask about Finasteride. It helps quite a bit.
Thank you so much for starting this thread. I'll be reading along.
That is good to hear. I told my PCP exactly a month ago. So once the ball is rolling it should be okay. I tend to be calm and collected so that shouldn't be a problem. I'm happy that you have had a favorable experience with VA. They have lost my confidence on multiple occasions, so trusting my local team to take care of things is hard sometimes. Has your experience on HRT been pleasant (in general)?
N
Yes. I have had a good experience on the whole... of course it has its ups and downs. However, all in all a great ride.
I would check in with your primary care provider. Generally, they're very slow on turn around. A walk in to mental health will speed up the process... anything mental health goes faster than general care.
Now a little known fact... very important. Ask your endocrinologist or therapist for a referral to speech pathology. It's covered by your health care. They'll help with your feminine voice.
:D
You have relieved some of my stress. Thank you!
As you started taking HRT, did they actively increase the amounts taken over time? or did you have to bring it up after a certain period of time had passed.
N
I didn't even think about a speech pathologist!! that is Genius ;D
What all does that entail?
Due to the individualized nature of medications, they'll review your health and fitness levels and start you off with whatever they feel comfortable with. It's very trial and error. Communication with your endo is important. I started "middle of the road". They added Spiro after my blood tests came back, and at 3 months they added Finasteride.I called and got my estrogen increased at 4 months because I had a systemic energy crash the last 5 days of my e cycles. So far I have been sitting with that level to see if it continues. I am on IM injection so it is a slower process of finding that sweet spot.
Quote from: Nahia on August 05, 2016, 10:25:20 PM
:D
You have relieved some of my stress. Thank you!
As you started taking HRT, did they actively increase the amounts taken over time? or did you have to bring it up after a certain period of time had passed.
N
Just glorified name for voice coaching. Inflection and pitch of a feminine voice. Quite expensive on the economy.
Quote from: Nahia on August 05, 2016, 10:28:02 PM
I didn't even think about a speech pathologist!! that is Genius ;D
What all does that entail?
Once you get a good therapist, maintain contact with them as often as you need. One, for your own mental health and moral support, and two... you'll be able to get your letters from them as well. The VA doesn't currently do "elective cosmetic" surgeries, but they can get you the letters and your treatment history.
More of a personal question than a VA one, but how old were you when you started HRT? and could you see the effects pretty clearly or were they more subtle? I'll attach a photo, let me know if there is hope lol.
N
http://whispersfromnahia.tumblr.com/post/148525791612/hmmm
I read somewhere the VA will start doing SRS. Have you heard anything about this too?
Ha ha ha... I was 34 the first time and almost 36 the second. Motorcycle accident had me off of them for a year and a half after a few short months of being on them. 6 months currently for me. So we shall say 6 months for simplicity.
The changes are extremely gradual despite stories. You should have zero problems with your looks. As I always say... make up can do wonders!
Quote from: Nahia on August 05, 2016, 10:50:16 PM
More of a personal question than a VA one, but how old were you when you started HRT? and could you see the effects pretty clearly or were they more subtle? I'll attach a photo, let me know if there is hope lol.
N
http://whispersfromnahia.tumblr.com/post/148525791612/hmmm
The military is going to start offering srs. It's not on the roster for the VA yet. Perhaps in the next few years. But it's doubtful.
I never leave my pictures up long... but here you go...
And sports bras are great for killing the profile of your chest as it develops.
amazing :o
Thank you for sharing your pictures (your makeup looks amazing). I hope I can learn to apply it all correctly lol.
Thank you for helping answer some questions and for easing my nerves.
I hope other veterans check out this forum too.
I'll try to buddy you when the site lifts my restrictions for being new. I plan on being active here so I hope to catch you around the boards :D .
N
Any time. Make up or whatever feel free. :)
And everyone is very helpful here. If you can't find an answer to a question... post a thread and ask. You'll get a lot of help.
Quote from: Harley Quinn on August 05, 2016, 10:24:29 PM
Now a little known fact... very important. Ask your endocrinologist or therapist for a referral to speech pathology. It's covered by your health care. They'll help with your feminine voice.
This is good to know. I asked my therapist to see an endocrinologist recently, so we will see how it goes, I will ask her about this one too.
Glad to hear Artesia! And good luck with your Endo!
Harley Quinn has given some excellent information concerning the VA and GID. I too am being treated by the VA and currently receive estradiol valerate injections and spironolactone. I even go to my local clinic every two weeks where a nurse gives the injection for me.
After coming out to my psychologist she immediately sent me to the staff psychiatrist who is in the same building. She (my psychiatrist) did an evaluation which took about an hour. It was rather simple because I had been seeing both of them for over three years being treated for PTSD. They both agreed that I should be treated and they got my CBOC nurse practitioner to sign off and I was scheduled with Endo within three weeks. I went to the regional facility, saw the endocrinologist and was prescribed my meds the same day.
The VA has been wonderful to work with and everyone that I have had contact with is supportive and non-judgmental. I am even going to a local hospital next Tuesday for a bone density scan which was scheduled by Tri-West. Again the VA has been wonderful and I am sure you will receive the same treatment. Don't worry or get frustrated. They will take great care of you.