I been wondering how to have a converstation with my doctors to express that I have transgender/transsexual feelings. I hope I am able to clearly talk with them but am fearfull they may not understand or help with this. At times I dont want be to a male anymore other times being male is what I used to being. It kind of hard to put in written words or speak about it. I hope this makes some sense its been very hard to cope with feelings that change at times.
I only told one doc, in the emergency room. A letter and referral from therapist told other docs that I go to.
I told my doctor directly I am transsexual.
He was very good about it after he told me every possible horror story he could think of. We talked about it argued about it and he gave me a 3 month suply of HRT (after much bickering) with the caveat that I would not get a refill unless I produced a letter from a therapist at the end of the 3 months. Turns out he has a number of other trans patients. I am his 3rd go around at feminizing a natal male and he has a few post-op patients and another couple of folks in transition so he has some experiance and he is a whiz (with a bad case of adult ADHD). Good man and brilliant just need to keep him on track.
Tell your doctor directly and with conviction. Own it, you need help and he is there to help you. If he is an ass about it, move on and find a new doctor.
I told my doctor that I was Trans and that, at the time I was self medicating. He had treated Transpeople in the past, immediately gave me a script and told me to stop DIY. He felt that even without a letter from my therapist, he would feel better monitoring me. But he did know my therapist and just called him. Done and done.
If it's a recurring doctor you go to (GP, specialist) then just tell them. If it's a one-off visit I don't see the point of telling unless necessary.
My next appointment with my usual GP isn't until some time this summer, so when the alarm went definitively off in my head, I called his office & asked for a referral to a therapist with expertise in gender identity issues. He was unable to make such a referral due presumably to simply not knowing any, but that's how I let him know.
He'll know the rest when I go in for my physical and show him what I'm taking. (I always take my current supply of all meds with me when I see docs.)
I have had the same family doctor for 25 years. On my last visit, I had been to my therapist, had a referral to an endo doc, and with my hair being 9 months long and with other changes in the works, even if subtle, I felt he needed to be aware of my transgenderness. He didn't blink an eye. When I asked if he had other transgendered patients he said no, just several with gender issues. I thought, that's me, I have gender issues - I was issued the wrong body!
I've got him in contact with my therapist and my endo doc. I go in again next month; I'm going to have to guide him in bringing his office up to speed (proper name, pronouns, dress change, etc.)
Anyway, to the original question - I just told him. If he hasn't heard everything, he's certainly heard an awful lot. Your doctor is a member of your medical team, she/he needs to know.
SusanKG
I was just thinking, my endo is my gp. No other doc to tell.
QuoteI thought, that's me, I have gender issues - I was issued the wrong body!
100% this! I laughed but it is oh so true. I love the way you put it.
I'm in a bit of a silly position as my GP is about the only person who I haven't told! I have been seeing a therapist for the last six months, seeing a skin specialist for IPL treatments for 4 months and two months ago I saw a gender specialist in London who has provided me with a letter for my doc diagnosing me with GD, potentialy transsexual, and I still haven't been to see her!
I have to soon as the specialist wants blood tests done prior to perscribing hormones so it has to be done soon, I think that she will be fine, maybe a little pissed off that I didn't go to her first :embarrassed:
I just got a shot for hystemic reaction, the same one I saw back in Dec or Jan about my stupid, 4 month long cold. He had ma'amed me, looked at my chart, and his eyes leaped out of his head.
Now that I actually transitioned at that medical center, and my file says my female name, I tongue-in-cheekedly apologized for confusing him last time after he asked why I was a woman on avodart. He asked a few cursory personal questions such as would I go for the surgery, how much, what made me decide to do this, etc. Not my favorite physician there, the PA is awesome.
Good question, I was wondering the same thing. My therapist told me not to tell my PCM, not quite sure why, but I've decided that I'll tell her soon. I have to since I need to move ahead. I'm mostly worried because it's a military doc and I have no idea what she'll say.
I didn't have much choice but to come out to my GP. I was about to start HRT, and I needed blood work to take to the endo. My GP looked at the tests I was requesting and wouldn't do anything until I explained why I wanted them. I vacillated and squirmed and gave him vague answers until it became pretty clear that I would have to be honest. I finally just came out and said it. He was cool about it.
I'm fairly healthy and hadn't been to the doc in a few years. So, by the time I went back (in anticipation for ordering tests and getting a pre-op physical for lower surgery) I'd already transitioned, had top surgery, and had been on T for at least 18 months. So I kind of came out to her during that office visit for a 'wellness check-up'. She was fine with it and will get what I need done, and also is looking for a urologist for me for any post-op care. I will admit that I was extremely nervous at that appointment as evidenced by my increased BP! I'm usually 110/70 and have been my whole life. I think I was 128/90 that visit! I also had to come out to the front desk staff to change my info on my medical chart as well. :o
Jay
I went to my GP and after freezing up for what felt like ages I just stammered that I had gender issues and went on to explain my feelings. I cant remember what was really said but it felt like a huge weight being lifted and I got refered to a counciller. once the ice was broken she asked some questions but was very sympathetic and understanding.
Quote from: RAY on April 29, 2010, 10:54:18 AM
I been wondering how to have a converstation with my doctors to express that I have transgender/transsexual feelings. I hope I am able to clearly talk with them but am fearfull they may not understand or help with this. At times I dont want be to a male anymore other times being male is what I used to being. It kind of hard to put in written words or speak about it. I hope this makes some sense its been very hard to cope with feelings that change at times.
Icame out to my GP first and she sat down and listened and asked questions and was very strong in helping me .She made me take all kinds of test and refer me to a shrink .She will not prescribe hormones .