I'm feeling very unsure about my appointment. The entire thing seemed to be messed up in a lot of ways.

I woke up this morning at 4:45 am so that I could make my appointment at 8:40. Well around 8 am, as I was almost there, I got a call saying my doctor was sick and needed to reschedule. I had already waited a month because her schedule was so full, so I told them that I would see anyone at the clinic if it could be today. I was able to get an appointment at 11 am with another doctor with experience with trans* patients. That was the first thing to go wrong; the second was that the new doctor was male. I had looked hard and been willing to wait a month just so that I didn't have to deal with a male doctor because it makes me very uncomfortable to have one, but I decided I couldn't wait any longer.

When I finally saw him, his first thing was to tell me that he had been helping trans* patients since the early 80's. Then he thought I was ftm and was talking to me about testosterone. After I corrected him, he did agree that I might be intersex. So I have a karotype  test being done, but it went downhill after that. The next thing to happen was he suddenly reached over and grabbed my throat to check something. He didn't give me any warning or ask permission first though. I should state that I didn't want a male doctor because I have been sexually assaulted before and really don't like an older man having so much control of me. It completely threw me for a loop and I kinda shut down after that.

From there he didn't do a physical, ask for a detailed medical history, or even do a preliminary blood test. Instead he just looked at a list said out loud I have no clue how this will effect you, and started me on a fairly low dose of spiro.  He said it will be 3 months before I can start E, and then only at a dose that is lower than I have heard anyone being on. Further he didn't even explain the risks of the medicines to me at all. Lastly he said to come back in a week so they can do my first blood test after the spiro has started working.

Its just that visit left me feeling like what was the point of waiting. I could have been diy for months now. Instead I waited for that? I could be on a full dose right now, not some slow ramp up. He told me this is so I have time to back out and to make sure things go slowly. I'm already full time though. I'm even full time at work. I don't need slow. I'm not someone who wants to be on hrt for a year or two before transitioning.

Its not all bad though, after the blood draw next week I'm going to ask them to increase the dosage, and I'm going to make sure that I can get a new appointment with the doctor I wanted.

My first doctors visit was mixed. Yours sounds completely awful. Sorry. Not all male doctors are bad, my docs a guy, and my only complaint is he's scatterbrained. But he knows his craft.

"I have no clue how this will effect you" is NEVER anything a doctor should say to a patient, in my opinion. Especially being that we, as a group, tend to do TONS of research on our own well before ever speaking to a doctor about it, and, speaking for me, I walked in already knowing what dose I should be on, etc. Also, for him to make assumptions about what you were there for, ie assuming you're FTM, is pretty stupid. First thing ANY doctor, not just dealing with HRT, but ANY doctor should say is "So what brings you here today?" And, to be honest, he should've had a long conversation with you about potential risks.

My advice would be to make another appointment with the woman you were originally scheduled to see as soon as you can. And, I'm sorry you kinda got the shaft your first time around.

Also, posting dosages is frowned upon. Someone will probably yell at you, so you may wanna edit that out.

I personally don't think it's a good idea to prescribe an anti-androgen without estrogen because if you have low levels of both androgen and estrogen, you don't feel good...low energy, hot flushes, depression, night sweats, insomnia, etc. Even if for only 3 months. Giving you estrogen alone would have been better and avoided all that.  Or estrogen + spiro.

Be sure to also eat as much salt as you crave on Spiro, take it on a full stomach if it causes irritation and avoid things like sodas, mineral water, salt substitutes, fruit juices, anything that is high in potassium. Fruits and veggies are alright. Also, moderate intake of diuretics. Take Spiro twice daily.

I'm sorry for how the whole thing unfolded but at least it's over now. And you're on your way...better than nothing.

Happy to hear, Alexis. 

Alexis,
Sorry to hear about your first visit. Honestly my gut reaction was "what an ass". I'm glad you were able to get in to see another doctor as the first one does not seem right for you. Warm wishes on your visit!
~Jen

Hang in there girls. Keep us posted hugs Shannon

Alexis,
So happy to hear that your visit went well. I wish you the best of luck on your journey. Also depending on how you react to S, you may want to ask her about E&P w/o S (but bio-identical/mimetic P not synthetics, this is for biochemical purposes). This has cut out most of my T, but please discuss with your doctor to find out if that would be right for you.  Again congratulations on finding a doctor that cares about you!
~Jen

Good news!

I prefer a female doctor. Hugs Shannon