Hi,,
I am Tashiya,, 24...Please do me this huge favor..... is there any MTF around here who is from Montreal, QC. Can someone tell me about the actual experience you had or having here when it comes to medical clinics for trans people and about the process. I have been self-medicating for almost a year and I feel like I want to see a doctor now and get things done properly. Well, I could find some info about a place called Clinic Opus. I am still having some doubts about whether this place is the right place for me. Does anyone know whether I can get HRT without seeing a therapist here,,, by giving that informed consen.

I kind a have "zero" info on how things work in this crazy city when it comes to this topic. So basically,,,, sharing any of your personal experience in transitioning here will be soo soo helpful ....

Thanksss..

Hi Tashiya,

Welcome to Susans and congratulations on your first post.

I'm a fellow Canadian but I currently live in Toronto, used to live in Montreal but that was a different life .. ........
I'm afraid I can't share much info on the process or clinics in Quebec but I've still got friends in the LGBT community there, I'll send out a couple of emails and see if I can get some answers.

You should be able to go the "Informed Consent" route but it might be easier to make a list of psychiatrists that are familiar with transgender practises and tell them you are self medicating but want assistance , if that does not get you an appointment within a week I don't know what will.

Au revoir

Hi Antonia,

Thank you so much for your response and info.... You are really nice.... well yes,, you are right,,, I should reach a therapist first... It's just,, I am kinda fed up of most of the medical centers that I visit here for general health concerns.... So, anyways i was assuming it will be worse at clinics for trans, specially the therapists. I read that some therapists expect us to live full-time before starting HRT.. I just don't need to get to that sate.. I want to present my true self only when I am comfortable that I can pass... And frankly, I don't like that process at all....I am just stuck here for 3 years more as I am studying still...

Au revoir!

I know what you mean, unless you have an emergency you just get put on a wait-list and it seems like nothing happens. The trick is to do the doctors work for them and then get them to sign off on it and use a bit of psychology while you are at it.

Instead of going in and telling a doctor that you have an undiagnosed condition you go in with everything laid out for them and then ask them to approve. Doctors are overworked and stressed out, if you can present an easy "no brainer" for them to sign off on that's what they will do.

Figure out who you want to get a referral to or if you even need one, I'll try to get some names but I'm sure some of our Montreal based members will make more up to date and relevant recommendations.
Research the drugs available, what's most frequently prescribed and the recommended doses.

Create an sense of urgency without compromising your prospects, be firm but sensible and coherent. Never ever threaten to deliberately harm yourself or others but you can tell them that you are making the transition with or without them but you would prefer proper medical supervision.

An interesting little fact about Montreal in case you did't already know is that it's actually the home of Dr. Brassard http://www.grsmontreal.com/ which is arguably considered the best SRS surgeon in the world.

Quote from: Tashiya on April 20, 2014, 01:27:04 AM
Hi Antonia,

Thank you so much for your response and info.... You are really nice.... well yes,, you are right,,, I should reach a therapist first... It's just,, I am kinda fed up of most of the medical centers that I visit here for general health concerns.... So, anyways i was assuming it will be worse at clinics for trans, specially the therapists. I read that some therapists expect us to live full-time before starting HRT.. I just don't need to get to that sate.. I want to present my true self only when I am comfortable that I can pass... And frankly, I don't like that process at all....I am just stuck here for 3 years more as I am studying still...

Au revoir!

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I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything from my friends. Just be careful and read as much as you can about blockers and hormones, I'm sure it will come in handy for your nursing carrier as well

Quote
Antonia,, you are an angel,thanks a loooot...

you really put a foundation to my mind like... I was confused in deciding where to and how start things.. I will do some research more and work on it.

I know this is a lot to ask,, mean time if you will get some info from your friends in Montreal, please update me. I like to know about meds and doses and stuff too. I have nobody in this city.. I am only on estrogen at this point. Well I started with Estradot(patch)and spiro. I am a nursing student and we got this scary drug guide that has all the adverse reactions and i got scared and stopped spiro. In fact, estrogen had more bad stuff  ,,, Now I am taking estradot only.

you are so right about healthcare here... and your way of approaching the docd will be the most effective for sure.. I will do like that..

I know about that doctor from the net but never knew that he is from here,,,. nice to hear that... I am so looking 4wrd to take srs one day..  No.01 dream... ..

ttfn.... ta ta for now...

Added the message I originally responded to without the dozes since posting them is a violation of site terms and the original got deleted.

@Tashiya,

Welcome to your new family.

Just a heads up...perhaps you haven't read all the rules yet, it is okay to mention what hormones you are taking, but not the dosage levels. As you have mentioned you self medicate & this could miss lead others that perhaps are thinking of doing same. This could lead to problems. This forum does not condone self medicating and advocates for transitioning with a Doctor & monitored with tests to keep you healthy & avoid risks.

Enjoy your journey here.

Jamie

sorry,,

I removed the msg....

ttfn... ta ta for now..

Okey, got some info for you, I can't verify this myself so I'm going on other peoples words here. I'll have more details in a day or two.

First off any medical doctor in Quebec can proscribe HRT hormones, although most will be reluctant to do so without a diagnoses of Gender Dysphoria from a mental health professional.

There is only one place in Montreal where you can go for the "Informed Consent", they are called Heads and Hands: http://headandhands.ca unfortunately their wait-list is apparently over a year, I'm waiting on more info on exactly what is involved, etc.

The Montréal General Hospital has a special unit for transgender treatment, I heard very bad things, 3 year+ wait-lists and huge bills, not a very appealing option.

A good website on transgender resources in Montreal which comes highly recommended : http://santetranshealth.org/ or their updated site which unfortunately is missing all the info http://astteq.org/

I should have more info tomorrow or the day after.

Hope you have a great day, hugs

Quote from: Tashiya on April 20, 2014, 12:33:32 AM
Hi,,
I am Tashiya,, 24...Please do me this huge favor..... is there any MTF around here who is from Montreal, QC. Can someone tell me about the actual experience you had or having here when it comes to medical clinics for trans people and about the process. I have been self-medicating for almost a year and I feel like I want to see a doctor now and get things done properly. Well, I could find some info about a place called Clinic Opus. I am still having some doubts about whether this place is the right place for me. Does anyone know whether I can get HRT without seeing a therapist here,,,

Clinic Opus on Peel st is a good place to go. They also have therapist they deal with. One of the doctors is my Family Doctor (they have a few on staff).

If you wish to not use the service of Opus for some reason then.
Dr. Brossard is also a good Endo.. But you will need a reference (he is not the surgeon Brassard) I used him for my Hrt when I first moved to Qc.

Dr. Michel Campbell is a good therapist.

Hope this might help some.

Izzy

Quote from: antonia on April 21, 2014, 06:01:49 PM
Okey, got some info for you, I can't verify this myself so I'm going on other peoples words here. I'll have more details in a day or two.

First off any medical doctor in Quebec can proscribe HRT hormones, although most will be reluctant to do so without a diagnoses of Gender Dysphoria from a mental health professional.

There is only one place in Montreal where you can go for the "Informed Consent", they are called Heads and Hands: http://headandhands.ca unfortunately their wait-list is apparently over a year, I'm waiting on more info on exactly what is involved, etc.

The Montréal General Hospital has a special unit for transgender treatment, I heard very bad things, 3 year+ wait-lists and huge bills, not a very appealing option.

A good website on transgender resources in Montreal which comes highly recommended : http://santetranshealth.org/ or their updated site which unfortunately is missing all the info http://astteq.org/

I should have more info tomorrow or the day after.

Hope you have a great day, hugs

Heads and hands are good for young transgendered here also Project 10 but they are I think Max age on 20 or 25?
Heads and hands has a walk in clinic on west sherbrook Ave (west of decarie) Verdome metro and bus 105. Just do a Google search to get the address

Izzy

Quote from: antonia on April 21, 2014, 06:01:49 PM
Okey, got some info for you, I can't verify this myself so I'm going on other peoples words here. I'll have more details in a day or two.

First off any medical doctor in Quebec can proscribe HRT hormones, although most will be reluctant to do so without a diagnoses of Gender Dysphoria from a mental health professional.

There is only one place in Montreal where you can go for the "Informed Consent", they are called Heads and Hands: http://headandhands.ca unfortunately their wait-list is apparently over a year, I'm waiting on more info on exactly what is involved, etc.

The Montréal General Hospital has a special unit for transgender treatment, I heard very bad things, 3 year+ wait-lists and huge bills, not a very appealing option.

A good website on transgender resources in Montreal which comes highly recommended : http://santetranshealth.org/ or their updated site which unfortunately is missing all the info http://astteq.org/

I should have more info tomorrow or the day after.

Hope you have a great day, hugs

Antonia,

Thank you soo soo much for your info and all the efforts and for your time.... I am really sorry for all the trouble I have put you through.. please thank all your friends as well... I will check on both those clinics..I will call them soon or I will go there and see... I will keep Opus as my main option... I knew that there is a place called opus but I had no one that who knew about it to ask from to see whether it's good or bad... so thanks a lot... this means a lot to me...

I will call both during this week and update you... I hope I will be able to get an appointment easily and sooner..

Yes, about the clinic in the general hospital, I think I read some scary experiences of some girls who went there... And I frankly prefer a private clinic than a hospital.. Specially, if it is a teaching hospital. I don't want to be a part of someone's learning materials.. .. In hospitals it's just hard to say no to that process.. I have seen it as I am going to hospitals for our training.

I feel really really really really happy now.. ...  thanksssss....

Take care and have a nice day.....
hugs..

Quote from: mind is quiet now on April 21, 2014, 07:03:09 PM

Heads and hands are good for young transgendered here also Project 10 but they are I think Max age on 20 or 25?
Heads and hands has a walk in clinic on west sherbrook Ave (west of decarie) Verdome metro and bus 105. Just do a Google search to get the address

Izzy

Izzy,,,

you are really nice.. thanks a lot... I am thinking of reaching Opus first. I googled and got the address of the other one as well... I really know that area well, but never knew that such place exists..

This means really a lot...

Take care...

Have a great day...

Make sure to check your private messages, I forwarded you some extra info that was directly for you.

I'm glad I could help, if there is anything else don't hesitate to ask.

- Antonia

Quote from: Tashiya on April 22, 2014, 12:34:29 AM
Izzy,,,

you are really nice.. thanks a lot... I am thinking of reaching Opus first. I googled and got the address of the other one as well... I really know that area well, but never knew that such place exists..

This means really a lot...

Take care...

Have a great day...

Quote from: antonia on April 22, 2014, 05:54:16 AM
Make sure to check your private messages, I forwarded you some extra info that was directly for you.

I'm glad I could help, if there is anything else don't hesitate to ask.

- Antonia

Thanks Antonia,..

I got your mail... those info r so valuable for me.... I wanted to reply you but they did not allow me to pm.... anyways, I owe you big time...i hope one day I can do something for you as well...

I am going to go for Opus..

Ha,, you know what, I thought of volunteering at the head and hands or may be at assteq in this summer. I was searching for places that will make me feel good to be around,... and here they are now.. I found my options for this summer....


be in touch..

take care......

You are super welcome, sounds like you are on a good path. Best of luck and keep in touch, let us know how it goes.

I'm sure both ASTTEQ and Opus would be ecstatic to get your help this summer and I'm sure you can do a lot of good for the community.

- Antonia

Quote from: Tashiya on April 23, 2014, 12:24:05 AM
Thanks Antonia,..

I got your mail... those info r so valuable for me.... I wanted to reply you but they did not allow me to pm.... anyways, I owe you big time...i hope one day I can do something for you as well...

I am going to go for Opus..

Ha,, you know what, I thought of volunteering at the head and hands or may be at assteq in this summer. I was searching for places that will make me feel good to be around,... and here they are now.. I found my options for this summer....


be in touch..

take care......