I don't believe this is breaking any of the rules by taking a poll to see the difference in numbers of people who decide to do it themselves rather than through a doctor.  If it is I'm sorry and must have misunderstood something.

Oddly enough, I do.  I'm diabetic, so I pretty much have to take control of my medication.  I tell the doctor what works and doesn't work, how much, and when.  So far, he agrees.  But I do keep my doctor involved

Cindi

I get estrogen through a doctor's script.

How does a doctor that just scribles what the patient wants and does not understand anything about hormones count?

Feels like self-medicating except one gets the meds from the pharmacy with a prescription.

Insurance covers the doctor and scripts when you are post op.

Quote from: taru on September 06, 2007, 06:19:09 AM
Feels like self-medicating except one gets the meds from the pharmacy with a prescription.

I started out self-medicating, then later ended up having my normal doctor prescribe and monitor everything. He's treated TSs before. I showed him what I was taking, he basically said, "what you've been taking is reasonable, and it seems to be working for you, so let's just stick with it." So I'm still taking exactly what I started with myself - only doctor "approved" and monitored now.

~Kate~

Quote from: lisagurl on September 06, 2007, 10:47:08 AM
Insurance covers the doctor and scripts when you are post op.

Mine have always been covered.

My endoc started my hormones but I eventually took control and she agree with me. So yes, kinda sorta in a round about and strange fashion.

Quote from: LostInTime on September 06, 2007, 04:28:53 PM

Quote from: lisagurl on September 06, 2007, 10:47:08 AM
Insurance covers the doctor and scripts when you are post op.

Mine have always been covered.

My endoc started my hormones but I eventually took control and she agree with me. So yes, kinda sorta in a round about and strange fashion.

Hehe yeah that is really odd

I don't self medicate but I can sypathise with those who have to when they are unable to get HRT through the proper channels. I would never condone self medication but in a lot of cases people are refused HRT without basis. When I was with the U.K's NHS system in 2001 I was refused Hrt for 2 years (while attending a gender clinic). Eventually I had enough and went private and started HRT emmediately.

The problem for me is both the NHS GP and endo's are not very well versed in hormone therapy and I have to more or less steer them in the right direction to access the correct medication for my body. All hormones are different and you have to find the one's that best suit you. In the past NHS endo's have put me on the wrong medication and I have become ill or they have had bad side effects and even reversal effects. To a certain extent you have to manage your own hormone regime...

 

My HRT is all on a doctor's prescriptions, unless you count the OTC progesterone cream I self-medicate with because the doc refused to prescribe it for me.

Post-op, I go through my doc and prescription plan. 

Given the media coverage of junk or poison pills from foreign lands, I don't think self-medication is a good idea.  There are risks, of course, even with getting pills from established pharmacies -- there was a Dateline documentary recently which showed how Chinese, as pill brokers, were selling to some major U.S. chains.  We live in a world where safety has to be doubted.

I understand preop TS's being desperate for HRT.  But please be careful.

Teri Anne

Hum..  I self medicate, but I also have an endo to check bloodwork which is expensive without insurance and not covered even with medical insurance,  He knows what and the amounts I take and advises me.  I don't have medical insurance.   

Beni

I did for years, but then came to my sences. I only take what my doc says now, and what she injects in me.

Deb

While in between doctors, I researched then acquired my own meds and did weekly injections. But then, I am a trained professional. Even so, I'm more comfortable working with my doctor regarding my meds and their dosages.

Karen Lyn

I'm on prescribed meds from an endo

Quote from: debisl on September 08, 2007, 11:02:58 PM
I did for years, but then came to my sences. I only take what my doc says now, and what she injects in me.

Deb

Could that be why hormones are fairly inafective on me? Injectable hormones are illegal in the U.K but I'd like to try them and see if they work better than pills? where would I get them from in the U.K?

Injectible estrogen is illegal in the UK?  Kind of surprising because it is almost standard in the US, in fact I think most transwomen go with injectibles if the pills are ineffective (the pills for me are VERY effective).  Injectibles in fact are seen as the safer here.

Quote from: lisagurl on September 06, 2007, 10:47:08 AM
Insurance covers the doctor and scripts when you are post op.

Mine are covered either way, pre-op for now. Since the hormones are prescribed for a variety of female or male conditions, the insurance companies don't usually disqualify anyone on the drugs.  And it sure saves a lot of money.

Quote from: SusanK on September 12, 2007, 11:20:25 AM

Quote from: lisagurl on September 06, 2007, 10:47:08 AM
Insurance covers the doctor and scripts when you are post op.

Mine are covered either way, pre-op for now. Since the hormones are prescribed for a variety of female or male conditions, the insurance companies don't usually disqualify anyone on the drugs.  And it sure saves a lot of money.

Yes mine were covered preop as well but it depends on the coding and what the insurance policy demands of the doctor. The doctor knows how to play the game. If the doctor is against your transition you can be black balled by insurance.

As much as it costs to get tests done regularly, in the long term it's the best way to go. I'm not on hormones yet, but when I do I'm going to do it the safest way possible.




^{edit -removed rule violation. - Nero}