I'm glad the wee Scots lassies are still around and posting. You all went quiet for a while, I had assumed the referendum was holding you rapt. 

It's interesting to hear how horribly random the treatment remains North of the border, especially given you had the best of the reports on treatment for GD.

Rosie

I have to admit, I was so wrapped up in my own issues that the whole referendum thing almost sailed past me unnoticed!   But yeah, my psychologist even told me I was lucky and that she was surprised because although it's clearly stated in the protocol that treatment ought to be an option prior to attending the GIC when the patient meets the listed criteria, the reality is that it's seldom being done, and most GPs seem to lack the knowledge (and therefore the confidence) to proceed.  And the psychologist herself would have suggested to me that I try to hang on in there until my GIC appointment had I not previously been proactive in pushing for treatment with my GP, even though she and the psychiatrist both agreed that treatment was the next logical step and there was no reason to delay it any further.

Hey Cat!

I'm so glad (and very jelly ) that you got your prescription!

I just had my first meeting at Sandyford on Thursday, and yet despite fighting it every step of the way, I am still having to self med. By the time I have my next appointment in January, where they promised to look into taking over my HRT, I will have been self medding for 13 months.

So it's great that you are managing to get a good head start on things, and feeling the effects already

I was rather similar in the whole "It probably wont feel any different for a few months"...-three days later-..."OH MY GOD I FEEL AMAZING!" thing ^^

I would suggest trying not to think to much about the whys, and focus more on that precious feeling

Hi Danniella! ^^

Thank you so much.  <3  I do feel crappy talking about this knowing that you are *still* having to self med, and I know how incredibly lucky I have been and how annoying it must seem to others who have been waiting longer.    I really thought  it would change when you got to Sandyford, so it sucks to learn that you've been seen and yet it still hasn't happened, and now you have to go back in another three months?  I'm assuming the first time they see you is just a general/initial assessment where they don't do much of anything other than get started in getting to know you and looking at your case, then?  I don't mean that to be a prying question btw, and don't feel obliged to answer, I'm just curious about the process since I naively thought that getting to Sandyford would somehow represent a kind of gear shift in how the system deals with us.  Either way, I hope you're doing well with your HRT and that the further wait will be bearable for you. 

The psychologist I saw is on the national steering group and says that the Government is refusing to bring gender reassignment in line with other areas of treatment in terms of waiting times, but a general agreement was reached that waiting times are unreasonably long and more funding ought to be made available to shorten them.  It's not a particularly impressive outcome, but it's something -- though it will likely come too late to benefit us very much. 

As for me though, yeah... I still feel great, other than (obviously) physically triggered dysphoric episodes which are... both easier to deal with because I feel so much better inside, but also harder to deal with because what I'm seeing is even more incongruous compared to how I feel now, if that makes sense?  But I'm not complaining, it's a huge improvement and relief overall.  As for not thinking about the whys or about time scales... I'm trying, I really am, and mostly I've just been enjoying it.  I'm so chilled out now compared to how I was.    But of course I have to keep stopping myself from thinking and watching and hoping for signs of further progress, however unrealistic I'm being. 

Yeah, the first meeting was only an an hour long appointment, and as I expected nothing much happened on the first visit.

I was basically sat own in a small room with a rather nice woman who basically just asked me "So walk me through the events that brought you to us here today".

It was quite the question xD But I covered it rather quickly anyway, since I am by not rather adept at giving the abridged version of events to any parties.

After that, she asked me what services I would like to access from Sandyford, so I listed the usual, electrolysis, voice coaching, HRT, blood tests, potential FFS in the future, and I made sure to tell her about my plans to go to Thailand for my SRS in the future.

She then agreed to write out recommendations for the other services, and took a (rather sizable) blood sample, before arranging the next appointment for January, under the promise that they will hopefully be able to take over my HRT then.

So yeah, pretty much what I expected, no new ground really covered that I hadn't already had to go through with a therapist before going to Sandyford. But it's good to know I'm in the system now at least.

Thanks for the insight!   It's a pity the time between appointments is so long, but I suppose that's just how it goes at the moment. :s

I was gonna say it's good to know I should go there with a list, but that would pretty much be my list too.  I'll work on getting an abridged version together.  The thing I handed the psych assessors here was like 11k words and the psychiatrist's eyes kinda bulged when she saw it, although the psychologist says she's interested in using some of it (redacted to protect my identity) if I consent at a later date, so that's pretty cool I guess. 

Glad you're finally getting there, and I hope you hear something from some of those other services while you're waiting for the next appointment to come around. 

Yeah I would defiantly recommend that any interaction with an NHS Dr is heavily steered and driven by you. Go in there knowing what you want and how you want them to help you, otherwise you end up stuck in the cycle of nothing being done for months.

The three month period in between appointments did give me a sigh, but at this point I have such low expectations for the NHS that I'm not even surprised. Even the Dr I was talking too seemed fed up with the waiting times.

I'm not holding my breath for any positive action any time soon. I have kinda conceded to myself that I will have to do this mostly by myself if I want to be done with my transition before I am 30.

A pessimist is never disappointed I guess.

Hmm, I guess not, but I hope you're ok.   I know exactly what you mean; there was no way I was getting anywhere with this, except that I told them what I needed and kept pushing for it, and it just so happened that the people I was dealing with ultimately listened and changed their minds.  But yeah, the psychologist I spoke to was also fed up and frustrated with the waiting times. 

Hopefully you have grounds for optimism in other areas that aren't contingent on the NHS.  On the bright side, you can still be done with all this before you are 30.  That ship has well and truly sailed for me!  ;_; :p

Quote from: Cat on October 20, 2014, 03:18:16 PM
Hmm, I guess not, but I hope you're ok.   I know exactly what you mean; there was no way I was getting anywhere with this, except that I told them what I needed and kept pushing for it, and it just so happened that the people I was dealing with ultimately listened and changed their minds.  But yeah, the psychologist I spoke to was also fed up and frustrated with the waiting times. 

Hopefully you have grounds for optimism in other areas that aren't contingent on the NHS.  On the bright side, you can still be done with all this before you are 30.  That ship has well and truly sailed for me!  ;_; :p

Well I still have hope for my SRS in Thailand etc next year, which to be honest is the most important thing for me right now (hence why I'm aiming for the best). The only way the NHS can interfere with that would be if they held off from giving me my psychiatric recommendations for it, but I doubt that would happen given how far I have come now, and even if they did I could just go private for a psych and throw money at them until they gave me the papers...some things can be solved with money I guess xD

Everything else is kinda tertiary in my eyes. If the NHS does decide to cover them for free, great! If not, I can just do it under my own steam.

Also, I keep forgetting tha tyou are over 30...STOP LOOKING SO YOUNG IT'S CONFUSING!

EVERYONE KEEPS SAYING THAT!   So I look young and I sound young and I come across as young on here, and I... still feel old. -_- Mehhhh, I need to see what everyone else sees! :3  Or... maybe I don't?! Or maybe I doooo, since it could hardly be any worse than what I see most of the time, lol. 

Well, I'm glad to hear you feel like you're on course for Thailand, and I hope it pans out for you next year!  I'm sure you'll have your psychiatric recommendations in plenty time for that, and if that's your main concern then January isn't so bad for having your next appointment after all.  Sure, things can be solved with money, but yeesh, that Thailand thing is already gonna be fairly expensive!  I dunno how I'm gonna feel about that in due course, but right now I need to focus on what's happening with me and I'm sure SRS will start to become a higher priority once I start seeing some progress with my HRT.  And you're right, the other stuff (aside from the FFS of course) isn't such a big deal and can easily be taken care of.  I'm doing hair removal under my own steam right now, which has been going great so far.  This Thursday I get the pleasure of being tortured for half an hour again, although the second 15 minutes will not be on the face, and doesn't really hurt much, but the first 15 minutes makes up for that... and I still can't wait!

Wow it's been busy here...

Danielle, I'm in the same boat with the three month wait after they took bloods from me, after two meetings where I sat down for an hour or so and explained my life story to two different doctors. I'm not even sure if they're going to put me on HRT or what, but I do have a voice training session with my local hospital booked now for November. The also mentioned going on laser for a few sessions with the NHS paying for it. I've made it clear from the start what I wanted, but not really seen movement. I suppose it's still quicker than the waiting time I was originally told - I'd still be waiting for a first meeting if that had been correct.

Took the plunge in one way myself and told my work that I was trans, after stress and anxiety over everything caused a few meltdowns and failings at work. They've been ridiculously supportive, but work on the phone is all they do. They're getting me a new role I can do what won't require so much phone time, but everything they do will require some at some point. It's nice not  to be hidden at work, but I'm still hidden to every customer I speak to.

I'm still building up the guts here to talk to my family about it, and from what Dr Kennedy spoke about on our last meeting it seemed that was what she wanted to see movement on. I've no idea why someone who has came out like that would need further questioning, other than the obvious health reasons that could arise.

Have patience, girls. Lord knows I've had to learn some :p

Hi there! Patience is definitely so important. At long last it has paid of for me. At my last GIC appointment Dr Kennedy approved me for starting hrt. Letter written to my gp to start estradiol patch (evorel) and t blocker injection. Already had blood tests in preparation for my estrogen therapy! . Expect to get my first patch and injection next week. This will improve my dysphoria greatly. Hope to also start hair removal treatment with electrolysis and laser treatment within forseeable future. Awaiting more info regarding this from gender clinic. I'm so excited yet nervous at same time. Hoping for dramatic changes although I'm realistic about expectations.  Want pear shape curves and substantial breasts ASAP!! :-) watch this space. Hope all you gals see big changes in me next time we meet! You girls will get there being so young and having time on your side. Xx

That's fantastic news Elizabeth! I'm jealous here, but I am glad to hear that things are moving ahead for others. I know what you mean by having a body shape in mind, mostly want to get some fat on my butt here - they can always put some boobs in with surgery, as the girls in my family have never been particularly big on top!

But mostly I just want the feeling I'll get of knowing things are moving X

I feel i should pop in this thread and say hello. I'm 28 but only told my doctor about being transgender last week, so I am right at the very start of the journey. This thread has been quite enlightening and also good to see a Scottish contingent here. I'm in West Lothian so we shall see what happens going forward from here.

Another West Lothian girl! When you hit 25 posts you'll be able to send private messages and we can talk about where we're from. Shouldn't discuss locations like that on the open forum.

Telling the doctor is the start of the journey though, a year after I did and I just wished I'd done it sooner X

Quote from: Sandra_Dickinson on October 25, 2014, 07:23:49 PM
Another West Lothian girl! When you hit 25 posts you'll be able to send private messages and we can talk about where we're from. Shouldn't discuss locations like that on the open forum.

Telling the doctor is the start of the journey though, a year after I did and I just wished I'd done it sooner X

Ah W.Lothian is pretty general, I don't mind telling people that part :p

Yeah, well I told my mother at 14 and she laughed at it and said it was daft which kinda made me push back against it for the next 14 years. How I wish I had just told my GP then rather than wait till now. Oh well, better late than never as they say.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't telling you off - I'm just desperate to ask where you're from! I really though I was the only trans in West Lothian X

And at 14 your parents' consent would have been required, so no time lost there! It could be worse, you could be 33...

Anyway, welcome to the thread and I hope things move quickly and easily for you X

Well being following this thread for a while now and so i've finally decided to register and speak up.

So i'm 28 and after years of keeping this repressed I came out to family 5 weeks ago and then all my friends a week after that. Well I have told all my family in the first week and already seen a GP, in Dundee so the information about the differences in Tayside has been helpful. While awaiting to start the tayside check stuff  I got instructed by the GP to get in contact with Sandyford and I'm at least on their 12 month waiting list.

Still not sure how fast to make the changes without gender clinic yet, though currently do try and present as a woman when going out to friends houses and home though trying not to think about work yet even though I did find out that they have a proper process in place for transitioning employees and non-discrimination policies.

After seeing Bellatrix's post and being same age kinda made the decision to post this online. Guess the weird thing is that I could never get the courage to even post about this anonymously online.

Thanks

Erin

Welcome Erin!

The transition process can take a while on the NHS, if you see from my own journey I spoke to my GP specifically about transitioning in December last year after I'd been in a few times regarding depression. About 5 months for the clinic to get back to me (Chalmers Street in my case) and I've only been seen twice since then.

Sounds like you've already got things in hand and are moving forward at your own rate - I still haven't talked to my parents or immediate family (Although I have told my mother in law, because she's amazing)

Just don't let the wait get you down, if there is one. I recommend you new girls meeting up with us and getting drunk by mid afternoon the next time we get together for it! X

And Danniella, I won't be able to make it to the gig I'm afraid - please keep me posted next time you set an event

By the way, for you new girls who have taken the plunge and came out to your family - how did you do it? How did it go?

I am so terrified and need some ideas. I'm not as good as Danniella at making videos so I'm thinking of a letter - or getting drunk with my sister and telling her as she can't keep a secret to save her life.