I can't cope anymore. I seriously can't stop crying every night and it's all the NHS' fault.

I first approached my GP about my dysphoria in May. It's almost January 2015 and I haven't had ONE appointment with Tavistock clinic (I'm under 18).

Every day, I find hair in places it wasn't before. I see my shoulders widening. I see my jawline becoming more defined. I see my hairline receding. I see my height increasing. I see myself becoming a monster.

I'm seriously considering self-medicating t-blockers. From what I've researched, I won't even be on them for another year (maybe a little less or even a little more). I seriously can not go another two months without pausing my male puberty. Even when typing this, I'm tearing up.

Why is the NHS so cruel towards trans patients? I'm honestly so sad right now. I don't even want to be depressed because I've had such a smooth transition so far (acceptance, passing, etc). I never thought that in 2015 I'd still be riddled with testosterone and growing the same as boys that are my age. I've never felt so dysphoric.

What can I do? Can I self-medicate spironolactone and then approach my doctor, so he can provide me with a safe dosage and monitor me? Should I go private?(if so, how long would it take me to get blockers?). How do I stop puberty naturally?

I can honestly wait a little longer for feminizing hormones, but I need to pause my body. I really need to stop it before I become something that is my worst fear.

Do not self medicate. Spiro is not a drug to be taken lightly or without GP supervision. By action it's a potassium sparing diuretic which means dehydration and hyperkalemia (excessive potassium) are possible side effects. No one here will advocate for you self-medicating and I again urge you not to do so.

That said where do your parents stand on your transition? Are they helpful and supportive?

Quote from: Wynternight on December 17, 2014, 05:26:34 PM
Do not self medicate. Spiro is not a drug to be taken lightly or without GP supervision. By action it's a potassium sparing diuretic which means dehydration and hyperkalemia (excessive potassium) are possible side effects. No one here will advocate for you self-medicating and I again urge you not to do so.

That said where do your parents stand on your transition? Are they helpful and supportive?

Incredibly supportive. My whole family is. I've literally had not one thing said to me by my family this whole time.

My mum is a nurse in a&e so I at least have some medical source of information in my house. If I self medicated spiro I know that I need to continue drinking 1l of water a day, have lots of vitamin D in order to keep my bones strong, and monitor my levels at the doctors every couple of weeks.

Why is the NHS so hard to get an appointment with is being they have more patients then they can pass through the system.

Why is that?

Because transition is a serious medical condition that needs seriouse medication and therapy care. 

Now on my Mod soap box.

We do not allow the talk of self medication here on the site.

It is dangerous.

I ask you to edit your post to conform to Site TOS.

If you keep posting about self medication actions can be warranted.

Thank you for your cooperation

Self medication is very dangerous.

They don't prescribe spiro in the uk, too many contra-indications I think.

To be honest with you it's less than six months but it probably won't be more than 9 before you get to go to the laurels. Devon and Cornwall nhs are actually among the best for trans health care in the uk and I'm like 99.9999% certain you can get electro through them as they deem it essential to the health of trans patients.

If spiro isn't available in the Uk the AA there will be cyproterone acetate which is banned in the US due to adverse effects. I will reiterate that self-medicating is dangerous and talking about here is a violation of the TOS. Please do not take any medications without the approval and supervision of your GP.

That's right. Spironolactone is not generally prescribed. Cyproterone Acetate would be prescribed for a few weeks only concurrently to work alongside an LnRH antagonist such as Zoladex or Decaptyl as and when it comes into effect.

Quote from: mrs izzy on December 17, 2014, 06:02:29 PM
Why is the NHS so hard to get an appointment with is being they have more patients then they can pass through the system.

Why is that?

Because transition is a serious medical condition that needs seriouse medication and therapy care. 

Simple answer, because the NHS is seriously strapped for cash and GD issues are but sadly a very small percentage of the population overall spend.

The NHS may be free at the point of need, but the limited money has to be prioritised according to policy.

Sorry to hear that Jiji!

I've ranted a few times on here about the NHS' trans policies. Its a big shame that the NHS offers some wonderful resources to trans patients at the same time that the NHS is about to crash and integrate under the weight of its own size and the UK's population. 

That's one of the main reasons why appointments are so widely spaced apart and help is sloooooow, and the other main major reason is the restrictive Standards of Care protocols which are archaic and often bizarre.

Gender care on the NHS still appears to be in a somewhat experimental stage. Had proper care for transexuals begun in '50's, who knows what amazing things could be offered by the NHS now?

I urge you go to private if you can. Save around £300 for the consultation and another £100 for tests and blockers if you can. Its well worth the investment!
Hope it turns out well for you

Any chance at all of going private?