I know there is no definite answer for this, but I just want to see others' experiences.  How long did it take you from the day you started to see a therapist / psychiatrist / etcetera to get a note for T, and to get your first shot?

Because I really don't want to wait for an extended length of time... I'd want to start as soon as possible... And I just want to know what is considered an average wait.

Thank you.

If I remember right, the recommended time in the Standards of Care is 3 months of therapy or 3 months of RLE (if you started that already).

I never had to do RLE or get a therapist letter... I had been living as a guy for over a year, went to a dr who was well-versed in trans issues, and she gave me the scrip right after receiving my blood test results. The thing that took the longest for me was getting the money to buy the T.

SD

Quote from: Sebastien on April 29, 2009, 01:59:00 AM
I never had to do RLE or get a therapist letter... I had been living as a guy for over a year, went to a dr who was well-versed in trans issues, and she gave me the scrip right after receiving my blood test results. The thing that took the longest for me was getting the money to buy the T.

SD

Well that's what I mean -- if you're already living as your target gender for 3 months then you can start right away.  They can also start it officially if you've been doing it unofficially, in order to prevent possible further complications.

But what exactly is "living as your gender"?  Is it based upon just how you feel about your gender, or how you actually present yourself?  Because honestly, I don't pass.  I'm a masculine sort of woman, but not male to the general population, and no amount of hair cutting will change that.  I wear male or at least masculine clothing, and have done so for years upon years.  I don't really understand why you must "live as a man" for such a long period of time before hormone therapy, because as far as I see it, that not only opens you up for a lot of discrimination and trouble at school and work, but often just doesn't work at all.

On top of that, I don't know what that exactly infers, or how I'd go about it.

Quote from: Adrian V on April 29, 2009, 02:25:29 AM
But what exactly is "living as your gender"?  Is it based upon just how you feel about your gender, or how you actually present yourself?  Because honestly, I don't pass.  I'm a masculine sort of woman, but not male to the general population, and no amount of hair cutting will change that.  I wear male or at least masculine clothing, and have done so for years upon years.  I don't really understand why you must "live as a man" for such a long period of time before hormone therapy, because as far as I see it, that not only opens you up for a lot of discrimination and trouble at school and work, but often just doesn't work at all.

On top of that, I don't know what that exactly infers, or how I'd go about it.

No no no no -- its 3 months therapy OR 3 months living in your target gender.  So if you're just starting therapy then you've got about a 3 month wait before they'll okay you for hormones, and that's if they think they're appropriate for you.

edit: Oh, and they do mean *presenting* as male/female, not just how you feel.  But again, it's not REQUIRED to start hormones.

Quote from: Ketsy on April 29, 2009, 02:55:20 AM
No no no no -- its 3 months therapy OR 3 months living in your target gender.  So if you're just starting therapy then you've got about a 3 month wait before they'll okay you for hormones, and that's if they think they're appropriate for you.

edit: Oh, and they do mean *presenting* as male/female, not just how you feel.  But again, it's not REQUIRED to start hormones.

Thank you for the clarification.  I suppose I wasn't paying enough attention, hah.  Well, three months isn't too long.  Let's just hope they think hormones are "appropriate" for me.  If I'm honest, I feel sure that they'll see what I see...

Or at least, here's hoping.

Quote from: Adrian V on April 29, 2009, 02:58:21 AM
Thank you for the clarification.  I suppose I wasn't paying enough attention, hah.  Well, three months isn't too long.  Let's just hope they think hormones are "appropriate" for me.  If I'm honest, I feel sure that they'll see what I see...

Or at least, here's hoping.

Unless you end up with a bunk therapist, or something seriously train wrecks in your life, you'll probably be fine .

Quote from: Ketsy on April 29, 2009, 03:20:16 AM
Unless you end up with a bunk therapist, or something seriously train wrecks in your life, you'll probably be fine .

Thanks for the reassurance!  Although, I'm probably still going to worry about it... What bothers me is that I have to wait three months to see the therapist as it is - I got an appointment in March, but the appointment is in early June.  Argh.

That sucks...  I actually have a gender clinic 5 minutes drive away, and the cost is covered under my student health plan.  I'm probably going to ask my therapist on monday about getting on track for hormones...

Yeah, I think it's something to do with the Canadian government, and the fact that the therapy is free, and a "public" rather than private thing... I don't know, but as far as I see it, it would be worth it to pay and actually get somewhere faster.

I really hope things get on track for you.  I hate having to wait, but I suppose that's a part of life after all.  Many people wait far longer than me.

True -- from the looks of your profile picture you're probably going to start 'sooner' than I am .

Quote from: Ketsy on April 29, 2009, 04:01:12 AM
True -- from the looks of your profile picture you're probably going to start 'sooner' than I am .

Hahah, what do you mean?
Either way, all the best to you.  And many thanks for giving me some much needed information.

Quote from: Adrian V on April 29, 2009, 04:16:18 AM
Hahah, what do you mean?
Either way, all the best to you.  And many thanks for giving me some much needed information.

Well I mean, you seem to be in your first quarter century .

Quote from: Ketsy on April 29, 2009, 04:30:07 AM
Well I mean, you seem to be in your first quarter century .

Hahah, now there's an interesting way to put it!  However, think again. 

Hrmm... It's hard for me to believe that you're older than I am...

About 9 months.. had to see 3 different people. The NHS aren't fast at doing things..

Jay

I had one session with a therapist, was scheduled for bloodwork the following week and had my first shot about ten days after that.

Quote from: Ketsy on April 29, 2009, 04:56:46 AM
Hrmm... It's hard for me to believe that you're older than I am...

Hahah, I thought you meant to say that I was older than you, as that seemed the most logical explanation for why it would take less time for me.  Sorry for the misunderstanding. 

As for you, Jay... I'm sorry to hear it took so long. It seems to vary for everyone, how long the wait is and how many struggles are involved.  I guess only time can tell.

Three months to get my letter... and then another 4 months until my first shot thanks to a bunch of foul-ups.  I had to wait six weeks to see the doc and then the doc left the clinic without them telling me.  So then i had to wait another four weeks to see another doc and finally get my T.