I'm sticking to an 'all-in' with the NHS (partly because I can't afford a steady hormone regime anyway, but that aside..) partly from fear of getting things wrong, and mostly a rather submissive attitude. I try to put myself in the doctors' position and I guess I too would feel much better about treating a patient exclusively. I'm hoping that if I be nice to them, they be nice to me...

I'm kind of in this situation as I've been cheating on the NHS with other doctors! I have started hrt privately (but still under medical supervision) whilst also taking the NHS path in the hope that I can switch my treatment at some point. The NHS have not had a problem with this and I'm awaiting an appointment date from CHX GIC (funding has been approved). However, I'm not sure that they would have the same attitude towards self medicating and would strongly urge you if you decide to do this, to at least inform your G.P so that they can check on your health while you are on hrt (It is also worth remembering that it is illegal for your friend to have given you her prescription drugs so this is worth bearing in mind when you speak to them)

TC   M x

I was thinking of the private route myself today, who did you go see Millie was it Dr Curtis? How long did you wait for your 1st appointment and when were you prescribed hormones? I just want to try them to see if I feel the sense of feeling good in your own skin like I heard.

Hi Jen,

Yeah, I'm seeing Dr C at the moment and he prescribed hrt at my 2nd appointment (3 months after my 1st) although he often asks for evidence that you are having counselling or have been living 'in role' (hideous term!) for 3 months, I was okay because I was having counselling. It doesn't take very long to get an appointment, a few days, although I think that he's on his hols at the moment. As I'm sure that you know. It isn't the cheap option but your health is not worth messing with.

TC Mx

It depends on how quickly you want to move really. I had my first appointment with Dr Perring last week, he's writing to my GP as I type to arrange shared care (basically I get hrt and blood tests through the NHS) and I'm going back at the end of november once I've had the blood tests and will walk out with a prescription.

I made damn sure that I did a lot towards my transition so i could sit there and say that I'd done everything I could do with my transition and that HRT was the next logical step. I booked my appointment back in july and could have gone within two weeks, but it was a little too soon and I had to wait till dr perring came back from holiday. it's very quick, but you will pay for the privilege.

The best thing I ever did was go private!  Make sure your GP though still keeps you going through the NHS route.  I had a slip up a few months in because I had a private prescription which my doctor wouldn't convert to a NHS one until I saw the local psychiatrist.
I went that route and managed to get a prescription about 3/4 months after starting therapy. 

Quote from: Helena on September 16, 2010, 02:44:22 PM
It depends on how quickly you want to move really. I had my first appointment with Dr Perring last week, he's writing to my GP as I type to arrange shared care (basically I get hrt and blood tests through the NHS) and I'm going back at the end of november once I've had the blood tests and will walk out with a prescription.

I made damn sure that I did a lot towards my transition so i could sit there and say that I'd done everything I could do with my transition and that HRT was the next logical step. I booked my appointment back in july and could have gone within two weeks, but it was a little too soon and I had to wait till dr perring came back from holiday. it's very quick, but you will pay for the privilege.

Hello Helena,
That's good, so how long have you been taking hormone now? you look very feminate, I am 24 years old, but I have been taking the hormone for1.5 weeks now,but I still feel not much difference. are you in full time now?I am still not highly confident to be a fulltimeat the moment?is it normal?


Regards,
Sarah

Quote from: saraharmstrong on September 18, 2010, 08:45:21 PM


Hello Helena,
That's good, so how long have you been taking hormone now? you look very feminate, I am 24 years old, but I have been taking the hormone for1.5 weeks now,but I still feel not much difference. are you in full time now?I am still not highly confident to be a fulltimeat the moment?is it normal?


Regards,
Sarah

I haven't officially started HRT, yet...hehe, but these past two months there have been some changes they haven't been dramatic...it's mostly me to start with. It will be interesting to see how things develop 

I'm currently not fully socially transitioned but I'm well on my way and will be fully transitioned by the end of the year.

Quote from: Helena on September 19, 2010, 12:45:05 PM
I haven't officially started HRT, yet...hehe, but these past two months there have been some changes they haven't been dramatic...it's mostly me to start with. It will be interesting to see how things develop 

I'm currently not fully socially transitioned but I'm well on my way and will be fully transitioned by the end of the year.

which shops would you normally go for shopping ? Primark seems a good choice, but there are a lot of people all the time. M&S is a bit expensive , but it would be less people. By the way, what is your favourite combination style for work? I like wearing shirt with  black skirt , but of course I have never done it before when I work. They may not accept that happened. have you ever dressed in female when going to work? Would you do your shopping alone or with some female friends?

Regards,
Sarah

Quote from: saraharmstrong on September 20, 2010, 07:05:39 PM
which shops would you normally go for shopping ? Primark seems a good choice, but there are a lot of people all the time. M&S is a bit expensive , but it would be less people. By the way, what is your favourite combination style for work? I like wearing shirt with  black skirt , but of course I have never done it before when I work. They may not accept that happened. have you ever dressed in female when going to work? Would you do your shopping alone or with some female friends?

I recommend you check the Beauty/Fashion board out, Sarah; I've pondered these questions myself, and they are quite important in the greater scheme of transition. There's a knack to picking out places like Matalan - in my case an outlet store busy enough that you won't be alone on the shop floor, but quiet enough that you may have the fitting rooms to yourself.

Quote from: Gemma on September 21, 2010, 05:54:13 AM
I recommend you check the Beauty/Fashion board out, Sarah; I've pondered these questions myself, and they are quite important in the greater scheme of transition. There's a knack to picking out places like Matalan - in my case an outlet store busy enough that you won't be alone on the shop floor, but quiet enough that you may have the fitting rooms to yourself.

Thanks, Gemma. I used to go some quiet shops like Asda or even Debenham when it is not busy there. I feel that the staff may give me a strange look. Do you recommend to dress in female before shopping? I guess it would be less embrassed and more easier for us especially when getting bras, leggging..... I did not dress in female style when shopping last time, but the staff still helped me for the suitable size. i was quite scared. I am still not familiar to wear skirts, legging or dresses out though due to lack of confidence. how long does it normally take to go through this feeling?

Regards,
Sarah