For all those nice folks here who may have been concerned about my self-medicating the last 2 years, I'd like to tell that today,  I finally became 'legal'!  I had my FIRST appointment with a wonderful doctor who specializes in cross-gender hormone treatment.  I love the practice!  From a detailed e-mail I sent, the Director set me up with the perfect doctor ...... she's very much like me   Their clientelle is primarilly the LGBT community, and has comprehensive care...specialists even in areas such as dermatology and podiatry!  Not to mention several psychiatrists and therapists who deal primarilly with GID.  Pretty much, they follow Benjamin protocol, except in my case ..... advanced student ... lol.  A wonderful, gentle, dedicated doctor, she's very happy that I've come there for case management.
So, I had the works, history, meds, etc, bloodwork, and a next appointment in a month.  My wife went with me, per our mutual desire.  We were both very happy and impressed with everyone.

I was on cloud nine on my way out, and had to be told by my wife, that the nice woman talking to me in the waiting room wasn't simply being complimentary ..... she was flirting with me .... LOLOLOL .... imagine that!  I'm an old girl, and haven't been flirted with in a very long time.  I should have noticed right away. She was TS, but it was my wife that had to tell me.
She was okay with it though; she hooked her arm in mine, and bid the nice woman a wonderful afternoon, laughed when we got outside, and said she'd hafta keep an eye on me from now on.

All in all, a pleasant day.

Bev   

Congratulations on becoming legal Bev.  When do you get your greencard?

Melissa

Quote from: Melissa on February 21, 2007, 10:49:23 PM
Congratulations on becoming legal Bev.  When do you get your greencard?

Melissa

Thanks, Mellissa!  I'll get a purple card ..... you know 

Thats great and much safer for you. anyway that doctors office sounds like fun




Kristina

Congrats Bev

Thats what I like to hear, people doing things properly.

Buffy

I started out self medicating it was the punker chick in me wanting no one to tell me nothin' . Then I did some reading and discovered you could DIE from self medicating a week later I had an appointment with a endo at my hospital she did the first off the books just to see where I was, she was impressed I did well but did make some changes, my breast grew over night it seamed like LOL She was one that hooked me up with a therapist that did some GID cases, they both agreed I was suffering

See?  It's not that hard is it?  From what I understand, the costs are about the same.  Now let's be honest about this...

The reason you self medicated... was it because you were embarrassed about consulting with a professional?  Truly, I'd like to know.  I've wondered for some time if this might not be the case with many.  It's extremely difficult to "come out" to a total stranger.

Cindi

Quote from: Cindi Jones on February 26, 2007, 03:53:40 PM
.......Now let's be honest about this...
The reason you self medicated... was it because you were embarrassed about consulting with a professional?  Truly, I'd like to know.
Cindi

Hi Cindi.  Honesty?.......I have a personal rule.  I try to be as honest as I can with other people, without hurting feelings, damaging reputations, etc.  With MYSELF, I demand total honesty.  I have to look at a thing, analyze it, turn it this way and that, seeing all angles.  I refuse to lie to myself.

That said, I self medicated for the following reasons:

1:  I knew I did not need a therapist and psychiatrist to determine where I was on the gender curve, and take a long time 'allowing me' to do hrt.  At my age, I didn't want to wait unnecessarily.

2:  I did not want my family doctor prescribing meds for a situation he probably had little if any experience in, who has known me for a long time, and who might have been judgemental.  Also, I live in a smaller ruralish world, and did not want to risk common knowledge from the 'get go'....they'll know soon enough.

3.  My background gives me more than adequate knowledge to self-medicate sensibly, but obviously, not forever without monitoring liver enzymes, lipids, etc.

Okay then, so almost nothing embarrases me.  After 2 years, my results are good, and I have researched long and hard to find exactly the doctor and practice I want.  She is wonderful.  Now, my transition is an established fact, and there is no question of 'maybe so, maybe no'.   I do, however want  her to fine tune my meds for optimal results.  This is what I wanted at this time:  a case manager with specialized expertise. 

One thing I would like to emphasize to anyone reading this:  DO NOT TRY THIS!!!  You MUST have access to qualified professionals and monitoring.  Doing this is like stepping out on a highwire without experience, without a net.  You could DIE.
If you missed that last line,
YOU COULD DIE.

Okay.. I was pretty close to the mark with your second reason.  I understand your reasoning in #1 to some degree.  After all, we have to make the decision to give up so much to transition.  With professional help or not, we alone make the decision (even though the thought that we even can make a choice is up for grabs).... drugs or not.

For number three dudette...  I'll call you on that one!  Even doctors who self medicate can get into trouble.  You know that.  I'm not after you in any way..... just confirming your decision to get on board with standard procedures for care... its's a good one.

Cindi

Quote from: Cindi Jones on February 26, 2007, 09:48:45 PM
.... number three dudette...  I'll call you on that one!  Even doctors who self medicate can get into trouble.  You know that.  I'm not after you in any way..... just confirming your decision to get on board with standard procedures for care... its's a good one.

Cindi

It's late, but before going to bed, it's worth responding to this now.  Dudette  (Miss Dude???) Why you chose that, I have no idea   . While picking through my personal reasons, which I was willing to openly share, you seem to have missed the bottom line of this entire response, and I'll repeat it here, fellow dudette, ummm....fellowess dudetteess    , or just how about ma'am, to each of us?  Yes, that seems more appropriate.


The important part of the post was:

'One thing I would like to emphasize to anyone reading this:  DO NOT TRY THIS!!!  You MUST have access to qualified professionals and monitoring.  Doing this is like stepping out on a highwire without experience, without a net.  You could DIE.
If you missed that last line,
YOU COULD DIE.'


Thanks for your interest in this post. 

Quote from: Cindi Jones on February 26, 2007, 03:53:40 PMThe reason you self medicated... was it because you were embarrassed about consulting with a professional?  Truly, I'd like to know.  I've wondered for some time if this might not be the case with many.  It's extremely difficult to "come out" to a total stranger.

Cindi

This was a big part of the reason for me.  I first told my regular doctor I was transgendered a few months prior to planning on starting hormones.  Once he understood what I meant, one of the first questions he asked was, "Are you going to be getting the operation?"  This really put me off and embarrassed me.  I didn't know how to respond except to say yes.  So I decided then to just self medicate to avoid any further moments with anyone else.

I have gone legit now, however, I found a doctor who has a lot of experience with TS's and doesn't require any sort of letters.  He flat out told me he doesn't believe in the Benjamin SOC.  It's far more expensive than self medicating and he doesn't accept insurance, so I pay entirely out of pocket.  But I like the way he does things.