So this last session that I met with my therapist she gave me both good and bad news. The good news is that our sessions are almost at an end and she feels strongly in giving me my letter. The bad news is that she won't be able to give it to me if I don't find an endocrinologist or a doctor she can address it to. She said that she can't just address it "to who it may concern" and that if I didn't find someone in time I would have to restart the sessions (if it takes longer than 5 months).

I don't know what to do? I found endos here in San Diego but they're so expensive and I have no insurance. Feel like this is a major setback in my transition

She doesn't know one? Doesn't she have preferred medics she works with?

Quote from: Cindy James on May 24, 2012, 02:40:01 AM
She doesn't know one? Doesn't she have preferred medics she works with?

She referred me to the ones she's worked with but they're all so expensive, can't afford any of them

Well there are probably no cheap ones. You could try being referred to one of them and then explain that you are broke and can you be kept on the 'books' until you get some finances?. It seems odd that if she is agreeing to write a letter that you can not afford to act on, then there is a time stipulation saying you have to call back for more sessions in the future. That doesn't make sense.  If she is willing to refer you as a TG person, you're not going to change.

Quote from: Cindy James on May 24, 2012, 02:51:47 AM
That doesn't make sense.  If she is willing to refer you as a TG person, you're not going to change.

That's what I was thinking also, I will have to ask her more in depth about the situation because it caught me off guard. I'm not asking for a "cheap" doctor but $200-$300 per visit is quite a bit for me

And you need to clarify how many visits you need.  I'm not sure of the system in the USA, but you don't need a host of visits to an endo. They just need to check you base levels and then get reports back on you levels when you are on HRT.  They do that by blood tests and they don't need to see you for them.
Your local family dr should be able to do a lot of the monitoring. It isn't rocket science by any means. It is looking at numbers and see if they fall in the normal range.

I haven't stopped my search for a doctor, hopefully I find one that's within my price range

Hugs Sis

Hope it works out

Cindy

Quote from: Cindy James on May 24, 2012, 03:03:09 AM
Hugs Sis

Hope it works out

Cindy

Thanks so much Cindy!

That seems odd, to me.

My therapist just did a "to whom it may concern" letter and gave 2 copies of it to me. I was then able to use that letter with my endo, who I found after I had the letter.

Connie Anne
There are quite a few assistance programs here in the US that can help, and quite a few doctors will do payment plans and limit your visits if you explain your situation to them. If you happen to be a veteran, the VA will pay for all non-surgical treatment. That is how I am doing it. Also, social services can help you work out treatment options if your income is low enough.

There are some free clinics that provide services to low income transgender people but I'm guessing that's pretty uncommon.