Hi,
    I live in Seattle, WA, a relatively Trans friendly place to be. However, I am at my wits end trying to find help getting certian things done. I live on SSI, which is less than $700 a month. The main thing I am trying to get done right now is getting laser hair removal done on my face. I have researched this to the best of my ability, always coming up empty handed. Moving to California is an option I am considering, but I have a really good support network and several very good friends here and would hate to leave that behind. I am putting this out there in hopes someone knows something I don't and is willing to share the information. My depression has been getting worse as my frustration builds, and I am so close to just giving up, which would make things worse for me emotionally and in other area's. I have been on HRT since the middle of November 2011 and have not really seen any physical changes yet. So, if anyone out there can help me, I am begging you to do so. It took me thirty years to finally try and live as who I really am, I hate to think this could be the end of my dream.

Hi, At_A_Loss

Welcome to Susans.  I am going to move your post over the the Introductions board, where I think it will get more views.

I am in California, and started HRT a couple months before you did, but had to stop after 6 months because of an unrelated health problem.  I spent nearly 40 years coping with my gender issues before seeing a therapist.

You know, you have a world renown transgender center in your area, called the Ingersoll Center.  I am surprised they could not give you the information you seek.

http://ingersollcenter.org/content/about-us

Hi At_A_Loss,

Welcome to our little family. Over 7571  strong. That would be one heck of a family reunion.

Feel free to post your successes/failures, Hopes/dreams.  Ask questions and seek answers. Give and receive advice.

But remember we are family here, your family now. And it is always nice to have another sister.

And be sure to check out these links ( MUST READS )

• Site Terms of Service and rules to live by
  
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I totally understand transitioning on a limited budget.  The best thing to do is stay where you have a good support system.


Janet 

Hi, and welcome to the site.

I don't know much about Seattle, but I'm not sure things will be better in California, especially if you have a good support system where you are.

This Ingersoll Center sounds promising. Have you looked into it?

On SSI, are you allowed a certain amount of earned income without losing benefits? How does that work?

Quote from: At_A_Loss on July 19, 2012, 11:08:19 PM
My depression has been getting worse as my frustration builds, and I am so close to just giving up, which would make things worse for me emotionally and in other area's. I have been on HRT since the middle of November 2011 and have not really seen any physical changes yet. So, if anyone out there can help me, I am begging you to do so. It took me thirty years to finally try and live as who I really am, I hate to think this could be the end of my dream.

Hi At_A_Loss, many of us here, including myself, struggle with depression now or in the past. Please know that you are not alone. There are quite a few Northwest members of Susans, and we are happy you are adding us to your network of support. Depression can be very painful, and makes every thing else we have to deal with that much harder. Please make sure you take care of yourself and get treatment for depression so you will be able to feel again the little daily joys that come with living as the person you really are.

Regarding your frustration with physical changes, have you discussed your concerns with your physician and talked about your goals for treatment? Everyone is different but after 8 months on HRT if your androgens are being adequately suppressed and your estrogens are sufficient, and there aren't other medical circumstances interfering, you should expect to see some softening of the features around the face and hips, and some noticeable stages of breast development, and perhaps some lightening of your body (but not facial) hair. Are you working with a physician who is experienced in supervising male to female hormone therapy? It pays to have an experienced doctor who knows how to adjust your treatments and dosages to get the best results while protecting and maintaining your health. Are you extremely thin? Even cisgender women have a hard time seeing breast development if they are underweight. I would discuss your concerns with your physician.

   My heart goes out to you in dealing with disability and a very low income! That is never easy. It can be demoralizing when you have waited so long to be the woman you long to be, to have to shave and face daily the results of a lifetime of too much testosterone. But remember that many cisgender women, including my first wife who had polycystic ovaries and a benign pituitary tumor, also struggle with male pattern facial hair. It does not in any way detract from the fact that you are a woman and can be beautiful and confident in your own skin.

You will find other members at Susans who are unable to get electrolysis or laser hair removal but who successfully and happily transition - with skillfully applied shaving and makeup - as part of their ongoing daily woman's routine.

You will find members at Susans who are unable to take HRT or whose bodies do not respond as they would like to it, who successfully and happily transition as well. Breast forms, padded bras, or breast augmentation for some may be part of the mix, and learning to select and wear the clothes that flatter your form and personal style.

You have already come so far, by understanding and accepting who you are. Congratulations! That is the hardest step. You can live, as you, today, and be happy, today.
We will be glad to share your frustrations and victories along the way to where you want to go, but don't forget to hug yourself and thank you for having the courage to get you to this point!
HUGS,
Madeline

Hi At A Loss,
A big Aussie welcome to Susan's family. Congratulations on making the move to be who you really are. Clarifies so many issues, and liberates you. I know appearance are important for us, and as such what has your prescribing medical professional said about the lack of changes? Although it is still very early days in the HRT journey, perhaps he may need to adjust your dosages to improve your development. Least of all the frustration factor. HRT generally addresses that aspect first up, so you levels may need adjusting.

I think, myself a strong supportive network is vastly more important than any other matter. It's when push comes to shove, these support networks are absolutely priceless. They are a life saver.

I hope you are able to find better resources to help you through. Please stay in touch and let us know how you are coping. It makes it easier if you have someone you can 'rant' to, who doesn't mind. And that's exactly what we do best. In the meantime, be safe, well and happy.

Lotsa huggs
Catherine

I just wanted to add that some of our Northwest Susans members are having our monthly meetup (in Seattle) tomorrow.  Here's the thread:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,121467.msg960133.html#msg960133
You can send an email to Sigmafan for details, or post to that thread if you'd like to go.

I live in Portland, and won't be able to attend tomorrow's meet but should be at the Portland meet next month.

Hi,
    Thanks for the replies and introduction's. I went to Ingersoll for the first 4 months of my transition. I found it to be very cliquish, and although people talk and share a lot, when it comes to resources, there was nothing. I also attend a trans friendly AA meeting on Sundays that was started by a transwoman friend of mine. Although there are a lot of protection laws here, it seems to me that the trans community here is not very unified. I t would be nice to have some others like me to pal around with and learn from, that would benefit me greatly. Sorry if the bit about Ingersoll offends anyone, I just call it as I see it.

Hi and welcome to Susans! I live near Boston, I'm going to miss that meetup, too. Glad you found us, and I hope things work out. You can't beat the advice available here. Hugs, Devlyn

Hello all. It has been 6 months since last I posted here. Things have gotten better, but still lacking the physical changes I wish would happen. I wear make up daily, well, almost daily. I wanted to again thank all of you for the support and advice. I am very close to a legal name and gender marker change. I have become more social and go out a lot more now. Just thought it would be nice to update all of you who responded.

If your hair color and skin type are compatible with with laser treatment, save up some money so that you can take advantage of deals when the come available on groupon.com or living social.com.  You should be able to get full face and neck done (you can tip tech for a little extra like if the deal doesn't include the neck which only takes an extra two minutes to do).  Good luck!

example deal: http://www.groupon.com/deals/hair-rageous-3

Quote from: At_A_Loss on December 29, 2012, 11:25:36 AM
Hello all. It has been 6 months since last I posted here. Things have gotten better, but still lacking the physical changes I wish would happen. I wear make up daily, well, almost daily. I wanted to again thank all of you for the support and advice. I am very close to a legal name and gender marker change. I have become more social and go out a lot more now. Just thought it would be nice to update all of you who responded.

Glad to hear things are going better for you. Congratulations on the upcoming name and marker change, and for getting out! All good things happen in time.