Dam NHS

[hungrycat (imported)]

Thank you punkypink and riverwind ^-^

I'm off to see the therapist tomorrow.. I think that I will get a final yes or no as to if they are to help at all, or if its a problem with my local PCT.

I hope at least to open their minds about the gender spectrum and if it does not work then I will have to look to alternatives.

I have been on hormones in the past off the internet but I dont have the cash or wish to keep taking them not knowing that they are ok or not.

Hugs to all xx

[punkypink (imported)]

I actually heard of someone who started self-medicating, then told their GP. The GP, knowing they weren't going to stop, said he or she might as well just make it official and make sure they're getting it done properly. Now that's a doctor who truly has their patient's wellbeing at heart without being judgemental. In other words, professional. This was in UK too, so don't give up hope of finding a doctor or therapist who is professional enough to give you a helping hand as you need it. I don't suppose you're in touch with any trans-support groups in the UK? I've rather given up on them(for other reasons) but they may yet be able to provide you with some helpful information about medical transition.

[hungrycat (imported)]

So... I went in today and all we talked about was when I was young and how I grew up.. Nothing else really got talked about. The criteria was mentioned once so it seems like they are not going to change their mind.

I wasn't even told about if my doctor could help at all... So I'm sort of stuck now ... totally...

If I go to another doctor will I just get the same response as they will go to the same PCT in my area...

Humm....

The therapy is helpful in other ways so I will keep going as long as needed but its not going to get me what I want...

Looks like I will have to get a new job and then go back to buying off the internet bit this is in now way safe or good practice as it cant be monitored.

I am almost sure that they don't think that I'm a "True" transgender and so not entitled to medication as its not life threatening.

Its hard as the therapist keeps looking for an alternative reason as to why I want to transition. I could keep going and the therapist will keep thinking "why?" as a question rather then saying well we have looked at everything else and your of sound mind so why cant they transition?

[devi (imported)]

Please don't give up.

[punkypink (imported)]

So... I went in today and all we talked about was when I was young and how I grew up.. Nothing else really got talked about. The criteria was mentioned once so it seems like they are not going to change their mind.

I wasn't even told about if my doctor could help at all... So I'm sort of stuck now ... totally...

If I go to another doctor will I just get the same response as they will go to the same PCT in my area...

Humm....

The therapy is helpful in other ways so I will keep going as long as needed but its not going to get me what I want...

Looks like I will have to get a new job and then go back to buying off the internet bit this is in now way safe or good practice as it cant be monitored.

I am almost sure that they don't think that I'm a "True" transgender and so not entitled to medication as its not life threatening.

Its hard as the therapist keeps looking for an alternative reason as to why I want to transition. I could keep going and the therapist will keep thinking "why?" as a question rather then saying well we have looked at everything else and your of sound mind so why cant they transition?

It is possible to go to another PCT? It sounds like a huge problem with the PCT. It's bizarre, I am genuinely sure getting a name change is not part of the requirement for hormones. I will ask around for you with some of the support groups here what the criterias are.

To be fair a lot of people who are trans don't get regarded as "true" trans because of the whole elitism and snobbery within the trans community. I'm not surprised it's happened to you, I've been facing it for years. Anyways let me check and see what other people's PCT have been citing as the criteria. I'll get back to you on that.

If you don't mind telling me which PCT are you with at the moment?

[punkypink (imported)]

Ok I've asked another friend friend who is on hormones and has gone thru the NHS process, and I have some bad news.

must be NHS-registered, then you ask your GP for a referral to local mental health clinic. Ask LMHC for referral to gender identity clinic. Ask GIC for hrt. If you visit your GP tomorrow, I wouldn't normally expect hrt less than 6 months from now.

If you go private, Dr Curtis and Dr Lorimer both have private practices in London. Your time frame then becomes more or less immediate for an anti-androgen, and 3 months for estrogen

But they(NHS) do like to see solid evidence that you are socially transitioned

without a name change, unless the name was already androgynous, hrt would not likely be prescribed

nhs will not do that, end of story. private practice would consider it

I frankly think NHS's rules are retarded, although this does also prove the doctor is not wrong claiming there are people who are doing without, if all trans women in UK going thru the NHS must socially transition without hormones in order to prove they are trans and finally be prescribed it. Still, this requirement by NHS is utterly idiotic and does not seem well-considered at all. Then again the only reason we even have all these requirements in the first place is thanks to the fetishistic crossdressers who have "spoiled the market" so to speak.

Anyways, I'm linking the prices of both Dr Curtis and Dr Lorimer as an example of how much private psychs may cost. Bear in mind they are in London and may be more expensive. I can't find out if there are cheaper private psychs near you if I don't have an idea where in UK you are.

http://gendercare.co.uk/fees.html

http://www.transhealth.co.uk/gender/gender_clinic.html

I suppose the other option would be to, as you've thought about, change your name to an androygnous one like Ryan/Rian. Be the cheaper option too, no harm giving it a try and see what comes of it.

To add: DAMN NHS indeed.

[loveableleopardy (imported)]

Looks like I will have to get a new job and then go back to buying off the internet bit this is in now way safe or good practice as it cant be monitored.

This is all not good news for you Hungry, but can you share a link with me so as I can get my hands on some androcur? If I can gain access following my next appointment that's fine, but if not then I am keen to go it alone so to speak (though I won't be alone; there is heaps of support on the EA). I don't care much for the cost - just want to give it a go initially.

[Caith721 (imported)]

http://inhousepharmacy.biz/p-131-sitero ... erone.aspx

[loveableleopardy (imported)]

http://inhousepharmacy.biz/p-131-sitero ... erone.aspx

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

100 tablets purchased.

Maybe Merry Xmas to me

[purpletomato (imported)]

I thought the general idea was that spironolactone was a weaker, but safer drug. I don't know so much though. What I do know is that it's a potassium-sparing diuretic (i.e. makes your kidneys work hard to filter out things other than potassium), and can give you hyperkalemia (too much potassium), so make sure the salt intake is at least average, and potassium is lower. But, hyperkalemia's effects are usually not drastic. According to mainstream sites, you also want to avoid taking things like aspirin, motrin, or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which account for most or all of over-the-counter painkillers). In my experience, consistency matters much more than dosage. It took probably over a month at around 200 mg for my perceived T level to drop, but the effect seems nice -- I bet it is quite low now. Before that I had tried switching to cypro or taking high doses (sometimes 500 mg/day I recall), but that was ineffective and occasionally scary (I'd feel spontaneous, sharp lower abdominal pain).

Another idea: can you order a blood test yourself? That would probably make any self-medication plans a lot safer in theory...

Anyway, please do persist in trying to get professional support first. I recently went to a TS support group here in the Bay Area, and a few talked about not being "primary transsexuals" (feminine GID since early childhood), being married; and one mentioned that cross-dressing was at first erotic ... so my admittedly-undeveloped opinion is that the medical community's view is kind of narrow (though getting better with the wpath5). All of the others were somewhere around 50 years old, and they all said, "don't wait", so I'll pass that advice on . [having not acted on it myself yet]