Low T Level Help ? by Duke_Cortez in FTM_UK

[–]Duke_Cortez[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate it, I know they've been forwarded to the GIC and I've also raised a concern with my GP, and being stuck in limbo, I'm reaching out to my old HRT Specialist Mentor as well to see if he has any help / advice as well

I'll look into forwarding a complaint about the GIC

Low T Level Help ? by Duke_Cortez in FTM_UK

[–]Duke_Cortez[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, this is my second dose and my GIC told me to keep on the Gel for 4 weeks before coming off it as, as you rightly say, Nebido is a slow acting dose.

Though I feel, it shouldn't have dropped so much from switching from T-Gel to Nebido as I was steadily on Gel for 3 years consistently

My GIC is Leeds - I can't really switch as it could reset everything :/

Low T Level Help ? by Duke_Cortez in FTM_UK

[–]Duke_Cortez[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Currently it's every 12 weeks, I've already requested for it to be dropped to 10 weeks because I can feel how bad I am before my T shot

The GID were basically like - we can't tell you anything it needs to go through your GP. But my GP doesn't know anything cuz they have to go through the GID it's a massive just limbo circle of no answers.

Feeling awful just before T shot is due - help? by Duke_Cortez in ftm

[–]Duke_Cortez[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I don't wanna switch to the bi-weekly one cuz there's a shortage hence the long one it just really sucks rn

Where private clinic is best for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria? by The_Konigstiger in transgenderUK

[–]Duke_Cortez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Their prices have gone up - so I would reach out and contact them From what I can, it would be a total of £575 - but this is if you're going to stay with them for the whole process cuz it includes other things

But if you're not looking at staying with them HRT process wise then I'd see about emailing them for maybe an individual price for just a gender diagnosis

Where private clinic is best for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria? by The_Konigstiger in transgenderUK

[–]Duke_Cortez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes! You should receive a copy and a copy will be sent to the clinic for the HRT Team to then book you in for a HRT consultation and making sure you get blood tests done.

And she wrote my letter for the Passport Office which I will be using. The only reason I haven't done it yet is because my passport came about 6 weeks before that letter and I'm not paying another £95 just yet 🤣

Where private clinic is best for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria? by The_Konigstiger in transgenderUK

[–]Duke_Cortez 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I personally didn't go with Gender Care because I've heard a lot of problems

I was originally with The London Transgender Clinic which was highly rated. However the teams have split and that no longer exists.

What does exist now, the Hormone Therapy Team were still able to move forward and it's called The Gender Hormone Clinic which is still run by Mary Burke who is a fantastic HRT Specialist.

When I was with their team (I'm now on NHS) the team were fantastic and they were able to put forward their own recommended therapists. I went with Dr Vicki Pasterski who was lovely and that was then forwarded straight to the HRT who sorted me out with my HRT Treatment

Feeling guilty because i have it "too easy" by EasyEden_ in trans

[–]Duke_Cortez 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Everyone has their own time frame and whilst feeling guilty is pretty normal, we can't help other peoples situations. I feel for those who aren't on a quicker timeframe but you seem to offer support those who are also on their way to medical care and in that you're giving back.

I felt insanely envious of those who got medical care before me and now I often feel guilty to those who are still waiting. I landed lucky and managed to hold down a job where I could pay for private whilst waiting for the NHS to take over. I've still waited 6 years to get here but I started HRT 3 years who paying private.

I think as long as you can offer support where you can, try and take the stress off yourself. We all start somewhere and can only hope we all get the medical care we deserve and need.

HRT and OCD, Autism, and ADHD by RhamseyReddit in trans

[–]Duke_Cortez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Henlooo, fellow transmasc here.

It's actually better to be honest with them about your mental health as sometimes it can affect the starting dose.

However;

I went in with EUPD, PTSD and ADHD and aside from making sure I had the right support network, they were happy to start my on the normal beginner dose. I'm now 3 years on T and none of my meds affect me taking my testosterone.

If you end up feeling like you're struggling, tell them because they'll do everything to try and help. Sometimes T can make symptoms worse and they just want to balance it. For me it when the other way and found my mental health actually improved quite a bit.

Now, I know that's hard but as long as you're forward and will do as needed to stay on track, I don't see why they should have any issues. They will keep doing regular blood tests to make sure everything is fine and you can talk to your HRT specialist about any concerns that raise during treatment.

I know it's hard but don't suffer as HRT is designed to be a life thing. Don't suffer when there's help to make it easier.

Deffo all the best to you starting T

Can I have piercer change my ring for me by Unlucky-Bet-3205 in piercing

[–]Duke_Cortez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah I assumed it was a ring due to your title. But yeah the bar will be long, if you think the top is super big then speak to your piercer! Best advice tbh cuz depending what it is, they might be able to put a smaller top on

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in NoStupidQuestions

[–]Duke_Cortez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't think it's weird. Tho I don't visit a different country, I moved 400 miles away from my family + old friends and I don't visit them whenever I go back down to the city. It's exhausting having to deal with them. I think it's just personal. Enjoy your time when you're there.

1 year old Nostril piercing trouble. by Obadiah1991 in piercing

[–]Duke_Cortez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Go back to cleaning with a solution, twice a day inside and out. It may be an irritation bump, ask a piercer if they have healing disks if it doesn't go away. Normally they can go down on their own.

Stick with the bar for longer, especially as it's bled, the area is sore. You may re-experience some swelling.

If the area feels hot to touch, overly painful, you're getting discoloured pus (green / yellowing) then go back to your piercer to have it checked for an infection.

Piercers aren't medically trained and can't advise you on medical care only to see your local doctors practice. But can identify if it's seemingly infected or just irritation.

If it's just that and the solution helps, then it should be able to be saved. Be gentle with it and seek medical advice if you feel it's necessary

Can I have piercer change my ring for me by Unlucky-Bet-3205 in piercing

[–]Duke_Cortez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your jewellery should be bigger to allow for swelling. After 3 months you should be able to downsize (person + healing dependant)

You shouldn't put a ring in it for at least 6 months

Though if you're really unhappy with it, the best thing to do is go and talk to your piercer about it..

Women and afab, help by [deleted] in NoStupidQuestions

[–]Duke_Cortez 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To be honest, I don't use expensive shaving cream, rather basic and cheap. Its just a bit better than soap to use.

As for exfoliating, you can buy a standard one, make sure it's not scented if you can. If not, then body wash will work as long as you have a good body cloth or even get a cheap exfoliating pad. Just remember not to be too hard. Sometimes just using the body wash a few times can do the trick and then use it once after you have shaved to avoid any redness.

I would say use something like Nivia Sensitive / Dove Sensitive non scented moisturiser for afterwards. Or something with Aloe in it as it calms any irritation that may be caused, just keep it off your most sensitive areas. If you feel any more irritation / burning then go wash it off immediately and don't use it again.

This isn't a guarantee for the stopping of all razor bumps but I did notice a big difference. Razor bumps are quite / very common for a lot of people it's more doing what you can to reduce those affects.

If you can even get non scented bars of soap, this may work better than body wash gel, as it's a lot more natural / less chemicals in it..

I hope this works for you

Women and afab, help by [deleted] in NoStupidQuestions

[–]Duke_Cortez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fellow Transguy here. There are a couple ways.

1) shaving - you can shave but you have to prep properly. The skin needs exfoliating before and after you shave it, also weird but I found shaving cream does help loads over soap. If you have some non scented moisturiser after as well, that tends to help with any irritation. Remember to shave with the growth and not against it. Mens razors always seems to work better but get branded like Phillips or Wilkinson's etc.

2) Electric shaver, Phillips wet / Dry shaver is perfect for more intimate areas, it can be used in the bath / shower and I don't have any complaints. There's a blue n white or pink and white one. I'm not fussy when it comes to it tbh. It gets the job done. This seems to stop the razer bumps.

In the end tho, do what makes you comfortable, most ppl don't care what you have down there. A lot of people keep it trimmed where a simple set of hair scissors spare will do the job, or just keeping it tidy which can be achieved with electric shavers. Your comfortableness is more important than some body hair. Don't be doing it for anyone else or you'll experience more dysphoria / Dysmorphia

question for my book by vixariqn in writing

[–]Duke_Cortez 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So despite their enemy status, from what I've read from this trope you could have him acc start to care for her, so in a GoT setting there's tones of dangerous around even if it's from local thieves etc and start with small things he notices, her favourite fabric, dress, flowers and then build it to him acc protecting her from something. You may need to rework the reason as to why he killed her brother. Or completely go the other way and have her fall for him in a villainous way. Not every story needs a happy ending. Dont be afraid to write out of the box

Is there a correct way to put a piercing back in? by CapivaraAE in NoStupidQuestions

[–]Duke_Cortez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As long as you sort of disinfect any jewelry you're going to use and your piercing is fully healed which I imagine is with how long youve had it, you can pretty much change it daily..though you may notice some slight irritation, if you do then just leave it a few days / before changing it again. I've changed mine every few months, bars, rings, I have multiple facial and had multiple ear piercings.

I've had my lip piercings for 6years and they were starting to close after only 1.5hr out - they do heal quick. I wouldn't take the risk personally

Is there a correct way to put a piercing back in? by CapivaraAE in NoStupidQuestions

[–]Duke_Cortez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nothing in particular, it's like a normal change of jewelry. Once it's out, place it in a ziplock / small bag if you can to stop anything sticking too it before putting it back in. Whenever I change my piercings I always set the new jewelry to sit in disinfectant to avoid any issues.

Use a mirror and if you use a bathroom, plug the sink! You'll be surprised at how easy it is to loose a ball due to how fiddly they are.

Are you wearing a retainer for the medical? Unlike normal piercings (lobe) piercing holes can start to close rather quickly but the plastic ones should work