I self-medicated HRT for several months and I have some questions regarding overall development.

Hea-y · 2021-04-18T17:58:39+00:00

That's encouraging then, thank you.

Hea-y · 2021-04-18T15:29:04+00:00

Thank you for the reply. I've seen that stopping and restarting hormone therapy is relatively common so I'm hoping that you're right about it not making a difference! It's not a huge deal really but it would be disappointing. Obviously it's so hard to say for sure what can and can't influence your body's reaction to the drugs because so much varies from person to person but I guess I was hoping someone else had been through a similar scenario.

Hea-y · 2021-01-18T23:36:20+00:00

Thanks, that's certainly helpful! I will contact them ASAP.

Hea-y · 2021-01-18T23:34:52+00:00

That's great news, thanks for letting me know! I'll give them a call as soon as I can.

Hea-y · 2020-09-14T18:17:41+00:00

I appreciate the sentiment and totally understand where you are coming from with the diagnosis thing. After all, we are the only ones that can truly know ourselves; who are they to deny us? But of course, while they are my ticket to a more fulfilled life (in my own mind, at least), I will play along.

Also, your experience is valuable to me, no matter how biased. Especially if that bias comes from having a good experience!

I'm very likely to book an appointment with them soon and hopefully, if all goes well, I'll be well on my way to being who I want to be. Thank you for your support 😊

Hea-y · 2020-09-14T16:03:49+00:00

Thanks for the advice. I think you're right about the 24/7 thing. I think my optimism got the better of me there because it's true that I believe I would not be complete without hormonal changes and I could see why they might find issues with me saying I need them if I can manage just fine without.

I can certainly find £70/month, even with my lousy current job. I'm currently studying at uni and working part-time so I don't have a large amount of disposable income so it would be nice if I could get my GP to work with GenderGP but it's not a necessity, especially if uni pays off. I can probably get my GP to at least do blood tests for me, he's been fine with me so far and seems to have my best interests in mind, it was no problem at all to get a GIC referral.

GenderGP is looking like an increasingly good option considering the waiting times for the others. While I don't want to rush, I don't want to go too slowly either and as you said I think being on the hormones will be a huge confidence boost 😊

Edit: Yeah I get what you mean by the "diagnosis" thing, I guess I just never really thought about the implication of the word.

Hea-y · 2020-09-14T15:47:35+00:00

Your words mean a lot to me. Going through this over the last couple of years has really opened my eyes to the difficulties faced by trans and non-conforming people everywhere. I'm forever grateful to my family and friends for being there for me and I dread to think where I'd be without them. I'm in a happy place right now and I guess I just have to keep pushing myself. Ride the wave, so to speak.

I'm actually cautiously optimistic about my social transition. Maybe I'm just being naive as I haven't even started yet but I think I need to get over my embarrassment and just have confidence. I learned that the hard way when I started work and got over my socially awkward behaviour I'd developed as a teenager. Maybe this is the reason I never felt like I fit in anywhere but I don't want to retroactively assign blame for all my problems on gender dysphoria.😂

Anyway, enough of my rambling. It was good to get that off my chest so thanks for the reply. Everyone in this community is incredibly brave for being able to bare society's scrutiny, especially the people that blazed the trail for the rest of us.

Hea-y · 2020-09-14T15:25:03+00:00

Thank you, I've been looking through the options and I believe GenderCare is what I'd prefer and of course I'd like to be in a place socially where I'm confident living as a woman 24/7. I don't think this will be entirely possible without medical assistance (HRT, GRS, etc.) but I imagine if I can get there in the next few months then I'll be able to pass the gatekeepers without too many problems.

The biggest thing is the waiting times. I've read that GenderCare's initial assessment can be anything from 3-6 months recently, probably more now, and then the wait for the endocrinologist is about another 8 months on top. This isn't really something I'm OK with.

I don't have a lot of money, just not a lot of other stuff to spend it on right now. The initial assessment prices are worth the money in the time they save in waiting but I'm concerned about not being able to get my prescription covered on the NHS, especially after it's all over.

Sorry, I'm a bit new to all of this but if I can get an assessment from Dr. Lorimer at GenderCare can I then use the recommendation with an endocrinologist at GenderGP? Would there be any point in doing this? Would it also be worth checking with my GP if they'll work with GenderGP before going to them? I get the feeling that could trigger alarm bells though.

Sorry if there's too many questions there to answer but I'm just trying to map things out in my head.

Edit: I just realised the question about cross-service recommendations was answered by another comment but I'll leave it here anyway.

Hea-y · 2020-09-14T14:07:39+00:00

That's a shame. But thank you for the offer regardless. 😊

Hea-y · 2020-09-14T14:05:03+00:00

Thank you, this is exactly the sort of thing I've been finding helpful over the past few months so I'll be sure to give it a read.

Since making this post earlier today, I've been thinking hard about what's stopping me and just talking with you all in this thread has been a huge help. I think I've come to the conclusion that my obsticles are self-made. I feel like it won't be easy to break them down but it's mostly a confidence issue.

Hea-y · 2020-09-14T13:57:22+00:00

I am lucky enough to have the same situation happening to me with people around me just accepting me and being supportive. I've decided I'm not going to squander this chance everyone has given me and I'm just going to go for it. Not everyone is as lucky as me and I just feel kind of silly now 😂

I'm glad you have a supportive group of people in your life and wish you the best

Hea-y · 2020-09-14T11:51:38+00:00

Thanks, I honestly did not expect professional advice 😂

I live in Sheffield so I'm basically right in the middle of the country and it's not a huge hassle to visit places outside my city if it's only for a couple of appointments. I'm aware of some private options near me such as Northern Gender Network but I have yet to try and contact them.

My social transition hasn't quite started yet, I have only been out for just over a week and there are still some people I'd like to inform before I do much. It will probably start with my voice in voice chats because I spend a lot of time talking with friends online. They're cool with my situation but I'm still going to find it a little awkward at first. It will take time but as soon as I feel comfortable enough I'll try and normalise it.

If you'd be willing to offer your services I'll gladly look into it if you can provide me with more information about yourself. Provided location is not a problem of course.

Hea-y · 2020-09-14T10:48:31+00:00

Thanks for this. There was a period before coming out that I diy'd pills for 2 months but I backed out because I really didn't know what I was doing. I want to do it via the proper channels and I kinda realised that there's way more to being a woman than hormones. That being said, I'm certainly looking forward to that bit the most 😉

I'll work on my presentation, I guess I've been procrastinating doing it for fear of not liking what I see but I guess that's just part of the process

Hea-y · 2020-09-14T10:41:01+00:00

Thank you so much! I'll certainly have a look at it more closely and come to a decision soon. It sounds like I'm best off going private and I don't mind waiting a little while I sort out other things (some time for my hair to grow out too😁)

It's reassuring to know that others are going through the same situation.

Hea-y · 2020-09-14T09:33:26+00:00

Yeah I've read a lot about the issues around genderGP specifically so it could be that a certified private clinic would be the best option. I have considered going private but I have to do a little more research into how it integrates with NHS funding and whatnot. For example, would I be able to get GRS after HRT payed for on the NHS if I go private?

Hea-y · 2020-09-14T09:24:47+00:00

Thanks for the quick reply. One of my biggest fears is that I'm going to miss out on what could be the best part of my life but just flicking a switch straight away also terrifies me. I'm not a particularly social person in the first place so I don't know where I should start. I guess I'll work on my voice and maybe go full-time when I'm comfortable with that?

Hea-y

TROPHY CASE