February 5, 2008 1:38 AM GMT
I know plenty of gals on both sides of the self med aisle. Yes, I self-medicated between doctors for a period of time, but I started with a doc and currently have a doc. I would say the majority of self-med gals know far more about HRT meds then most doctors. I know a couple gals with the same particular doc that amazingly take exactly the same medication as if their bodies were identical. That same doctor also cites on his webpage that body hair should start diminishing after a couple years, which is pretty accurate, but he has told these people they should already being seeing signs of diminished body hair in the first year. Hmm, which is it? He also has them ordering online from outside the country which is technically illegal and they risk confiscation, supposedly there is a Medical Doctor, why can't he write scripts so they can go to the local pharmacy and get their meds? Oh and when this doc was asked about getting scripts he told one of the gals that there was no need to do that. Huh? Labtests, yeah they did the online labtests that get sent off, told that things looked fine. Hmm, what does that mean? I have insurance that pays for most of my prescriptions, but even if I didn't the cost is the same or less at U.S. pharmacies compared to what these gals pay online. So again I ask, why no scripts? The only reason I make a point of this is because one of these gals thought it was fine to rag on me for not having a doc at one point. Personally I think her doc is a scam.
I think everyone on HRT with or without a Doctor should research what the heck they are putting into their body and all the how and why's about it. So many things can effect how much medication someone should be on. When used properly most of the meds are safe. Drug manufactures don't tend to put the recommmended dosage for trannys' on the labels, so do you know what a safe dose is?
I think we are taken advantage of by the medical community. It is important to be able to trust your doc, and one way to be able to trust him is to know he/she knows what they are talking about. How do you know if they are? You need to know this stuff also.
Marsha
February 5, 2008 1:49 AM GMT
Very true Marsha, I had to 'assist' my GP on hormone information. He was totally ignorant of what and how much. We started on a standard dose, then gradually changed the amounts until I felt 'comfortable' with the effects they were having and the tests came out about right. Not a good reflection on the system that is supposed to be so good. (Not my personal opinion!)
March 13, 2008 4:14 AM GMT
Well I think most of the people who self medicate, do so because they simply lack the access to the proper medical professionals... nor can they afford the visits. (my doctors office is $110 just to say hello) And also... I have no car and I live with my parents who would absolutely not condone me taking hormones... so I am forced to seriously consider self medicating.
I have no other alternative really. I can't afford repeated taxi rides.. nor will my work schedual allow me to be dependable to make any appointments... and I also can't afford repeated uninsured doctors office visits that I'm sure are nessesary. And forget therapy. I just don't have the money. The meds I can afford.. but not all the stuff I have to do just to get a perscription. I simply dont have the means or resources to do it.
April 6, 2008 10:34 PM BST
I agree with you there i am an over the road truck driver and stopping to go to a thepist then the cost involved in that alone i don't have time to go to a therpist plus to an endocronoligist and buy medication too there is just no time in what i do to afford such a important step i know but what else can i do but self medicate. and forget about asking a doctor for the right dosege unless your a patiant he/she won't talk to you.
April 7, 2008 9:14 AM BST
Adriana,
One of the results of self medding and perhaps getting too high a dose is that you might 'overdo' things but perhaps not in a life threatening way - (but is a non-stop truckers lifestyle healthy? Do you eat fast and junk or light and healthy?) - but your self med dose might be too high for your body to work with in the natural time frame that GGs body changes happen and you might very quickly see breast growth that soon stops leaving little cones that will eventually have to be replaced with implants to get a 'proper' bust.
If you are going to self med start on a very low dose take at least a couple of months to work up to whatever you have learned is a 'typical' dose and don't look for a 'bust-in-a month.'
Sounds a long slow process but it will be worth it in the end.
April 7, 2008 5:29 PM BST
I just placed my order i have a friend and she helped a little i am going to start at 4mg of estrofem and 50 mg of spiro
April 7, 2008 7:27 PM BST
.....translating from german.............
All good things come in threes...............
cheers,
Lynn H.