|
|
|
Notifications
|
|
|
|
This is the technical bit.
I'll list the problem first:
1) GP's know sod all
2) Local specialists seem to know even less
3) To initiate anything you need a 'name'
4) Much time and effort needed to bring them all up to speed. You have to know it all to explain it to them. So that they can then advise you of what you told them last visit!
Wrote loads. Just lost the lot. Oh BOTHER! More soon. S.
(I am writing this in Word this time, using the autosave feature for when the computer disagrees with me and throws me out!)
As I was saying…
After six months of ‘chats’ with the psycho, nothing happened. During this time I changed GP, to prevent conflict with my SO and I having the same one. Apparently, the first one was overheard saying they were glad I was off their books – I could have stirred things up, they are supposed not to be judgemental, but chose not to. Neither would prescribe anything. (See above!).
Eventually, the shrink told me of a plastic surgeon locally who had contact with some T-girls who had been through SRS. The psychologist himself started out claiming to know nothing about transgender, but slowly (after 4-5 visits) admitted he did, and that he used to make referrals. Made me an appointment to see said surgeon. Went to see him, and he agreed to pass my name to another girl, contact made and advice given. The important bit was to see someone ‘known’. Made appointment with the infamous Russel Reid.
New attitude here. Understanding, empathic, encouraging…probably because I was paying him, but by that time I didn’t care. Outcome, prescription. Could have it filled privately (expensive) but GP should honour it. Great! Off I go to him, waving the paper like a flag. “I can’t (won’t?) do that. Not on the NHS. But I will write you one privately”. Hobson’s choice.
Now on oestrogen/progesterone pill, (yes the same), and an oestrogen gel. RR’s theory is that if you start taking this, it will either agree with you or not. I know one girl who started, and soon stopped, did not like the effect at all. I felt great, calm and did not mind the side effects at all (virtually no libido). Saw Russel one more time, he was quite happy for me to continue, and would have carried on treatment, but no way could I afford that. NHS or nothing. Still had to pay for the prescriptions at the GP.
I was now going to go full-time, so it was time to move altogether, mainly for the sake of my SO and son. He was seven then, and did not need the hassle that would result when the local kids found out. 15 miles down the road, into the city. New everything, except job. (Told my boss, he was cool. He used to be a reporter, and could not be fazed by anything. He said “there are two rules, no skirts (I was a delivery driver then) ‘and that applies to all the women’, and don’t upset the customers”.
So, new flat, in my new name, though the official change was still a little way off, some new furniture, a few clothes, and registered with a new GP. “I don’t see why you can’t have the pills on NHS, I prescribe to women, so you can have them, no problem”. Steps back in amazement!
Situation now remains almost unchanged for about 18 months. I did experiment with the doses, more pills less gel and vice versa, trying each combination for 1-2 months each time, keeping the GP advised, until I found a combination that send to work best.
GP changed the pills at one point, going to a straight oestrogen one. Seemed ok.
The downside? The pills are not meant to be taken in the ‘overdose’ amounts required to have the desired effect. I requested some form of anti-androgen, but no joy due to ignorance of gender dysphoria in general. My blood pressure began to creep up, eventually reaching a dangerous level. More pills sorted that, but was not a satisfactory long term solution.
As I seem to be capable of managing everyone’s finances except my own, a year ago I got thrown out of my flat. Seems they wanted me to pay the rent. Oops. Moved again, about another 20 miles south to Torquay, where I am now.
I persuaded the new (yes, another one) to change me onto oestrogen HRT patches. She was not keen, they are more expensive, but it was cheaper than taking pills for the blood pressure as well, because that stayed down when I stopped taking them.
I also told her about a gender clinic nearby (different area, so not for me) who she contacted re endocrine tests. They were done, four years late in my opinion, and I took the results up to
Sue. X
