Going official.

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  • Hi everyone and happy new year. So having joined this awesome group b4 xmass and checking out all the posts (and talking to Traci Lee - awesome lady) I finally decided to go official and speak to my (v nice lady) doctor about my "situation". Very traumatic waiting for the appointment but awesome to finally talk. I live in UK so this is NHS and  I have discovered the following: First she thanked me for coming and talking before I was ready to throw myself under a bus. (This makes it much easier to diagnose gender issues rather than mental health - which came first situation). I confessed to using herbs for 5 - 6 months prior to my visit and she did confirm some breast growth (a little) so that's nice. She was happy to refer me to one of the 5 or so gender Clinics in England (Leeds approx 100 miles away) but they are so snowed under that the waiting time is at least one year. Having seen the clinics website it is obvious that they tailor fit treatment to the individual and do not expect people to fully transition if the hormone route is prescribed. Its about only going far enough to get the you"right". She also referred me to a local sex psychology councilor (waiting 1 -2 months) to keep me going in the meantime. As part of the referral I got a complete suite of blood tests which have come back normal so the herbs don't appear to have caused issues. I told her today that I would like to try the evanesce herbal route to keep me sane while waiting and she understood but said that the NHS could not officially support such self medication. However she has given me a liver / kidney blood test form to use after approx 6 weeks on the evanesce as a precaution. All in all I can strongly recommend doing what I have done. Its a great relief to be able to chat with a sympathetic professional. I know it's difficult but why not give it a go?

      January 4, 2018 2:26 PM GMT
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  • Hello Robyn - Super news for you! I am happy for you and all the best in your journey. 
      January 4, 2018 8:09 PM GMT
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  • It sounds like your doctor is really helpful.  I bet you were nervous, but it was worth it and you are on your way now.  

     

    Woot

     

    Congratulations

      January 11, 2018 10:15 PM GMT
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  • Hi Robyn!
    I haven’t logged in since New Years and thus missed your post. Congrats on moving forward, but OMG the UK system moves so slowly! Lol.
    As you know, I have been using that herbal protocol with excellent results. My health is at the top of the charts for someone my age. Most will speak negatively about my protocol and I’m certain they have their reasons. I’m not here to promote them and have no vested interest in their company but will also say that they work for some and not so well for others. Many factors go into a successful physical transition. They are far more expensive than a prescription and decent health plan. But for me (and others I have met), they met and exceeded expectations. ‘Nuff said...this isn’t about me but about you!
    I’d avoid using prescribed Spiro as an AA. There are alternatives including the herbal one (their most effective product...). Spiro has too much negative baggage to bother and frankly is not all that effective. See if your MD can prescribe an alternative.
    That said, it must be so exciting for you to get to this point. The mental changes you’ll gain from having your body run on E instead of T will be the greatest gift of all regardless of how much you physically morph!
    Best wishes always!
    Traci xoxo
    <p>Traci</p>
      January 17, 2018 2:01 AM GMT
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  • Hi Traci and everyone else!   Ive only been on the evanesce two weeks and have just had to cut back slightly on the AA side as the English distributor is temporarily out of stock. It will be interesting to see how I get on while waiting for my appointment at the gender clinic (sometime next year by the look of it). If people are in any way interested I'll keep posting re my progress on the Evanesce regime although I am really using it to "hold the fort" while I wait. I agree that using a potassium conserving diuretic (originally designed for people with heart failure) to block testosterone does not fill me with confidence but I have no issue with pure oestrogen. If I find the evanesce AA works well I will perhaps try to negotiate a mixed regime. Each route has its pros and cons. For me the herbal worry is the 100 or so other compounds in the herbs that "come along for the ride" along with the good stuff so to speak. However its what Ive got at the moment so will give it a go and monitor myself carefully. Hopefully I'll have interesting news before very long! I think I have already noticed slight developments but will wait till I'm sure before reporting back! Ive already been on 5 months of herbs so that might muddy the water somewhat at first. Basically a case of watch this space?  Robyn xx

      January 19, 2018 4:01 PM GMT
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  • Hi Robyn, I've read that plant based supplements can interfere with the action of human oestrogen and could therefore be detrimental to the feminisation you wish to achieve. So when you get your prescription don't be tempted to mix the two.

    There is nothing better than human oestrogen for feminisation, and in the UK only bio-identical oestrogen and occasionally valerate are prescribed nowadays. These don't carry the risks associated with early forms of HRT such as Premarin or ethinylestradiol.

    I've been taking 17-Beta oestradiol for 13 years and 3 months, it's really great stuff!

    Also, with an annual pre-paid prescription card (apply online) all my prescriptions including hormones cost me £100 per year, how much does a full course of Evanesce etc cost?

      January 20, 2018 12:41 AM GMT
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  • Hi Lucy. At the moment I'm learning to skydive from the internet. When I finally find a qualified instructor it would be foolish to carry on packing my parachute from a book! Once I start with the gender clinic I will do as I'm told but there's never any harm in asking.

    You're right, the Evanesce system will set me back approx £65 per month (maybe a bit less if I lower the dose to hold in position later in the year). It would be difficult to deal with that level of expenditure if I didn't know it was (relatively) short term.

    Anyway that's me for now. Talk soon?

    Robyn xx

      January 21, 2018 12:14 PM GMT
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  • Time to start getting all your documents in order, need any help lots of information in the law forum, or just post questions or IM me.    There are regulations in force regarding time frames for referrals. a year seems far too long but I doubt there are many Gender therapist specialist in private practice.  It is generally accepted that your RLE starts from the time you change your name and gender on your documents, does'nt mean you have to suddenly start wearing skirts to work and remember you have the right to privacy, and it is a criminal offence for anyone to divulge the information about any changes to your status contained in those documents.   Good luck

    Cristine Jennifer Shye.  B/L.  B/Acc
      January 25, 2018 7:39 PM GMT
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  • I agree with Lucy regarding mixing the herbals with the prescribed. Use one or the other, but not both at the same time. My only complaint after many years with them is that they are very expensive relative to prescriptions. Their AA, Androease, is very effective you only need to use it for a year or so, especially after you go on the prescriptions. Estrogen by itself will be all you need...
    Best wishes always!
    Traci xoxo
    <p>Traci</p>
      January 26, 2018 2:12 AM GMT
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  • Hi all. Due to the tragic circumstances at Evanesce my progress has stalled somewhat due to reorder issues but it seems that you have it in hand Traci so I will just have to be patient.

    Best wishes, Robyn

      January 26, 2018 3:17 PM GMT
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  • Robyn...it is like trying to break into a safe as the business side is secured and dianna took the PWs to her grave!  I've enlisted some pretty good help to unlock it but it will take more time.

    Traci xoxo

    <p>Traci</p>
      February 9, 2018 6:49 PM GMT
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  • Hi Robyn,

    Going 'official' isn't  so bad is it? I have started my official journey recently (last August), which started like you with a visit to my primary care physician(GP for UK folk), also a very 'nice lady', who has just given birth to her first child.  I wrote everything down in the form of a script for her, since we can all forget details. 

       She made me feel very comfortable and simply replied, ..'do we know this at the surgery?..' We had a short conversation, and she agreed to refer me to a GIC. I mentioned at 70 years old I might have left it too late, she smiled and simply said.. it is never too late Chris..'  She is not allowed herself to prescribe hormones, but she did tell me to continue with my herbal regime.  I now have a first appointment at the GIC, not until October, but frankly I am' glad about the delay, since it gives me time too transition slowly, and grow my hair out, so those around me begin to see the changes by instalments so to  say!

    Another great event, I was invited to a seminar at the GIC, with all the doctors and specialist describing what to expect.  Wonderful, since they are all so 'humane', and they dispelled many of the myths and fears awaiting patients, and also a chance to meet other patients. I think this was very helpful, and will help me and the others to prepare themselves and enable them to speed up their journey.

    By the way I think Traci is awesome too! The journey ahead will not be easy, probably for those around us, but I can at least see the way ahead! For those hesitating, please find the courage and approach your doctor.

    Wishing you well on your journey

    XXX

    Sally

      March 25, 2018 12:30 PM BST
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  • Hi Sally and everyone! Well I think its about 10 weeks since my last post and the sad happenings at evanesce. With no chance of ordering from their Euro hub I have returned to a simpler regime of three herbs (Pueraria, Chaste tree and saw palmetto). They seem to be holding the fort and my body hair continues to grow slower and finer with maybe a little boob growth. (Full A cup now and unable to wear a bra in general company as they are too obvious to avoid!)). Latest blood test was fine for liver and kidneys so I will carry on.  Ive had my phone assessment with the leeds gender clinic and now have to wait up to 18 months for an appointment which sucks. (Although they are OK with the herbs and have requested my doctor provide 3 monthly blood tests for kidney and liver function and hormone levels.) I'm going the "wait till people notice" route apart from Cath (my wife) and next door neighbors who are fully on board but do wonder where that will lead with my family and especially the kids (boys, 26 and 24) who are used to dealing with the archetypal alpha male (firefighter, watch commander and fire officer for 30 yrs). Still, one step at a time as they say. Still very much in the closet for now any way.

    Well that's me for now. Back to the ironing..(v domestic I'm sure).

    Robyn xxx

     

      March 28, 2018 1:42 PM BST
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  • Hi Robyn,

    A delay until your first appointment may seem disappointing at first, but on reflection it does enable you to prepare yourself and transition very slowly. Never forget it is those around you, you are 'transitioning'.

    It's tough, but you keep going! GIC's often refer to' helping you on your journey', and they are right...you are already on your journey..!

    XXX

    Sally

      March 29, 2018 12:36 PM BST
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  • Hey! I think we’ve cracked the safe at last, check that site for announcements!
    Xoxo
    <p>Traci</p>
      April 11, 2018 10:08 PM BST
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  • Hi everyone!

    Nothing much happening here - continuing to take the herbs but have added red clover to the mix and lowered the saw palmetto. Seems to suit me better mentally. Apparently some older referals to our gender clinics have waited up to 5 yrs to get in (aargh!!!!) as they (understandably) prioritise younger people not yet in puberty. We may have the best "free at point of treatment" health service in the world but that becomes a bit of a joke if you never get to the "point of treatment"! All a bit frustrating really.

    Anyway can I recomend you listen to todays edition of Soul Music on BBC radio 4 (via i player). It featured True Colours by Cindi Lauper (hope that's right) and had an inspiring interview with an RAF helicopter pilot who fully transitioned in the late 90@s and then went on to serve with distinction in Bosnia, Iraq and Afgan.

    Makes me wonder what might have happened if I'd done the same while in the fire service but then again I wasn't "there" and probably am still not ready to come out so its a moot point.

    Anyway v interesting and a v brave lady.

    Love, Robyn xx

      May 2, 2018 12:00 PM BST
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  • Hi again! Thought I'd check in cos been having a major confidence wobble over the past 2 days! I guess I've reached the stage where my body is definitely showing signs of changing with definite boobs (although only A's they do now really fill my A bras) and I have changed to looser t shirts to go out. This is big for me but its still at least 9 months before I get to see a gender councillor and I'm afraid that when I do they will say I've got it wrong and I'm not what I think I am. I still present as a man outside the house and haven't got the faintest how to (or when I should) start to move to a more public female image (especially in my village full of the less than enlightened). Cat and I went shopping on saturday and she bought me a bra and magnetic ear rings which I loved. She then suggested I get my ears pierced and is already helping me grow my hair a bit longer. This would definitely start to out me to my family and my 86 year old father would probably have a heart attack! (I'm going to see him next week for a few days as he is 400 miles away). Cat is still fine with me moving on but is definitely not Bi so sex will almost certainly be a thing of the past as things go on. (This is not a problem for her as she is past the 'pause and has a low to non existent sex drive anyway but I guess I still have loads of alpha male baggage which I have difficulty with. I asked her if she ever fantasised about a "real" man - she said no and gave me a verbal thick ear but the worry and guilt persist that somehow I've "fallen short". She is happy to look forward to a time when she has a "sister". In the end if I could miraculously transition with nobody remembering my old self except Cat I would do it instantly but the next steps scare me and I haven't got a professional to talk me through it. I guess the main problem is that I have zero confidence in my ability to pass in public. When the gender clinic wrote to my doctor they saw this as a big issue and strongly recommended I contact a trans group to see what is possible so does anyone know of such in the manchester / liverpool UK area? Oh dear this must sound really daft but guess I just needed to release the pressure.

    Thanks for listening, Robyn xxx

     

      May 14, 2018 11:11 AM BST
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  • Hi everyone!

    Its been a long time since I last posted but that's cos little has changed since May. Still waiting for my Leeds gender Clinic slot and still on the herbs with 3 monthly liver / kidney blood tests courtesy of my GP and still xdressing in the house. At least I have now got a proper A cup chest and my body hair growth is thinning right down which is nice. Da wife suggested I got my ears pierced (which I haven't had the nerve to do) and also that I grow my hair out. After some months its now starting to grow past the "yuck, can't do anything with it stage"and am wondering what to do with it regarding a softer unisex hairstyle? (Although it is rather thin for comfort on the crown it is acceptable as I'm 6' 1" so most people can't see and the boss / wife has told me she will call a halt should I start to look like something from Status Quo! - I'm hoping it will thicken when I finally get on proper hormones.) Anyway I am going to have to go to a proper stylist soon to bring it under control so the questions are:

    1. Does anyone know any Trans friendly hair stylists in the Chester / Manchester / Merseyside area?

    2. Any good websites for unisex style ideas for middle aged wavy fair / grey hair?

    Hope you guys have some ideas as this is rather new (career short back and no sides before retirement although it was somewhat more relaxed at university)!

    Robyn xxx

      December 3, 2018 3:53 PM GMT
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