July 2, 2010 11:43 AM BST
Hiya!
I started hormones as soon as I had 2 psychiatrists’ approvals, ie 2nd assessment, not forgetting I didnt start until I had given up smoking for 3 months to help reduce the risks of DVT. Someone could pay private and see 2 psychiatrists within a week and start almost straight away, so I believe. However, for UK girls, doing so, would negate access to any NHS care path in treating gender dsyphoria. Have to do it the NHS way if you want NHS treatment!
I changed my identity straight away as soon as I discovered the statuary declaration details courtesy of Lucy Diamond which allowed me to have a female driving license, bank accounts and so on, even before I went full time. It is free and immediate and I have passed on the same knowledge to a number of UK girls and I would be happy to continue, contact me
To me, it makes a lot of sense to have a two-year real life test before surgery is approved. When I first realised that it was possible for me to live in a female role I naturally wanted everything to happen in an instant. I didnt want to waste any more time spending my life in a male role and that is very common. I think two years is a good "cool down" period for people to seriously contemplate what they are entertaining.
For me, the 18 months I have been living full time so far has been just as much about my mental adjustment. After all, I spent 35 years in a male role and despite all my feminine characteristics and my gender dsyphoria feelings one doesnt pop on a dress and suddenly become a woman. I dont know how long it takes to physically become the person I see myself as. I also need to accept that I might only achieve a bad approximation.
The thing that concerns me and I have heard a number of stories are about individuals who say they are full time when they are not. They try to fool the psychiatrists in getting approved and so on. I think this is terribly silly as they arent giving themselves the opportunity to make informed and educated choices with how to treat their gender dsyphoria.
Love
Penny
x
July 2, 2010 12:40 PM BST
It is working out for me that it will be 2 years RLE for me by the time I have my surgery in December. I probably would have told you last October at the one year mark that I was ready and to some extent I may have been ready enough. Now at just over 1 1/2 years I must say I am far better prepared than I was at 1 year. I believe your confidence and presentation for lack of better words really blossom as time goes on. So I have to say yes, you can do it at one year, but two years is just that much better.
Hugs,
Marsha
July 1, 2010 10:14 AM BST
Penny I would refer you first to the law forum, the NHS .
http://gendersociety.com/[...]009674&
Care is an ongoing thing, If you suspect you had a minor heart attack yesterday make an appointment and then think oh it must just be indigestion,and you have a big one next week that does'nt exclude you from treatment. Its understandable that people cancel appointments at the last minute especially in the case of what they can't come to terms with at the time. Any understanding GP, would understand, when you go back and state you could'nt come to terms with it but the feelings still persist.
every GP gets a budget based on the ammount of patients they have in their practice, but basically don't want to incur new unsubstantiated costs, using other peoples funding allocation to prop up the costs of others, so as to not dig into their budgets and have a fall short at the end of the financial year. Unfortuanately GP's do not realy want to take on new patients within a catchment area that they see are going to cost them money, so perhaps changing GP's would not be very helpful. This person should insist and go to their local health care trust and explain, make a complaint if they are being refused treatment for what is now in law a recognised illness.
Medical treatment
It has been established by the courts that no National Health Service Health Authority has the right to deny treatment for gender dysphoria as a matter of policy. However, effective access to treatment varies wildly depending upon the policies of the individual Gender Identity Clinics - with some taking a more relaxed approach than others. Transsexual people frequently characterise some centres as arrogant and controlling. A minimum requirement of 24 months real life experience, before a surgical referral is permitted, is not uncommon; and many GICs will force patients to transition before they are allowed access to hormone replacement therapy.
A minimum requirement of 24 months real life experience, before a surgical referral is permitted, is not uncommon;
I think thats rather a sensible rule regarding surgery emphasis on surgery.
The rule on hormone treatments vary We have to understand that certain criteria have to be met before they start handing out/prescribing mones. The I want to stay a bloke but want big tits group springs to mind. Usually one will find that mones are usually prescribed within a couple of meetings with the therapists and getting a diagnosis and after having medical checks etc. Transitioning is'nt all about getting ones mits on mones, comes to identity, appearance, presenting attitude. showing one is serious.
it's no concern of your doctors whether you had asked before or not. some fat slobs get belly bands put on and taken off almost at whim so you have a perfect right to ask again.
sexchnage is legally seen as an illness and the proper cure is whatever therapy and surgery the person feels is necessary.. go read the verdict and arguments of the 1999 NWA Case.