FTM place to vent and talk

[Linus]

Originally Posted by GraffitiBoi

Hi guys. Just popping in here to vent for a minute.

I called the trans clininc where I live today so I can get back on T. I was on T for 7 years before having to stop while my regular doctor took care of some medical issues I had. I'm now healthy enough to go back on T (yay!) so I called up my old clinic. Ummm... wtf??? The woman I talked to said because it's been a couple of years I have to start the process over. Intake, eval, therapy, etc. before going on T. Huh? Why? I did all that before. I've also had my top surgery and my hysto (I don't plan on having lower surgery) and have been living as male for 12 years. So explain to me why I have to go through all the hoops again to prove that I'm trans?

I can understand needing to do lab work and physical before being allowed to get my prescription again. That's common sense. But to have to go through the initial eval and therapy that I went through back in 2000 when I first started transition??? It's been 12 years since I started my journey, I'm pretty sure this isn't 'just a phase'. LOL

My family Dr would write me the script, but I want to go through the clinic since they know what to keep an eye out for when I have my labs and follow up appointments.

Anyway... I just needed to get that off my chest and let out a little steam. Thanks for listening!

That sucks! I could see lab work/physical but I'd imagine that unless you stopped because you questioned the choice then it'd make sense to do the rest... Hopefully they make it a quick process (when I started in NYC, they were surprisingly quick for me).

[GraffitiBoi]

Originally Posted by Linus

That sucks! I could see lab work/physical but I'd imagine that unless you stopped because you questioned the choice then it'd make sense to do the rest... Hopefully they make it a quick process (when I started in NYC, they were surprisingly quick for me).

If they schedule me with who I think they will... I can get the script after the first appointment. My appointment is in January. It still bugs me though. As it is I'm struggling with my insurance to cover it. It's not normally covered but I'm fighting it under 'continuity of care.' My employer can go and have it included in the benefits package but our company is just too huge to go that route (very large world-wide corporation.)

[Linus]

Originally Posted by GraffitiBoi

If they schedule me with who I think they will... I can get the script after the first appointment. My appointment is in January. It still bugs me though. As it is I'm struggling with my insurance to cover it. It's not normally covered but I'm fighting it under 'continuity of care.' My employer can go and have it included in the benefits package but our company is just too huge to go that route (very large world-wide corporation.)

Why would be a large company prevent them from having it covered? Lots of large companies have it (e.g., Microsoft, Google, etc.). I'm currently trying to get my company to get it (we also a large global company) but it's been a fight for a while yet.

[GraffitiBoi]

Originally Posted by Linus

Why would be a large company prevent them from having it covered? Lots of large companies have it (e.g., Microsoft, Google, etc.). I'm currently trying to get my company to get it (we also a large global company) but it's been a fight for a while yet.

I should have clarified... It doesn't prevent them from covering it. They are pro LGBT everything. It just makes it a long hard process for me to get it included.

[Hominid]

I'm surprised your regular doctor, after being on it for so long, doesn't feel comfortable prescribing it -

[GraffitiBoi]

Originally Posted by Hominid

I'm surprised your regular doctor, after being on it for so long, doesn't feel comfortable prescribing it -

She'll prescribe it but doesn't know enough to monitor it from a transgender perspective. I had a condition that progressed rapidly due to T use and it wasn't caught. I ended up having surgery to fix the issue, and the damage to several of my internal organs. I'm fine now and will have no more problems when on T again, but my Dr thinks it would be better for me if I go to a clinic that knows more about transgender patients. She's still willing to write the script for me, but I guess I want to play it safe as well.

[DMW]

Originally Posted by GraffitiBoi

She'll prescribe it but doesn't know enough to monitor it from a transgender perspective. I had a condition that progressed rapidly due to T use and it wasn't caught. I ended up having surgery to fix the issue, and the damage to several of my internal organs. I'm fine now and will have no more problems when on T again, but my Dr thinks it would be better for me if I go to a clinic that knows more about transgender patients. She's still willing to write the script for me, but I guess I want to play it safe as well.

Definately, good to go local and do labs...Sorry that you have had trouble in the past. Sounds like an endocrinologist...etc...and more specialists may be necessary. You don't have to go into details here. I am glad that you are being careful.
Gotta have the labs...after you start...at least 3 months post. I think that you are going the right route and doing the right thing.

[Kent]

Originally Posted by GraffitiBoi

She'll prescribe it but doesn't know enough to monitor it from a transgender perspective. I had a condition that progressed rapidly due to T use and it wasn't caught. I ended up having surgery to fix the issue, and the damage to several of my internal organs. I'm fine now and will have no more problems when on T again, but my Dr thinks it would be better for me if I go to a clinic that knows more about transgender patients. She's still willing to write the script for me, but I guess I want to play it safe as well.

Would you mind discussing what the condition was and/or the effects of T on the condition? If you choose to discuss the condition, would you tell us about the damage to the internal organs too? I'm just curious as to what it was all about as we do not get a lot of information shared between us when there is a problem with taking T. If you'd be willing to put it out there, I'm sure other trans guys will appreciate it as well as myself. If you don't feel comfortable speaking about it, then I can understand and respect your choice. Thank you for sharing what you have already posted, Graff.