FTM place to vent and talk

GraffitiBoi · 11-28-2012, 08:59 AM

Quote:

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 · 11-28-2012, 09:04 AM

Quote:

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 · 11-28-2012, 09:55 AM

Quote:

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 · 11-28-2012, 11:38 PM

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

GraffitiBoi · 11-29-2012, 01:53 AM

Quote:

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 · 11-29-2012, 07:59 PM

Quote:

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.

alexri · 12-10-2012, 09:06 PM

I know I'm living a double life. It's draining. I'm myself when I can be, and I'm biologically female when I have to be right now... at work, with family, with friends who don't know. But every now and then I have a public experience that makes me have hope, and makes me see what I'm missing.

While I was out training last weekend, I passed a young girl and her mother on a bike path. I heard the girl say, "he's definitely a boy, but he looks like a girl. He must hate that."

A month ago, in an all women's race, I heard a young boy who was spectating say, "hey there's a guy in the race."

Kids get it before their minds are polluted by society. They question because they want to understand, but they don't judge.

Then, I got "sir'd" at the grocery store last night. I had my hat on, and was looking down, when the cashier said it to me. The glow on my face on the ride home could have lit up NYC.

Now, what I need is courage. The courage to stop thinking of all the "what if's" and go legally change my name. I need the courage this of how to handle this at work, especially knowing I am fully supported by HR. I need the courage to love myself enough to be myself all the time.

Kent · 06-19-2013, 01:55 AM

Quote:

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.

GraffitiBoi · 06-19-2013, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kent

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.

I'd be glad to share. I'm pretty open about myself and am always willing to share and educate if and when I can. I extend an open invite to ANYONE who wants to know more, or has questions. Feel free to ask me anything here or via PM if you aren't comfortable posting publicly.

From what my Dr. could tell, I developed endometriosis at the age of 14. It was mild and wasn't caught until the surgery. I had problems with it before I started T but it had never been detected, even after having a scope done in 1997. It didn't even show up in any ultrasounds or other tests I had up to, and including, the week before I had surgery.

When the Dr. went in to do the hysto she found that the scar tissue from the endometriosis had attached to several of my internal organs and fused them all together. (I have the pictures somewhere - gross) The only reason it progressed so far and to such a serious state was mostly my fault. The T sped up the process and since I waited 7 years to have the hysto... yeah...

I guess it was so bad that my Dr. stopped the surgery, called in a specialist and contacted all my emergency contacts. They did not know if I would make it though the repairs needed. Each organ had to be separated from each other and placed back into its correct position. My uterus and one ovary was removed. The other one was left because the possibility of being able to ever be on T again was not known. Due to the amount of damage and stress to my body they had trouble getting me to breathe on my own when I was in recovery.

To this day I still get some pain, but it is unclear if it is phantom pain (all in my head) or if it is due to some residual scarring. The Drs got as much of the scar tissue out as they could but there is always the risk some was missed. My remaining ovary is now giving me some problems and may have to come out at some point, but that is unclear at this time. I will be going to the U of MN gender clinic in the next few months to have it checked out and to resume taking T.

My advice to other trans guys: Get your shit checked out often and do what your Dr says!!! Don't be like me and ignore or put off the important stuff. LOL

11-28-2012, 11:38 PM	#4
Hominid Member How Do You Identify?: Male with interesting historical perspective Relationship Status: Taking Applications Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: In perpetual Wonder. And Western Mass. Posts: 254 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 417 Thanked 753 Times in 187 Posts Rep Power: 11507408	I'm surprised your regular doctor, after being on it for so long, doesn't feel comfortable prescribing it -

12-10-2012, 09:06 PM	#7
alexri Member How Do You Identify?: - Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: - Posts: 549 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,209 Thanked 2,799 Times in 468 Posts Rep Power: 21474850	I know I'm living a double life. It's draining. I'm myself when I can be, and I'm biologically female when I have to be right now... at work, with family, with friends who don't know. But every now and then I have a public experience that makes me have hope, and makes me see what I'm missing. While I was out training last weekend, I passed a young girl and her mother on a bike path. I heard the girl say, "he's definitely a boy, but he looks like a girl. He must hate that." A month ago, in an all women's race, I heard a young boy who was spectating say, "hey there's a guy in the race." Kids get it before their minds are polluted by society. They question because they want to understand, but they don't judge. Then, I got "sir'd" at the grocery store last night. I had my hat on, and was looking down, when the cashier said it to me. The glow on my face on the ride home could have lit up NYC. Now, what I need is courage. The courage to stop thinking of all the "what if's" and go legally change my name. I need the courage this of how to handle this at work, especially knowing I am fully supported by HR. I need the courage to love myself enough to be myself all the time.