Ask me anything:
http://www.formspring.me/transgenderlife
Hi I was just wondering how long it took for you to get the Sustanon after your GP prescribed it? The GIC i go to are writing to my GP to prescribe it and I’m just worried that its gonna be out of stock & take ages for it to be in stock
I think it ended up being about 2 weeks. From what I gathered, the Sustanon not being in stock was a one-off and isn’t something that happens regularly. Good luck with it all :].
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So today was the first time me being outed as trans to a stranger was actually addressed. I don’t really think of it as being outed though as - in the context - it wasn’t. Here’s what happened:
I was introduced to a friend of my brother’s as male. She didn’t know anything different, but when talking, I happened to mention that I’m 18. It was at a music festival, so we’d met at the start then we both went to see different bands, but met up again a few hours later. The second time we met, we talked a little bit (just small talk really) before she turned to me and awkwardly started up a conversation about me being trans by saying “So, you know with you… I mean… You’re in transition, right? To be male?” I was kinda surprised but glad that she used the right term (ie. “in transition” as opposed to “sex-change” or “want to be a guy”). I just said that yeah, I’m FTM. She then explained that my brother had told her because she’d said to him that I looked and sounded very young for my age, and was it related to my disability, to which he just said that I was trans. She continued to ask me a couple more questions about it about how long I’ve known, and how far I plan on going (ie. hormones/surgery wise), whilst being very polite about it and telling me that I didn’t have to answer the questions if I didn’t want to.
But I did answer the questions. And it was… well… fine. It’s the first time I’ve ever had to tell someone I’ve just met (other than a doctor) about my transition, and I’ve always thought that it would be awful and uncomfortable. And yeah, it was kind of uncomfortable, but I’m a bit awkward talking to new people anyway so it could’ve just been that. But then again, my ease with it all could have been down to the few pints of beer I’d had by that point… It’s just got me thinking about it all. Maybe I don’t need to hide my transgenderism from everyone. Maybe I can tell friends if I feel comfortable with it. I don’t know. It’s just got me thinking about the whole stealth VS. out thing. Perhaps I’ll make a stealth vs. out post sometime.
Yeah I just wanted to tell you that really.
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How I got on testosterone (UK)
Seeing as I had my first T shot today I thought it’d be appropriate to tell you how I got on testosterone. I’ve not found an abundance of information about getting T in the UK so I thought I should add what I can. Basically, I started on the NHS route in June 2010, before moving on to the private route in March 2011. I’ll just go over the timeline in more detail to help anyone in the UK who wants more info on the topic.
- Tavistock: I got to the Tavistock (the child and adolescent gender services) through a slightly short-cut route than usual. I believe most people have to go to their GP/CAHMS to get a referral there, but I was actually extremely lucky with my referral. Basically, I was required to see a psychiatrist as part of an orthapaedic rehabilitation course at my hospital. When I first spoke to her I didn’t mention any of my gender issues as I’d only been out for a month or so and didn’t want to rush in to anything medical before my parents had come to understand it properly. However, a few weeks after first seeing her, I noticed that my depression was getting a lot worse and that I needed to speak to someone. I still had her number so I rung up and arranged an appointment. In the appointment I just explained that I was transgender and that I would like to talk about it with someone. She listened carefully before explaining that she actually worked for the Tavistock and could get me a referral there asap. Because I was only 8 months away from turning 18 and was also very, very depressed she sped my referral up and I saw them in June.
- First appointment: My first appointment at the Tavistock was basically just going over my gender history and I’d been given some forms by my psychiatrist beforehand to fill in that were about gender identity, body dysphoria, general mental well-being, etc. I was introduced to my new psychiatrist (the one I’d been seeing before didn’t work there all the time so I was placed under the care of someone who did), we just talked about what I was hoping for, then my parents were invited in to talk about it with me.
- Hormone blockers: I was never actually put on hormone blockers but I was actually told that I was going to be on them within a few months of my first appointment. I was also told that I could well be on T by summer of 2011. Now, don’t get me wrong, I loved the Tavistock - I found them extremely useful, supportive, and just good to talk to - but I was very disappointed that neither the hormone blockers or testosterone happened in the time frame that I was told they would. If they had told me beforehand that getting testosterone in one year on the NHS was unlikely then perhaps I wouldn’t have been so disappointed (thus feeling the need to go private) when it didn’t happen.
- Subsequent appointments: I continued to have one appointment every month and they were extremely helpful with information and support. They allow other family members to come with you which I thought was fantastic. They even offered to talk to my sister about how she should explain it to my 4 year old nephew, they offered to give my grandparents some information on it, they offered to come and talk to my teachers about it, they were brilliant. It’s definitely a family-oriented service and although I’ve heard some people say that they were disappointed with the Tavistock, I personally found them fantastic.
- Turning 18: A couple of months before I turned 18, my psychiatrist at the Tavistock referred me to my local CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) just so I could have some extra support if I needed it. Personally I didn’t find CAMHS that useful. They rarely used the correct name (although strangely enough, used the correct pronouns - could never figure that one out!), and didn’t offer any great help. A meeting with myself, my CAMHS psychologist, my Tavistock psychiatrist and my mother was then arranged to discuss getting a referral to my local adult mental health services just in case the NHS wouldn’t allow me to continue at a child-based service after I turned 18. It was generally decided that I wouldn’t exactly need any more psychiatrist support but I was given the details anyway, should I ever feel I needed it.
- Post-18: I was referred to Charing Cross gender services though was allowed to continue seeing the psychiatrist at the Tavistock until I got my appointment for CX through. By this point I’d started to look in to going privately as I was still not on hormone blockers, and knew that even if I did start them, I’d be required to stay on them for a year before starting T, therefore realising that it would be a very long wait. I was lucky enough to have enough money to see the psychiatist at GenderCare for an assessment to get started on hormones.
- Private: I emailed GenderCare in about January time asking for an appointment in March (I came out in March 2010 so I figured it’d be appropriate to wait a year before getting started on medical treatment). It also meant that I would have enough time to see my GP and ask if he would be willing to prescribe testosterone on the NHS under the recommendation of a private doctor. Luckily, I have a very understanding GP who was willing to both prescribe the hormones (once recommended of course) and do the blood tests needed.*
- Private appointment: The assessment was generally consisting of the same sorts of questions I’d been asked at the Tavistock so it was nothing new. At the end of the appointment I was told that there would be no need to see the psychiatrist any more though I would have to see the private endocrinologist as my various medical conditions may have gotten in the way of which dose/type of testosterone I could take.
- Endocrinologist: The GenderCare psychiatrist told me that he would pass my number on the endocrinologist and that he’d be in touch soon. After about a month or so of not hearing from him I emailed him as a quick reminder. He said he’d pass my number on again, although I still heard nothing. Eventually I emailed him again explaining that I still hadn’t been contacted by the endocrinologist, and I was sent the endo’s number. Unfortunately, this wasn’t until about a month ago so it took 2 months after my initial assessment before I go to see the endocrinologist. Fortunately, I was given the nearest appointment that I could make, and after checking over the ins and outs of my medical conditions it was concluded that testosterone would probably make my conditions better! I was written the prescription there and then and told to go to my GP to get it filled/prescribed on the NHS.
- GP: I got an appointment with my GP 4 days after I’d seen the endocrinologist. Neither of us had yet received the letter from the endo in which he recommended me for T but I had the prescription to show him. My GP then wrote me an NHS prescription for 4 injections and told me to come back after I’d had those done so he could write a repeat prescription under the written recommendation of a specialist endocrinologist. I went the pharmacy straight after and was told to come and collect the testosterone the next day as they’d have to order it in. In the meantime I booked myself an appointment with the nurse to get it injected… and now I’m on T!
As some may know, there were a few problems with the Sustanon manufacturer so it was a bit stop-and-start from getting the ‘script to getting the injection, but you get the general idea! I hope this provides a bit more information on NHS/Private routes in the UK.
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*serum lipids, liver function test, prolactin, full blood count, LH, FSH, SHBG, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, oestradiol.
Post with 2 notes
15 minutes on T!
So T day is finally here. Managed to book a last minute appointment with the nurse and, yeah, it all went well! She injected it in to my arm which I wasn’t really expecting, but it was fine - she said it would hurt but I barely felt it to be honest.
Good day! :D
Got my T today!!!
Organon have finally sorted out whatever problem they had with the manufacturing of Sustanon and I now have 4 boxes of it. Just need to book myself an appointment with the nurse!
So excited!
Thanks for all the answers guys - they’ve really helped me and I’ve now pretty much decided (about 98% sure anyway!) that I will put ‘Transgender’ on the form. A lot of people suggested ticking both male and transgender but unfortunately you can only tick one on the form. However, it is best to be honest with them and if there are any problems relating to my being trans (like if someone found out and reacted badly for example) then I would be able to tell my boss without having to come out first as they would already know. If me being trans is bought up in the interview then I will explain that it is not something I wish to talk about and that I’d rather people didn’t know.
Thank you for the help everyone! :]
x-swith-x answered your question: Male, Female, Transgender
You could always choose trans and then just tell the managers that you would rather not have anyone else know.
Yeah, I’m leaning more towards this idea actually as I really do want this job. I’ve got a week before my application is due in though so I’ve got time to think about it… but there’s part of me that just doesn’t like seeing ‘Transgender’ on my application. Thank you for the suggestion though - it’s got me thinking that perhaps it’s a good idea, as it means that if I have any problems regarding being trans at work then my boss will know. I’m still really thinking about it though.
hewayimmade answered your question: Male, Female, Transgender
Trans isn’t a gender. The way I see it - maybe others are different - we are men first, and then we just happen to be trans. I’d tick both.
I completely agree with you - I don’t consider trans a gender either, and I don’t even identify as trans. I see it more as a medical condition. Unfortunately you can only pick one option on the form though which is even more annoying!
Post with 11 notes
Male, Female, Transgender
Quick question for you all - I’m applying for a job and it asks for your gender. There’s male, female, and transgender to pick from. I would rather not have them know that I’m trans and I would like to be stealth at work, so I don’t want this coming back to bite me in the bum! However, it’s an equal opportunities job and - as my mum pointed out to me - it ticks another box in terms of diversity and may help me get the job… Which I really, really want!!
I don’t really know what to do.
Any help?
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T-Kingdom binder
So I got my T-Kingdom binders through today. I took advantage of the 2-for-1 offer on the 490 model and thought I’d share my thoughts.
In terms of how it actually binds, it’s not great. You’re probably better off getting an Underworks tri-top if you want something that binds very well. However, I bought the T-Kingdom binders as I wanted a binder that was comfortable and I could wear just around the house (or perhaps at night if I’m staying at a friend’s house/a friend is staying at mine). It certainly works for that. I’ve been wearing it all morning and there’s no discomfort or extreme tightness and it gives me a flat-looking chest so long as there’s a t-shirt over it (although it depends on how what size the shirt is - results might not be great if you try it with a tight shirt). It’s not something I’d wear on a day-to-day basis as such but seeing as I really don’t like not binding even when I’m just in the house, it does it’s job. I guess it’s kind of like wearing a sports bra that’s a bit too small for you - not uncomfortable and flattens you out a little bit.
The velcro works pretty well. I thought it would be quite uncomfortable or would rub on my arm or something but it’s fine. One thing I’m not too keen on is the straps - they’re quite close to the neck so if you were going to wear a baggy t-shirt with a loose collar then the straps will probably show. I keep checking that they’re not showing near the collar of my shirt.
Overall though, I’d say it’s good product considering the price (£32/$52 for 2 binders). It’s worth wearing for just lounging around the house, or perhaps playing sports. Breathing isn’t restricted, there’s no discomfort, but binding results aren’t brilliant. One other thing I’d say is that if you have a mid-large size chest then this product may not work with you. I’m quite small chested so there’s not a lot to bind, which is probably why I get fairly good results.
http://www.t-kingdom.com/shopping/english/page490_english.shtml
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