[Freiheit]

Does sperm need to be stored (if desired) at the point of Zoladex prescription? That's fairly expensive isn't it?.

[deirdre_dub]

Originally Posted by Freiheit

Does sperm need to be stored (if desired) at the point of Zoladex prescription?

I would recommend storing sperm before your first Zoladex injection. I know that for me, my libido fell off the edge of a cliff when I went on Zoladex.

That's fairly expensive isn't it?.

I'm not sure - I think it might be something like EUR 150 per year or something of that order (I didn't do it myself).

However, the narrow-minded idiots this side of the Irish Sea might not let you store sperm. One person I know was told that they weren't going to do it for her because she didn't have cancer, and that was the only reason they could see for anyone wanting to store sperm. However, there is no problem going to the UK to do it.

[Freiheit]

That really is bizarre......As I said seeing Dr O Shea at end of October, just after the clocks go back....and I'll quiz him......

[Itzy]

I was just wondering is it possible possible to ring Dr Kelly in Dublin Straight off and make an appointment. I'm waiting to see a local Psychiatrist at the moment here in the midlands, I just don't want to be bounced around for months before I ge to see the right people. Like most people here I'm sure, I'd love to just jump straight to hormones

[Freiheit]

It is if you contact his number directly. James Kelly's number is available from Fiona Armstrong at Teni.

However there is an illusion that James Kelly is the only option. I see a Psycho-sexual therapist, who is based between Limerick and Athlone with exactly the same role. She has referred me to Dr O'Shea after a number of sessions. I assume other Psycho-sexual therapists,with the HSE could so similar.

I'm not saying that James is better or worse, but he isn't the only option

Immediate access to hormones rightly isn't an option, some form of assessment makes sense.

[Links234]

Originally Posted by Freiheit

Immediate access to hormones rightly isn't an option, some form of assessment makes sense.

I have to disagree with you, I think that hormones should be immediately and freely available

Most of the MtFs I've spoken to online over the past year have been self-medicating with hormones they've purchased from online pharmacies. I don't know if you can do that in Ireland, what pharmacies would ship to Ireland, or if you'd have trouble with customs or not. but I really do think that it would be in the best interests of trans people everywhere if they had free access to hormones without any kind of gatekeeping, just being made informed of the risks.

On some of the trans sites I visit, a lot of people who are questioning or aren't 100% sure they're are given advice to just try hormones for a while and see how they feel, and are given recommended starter dosages. A lot of people would say that they weren't sure until they tried hormones by self medicating, and then they felt right, it was then they knew. I think this could be the difference between someone going on to lead a happier life, and struggling with gender issues for many more years.

an article I read some time ago that was written by a FtM transitioning in the UK, he had some doubts, but was always afraid to bring them up for fear that they'd stop his hormone treatment. it ended up that he had to pay for independent counseling to help him through issues that, if he brought up with the NHS, he was certain they'd postpone or halt his transition.

I firmly believe that hormones should be freely available to anyone considering transition, and that psychologists, counselors and other professionals should be there for support, if the person needs it. Their roles shouldn't be to gatekeep or asses people for hormonal treatment, only to support them if needed.

But I'm a radical

[mango salsa]

I'm not so sure self diagnosis and self meditating is a good idea myself

[deirdre_dub]

Originally Posted by Links234

I really do think that it would be in the best interests of trans people everywhere if they had free access to hormones without any kind of gatekeeping, just being made informed of the risks.

I'm not so sure that's a good idea. I've met more than one transvestite who went through a phase of being absolutely certain that transition was right for them, but later realised that their "certainty" was actually just the euphoria of expressing their gender. There is such a thing as what one of my friends calls a "24-hour transvestite" - i.e. someone who needs to live expressing themselves as female, but yet for whom transition isn't right.

Also, the "gatekeeping" that Dr. Kelly and others perform is, I think, quite "mild" - I told Dr. Kelly stuff about my past that I was afraid would swing him against me, and he hardly batted an eyelid.

A lot of people would say that they weren't sure until they tried hormones

For me, hormones made it crystal clear why my decision to transition was the right one, but I still wouldn't have dreamt of self-medicating.

by self medicating

Please don't do that. HRT is a pretty damn radical thing to put your body through, and you need medical supervision IMNSHO.

I think this could be the difference between someone going on to lead a happier life, and struggling with gender issues for many more years.

If you are struggling with gender issues, please talk to someone about it. If transition is right for you, they won't stand in your way. Their role is to help you be the fully happy person you were meant to be.

an article I read some time ago that was written by a FtM transitioning in the UK, he had some doubts, but was always afraid to bring them up for fear that they'd stop his hormone treatment.

It is, I think, important to get those issues and fears dealt with before you start - otherwise, your transition will be "marred" by them. And, seriously, the professionals are (or should be!) there to help you.

it ended up that he had to pay for independent counseling to help him through issues that, if he brought up with the NHS, he was certain they'd postpone or halt his transition.

I'd question if he had to pay for that counselling, though I understand why he did.

I firmly believe that hormones should be freely available to anyone considering transition

I actually disagree. The psychological impact of transition could end up being a crutch for someone who actually has other issues that they need to deal with.

Their roles shouldn't be to gatekeep or asses people for hormonal treatment, only to support them if needed.

I see what you call "gatekeeping" as just another form of support. I found Dr. Kelly to be very anxious that I start hormonal treatment as soon as was possible.

[deirdre_dub]

Originally Posted by ItsThatManAgain

I was just wondering is it possible possible to ring Dr Kelly in Dublin Straight off and make an appointment.

Yes, it is. He works from his Dublin office on Saturdays.

I'm waiting to see a local Psychiatrist at the moment here in the midlands, I just don't want to be bounced around for months before I ge to see the right people.

Your psychiatrist may be able to perform the same job as Dr. Kelly - I'm not sure. In any case, if you go in the direction of getting surgery, you will need to see your psychiatrist anyway.

Like most people here I'm sure, I'd love to just jump straight to hormones

You will see Dr. Kelly at least 3 times. He will then refer you to Loughlinstown hospital. Expect the process to take at least 3 months, possibly as many as 6 or 9 months.

[deirdre_dub]

Originally Posted by Links234

I don't know if you can do that in Ireland, what pharmacies would ship to Ireland, or if you'd have trouble with customs or not.

You will find pharmacies on the internet that will ship to Ireland. However, you don't know what you will be getting, and you most certainly will be in trouble with customs if you are caught.

Please resist the temptation to self-medicate. HRT is a huge thing to be doing to your body, and you really need to be looked after by a professional. And they are, actually, anxious (in their own way) to help.

[Freiheit]

Can't agree Links. People do go through phases of uncertainty and (not talking from experience but common sense) the impact of hormones on the body can be severe and cause permanent changes. Such should not be available simply on demand,no more than most other treatments. There has to be some moderate level of assessment.

As for what Deirdre says about post possibly being intercepted. My now ex-girlfriend twice sent me chocolates and the customs opened the chocolates!....so I'd say the odds on medicine being also examined are quite high!

[Lilith306]

Has anyone got a letter for surgery before, how long did it take to get it and what kinda stuff did they look for. Also if anyone has who did you get it from was it Dr. Kelly or does it have to be someone Dr O'Shea sets up.

Reason I am asking is I wish to have it done next summer straight after college term so I have time to recover before the next year starts. I have changed my name and got all the other stuff changed but do not know how to get the ball rolling on getting the letter and my next appointment with Dr O'Shea is not till October but if I can starts thing going before then I would like to.

[deirdre_dub]

Lilith,

If you want to get surgery that quickly, I believe you will need to go privately. Dr. Kelly can help you with that.

It basically isn't possible to get surgery as a public patient within about 2-3 years of starting HRT - due to the "caution" they take to not make a "mistake".

D.

[Lilith306]

Originally Posted by deirdre_dub

Lilith,

If you want to get surgery that quickly, I believe you will need to go privately. Dr. Kelly can help you with that.

It basically isn't possible to get surgery as a public patient within about 2-3 years of starting HRT - due to the "caution" they take to not make a "mistake".

D.

Oh I am looking for private all right, but you still need the letter so I might contact Dr Kelly directly so, although I have not seen him since the referral to the endo, do you know what he requires for the letter like the amount of time on the RLT and stuff like that and how do they count the start of the RLT is it from your name change?

[deirdre_dub]

Originally Posted by Lilith306

Oh I am looking for private all right, but you still need the letter so I might contact Dr Kelly directly so, although I have not seen him since the referral to the endo, do you know what he requires for the letter like the amount of time on the RLT and stuff like that and how do they count the start of the RLT is it from your name change?

I have no idea. He abides by the rules of the clinic in Thailand that he refers you on to - I don't know what those rules are (and I think they may have actually changed recently).