Trans Advice - Question and Concerns

Freiheit

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

deirdre_dub

Freiheit wrote: »

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......

L.Jenkins

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

Freiheit wrote: »

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

Annasopra

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

deirdre_dub

Links234 wrote: »

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

ItsThatManAgain wrote: »

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

Links234 wrote: »

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

deirdre_dub wrote: »

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

Lilith306 wrote: »

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).

c_loki

Hi, does anyone have information on making your voice more male?

Youtubers like candifla are amazing however it's mostly stuff on getting a female voice, are there any guides for those who want to get a more masculine voice (FTM)? I have tried googling for some but they don't seem to be as popular as MTF. Thanks

L.Jenkins

c_loki wrote: »

Hi, does anyone have information on making your voice more male?

Youtubers like candifla are amazing however it's mostly stuff on getting a female voice, are there any guides for those who want to get a more masculine voice (FTM)? I have tried googling for some but they don't seem to be as popular as MTF. Thanks

Does the hormones not help with this, like deepening of the voice like going through male puberty. If only it worked that way on female hormones. If you can't find anything, would you try a voice trainer?

EDIT: Check out CandiFLAs buddy, gendervictm (That's how his youtube name is spelt), an FTM. He maybe able to help.

c_loki

Hi, I think they do, I haven't started the process yet so I only know what I'm reading. I'm checking out his channel now, thanks.

deirdre_dub

F2M hormone treatment will make your voice break naturally, so there is no need to do any voice training.

Good luck!

L.Jenkins

Just made first appointment to see dr kelly in november

Eebs

c_loki wrote: »

Hi, I think they do, I haven't started the process yet so I only know what I'm reading. I'm checking out his channel now, thanks.

Hey,

Hormones will seriously deepen your voice alright but some trans guys try to keep talking in their old vocal range. That can lead to a sort of squeeky twang. So one thing to watch is to just go with it when your voice drops if you go on T (and oh will it drop).

All the best.

Chuchoter

@c_loki, hormones will deepen your voice. Most of the trans guys I know (who are before T) throw their voice, but they all seem to go too low and end up with this weird croaky quality to it that is so annoying. You could try a few voice training or singing lessons and tell them you want to bring your range down, I'm sure you could translate that into speaking. Consciously try to speak from lower in your chest, you probably only need to go one or two steps down, a whole octave will sound fake

Eebs

In my opinion it's mostly pointless to try lower your voice pre T. The only success I had was when I was hungover (your vocal chords are naturally lowered with the alcohol).

L.Jenkins

That's a big issue for me too. Trying to sound female or practice a female voice while on my own. Or should I wait until later.

Eebs

It's different for trans women. It's easier tp train your voice up rather then down. Also lowering the vocal chords with T is much easier then highering with E. Since the effects of T are hard to reverse.

Louisevb

Men speak from the chest, women from the throat.
Hormones may make a difference but not necessarily.
For m2f move the voice upwards, keep the range the same. Hold you hand on the chest and feel the vibration and work from there.
For f2m I have no experience of obviously but perhaps trying that may help pre hormones.

Freiheit

How much is hormonal treatment likely to cost? I currently do have a medical card.....what can I expect?

L.Jenkins

I think hormones are free on the medical card. If not i think its ?120 a month at the most.

Freiheit

How then does one get from Dublin City Centre to the hospital in Loughlinstown by public transport?.
danke schoen.

Louisevb

Medical card holders will get all hormones free of charge through the endocrinology unit in Loughlinstown hospital.
Costs without a medical card are estrogen around €24 for 25m 50m or 100m

Anti androgen injections you will only get through Loughlinstown or perhaps some other specialists, but the cost there is somewhere around €300 for one month and perhaps double that for the three month injection. On the perscription scheme you will pay around €90 approximately of that if you are working.
GPs can prescribe estrogen but only some can perscribe the anti androgen in jections, although they can do anti androgen in tablet form.

Louisevb

Freiheit wrote: »

How then does one get from Dublin City Centre to the hospital in Loughlinstown by public transport?.
danke schoen.

http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/Your-Journey1/Timetables/All-Timetables/145--/

The 145 from Heuston Station to Kilmacanogue
You need to be referred by a gp or Dr James Kelly

Freiheit

Oh I've been referred a long time ago......and does that bus take me to the gates of the hospital?

Eebs

Get off at the Silver Tassie pub (on your right) before the flyover. Then walk accross flyover bridge, hospital is right in front of you. Leave good tiem for bus as it's a bit of a long journey.

Freiheit

How long a journey roughly? Not looking forward to the travel to be honest......very awkward location and inconvenient time.....

Eebs

Freiheit wrote: »

How long a journey roughly? Not looking forward to the travel to be honest......very awkward location and inconvenient time.....

It's not that bad if the traffic isn't bad. 45min to an hour? Been a while since I got the bus from town.

The clinic is always on at 2pm and Loughlinstown doesn't get any closer - so don't expect any changes with that. If this is your first visit and you're not going to the clinic you'll be a lot quicker but if you're going to the clinic prepare to WAIT. And wait. And wait.

Basically, bring an interesting book. I was there 4 hours last time. (Though it quickly becomes a bit of a social occasion since I always see people I know now.)

Freiheit

My appointment is 9.30am which is a time made in hell,especially when coming from well down the country......and told that's the latest appointment available!

Louisevb

Generally the first appointment is really early... I knew someone from Cork who had to be there for 8am... Not sure what the reasoning is on this one if there is a reason

deirdre_dub

Louisevb wrote: »

Anti androgen injections you will only get through Loughlinstown or perhaps some other specialists, but the cost there is somewhere around €300 for one month and perhaps double that for the three month injection. On the perscription scheme you will pay around €90 approximately of that if you are working.

You need to be registered for the drugs payment scheme. Under that scheme, you pay a maximum of EUR 120 per month for all of your prescriptions, regardless of how many or what they are. So you get your anti-androgen, your estrogen, and if you get a sniffle, you can get your prescription for that too for your EUR 120 per month!

Louisevb

deirdre_dub wrote: »

You need to be registered for the drugs payment scheme. Under that scheme, you pay a maximum of EUR 120 per month for all of your prescriptions, regardless of how many or what they are. So you get your anti-androgen, your estrogen, and if you get a sniffle, you can get your prescription for that too for your EUR 120 per month!

Thanks Deirdre
My figures there are a tad out of date

Freiheit

Checked out the 145 bus, takes an hour and a half to get to Loughlinstown, even more demanding than I feared!:)

Louisevb

no.. That is the time for the whole journey from city centre to Kilmacanogue.
Roughly from Stephens Green around half an hour...

Freiheit

Oh I was looking from Heuston....so it would be faster from the Green?

L.Jenkins

Anyone have any information on a Dr. James Lucey of St. Patricks hosipital in Dublin. I just got a referal for the 21st of this month and I'm curious. Is he a GID specialist?

Eebs

He's grand but I hated him. He was very nice and polite to me in his office. We chatted, he took incessant notes and he gave me my letter. Never saw him again and I like to keep it that way. If I had a choice I'd have seen someone else but I didn't.

Very into pathologisation stuff is all I'll say. Get what you need, don't waffle and get out.

And don't worry, I'm not trying to put you off - he's just not someone who loves his work with the trans population I think. We're more of a chore. It'll be fine. He's just not my favourite guy.

Louisevb

Eebs wrote: »

He's grand but I hated him. He was very nice and polite to me in his office. We chatted, he took incessant notes and he gave me my letter. Never saw him again and I like to keep it that way. If I had a choice I'd have seen someone else but I didn't.

Very into pathologisation stuff is all I'll say. Get what you need, don't waffle and get out.

And don't worry, I'm not trying to put you off - he's just not someone who loves his work with the trans population I think. We're more of a chore. It'll be fine. He's just not my favourite guy.

I found Dr Lucy to be very good. Friendly and very interesting to talk to. I wouldn't have a problem with him at all. I hear so many people complaining about him and quite honestly I cannot ever see why.
Take him as you find him and just be yourself that's my advice

Freiheit

I read a paper he wrote on Obsessive Compulsive disorder....very impressive....now what has that got to do with Gender Dsyphoria?...

L.Jenkins

Thanks for the information on what to possibly expect. I seen he had done research into OCD and was wondering why I was being sent to him.

Freiheit

I had heard though that he was no longer taking gender dysphoria patients?...Psychiatrists, by the nature of the profession tend to pathogenise a lot....It's part of Psychiatry unnfortunately, more than most other caring professions.

L.Jenkins

I actually have an appointment with Dr Lucey Thursday week.

Freiheit

Oh that's obviously incorrect then........good luck!

L.Jenkins

Thanks I won't be discounting a visit with Dr. Kelly next month.