Trans Advice - Question and Concerns

L.Jenkins

Pretty much right. I'd be paying a mortgage without having the house just for treatment and thar doesn't include the expense of regular trips to Dublin for checkups with a specialist.

hare05

ItsThatManAgain wrote: »

Pretty much right. I'd be paying a mortgage without having the house just for treatment and thar doesn't include the expense of regular trips to Dublin for checkups with a specialist.

So I'm guessing you get medical card at a higher cut-off rate than people with less serious/expensive conditions (A friend has CF and technically can't make more than ~€60 a week or he loses prescription coverage).

L.Jenkins

hare05 wrote: »

So I'm guessing you get medical card at a higher cut-off rate than people with less serious/expensive conditions (A friend has CF and technically can't make more than ~€60 a week or he loses prescription coverage).

Ya. People with the likes of CF should be getting higher cut-off rates aswell. Hard to understand it.

hare05

ItsThatManAgain wrote: »

Ya. People with the likes of CF should be getting higher cut-off rates aswell. Hard to understand it.

It's silly though. He's living on that much through college, and technically he'd be both better off and have more benefits if he dropped out and went on the dole.

He had to reduce his hours working to keep his disability allowance, most of which is spent on petrol for emergency trips to the hospital when he COUGHS UP BLOOD. It's ridiculous.

WantToBeRose

I got my endo appointment!

It's in July, I can't wait! I'm feeling a bit nervous but also excited since something might actually start to happen for me. It's so strange that I was feeling really down the last few days about being trapped in this body, and now I get my appointment! I guess it makes one realise that things do brighten up

What exactly will happen at the appointment can anyone tell me? Will I have to see them a few times before I'm given anything to kick start this transition?

BlueSmoker

WantToBeRose wrote: »

I got my endo appointment!

It's in July, I can't wait! I'm feeling a bit nervous but also excited since something might actually start to happen for me. It's so strange that I was feeling really down the last few days about being trapped in this body, and now I get my appointment! I guess it makes one realise that things do brighten up

What exactly will happen at the appointment can anyone tell me? Will I have to see them a few times before I'm given anything to kick start this transition?

I'm sorry I didn't work out how to get a quick reply on this site,one thing though it dosen't come up in a search.

I've being reading through the thread, and I'm self confirmed TG, my family and friends know, I've being to Dr Kelly twice, two years ago, the fact is I'm in doubt, more to do with the fact, I don't consider it an mental illness, Ok what do I need to do from here, at this point I'm lost, in so many ways Please help. Thank you everyone for share you experiences I just blah de blab that sorry Sorry signed

Pixie, if it can help

deirdre_dub

BlueSmoker wrote: »

I'm sorry I didn't work out how to get a quick reply on this site,one thing though it dosen't come up in a search.

I've being reading through the thread, and I'm self confirmed TG, my family and friends know, I've being to Dr Kelly twice, two years ago, the fact is I'm in doubt, more to do with the fact, I don't consider it an mental illness, Ok what do I need to do from here, at this point I'm lost, in so many ways Please help. Thank you everyone for share you experiences I just blah de blab that sorry Sorry signed

Pixie, if it can help

Not sure what you are asking here - have you decided that you are ready to transition? If so, then there are two routes you can take - the public and the private.

If you are on a medical card, or if you are of limited means, then it's going to have to be the public route. What you need to do is to go back to Dr. Kelly and get him to refer you to the endocrine unit in Loughlinstown hospital.

If you have means, then you might consider the private route - I don't believe it would be all that more expensive than the public route, and you would get far better treatment. PM me if you are interested.

BlueSmoker

want

deirdre_dub wrote: »

Not sure what you are asking here - have you decided that you are ready to transition? If so, then there are two routes you can take - the public and the private.

If you are on a medical card, or if you are of limited means, then it's going to have to be the public route. What you need to do is to go back to Dr. Kelly and get him to refer you to the endocrine unit in Loughlinstown hospital.

If you have means, then you might consider the private route - I don't believe it would be all that more expensive than the public route, and you would get far better treatment. PM me if you are interested.

Oh Thank you, I ment I have no idea in how to check up replies on this site, and I used another handle. Do you think it would be ok for me to contact Dr Kelly after 2 years, and should I state (I know stupidly) that I don't think I'm wrong, I know I need help, but I don't consider myself ill *shurg* In saying that though I've no problem in going to a Pysch therapists (probably spelt that wrong) I've just seen some and they couldn't help me

Again Thank you for share the information you have xxx


I'm really sorry but I know I'm being forceful, but I can't seem to find my way around these boards, sorry again if I seemed that way, I wish you all the best everyone, I will look at in the morning, Sorry

It's ok I'm no one, I just love this thread, I'm also known as PixieDawn on another site, I really need to get my head around this, I've being told I'm not wrong who I am is me, but still I need someone else to tell me I need this, I'm sorry but, big but, and I realise I should, to find peace, ok I'm looking for advice, and happy to except it. And I think this thread is brilliant, thank you PixieDawn

This says it all http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMQ0Ryy01yE we can change everything, but not ourselves and who we are.


I want to put this video in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7Wrj9FkLB4 as well,

deirdre_dub

BlueSmoker wrote: »

Do you think it would be ok for me to contact Dr Kelly after 2 years, and should I state (I know stupidly) that I don't think I'm wrong, I know I need help, but I don't consider myself ill *shurg* In saying that though I've no problem in going to a Pysch therapists (probably spelt that wrong) I've just seen some and they couldn't help me

I can't see any issue with you going back to Dr. Kelly after 2 years.

Yes, you aren't "ill". However, if you want to transition, you are going to have to enter the medical system, and they aren't going to do anything for you without a "diagnosis". And Dr. Kelly is the person who can diagnose you.

You seen some psych therapists and they couldn't help you? What did you go to them with - were you asking them for help transitioning?

I'm really sorry but I know I'm being forceful, but I can't seem to find my way around these boards, sorry again if I seemed that way, I wish you all the best everyone, I will look at in the morning, Sorry

You are not being forceful at all!

BlueSmoker

deirdre_dub wrote: »

I can't see any issue with you going back to Dr. Kelly after 2 years.

Yes, you aren't "ill". However, if you want to transition, you are going to have to enter the medical system, and they aren't going to do anything for you without a "diagnosis". And Dr. Kelly is the person who can diagnose you.

You seen some psych therapists and they couldn't help you? What did you go to them with - were you asking them for help transitioning?
You are not being forceful at all!

Thank you so much, Ok I agree I have to except it, this is my diagnosis:) I'm starting to get happy with that, I've even chatted to really close friend about what I found here, thank you again. Ok I need a pyscho therapist, they have all told me to go away, and that I'm as sane as the bush in your back garden, edit the helped me as far as they could.

Can some please suggest a doctor or a physcio analysis, that could help please

deirdre_dub

BlueSmoker wrote: »

Thank you so much, Ok I agree I have to except it, this is my diagnosis:) I'm starting to get happy with that, I've even chatted to really close friend about what I found here, thank you again. Ok I need a pyscho therapist, they have all told me to go away, and that I'm as sane as the bush in your back garden, edit the helped me as far as they could.

Can some please suggest a doctor or a physcio analysis, that could help please

I reckon your best bet, seriously, is Dr. Kelly. He's been doing this for a long time, and he is well aware that sometimes people need time to fully come to terms with who they are. I can't imagine that he'll as much as bat an eyelid that you are getting back in touch with him after 2 years.

The only other alternative I can think of is Dr. Lucey in St. Patrick's hospital. Again, he's been doing it a long time. However, he is damn expensive.

Although, another alternative that might work is that you get your doctor to refer you to the Endocrine unit in St. Columcille's hospital in Loughlinstown (Dr. O'Shea), and they might refer you to an in-house psychiatrist. However, you will be waiting a very long time (months), and Dr. O'Shea won't prescribe hormones until after you've got the official diagnosis from the psychiatrist/psychologist. And the worst-case scenario with this method is that, after months have elapsed, you get to Loughlinstown, and then they tell you to go to Dr. Kelly! I supposed what you could do would be to get your doctor to write a letter to Loughlinstown to the effect of "please make an appointment for my patient to be diagnosed with GID (Gender Identity Disorder - the official name of the diagnosis) with a view to starting hormone treatment for her condition".

BlueSmoker

deirdre_dub wrote: »

I reckon your best bet, seriously, is Dr. Kelly. He's been doing this for a long time, and he is well aware that sometimes people need time to fully come to terms with who they are. I can't imagine that he'll as much as bat an eyelid that you are getting back in touch with him after 2 years.

The only other alternative I can think of is Dr. Lucey in St. Patrick's hospital. Again, he's been doing it a long time. However, he is damn expensive.

Although, another alternative that might work is that you get your doctor to refer you to the Endocrine unit in St. Columcille's hospital in Loughlinstown (Dr. O'Shea), and they might refer you to an in-house psychiatrist. However, you will be waiting a very long time (months), and Dr. O'Shea won't prescribe hormones until after you've got the official diagnosis from the psychiatrist/psychologist. And the worst-case scenario with this method is that, after months have elapsed, you get to Loughlinstown, and then they tell you to go to Dr. Kelly! I supposed what you could do would be to get your doctor to write a letter to Loughlinstown to the effect of "please make an appointment for my patient to be diagnosed with GID (Gender Identity Disorder - the official name of the diagnosis) with a view to starting hormone treatment for her condition".

Thank you again so much, I think your right, my best bet is to head back to Dr Kelly, he was really lovely, I just thought I messed it up big time, by being out of the loop so long, and I have to take responsibility for that, although I believe my reasons where sound, it was due to ill health with my mother. One more question, and thank you for your patience, unfornately I don't have a doctor, could someone suggest one from the Dublin city center South to Bray, Again Thank you, and I'm sure I will have many more questions Huggles xxx

BlueSmoker

Ok Hi I think after so much of a rant over the last few days, constantly asking questions( and thank you for answering them) I think you deserve to know a little about me.

Ok I'm Dawn or on some other web sites PixieDawn (please say hello if you meet me on your travels ) I don't need to go into boring details about discovering why I believe I'm transgendered, I would like to say thank you for this thread, and everyones posting in it, you have helped me so much. I'm out to my friends and family, but obviously haven't started tranistion. I don't know how much advice I can give, but I hope this little bit helps, when I came out to people, it always took the a while to process the information, I always told them that it wasn't a secret, that if they ever had any question, please ask me, and I will try to answer them honestly as best I can. See as others have said "coming out" is generally as scary for the other person as it is for us, and does take time to digest, Listening is the best thing to do, and also be honest to yourself, it's a balancing act, but something well worth mastering.

Once out of all my family and friends did I get a bad reaction, most of the time it was confusion and "why do I need to know this?" What I'm trying to say is that the scariest thing for us to do is be honest to who we love, most of the time people will except us, because they love us, just give them time to digest the information. I hope this helps and thank you again everyone for everything posted here. XXXX

deirdre_dub

BlueSmoker wrote: »

Thank you again so much, I think your right, my best bet is to head back to Dr Kelly, he was really lovely, I just thought I messed it up big time, by being out of the loop so long, and I have to take responsibility for that, although I believe my reasons where sound, it was due to ill health with my mother.

Dr. Kelly is well aware that there are legitimate reasons why people would take a break from engaging with him.

He isn't there to "test" you - he isn't keeping a scorecard.

WantToBeRose

I got my blood taken to be tested for hormone levels for Loughlinstown by my doctor tuesday. My arm has like, yellow bruises on it which are quite sore, is this normal after getting blood taken? I've never done it before this.

deirdre_dub

WantToBeRose wrote: »

I got my blood taken to be tested for hormone levels for Loughlinstown by my doctor tuesday. My arm has like, yellow bruises on it which are quite sore, is this normal after getting blood taken? I've never done it before this.

I've never experienced a symptom like that, to be honest. If you are concerned, maybe consult with your GP?

WantToBeRose

deirdre_dub wrote: »

I've never experienced a symptom like that, to be honest. If you are concerned, maybe consult with your GP?

I'll have to go back to get my test results at the end of the week so I'll show it to him them. It feel like theres a cramp it it at times, rather annoying

Meesared

WantToBeRose wrote: »

I got my blood taken to be tested for hormone levels for Loughlinstown by my doctor tuesday. My arm has like, yellow bruises on it which are quite sore, is this normal after getting blood taken? I've never done it before this.

Eh no that happens, particularly if the blood isnt taken as well as it should!

WantToBeRose

Meesared wrote: »

Eh no that happens, particularly if the blood isnt taken as well as it should!

Oh thats a relief, my arm looks like I have jaundice. My mother asked me what happened to it, all i could say was that I banged it off something. :pac:

littlehedgehog

Aye, if I ever have bloods taken, the bruises spread down my arm >.<

Meesared

Same goes here, i bruise like a peach!

Azure_sky

Same here. lol We'll all have to get used to bruising more easily on HRT.

WantToBeRose

Does anyone have any advice on how to acheive a flat stomach? I'd like to loose the excess fat before the hormones gives me more!

I know exercise and diet are the obvious options, but are there any foods or things that help? I take apple cider vinegar three times a day, it's meant to change fat cells or something

I'm probably silly for even asking this :pac:

Azure_sky

Hormones don't necessarily make you gain weight. They will however redistribute your body fat. So if you've got a few extra pounds on your stomach expect it to end up on your breasts and ass.:D

WantToBeRose

Azure_sky wrote: »

Hormones don't necessarily make you gain weight. They will however redistribute your body fat. So if you've got a few extra pounds on your stomach expect it to end up on your ass.:D

LOL! Oh well as long as it doesn't make my belly any bigger! I know the fat goes to where most females have fat normally, but does it also add to breast size?

Azure_sky

Yeah it adds to breast size too. The best way to gauge what you'll look like is your Sister(s). If you've got no Sister then I guess your Mom or first cousin. Your genetically closest female relative basically.

WantToBeRose

I have no sisters so my mother is closest. Well thats good to know, she has a good size I'd be happy with them.

Freiheit

Just to say that there is no longer any need for people wishing to freeze their sperm to travel abroad. As a matter of policy ,the Galway Fertility are now happy to provide this service for people undergoing gender reassignment and indeed insemination for same sex couples too. A major breakthrough in service provision.

Galway Fertility Unit,
Brooklawn House, Galway West Business Park,
Western Distributor Road, Rahoon,
Galway
Tel 091 515600

WantToBeRose

Freiheit wrote: »

Just to say that there is no longer any need for people wishing to freeze their sperm to travel abroad. As a matter of policy ,the Galway Fertility are now happy to provide this service for people undergoing gender reassignment and indeed insemination for same sex couples too. A major breakthrough in service provision.

Galway Fertility Unit,
Brooklawn House, Galway West Business Park,
Western Distributor Road, Rahoon,
Galway
Tel 091 515600

Wow that is fantastic!

Freiheit

Yes worth noting for non-trans people too. Donor sperm there available from UK donors,not Irish as they said Ireland is too small and there'l always a chance of family connection somewhere.