This is just a little vent, comment if you like but I just wanted to get some thoughts out.
***edit*** Maybe this thread can serve two purposes. The first being me venting, the second being a request to others to help me see that injections really aren't a big deal.
Met with the endocrinologist again today to discuss my last blood work. Levels are all good though estrogen was still a little low despite, at the time, being on higher than the supposed max dose allowed in Canada for estrace. They've since switched me to patches, haven't had levels checked since the switch yet though (that's December). The doctor had no concerns overall with the latest results.
Despite no concerns on their part, I still feel like things are moving far too slowly. Yes, yes, I sound like a broken record. Though, at 16 months, I wasn't expecting the world, but I was hoping to see less of "him" in the mirror. I again inquired about injections. It's really bothers me that the doctors whose care I'm under have such little knowledge of them. One says their illegal in Canada, another says they've heard of them but highly doubt their efficacy, another isn't comfortable because they aren't regulated. Even my GP said he's never heard of them being prescribed for trans folk. Different stories from different people. The one commonality appears to be that they don't prescribe them in my city.
I'd be lying if I said I haven't considered self-medicating. Though, for the record, I know how stupid that is and will NOT be doing that...it's just tempting considering the continual roadblocks.
Why are injections important to me? My body seemed unresponsive to pills, liver was too efficient, I guess. Patches are annoying. No skin irritation (very little at least), but they themselves are annoying and don't seem overly practical for long term hormone administration. Now, I'm certain injections have their own set of annoyances but doing them once every couple weeks, not having to worry about passing through the liver, or silly stickers falling off from rubbing against clothing and/or leaving adhesive outlines. Also, and this is probably my naivety speaking, I believe just about every MtF I've spoken with and read about seem to have positive experiences with injections. My doctors question their efficacy yet in the examples I've seen, fully admitting I'm not a professional, they appear to be more effective. Naturally it all depends on the person...which probably negates much of what I just said. I also want injections because I simply wish to try them. After experiences with pills and now patches, I'd like to see if injections make any difference. They may, or they may not, I'd just really like to have them as an option. It's frustrating to be denied access to potential help.
Again, this is just a vent. Comments and input is always appreciated but not necessary here. I recognize I'm speaking out of frustration and may not be thinking straight. It just feels good to type and type and type sometimes.
