Going to see doctor next week.

[Carvery Carly]

Hiya,
I've booked a double appointment to see the doctor a week today (20th June) at 11.10am.
My appointment is with a female doctor.
The last time I briefly mentioned my GD to my doctor, he told me to make a double appointment as there is a lot to discuss. I never got round to making the appointment. Too scared was one reason. Anyway, the doc I originally saw has now left the practice.
I've finally plucked up the courage to make an appointment as my GD feelings are still with me. They usually fade away slightly, but they're always there (at the back of my mind).
Bit concerned about seeing a female doctor about it. Probably no reason to though. It's me being silly, I guess.
What concerns me more is, if I have to go see a therapist - where it will be and how I'm going to get there?
Guess all I can do is wait and find out to see what she says at the doctors.
Think it's going to be a long week.

Any advice, much appreciated.
Thanks Girls.
Carly. (Girl in waiting (and waiting)) ;-):daydreaming:

[Katesback]

Go as a boy and I am guessing the doctor will listen to you and then refer you to a therapist. Go as a girl with a decent presentation and the docor will take you seriously.

[Carvery Carly]

Go as a boy and I am guessing the doctor will listen to you and then refer you to a therapist. Go as a girl with a decent presentation and the docor will take you seriously.

Was thinking of going slightly en femme - top and trousers (probably girlie combats or jeans - they fit me better than boy trousers) and extremely close shaved.
Wouldn't I have to see a therapist as well?

[Katesback]

OK so I meet someone on the street and they tell me they are transsexual MtoF. The person I am looking at is a man in my eyes. Do I take them seriously? No. I cannot. A doctor is going to be the same way. He does not know if you are nuts or really a transsexual. On the other hand a girl is in front of him and she has her act toghether. That my dear would be a different story.

Wearing femal jeans and shirt does not help much. Lots of gay men do this so you could just be a girly man in his eyes. Another reason I am so agaisnt gender screw presentations.

[Zenith]

If it's your initial appointment to talk about GID, don't worry. Dress how you feel. A health care professional isn't going to care at this stage. They know you haven't started transition. Now if you were to show up for your hormones or SRS! not comfortable looking the part, then there may be questions...

[Cathy38c]

When I opened up to the doctor about my desire to wear women's underwear, he listened to me seriously, and understood my desire. He knows that at 61, and newly divorced, that I do not have a sexual relationship, and that I still have needs but I enjoy the panties and bra route.

[Kaitlyn Michele]

i went to my first appointments in a blue pin stripe suit, nice tie, etc... i don't see how you are dressed has one bit of importance.

you need to be honest with the doctor, even to the point of saying you are very nervous.

i don;t know how it works in the UK, so for more details you need to get the UK folks to chime in..

[karenhunni]

hi carly , im from the uk and when i went to my gp he listened and was very nice said he had to talk to the others in the practice then refered my to a gid clinic , it realy is as easy as that .

[Katesback]

I was asked for clarification on what I meant. It goes back to the telling vs. presenting the person you are. A huge difference it is.

Simply put talk is cheap!

[Carvery Carly]

hi carly , im from the uk and when i went to my gp he listened and was very nice said he had to talk to the others in the practice then refered my to a gid clinic , it realy is as easy as that .

Do you think I'd be able to resolve anything with a double appointment? In other words, do you think I'd get things moving after speaking to them or do you think I'd have to go back another time and go through what I said first time?
I guessing I'd need several appointments but I just want to get some answers there and then.

[karenhunni]

in my case carly i only had to see my gp the once for a referal to the gid clinic , when you get eventualy to the clinic to speak to a therapist you will have more than one session with them .

[Carvery Carly]

in my case carly i only had to see my gp the once for a referal to the gid clinic , when you get eventualy to the clinic to speak to a therapist you will have more than one session with them .

What concerns me more is, if I have to go see a therapist - where will it be and how I'm going to get there? I can drive but time constraints could put a dampener on things.
Guess all I can do is wait and find out to see what gets said at the doctors.

[karenhunni]

yes unfortunatley carly you will just have to wait and see huni .

[Hope]

Go, talk, be frank and honest about how you feel. Expect to see a therapist - it is a part of the process for good reason, I have yet to meet a healthy girl who doesn't see a therapist.

Don't worry about dressing in any particular way. Dress as you are comfortable. I went to my first appointment with my therapist in my clergy blacks (I had hospital visits to do after our appointment). Contrary to some views here, the doctors are not big bad wolves there to judge you or hold you back. With very few exceptions, (and you will know if you have one of those right away) they are there to help you and keep you safe while you navigate this bewildering process.

[Sandra]

This thread (http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?131324-Questions-amp-Issues-for-NHS-United-Kingdom-Members)may help as well, as it is more for girls in the UK how the GPs, PCT ect work.

[Teri Jean]

Carly, I remember those feelings a couple years ago and it is nerve racking but you can do it.

When I decided I needed to seek a therapist I had a general yearly physical planned so I used the moment to talk to my GP about it. What I had not planned on was he had a med-student working with him that day. She was the cutest and sweetest girl, she made a very uncomfortable situation such a pleasent one with her understanding approach. I had to come out twice in one hour to my doctor and this assistant. He had his list of references, in his head, and when the appointment was done I was set to start my therapy as soon as I could schedule an appointment.

My experience was to trust your doctor and be frank, discuss options and what will work best for you. I wish you the best and hold your head high. Hugs Teri

[Rianna Humble]

Hi again Carly, I'm so glad that you have managed to book this double appointment with one of the GP's at your practice. When I needed to do the same thing, I actually chose a lady doctor because I feel more at ease than I would discussing this with one of the male doctors.

As Kaitlyn has said, be honest with the doctor and be prepared to tell her how nervous you are, she will understand. As for how you present, don't worry about what others have said (myself included), just go how you feel most comfortable. I wore drabs apart from my shoes, for the first visit to my doctor.

You may have to see a doctor in the local Mental Health practice before you get referredto the Gender Clinic, they are there to check that you will be getting the right support and whether you have any other mental health needs besides your Gender Dysphoria.

When I went to the local Mental health practice doctor, I was dressed and although my appointment was only suppose to last for 1 hour and it only felt like a very short time, I was actually with her for around 80 minutes. At the end, she confirmed that in her opinion my only mental health need was to address the Gender Dysphoria and promised to send her recommendation "right away" - I was over the moon! Then of course, I learned that "right away" does not mean the same thing in NHS terms as in ordinary English because it was 3 weeks before my doctor got her report :sad:

My GP has given me a standing invitation to go and see her at any time to discuss my Gender Dysphoria, RLE etc. Her approach is that she wants to undertake the journey with me as I become the woman I have always known that I am.

From Redditch there is a fairly high chance that you will be referred to Charing Cross in London, if that is the case, your best bet is to travel by public transport.

[Badtranny]

Sheesh Carly don't get yourself so worked up. ;-)

This is about self discovery so relax and do what feels right to YOU.

There are plenty of girls who will tell you exactly what to do and how to do it, but at the end of the day you're gonna be walking in that Dr's office all alone. Further, if you are really TS, than you will be facing countless obstacles all alone. This process is long and painful, but it's also wonderful if you can really be true to yourself.

Above all, be true to yourself.

-Melissa

[Alicia Ryanne]

Im not in the UK, but for my own experience, I brought up the GID to my GP and she really was not trained to do anything regarding it. So couldnt even give me a referral to a therapist cuz she didnt know any personally that had gender experience. Shes a great doctor, and I luv her to death, but she simply hasnt dealt with many if any at all trans patientds before...shes still kinda young.
So...that left me with trying to figure out a therapist on my own. I kinda put it off for awile, but finally had my first therapy session today. I dont feel any different now then before the session. Im not expecting some miracle to suddenly happebn, but it was justy kinda non chalant etc. She took me 100% seriousply and no I wasnt dressed to the nines either. Pair of girly shorts, fem purple sneakers, salon acrylic nails and thats it. I was just wearing comfortable clothes. A therapist wants you to be honbest, they dont care what your wearing. I know some TS ppl that have been on hormones for over 2 years and they've always just gone to the therapy sessions in t-shirt and jeans. Its all about whats in your head, not what clothes you have on at any given moment.

[Carole Cross]

Hi Carly, when Iwent to see my GP, I was dressed as a male and he did take me seriously and then referred me to a counsellor, working at the practice. After a few sessions with her I was sent for an appointment with a local psychiatrist to get a referral to Charing Cross GIC. For the psychiatrists appointment I was dressed as a woman.

[Kaitlyn Michele]

What concerns me more is, if I have to go see a therapist - where will it be and how I'm going to get there? I can drive but time constraints could put a dampener on things.
Guess all I can do is wait and find out to see what gets said at the doctors.

As in all things, just give it best efforts.. as you can tell alot of us have said we were very anxious about our first meetings. What's most important is that you are able to express your feelings honestly.. everything else will just happen..

for my first therapy i mentioned the suit and tie..i left out how angry and red faced i was
i was 20 minutes late..i left work at the last minute, got caught in traffic..etc.....during the session, the therapist kept saying..slow down..and i kept staring at the clock ticking down...
it was not the "presentation" i was planning for..hehe... ahhhh those were the days

[Jessica212]

Don't worry about how to present. Every time I've had a first appointment with a doctor or a therapist, I've presented as male, and they all listened and fully understood. If they have an expertise in treating trans patients, they will understand regardless of your presentation.