seeing the GP for the first time help

[Georgie]

So I have made an appointment for Tuesday morning to see my GP and I plan to tell them that I am transgendered so I am crapping myself about it, but it has to be done to hopefully set the ball rolling.

I don't think I have the balls to go all the way and live full time as a woman (though that would be my dream come true) but I just want to find a place where I'm happy.

So what exactly happens and what should I say really?

I plan on making a list before hand of things that is on my mind etc.

But some advice would be helpful on the kind of things I should say etc

x

[Rianna Humble]

I think that the essential when you first broach it with your GP is to be brutally honest with yourself. You should definitely have an idea what you want to happen as a result of talking to your GP, but you don't necessarily need the answer to every question (s)he is going to ask.

If it is not your intention to transition, what exactly do you hope to gain by telling your doctor that you are transgender?

[Georgie]

I would love to transition but I don't think I am strong enough, but I hope by going to the gp I can get some help and support from them, their is a gender clinic near by which is by dr referel only, so hopefully I can get sent to them.

[LeaP]

A gender clinic by referral only? Where do you live?

If possible, I would seek other avenues for therapy first. It's rather unlikely that your physician would have much knowledge of transgender issues anyway. It may wind up being in your best interest to keep gender history out of your medical record at this point, too. A third potential point of concern is some possibility that your physician may react negatively. Although there is a tendency in the forum to say that medical personnel don't care, the fact is that medical discrimination has been identified by the Human Rights Campaign as one of the single largest issues in the trans community.

[Georgie]

taken from the transgenderni website

"(for contact only by a Health Care Professional)
Gender Identity Clinic for Northern Ireland"

I am seeing a gender councelier and she said I should speak to my gp :/

[sandra-leigh]

Right: it would help if you are able to answer (at least in part) if the GP asks you what you would like to do about the situation. For example are you asking for referral to therapy for the issue? Are you asking for treatment for depression? Are you asking for HRT? Are you just asking for estrogen and testosterone level blood tests to see how your levels stand at the moment? Are you asking for permission to dress when visiting the office, because you already regularly dress and don't like having to change to male to see your GP, or because it is one place that, for a few minutes, you want to be able to be yourself? Are you raising the subject because you need someone to vent to on the issue from time to time?

I do not myself agree with the notion of "only talk about it with your GP if you must". But I am not living in a system where my medical records are available to private insurers who are looking for excuses to deny coverage. So when I ask about what you want out of the situation, I do not mean to imply you should not tell your GP "unless you must": I am just suggesting you will get more out of the discussion if you know where you want to steer the conversation.

[LeaP]

Got it. Oh, the joys of nationalized healthcare. Good luck with your GP!

[emma5410]

I am in the UK and I told my GP that I was transsexual last July. He had never had a TS patient before but he was happy to treat me. I was self medicating and about to go private. Two things he was very unhappy about so it was a little tense. I have seen him several times since then and things are a lot more comfortable. I have also entered the NHS system. I am in England so I am not sure if it is the same in NI but I was referred to the Community Mental Health Team. The psychiatrist asked me if I was suicidal, self harming or had alcohol or drug problems. We talked about my life and then she agreed to refer me to a gender clinic. This is the standard procedure in England and Wales. Your GP should do the referral unless they have very good reasons not to. If they refuse then you are entitled to see another GP.

[Ann Louise]

Talk about a coincidence! I'm doing the same thing next Friday. I set up the visit to my GP using my clinic's email request system (knowing that his nurse would read it first). I stated in that email:

"I am engaged in an ongoing series of psychological counseling sessions with a local licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. ____________ for matters pertaining to gender dysphoria. I am interested in discussing this matter with you to the extent that you feel it is medically necessary at this point, and am interested in gaining your authorization for the series of blood tests necessary to establish baseline conditions in advance of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Although the timing for engaging in the course of HRT remains uncertain at this point, I would appreciate a solid understanding of my current blood levels of pertinent measures of concern, and your overall opinion of the suitability of my health for HRT..."

I was given the appointment with no comment back. I intend to fully and openly discuss my transgender status, inquire about the extent of his experience in this in particular, and come to an understanding about his and my relationship with my insurance company.

That's all I can think of for now.

Good luck dear,

Elfin

[Katelyn B]

When I approached my GP to start the process under the NHS we already had a history together of him knowing I was trans*. He was OKing the blood tests the private Dr needed every three months, before he ever saw me (prior to transition I *never* went to the Dr's) I'd already changed my name with the surgery and the PCT. I pretty much told him I wanted to start under the NHS pathway now I was more confident, there was something about approaching the NHS initially that made me feel far too much like a supplicant, hence starting out seeing a private Dr. He did know what to do, refer me to the local Mental Health place for an initial assessment, and that was that. The appointment with the local psych game through the following week. I think you have to be confident what approaching the situation. It was much harder for me the initial appointment when I was asking for the NHS to do the blood tests I needed because I was walking into the unknown, but I prepared before hand, worked out what I wa going to say, gathered some evidence that it was doable, and then just went and asked. You wont regret it.

[Kaitlyn Michele]

good luck with your appointments...

making a list is a really smart thing to do..

[Georgie]

Well that was the hardest thing I have ever done, was proper crapping myself, and was almost ready to run out the door when she called my name.

But I did it and I am now on the waiting list for the gender identity clinic, which she says can take several months, but at least I have got the ball rolling :)

[Katelyn B]

Congratulations, that's great. As a starting point though you won't be on the GIC's waiting list. What should happen your GP will refer you to a local Mental Health trust for an initial assessment with a psychologist for screening. It's they who refer you onto the GIC, getting that appointment shouldn't take too long, it's afterwards the long wait really begins. But it's great you've taken a big scary step and found it was worth it.

[Georgie]

She did not mention that now, just said that she will refer me to the clinic, but maybe she assumed that I would know about the psychologist, or maybe she did mention it and because I was a nervous wreck it did not sink in lol.

Said the last person she referred took about 3 months to be seen by the clinic, so that means their is at least 1 other trans person in my estate *wonders who it could be* lol

[Katelyn B]

By clinic she's probably talking about the local mental health trust's clinic and not the GIC, so I wouldn't worry, though you could always phone for a clarification. It may depend on the GIC, I know CX don't accept referrals from a GP. Equally, it's very unlikely someone would go from GP to CX in 3 months (probably more like 18 months after referral as things stand). If they've had someone else go through it all then at least they're aware of the procedures.

[Georgie]

Yea whatever happens at least it's happening and the ball is rolling, that's the main thing :)