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Thread: How Hard Can It Be?

  1. #1
    Senior Member Veronica Nicole's Avatar
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    How Hard Can It Be?

    Well after the 4th session with my therapist she suggested HRT and of course I said yes. Then she said okay what you need to do is call and find an endocrinologist and I can write a referral to that doctor well I said don't you know one I can call, she said I need for you to choose one and make the call and we'll talk about it on the next session.


    So all this week I have been searching on the internet for endocrinologist near me, I find 3 where I live which none advertise transgender friendly. I expand my search to nearby towns and find some that actually advertise transgender friendly about 2 1/2 hours away. I decide to call one and the receptionist answers the phone and I say I have transgender issues and I'm calling to make an appointment to see about starting HRT, there is a pause for like 5 to 10 seconds which seemed a lot longer than that. I said hello and she like can you hold for just a minute. I get put on hold and someone else comes on so I say the same thing and she says let me put you on hold I will have to ask the doctor, she comes back and says the doctor will see you so I will need your information and a referral I said okay I will have a referral from my therapist and she says you will need one form your general doctor, well I don't have one so your telling me I need to go see a doctor to see your doctor, she says yes. By this time I'm frustrated so I just said I will call you back and hung up. This was supposed to be a transgender friendly doctor and it seemed the persons I talked to had no idea. So I call another in that area and I get the same results so I just gave up.

    Well today I decided to call the 3 where I live at and tried a different approach, she answers the phone and I say I would lie to make an appointment to see about getting some blood work done, I figured ounce I got to see the doctor I would tell the doc why I was there and go from there. Well apparently it's not that easy, she says do you have insurance so I say yes and gave her the name. She puts me on hold and comes back, your insurance requires you see a doctor to get a referral to see our doctor. Well after a few choice of words I hung up.

    Well I decided to try again, so she answers and I say the same thing that I want an appointment to get some blood work done, do you have insurance, yes but I don't want to use my insurance I will be paying out of pocket. Then she says what type blood work do you need, she names off a few items and then says hormones I say yes I need the hormones one. She says well you’re a new patient and we won't be able to see you until mid-December, I say that will be fine so she gives me a date and I ask who will be the doctor she gives me the name and says don't worry you’re in good hands. Well I'm not sure she really understood that I was talking about HRT because I never mentioned it but I figured once I see the Doc I will explain to him why I'm there and should have my referral from my therapist. I just hope he is willing to help if not I'll be back to square one.

    Didn't know it would be this hard!

  2. #2
    Call me Pam pamela7's Avatar
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    i feel your pain. Here in the UK we not only have to have our local doctor's referral, but also the referral of clinician at a medical centre with a few years wait before getting to an endo. Luckily my local doctor agreed to start me on HRT once I the clinic accepted me into their queue and had seen a therapist there (once), and that took 2 years from deciding to transition.

    It is worth remembering they have rules they have to follow, and while we don't like it, it is as it is.

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  3. #3
    Member Lisalove1976's Avatar
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    I went to my Psychologist who suggested hormones but she can't write prescriptions so I had to go see my GP first, explain to him the situation and tell him I needed a referral to go see an endocrinologist, once he gave me that and a speech about making sure that his office treats me properly and if I have any issues to call him directly (thought that was nice) he gave me the referral.. Called the endocrinologist and got an appointment within 2 days... did blood test, has to wait 2 weeks and do them again (he didn't like some of the results from the 1st test) then got prescriptions..

    Looking back NOW in my case I think it went TOO FAST everybody just took my word for it!

    sorry to hear about your issues but sometimes time give you the opportunity to think cause HORMONES MAKE THINGS REAL! I'm sure once you get your prescriptions you will understand that statement.

  4. #4
    Super Moderator Jeri Ann's Avatar
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    Veronica,

    I don't know if you live in the town of West, which is in Texas near Waco or in the western part of the state.

    But, if you are out west, then I have two friends in West Texas, actually Midland area, that can help you.

    Maureena Benavides and Kerry Manzo have co-founded an organization called Out in West Texas, outinwesttexas.org. Their first symposium last year was attended by 108 local professionals who serve an estimated 2,600 transgender individuals living in the Permian Basin.

    They actually have a two day symposium next week, Nov. 2-3 for all who serve the trans community. I would have registered to attend but I will be on the east coast next week. Check them out and tell them Jeri Ann from Houston TTNS referred you.

    Another possibility, if you are closer to Abilene, is Jody Randall. Dr. Randall is the director of the Office of LGBTQI at Texas Tech university. Jody is trans and transitioned 5 years ago, I think she told me. Again, tell her that Jeri Ann from TTNS referred you. She is on the advisory board of TTNS.

    If you live anywhere else in West Texas, El Paso perhaps, pm me and I will turn the dogs loose and we will find what you need. Pm me if you need anything.

    Hang in there.

    Jeri Ann

  5. #5
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    Sigh......these are just some of the reasons that many resort to self medding. The process can be frustrating and can feel like a mine field.
    Last edited by jentay1367; 10-25-2018 at 12:35 PM.

  6. #6
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    Is it that hard to just go see a GP and get a referral?

  7. #7
    Aspiring Member elizabethamy's Avatar
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    Veronica,

    If there is a support group nearby, or even regional therapists, write to them and ask who is trans friendly re HRT. My town has tons of endos in it but my therapist accurately said that many of them will not do HRT; they won't say they are anti=trans, they just don't answer your request. This happened to me until the therapist told me of a GP who would do HRT for me, and now I'm doing it. But she doesn't advertise that service; it's just word of mouth. So try and look around. I wish you well. You only need one.

    e.a.

  8. #8
    Senior Member Veronica Nicole's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kas View Post
    Is it that hard to just go see a GP and get a referral?
    That's not the point, the point is why should I have to go see a GP doctor and get a referral when I know what doctor to see and have a referral from my therapist. For example if I have a tooth ache I'll call a dentist not a GP doctor.

  9. #9
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    kas
    its not the point, the GP does nothing but charge you and the insurance for a go see so & so and you get nothing from them for your HARD earned money....

    Veronica

    do you have a planned parenthood clinic near you, I went there and got started on HRT (no ? asked ) and she referred me to ohsu trans clinic and got right in and they took over with out any problems.

  10. #10
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    Of course it’s correct that most insurances require the primary care provider to make referrals to specialists. And that means, besides your therapist, you’ll need to establish a relationship with a primary care provider that is in network for your particular insurance policy. Wish it was simpler, but don’t feel alone. Most anyone seeking any kind of specialists care has to go through the same steps.
    Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one.

    Eleanor Roosevelt

  11. #11
    Cereal Killer Ashley in Virginia's Avatar
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    Have u looking into a local planned parenthood? The one here does hrt with no problem. Often you can get a same day appointment.
    If I ever get real rich, I hope I'm not real mean to poor people, like I am now.

  12. #12
    Senior Member Veronica Nicole's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ashley in Virginia View Post
    Have u looking into a local planned parenthood? The one here does hrt with no problem. Often you can get a same day appointment.
    There is no planned parenthood here, but that will be my last option and will have to travel about 5 hours. Thanks

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