Jump to content
  • Welcome to the TransPulse Forums!

    We offer a safe, inclusive community for transgender and gender non-conforming folks, as well as their loved ones, to find support and information.  Join today!

VA transition timeline


Recommended Posts

I had my first official mental health eval on May 19, and I’m set for an Endocrinology appointment, via phone (thanks pandemic), on June 8th.

 

What comes next after that? When do I get referred for voice training and the rest? 
 

I realize I could probably wait and ask the doctor... but that’s 4 days away and I just want to hear accounts from others who’ve gone through the process with the V.A.

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

Either Dr. needs to put in for the consult. then you will get a call from Physical therapy. (Speech) to get an appointment.

 

I had my Gyn, put in mine. She also put my consult for the endo, Which I had to go to Denver VA for. They may do a consult to the regional Transition team ( A team of experts that review your file and make suggestions on your course of treatment.)

 

The VA is the one place I feel the most comfortable and open at. They are totally accepting. You can even use the rest room of the sex you identify as, even if you are not presenting. I walk into the woman clinic and get asked, "How can we help you Ma'am."

I think that a lone male walking into the woman clinic, is most likely transgender.

 

Any problems with anybody while at the VA contact the LGBT coordinator, it is there job to make sure we the transgender veterans are treated with respect.

 

Kymmie

Link to comment
2 hours ago, KymmieL said:

Either Dr. needs to put in for the consult. then you will get a call from Physical therapy. (Speech) to get an appointment.

 

I had my Gyn, put in mine. She also put my consult for the endo, Which I had to go to Denver VA for. They may do a consult to the regional Transition team ( A team of experts that review your file and make suggestions on your course of treatment.)

 

The VA is the one place I feel the most comfortable and open at. They are totally accepting. You can even use the rest room of the sex you identify as, even if you are not presenting. I walk into the woman clinic and get asked, "How can we help you Ma'am."

I think that a lone male walking into the woman clinic, is most likely transgender.

 

Any problems with anybody while at the VA contact the LGBT coordinator, it is there job to make sure we the transgender veterans are treated with respect.

 

Kymmie

 

Oh crap...that's what that consult was? I got a letter stating they couldn't get me scheduled for physical therapy in a timely manner and I'd been referred for community care. But the referral expired 14 days from the date of the letter and I opened it on day 16 (I don't get out much, even to the mailbox). 

 

I assumed because it said physical therapy that it was for my spine/nerve issue for which I just postponed my MRI. 

 

Guess I'll contact the doctor tomorrow for a re-referral.

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

You may just contact PT. they may still be able to act on it.

 

Kymmie

Link to comment

It occurred to me that my endo appointment being via phone makes new bloodwork impossible. How recent does bloodwork have to be?

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...
  • Forum Moderator

Wichita, sorry it took me this long to respond.

I think it depends on the DR. but they can have you go in for blood work. The VA is still open. I got my blocker shot at the woman clinic, after picking it up via pharmacy curb side pick up. Just take a mask. They ask you some questions and give you a wrist band.

 

Kymmie

Link to comment

Yep, he wanted bloodwork. I went the following day to a much smaller and closer VA community clinic. The day after that, he called to say my levels were good to go. I had my prescriptions by Monday. I haven't begun them yet, due to a urology concern, for which new meds are on the way. I expect them by next week, along with finastride. Then the "E rollercoaster" begins.

Link to comment
  • 3 months later...

I'm still trying to get the dots connected with community care and the VA.... Waiting for the psych paperwork to get to my civilian endocrinologist..... Uggghh!?!?!?!

 

Link to comment

My experience with the VA has always been positive.

I don't really know what is available though.  They do voice things?

Guess I thought HRT was it.

Of course with the 'Rona things might be on hold.

Link to comment
7 hours ago, Shawnster said:

I'm still trying to get the dots connected with community care and the VA.... Waiting for the psych paperwork to get to my civilian endocrinologist..... Uggghh!?!?!?!

 

I was... “was” going to a civilian urologist through the Choice program. Most of the meds he prescribed were “outside of the VA formulary” and thus, required paperwork from the doctor stating that I needed that specific drug before the VA would lift a finger to provide it. 
 

This paperwork has be delivered via time travel to the year 1995 as the VA pharmacy had one barely functional, always-busy fax machine. No e-mails allowed. If I were waiting for cardiac meds...I’d have died each and every time they prescribed something or tried to refill something. I easily went weeks with no meds multiple times while the VA awaited the same damned letter to arrive via 1995 fax machine.
 

After dealing with that for over a year, and after realizing the civilian doctor probably saw me as his kids’ college fund since the VA was footing the bill, I just went back to VA urology so that whatever they prescribed wouldn’t need an act of Congress to get provided to me. 
 

Of course VA urology had its own glaring issues, but at least whatever they prescribed me came reasonably quickly.

Link to comment

Hi, all.

I'm joining those whose VA experience has been positive. My first Rx of Estradiol arrived today, so I'm on Cloud 9. I'm in the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System [Reno], and the Fallon, Nv. local clinic. My experience so far with VA transitioning services reflects others who appreciate the service they've recieved. I guess each regional VA system has a unit or "team" specializing in transition. I'm going MtF, so they gave me to an OB/GYN for the hormone treatment. I think I'll be getting a woman primary care doc soon, and a therapist with gender dysphoria and trans experience. [Reno VA has no "Gender Therapist" per se, but this system is small compared to most other VA regions.

 

Everyone's attitude is encouraging. Very professional, very accepting, very friendly, very thoughtful of us. With CV, I'm doing it all online [telecare, supposedly private. "Russia, if you're listening...."].

 

One caveat: All your treatment from VA goes onto a single gigantic "chart" in the belly of the confuser, and all the docs and nurses have access. So my meds list now includes "Estradiol," and I suppose the transition team's notes. But I decided, "screw it. Good place to start exiting the closet."

 

Take good care of yourselves, my friends.

~~Hugs all 'round, Lee~~

Link to comment
2 hours ago, Lee H said:

Everyone's attitude is encouraging. Very professional, very accepting, very friendly, very thoughtful of us. With CV, I'm doing it all online [telecare, supposedly private. "Russia, if you're listening...."].

 

One caveat: All your treatment from VA goes onto a single gigantic "chart" in the belly of the confuser, and all the docs and nurses have access. So my meds list now includes "Estradiol," and I suppose the transition team's notes. But I decided, "screw it. Good place to start exiting the closet."

As I've said my experience with the VA has been positive.  As for the 'single gigantic "chart'", when I went in for surgery (unrelated to any trans issues) they knew about my gender issues and respected me - addressed me as "Jandi" etc.

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

Like I have stated before, the VA has been the most accepting place I have ever been. So far. With just about everything. Earlier this year when I saw my interim PCP. While the nurse referred to my by my given name. The Dr. as soon as she came in the room it was all Kymmie. (I think that the nurse just didn't read my chart. for my preferred name.) 

 

If anyone has any problems with any employee of the VA about any problem. just about all VA hospitals have a LGBTQ coordinator. Just get a hold of them and problem solved. The VA is serious about our care. I have only had one negative comment and that was from another vet. but he just said, must be don't ask don't tell. as he walked by. really no biggie. 

 

I highly suggest any Vet who is transgender to go to the VA. they will truly help.

 

Kymmie

Link to comment
  • 4 months later...

I finally have an appointment with a VA endo..... March 17 blood work is in, letter if intent is in.... ready to start HRT!!!

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

Happy St. Patrick's day!

 

Also happy second birthday. May your treatment be everything you hope it will be and more besides.

 

Hugs!

Link to comment

Thanks for the information.  I have my first appointment coming up and now I have an idea of what will happen.

 

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Who's Online   7 Members, 0 Anonymous, 101 Guests (See full list)

    • Abigail Genevieve
    • Breezy Victor
    • violet r
    • VickySGV
    • Susie
    • MaybeRob
    • SamC
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.7k
    • Total Posts
      768.3k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      12,023
    • Most Online
      8,356

    Delaney
    Newest Member
    Delaney
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. Dillon
      Dillon
    2. Kaylee888
      Kaylee888
    3. lily100
      lily100
      (39 years old)
    4. Luce
      Luce
      (44 years old)
    5. Luke.S
      Luke.S
  • Posts

    • Breezy Victor
      I was ten years old when my mom walked in on me frolicking around my room dressed up in her bra, panties, and some pantyhose. I had been doing this in the privacy of my bedroom for a little while now so I had my own little stash box I kept full of different panties, bras, etc ... of hers. My mom's underwear was so easy for me to come by and she was a very attractive woman, classy, elegant. Well when she walked in on me, she looked at me with disgust and said to me... "If I wanted to run around like mommy's little girl instead of mommy's little boy, then she was going to treat me like mommy's little girl."  She left my bedroom after telling me NOT to change or get dressed or anything and returned with a few of her work skirts and blouses and such. She made me model off her outfits for her and I have to admit ... I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT. I felt so sexy, and feminine. And she knew I loved it.  She told me we can do this every weekend if I'd like. It would be OUR little secret. 
    • awkward-yet-sweet
      The usual social ways, of course.  Taking care of my partners and stepkids, being involved in my community.  That makes me feel good about my role.   As for physical validation and gender... probably the most euphoric experience is sex.  I grew up with my mother telling me that my flat and boyish body was strange, that my intersex anatomy was shameful, that no man would want me. So experiencing what I was told I could never have is physical proof that I'm actually worth something.  
    • KathyLauren
      <Moderator hat on>  I think that, at this point we need to get the thread back onto the topic, which is the judge's ruling on the ballot proposition.  If there is more to be said on the general principles of gendered spaces etc., please discuss them, carefully and respectfully, in separate threads. <Moderator hat off>
    • Abigail Genevieve
      People who have no understanding of transgender conditions should not be making policy for people dealing with it. Since it is such a small percentage of the population, and each individual is unique, and their circumstances are also unique, each situation needs to be worked with individually to see that the best possible solution is implemented for those involved. 
    • Abigail Genevieve
      No.  You are getting stuck on one statement and pulling it out of context.   Trans kids have rights, but so do non-trans kids.  That conflict is best worked out in the individual situation. 
    • MaeBe
      I get the concept, I believe. You're trying to state that trans kids need to or should be excluded from binary gender spaces and that you acknowledge that answers to accommodate those kids may not be found through policy. I disagree with the capability of "penetration" as being the operative delimiter in the statement, however. I contest this statement is poorly chosen at best and smacks of prejudice at worst. That it perpetuates certain stereotypes, whether that was the intent or not.   Frankly, all kids should have the right to privacy in locker rooms, regardless of gender, sexuality, or anatomy. They should also have access to exercise and activities that other kids do and allow them to socialize in those activities. The more kids are othered, extracted, or barred from the typical school day the more isolated and stigmatized they become. That's not healthy for anyone, the excluded for obvious reasons and the included for others--namely they get to be the "haves" and all that entails.
    • Abigail Genevieve
      Context.  Read the context.  Good grief.
    • MaeBe
      Please don't expect people to read manifold pages of fiction to understand a post.   There was a pointed statement made, and I responded to it. The statement used the term penetration, not "dissimilar anatomy causing social discomfiture", or some other reason. It was extended as a "rule" across very different social situations as well, locker and girl's bedrooms. How that term is used in most situations is to infer sexual contact, so most readers would read that and think the statement is that we "need to keep trans girl's penises out of cis girls", which reads very closely to the idea that trans people are often portrayed as sexual predators.   I understand we can't always get all of our thoughts onto the page, but this doesn't read like an under-cooked idea or a lingual short cut.
    • Ashley0616
      I shopped online in the beginning of transition. I had great success with SHEIN and Torrid!
    • Abigail Genevieve
      Have you read the rest of what I wrote?   Please read between the lines of what I said about high school.  Go over and read my Taylor story.  Put two and two together.   That is all I will say about that.
    • Abigail Genevieve
      "I feel like I lost my husband," Lois told the therapist,"I want the man I married." Dr. Smith looked at Odie, sitting there in his men's clothing, looking awkward and embarrassed. "You have him.  This is just a part of him you did not know about. Or did not face." She turned to Odie,"Did you tear my wedding dress on our wedding night?" He admitted it.  She had a whole catalog of did-you and how-could you.  Dr. Smith encouraged her to let it all out. Thirty years of marriage.  Strange makeup in the bathroom.  The kids finding women's laundry in the laundry room. There was reconciliation. "What do we do now?" Dr. Smith said they had to work that out.  Odie began wearing women's clothing when not at work.  They visited a cross-dressers' social club but it did not appeal to them.  The bed was off limits to cross dressing.  She had limits and he could respect her limits.  Visits to relatives would be with him in men's clothing.    "You have nail polish residue," a co-worker pointed out.  Sure enough, the bottom of his left pinky nail was bright pink  His boss asked him to go home and fix it.  He did.   People were talking, he was sure, because he doubted he was anywhere as thorough as he wanted to be.  It was like something in him wanted to tell everyone what he was doing, and he was sloppy.   His boss dropped off some needed paperwork on a Saturday unexpectedly and found Odie dressed in a house dress and wig.  "What?" the boss said, shook his head, and left.  None of his business.   "People are talking," Lois said. "They are asking about this," she pointed to his denim skirt. "This seems to go past or deeper than cross dressing."   "Yes.  I guess we need some counseling."  And they went.
    • April Marie
      You look wonderful!!! A rose among the roses.
    • Ashley0616
      Mine would be SHEIN as much as I have bought from them lol.
    • MaeBe
      This is the persistence in thinking of trans girls as predators and, as if, they are the only kind of predation that happens in locker rooms. This is strikingly close to the dangerous myth that anatomy corresponds with sexuality and equates to gender.
    • Abigail Genevieve
      At the same time there might be mtf boys who transitioned post-puberty who really belong on the girls' teams because they have more similarities there than with the boys, would perform at the same level, and might get injured playing with the bigger, stronger boys.   I well remember being an androgynous shrimp in gym class that I shared with seniors who played on the football team.  When PE was no longer mandatory, I was no longer in PE. They started some mixed PE classes the second semester, where we played volleyball and learned bowling and no longer mixed with those seniors, boys and girls together.
  • Upcoming Events

Contact TransPulse

TransPulse can be contacted in the following ways:

Email: Click Here.

To report an error on this page.

Legal

Your use of this site is subject to the following rules and policies, whether you have read them or not.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
DMCA Policy
Community Rules

Hosting

Upstream hosting for TransPulse provided by QnEZ.

Sponsorship

Special consideration for TransPulse is kindly provided by The Breast Form Store.
×
×
  • Create New...