My first HRT appointment...any words of wisdom?

[Cloee]

My very first official appointment with a doctor who is a trained medical transgender specialist and provider is next week....1/15/19 where I start the medical process of getting on HRT. (I'm nervous to say the least)

 

I’ve gone through so much this past year for the sake of self-discovery and assurance only to arrive at this door step.

 

So my questions to you all is: How did you feel at or before your first appointment? How sure were you that this was right? Did you go presenting as your future self or old self? How scary is it? How foolish should I feel or not feel? Oh…and…. Did your family know before that first visit or did you tell them afterward? Etc etc etc

 

Any anecdotes or words of wisdom are welcomed.

 

Thx

 

-cloee

[Susan R]

HI Cloee, nice to meet you.  I don't think iVe had the pleasure until now.  Don't be nervous...you're going to love it after that fact so take it all in.  It's a huge milestone and you'll want to remember it for the rest of you life.  Just be your true self and be honest with your doctor.  Don't be afraid to talk to them about anything. They are there for you and to help you.  If your experience is anything like mine, you'll have a very professional and caring person on the other end.  It's what's you've been waiting for all this time...to get to the next stage in your transition.  Enjoy every moment!

 

Warmest Regards,

Susan R?

[Jani]

Hi Cloee.  I was very nervous but the staff and doctor made me feel at ease.  I didn't feel funny or embarrassed at all.   I went as myself, in fact I parked at an outlying station and took the train into the city.  Looking back, that was more like  jumping into the deep end than the appointment itself.  

 

Take a deep breath, smile, be confident.  

 

Cheers!  Jani

[SugarMagnolia]

Hi Cloee!

I was certainly anxious and I was pretty certain it was right, but not 100%. HRT was something that I felt I needed to try to see if it would help me in some way or not. It helped a lot. And my specialist was amazing: super friendly and supportive. I hope that you get to have a similar experience!

[Raven1981]

8 hours ago, Cloee said:

 

So my questions to you all is: How did you feel at or before your first appointment? How sure were you that this was right? Did you go presenting as your future self or old self? How scary is it? How foolish should I feel or not feel? Oh…and…. Did your family know before that first visit or did you tell them afterward? Etc etc etc

 

Hello Cloee:

 

Welcome here and to help with my experience when I first went last year January 2018 was:

 

I was nervous and yet anxious at the same time before my first appt.

 

I knew that I was doing the right thing and was ready to take the next step.  My Therapist even called my doctor ahead of time and prepared her and let her know that I might be a little nervous and my therapist was even confident that I have made the correct decision.

 

For my first 3x visit's, I went as my old self.

 

It was not scary for me.

 

You will do fine.  Dont be foolish.

 

My family knew after my appt

 

In the end, just be honest with your doctor and be yourself.

[KymmieL]

I am changing providers, as my old one didn't feel comfortable prescribing HRT. Just waiting to here back if it was approved or not. I do however have the VA facility LGBTQ coordinator contacting the Dr who makes the decision about it. Hope to here soon so I can make the appointment and start my journey to be me.

 

Kymmie

[Kirsten]

Congrats!! What a great milestone for you!! Like others have said enjoy all that you can. It’s really the start of your new life. 

I was very nervous when I went for my first visit. It felt like a tryout to me. But it wasn’t really like that at all. 

For me I was 100% sure this was the right path. I had literally spent decades trying every other way to live without transitioning, and when none of that was working I made my decision. Like Mary says the less invasive you can be to make yourself happy, the better off you are. Hormones are no joke. And life is just as hard after except after the list of difficulties in life changes so very much. But it’s not really a bad thing. 

For every visit I have gone in as I was living. So before going full time I was male looking. But as the appointments clicked off I got more and more fem. the actual date I went full time doesn’t really exist for me. I simply kept moving forward all I could. I think my third visit I was full time.  

I had not told my family before I went to the doctor the first time other than my wife. But just about everyone I told after already kind of knew. So I guess they knew, but not really. 

And yes it is very scary. And no you shouldn’t feel foolish. This is literally a life altering adventure you’re beginning. Everything will change. You’ll loose people in your life. You’ll gain a lot of people as well. Your emotions will soar and dip and life will feel different. So different and the same all at the same time. 

All I can say is be honest. Be yourself. Ask all the questions you can think of. And be sure this is what you NEED to do and not just what you want to do. And if it is you have nothing to fret about. 

Good luck hun! ❤️❤️

[SaraAW]

I came out to my GP 2 weeks ago to begin discussing HRT.  The nurse came in to check my vitals, not knowing the reason for my visit (I was also ill with cold) and my BP was through the roof.  I was so nervous. I did some yoga breathing as she retested my BP and it had come way down. Doctor came in a few minutes later. She asked why I was here, told her I was sick and casually added in hormones. She said okay, let’s talk about the illness first. We went through that (viral, so had to ride it out) and then she started asking me some questions regarding my gender and mental health,  all appropriate and delivered in a way that I felt she truly wanted to help. She admitted she had no previous experience and asked to reschedule in s week so she could research and give us more time to discuss than just adding to the end of this appointment. Went back last week. She is going on mat leave at end of month and is working on finding me a knowledgeable and supportive replacement.  

 

Hope to to hear back this week for a referral. I’m going to miss her, as she is amazing. 

 

Good luck with your appointment!

 

*hugs*

[Jordy]

I lucked out. About 11 days after I came out our local Pride was held. I learned of a good place to go for my HRT that supported the LGBT community.  I was elated!  My first appointment I went as my old self as I didn't have a binder yet (I'm FTM).  They asked great questions and had me sign papers saying I understood what I was asking for.  They have been great.  I'm sure things will go well for you too.