Well, the egg “cracked” I guess. After 24 years, I’ve realized that I’m probably NB or trans. Looking back, I think that for a long while now, there’s been something in the back of my mind. Like a seed of doubt. I can think of any number of things that could’ve contributed to it. And it’s weird to me because I haven’t really felt any dysphoria, at least I can’t think of anything off the top of my head. But I know that there’s something off.
But anyway, over last weekend I was thinking about it a lot and after I came to that conclusion it was like this buzzing in my head that I hadn’t realized was there went quiet. And now that I know that… I have no fucking clue what happens next. The only people that know are close friends and I will absolutely not be letting anyone else who knows me know. HRT may be a very long ways (potentially 2 years, haven’t looked into it too much yet) away depending on a pending federal job.
Thanks, I’ll have to take some time to read that. Looks kinda a very long document. The problems I forsee with HRT are cost and medical. I’m looking at getting a job in aviation, and my research into the FAA medical examinations says that those who have been on HRT for less than 5 years are usually deferred to the FAA for additional review. I also have the unfortunate luck of being in Texas, and still live with and an on my parents’ insurance. Don’t want my family knowing because it won’t end well. I need to look at informed consent and what that actually means.
Jesus there’s a lot to think about lol. I can’t even think of a name for a DND character, finding a new name for me is going to be is going to take a while
You might still be able to use something like Planned Parenthood to get coverage outside of your parents’ insurance. That said, this is going to be a recurring issue that you’ll have to address at some point. Your primary care physician needs to know you’re taking HRT because your blood tests will be… surprising if they don’t. I don’t know that to tell you about being in Texas. That’s a tough one, and I had a conversation with my own management recently about never going to that state for any reason, even if it meant losing my job. I don’t mean to scare you, but you should consider a move if you can figure it out. The GDB isn’t so long a read, it’s just really well organized. I devoured it in a day, not including the references. Those were saved for a later review. There’s a ton more info out there if you need it! Everywhere from Lemmy communities, to Reddit subs, to several private websites tracking resources. I found this one particularly useful, even if some of it can be a little out of date: Transgender Map. I had lots of the same questions that you do now, though my situation is different since I’m “over the hill” in my 40s, but you could take a look at the replies to a post I made over a month ago askig similar questions: Advice on finding doctors Hang in there! There’s always an option. You just have to decide which is right for you.
Yeah, I’m only going to be on the insurance plan for about a year more at most, so it’s not like it’s going to be forever. For primary care? I think the last time I visited a primary physician was like 12 years ago when I was 12. Haven’t really needed to and haven’t gotten sick aside from the occasional cold.
I do plan on moving eventually as well, I’ll have to relocate for this job, but that could be in a few months or take up to a year, government being government. I have friends who are trans and they are also looking at moving.
There are also private HRT options like Folx and Plume, they’re more expensive but don’t require insurance (and they can ship the estrogen to you, I believe). (EDIT: +1 for Planned Parenthood, btw - the local trans women I know use PP for access to HRT without insurance.)
Being in TX is not ideal, but I don’t know what to say other than you should move.
Regardless of your career, being trans is unavoidable, it’s not a choice (maybe not how it feels right now, I get it), we know it’s a genetic condition and the only treatment known to help is medical transition … it’s like worrying about whether you should get treatment for diabetes because the FAA has special requirements for diabetics who need to take insulin. It’s not a realistic option to just not take insulin. While we live in a transphobic society that doesn’t recognize the medical importance of HRT for trans folks, for many of us (and maybe you too), it’s not that different of a comparison.
I didn’t really appreciate this point until I was on HRT, though - I still balk at how long I lived without estrogen, it boggles the mind that I didn’t die (I nearly did a few times, looking back). Before then, there was no way I would believe HRT was an essential medication.