GenderLife Forum: The Information Exchange

All I ask is some sort of evidence to back up such claims.

Just saying that it's more likely to happen because there is supposed to be more policing through the legitimate channels doesn't cut it.

"Appeal to authority" is a logical fallacy.

I used Inhouse Pharmacy for the first year I was on HRT and STILL use them for the one med my insurance won't cover. So I've been an Inhouse customer, a very happy one, for four years now.

http://www.inhousepharmacy.com

What's the one med my insurance won't cover and why? Finesteride, for hair. Why? Because they won't cover it for women, like ever, because if there's a chance of being pregnant, women shouldn't even be near them. Regrettably there's NO chance I'll ever be pregnant, but my insurance says FEMALE and that's my lot in life.

Truth be told, it's a small price to pay for have that F in all the right places...

As a matter of fact not only do they have a great center in Denver in a brand new building, the group has been around for over 30 years. I took part in a survey in 2006 shortly after they'd moved to their new space. They were adout to give me directions and I said, oh, no need. I used to live across the street half a block up from your new place.

It's warm, comfortable, homey and professional. It has a very i8nviting, human feel to the place, so if you are anywhere near Denver, it's well worth heading out Colfax to federal, and then up federal to 38th street, out to just before Wadsworth there is a right hand turn that is Upham street. They are the nice new professional building on the left, they are down stairs, on the right as you come out of the Elevator. Gender Identity Center of Colorado. If I had known about them back almost twenty years ago, I'd probably have transitioned then. But the net really didn't exist the way it does today, and I was a cickenshit and didn't ask any of the women I met in the bars a single intelligent question in those days.

So, yeah, there is a great place in the DMA, it's actually Wheat Ridge... Humm, also dawns on me that you can take I25 to I70 west, get off at Wadsworth, go south and take your first right afgter the McDonalds, and your first left onto Upham. Or, take the left after the Safeway and then right onto Upham. Either way, it's easy to get to and well worth going to...

Marcella is right, just because it's "a controlled pharmacy" doesn't mean much. Honestly in four years Walgreens has made more mistakes with my meds than Inhouse has. How many mistakes has Inhouse made? NOT ONE. Not saying DIY is better if a doctor is available, and unless your on the western slope somewhere, or way up north by Larime, you should be fine.

If you're in the southern part of the state I know at least one doctor who WILL treat you. Dr. Marci Bowers. One of the finest GRS surgeons (IMHO) in the world is in Trinidad.

As i said previously, there should be no difficulty in Colorado finding a doctor to treat you. There are at least 8-12 physicians working with trans patients here. One would be hard pressed to find a place this size with more resources.

At any rate, anyone that wants to DIY can feel free to do so. I don't think it is as risky as many would portray it. Probably hundreds of transwomen use InHouse. For those that may be US-Centric in their views of what constitutes reputability, the company that makes their generics in India is an American owned company.

All that said, I have found it *cheaper* to work with a doctor. My hormones cost me $6 a month and that is without using insurance. My doctor does not require an inordinate amount of blood work (maybe a couple hundred dollars a year). None of the doctors I have worked with have cost more than the DIY route.

In my experience, a large percentage of the girls I have known to DIY have not *really* done so because of the expense or lack of being able to find a doctor (not here anyway). That is just my opinion based on the people I have known, YMMV.

So if that is based on the people you have known what were their reasons for doing DIY? Was it maybe because they had no desire to subject themselves to intrusive control of their bodies by a medical establishment that in many cases has no clue about Ts? Or was it other factors? How many are in your sample upon which you base that assertion?

It is pointless answering someone that has their own agenda such as you, Deena. Obviously from your second sentence, anything I say on the topic would be discounted. Ultimately, my body and what I do to it is my choice. The same holds true for anyone else.

Getting flagged with a mental disorder can be bad news, and more so in a country with socialized medicine. Once your name is in the database with the code for "gender identity disorder" by its side, you are effectively disqualified for several good jobs. Some scientific jobs that require clearance, for example.

Also, for those who are not permanent residents of a country, or those who are in the process of obtaining citizenship, a psych diagnosis can completely derail the process and make it much more difficult.

I am honestly interested in your reply. I'll state my agenda regarding this topic up front. I want women to pursue HRT in the safest, most cost effective manner for them. FWIW, I went to DIY route for 2 months, and then spent the next two months frantically searching for a way to get HRT under a doctor's care. On safety, if getting thrown out of your (generic) house or losing your job are possible by trying to pursue HRT through the medical/insurance establishment, the n DIY might be a safer route. IMHO, unless something catastrophic will occur, being under a doctor's care is both safer and more cost efficient.

What is your perspective?

That's also another common reason: underage or young transitioners who still depend on their parents--parents who do not approve of transition. And they don't have any doctor around they can trust not to tell their parents.

There are many, many reasons why people choose not to go the "legit" route. But the most common is, IMO, living in a country where no one is going to prescribe HRT for you, and where the pharmacies actually require a prescription.

On the positive side, in most of those countries with no "GID" diagnosis you can get hormones easy from any pharmacy and without a prescription. It can be expensive, though, if those selling realize why you need the hormones (they know you're desperate and would pay ten times the price).

Supply and demand rule the planet outside this bubble world called North America.

I started here on GL a year ago and was pretty much seeking the same information. "where do I find the medications to start HRT?" I cannot speak for anyone but myself but I still consider my condition at that time to have been critical as to life and death. I learned of InHouse, HRT, the dangers involved, what to expect, etc from (sorry, have to do this) no less than (and I really respect these girls) Deena, Pam, Marcella, Gina, Radargirl and others here so that I started DIY HRT with an informed idea. I started low dose and ramped up after a month while I searched for a qualified Medical Doctor that would accept me as patient. It took about two months to find someone who would and I have been under the care of a really good Endo since, and have also found a Gender Therapist I am comfortable with.

My situation demanded that I start HRT, I was suicidal and a mess and I believe it saved my life but I still caution others that the correct route is through competent Medical and good supervision. Just my two cents worth. Hugs

Wendy