Transgender Medication : Prescriptions During Coronavirus
Hey folks, Zoey here! I wanted to write a blog post about the concerns I have about medication for transgender people during the Coronavirus outbreak. It’s been a bit of a scary week, and I think it’s normal to have concerns outside of the pandemic. For me, this is mainly focused on making sure I have enough medication to see me through potential lock-downs, or in case of a shortage of supplies…
Managing the supply of my transgender hormone medication, and ensuring I have enough at hand at all times, is generally tricky, due to my somewhat lacksadaisy attitude! I am a bit disorganised, but make a huge effort to keep on top of my medication for my own mental and physical well-being. However, with the Coronavirus taking over the UK (and the world), maintaining a regular supply of medication is starting to worry me.
When Brexit kicked off, the supply of some of my medication stopped, but thankfully I was able to transfer to a different version to keep my hormones regulated. Now with all the restrictions coming in, I wonder how long it will be before I can no longer get the medication I need.
My GP surgery has already closed its doors to face-to-face appointments, but were kind enough to generate a prescription for me and send it directly to the pharmacy. I now have enough to last me maybe 6 weeks but any further than that is a mystery to me right now.
With the prospect of myself and other transgender folk losing their access to medication, we could be facing depression, other mental health issues, extreme dysphoria, and some transgender people could begin reverting back (hormonally) if the right medication is not available.
It’s a very worrying time for a lot of people in the Trans community, but it is not only us who are affected. Many people rely on medication and access to medical services to survive, not only for those with hormone treatments, but also people with illnesses, some of which are life-threatening.
What will happen to them?
They could face their own mental health issues, sickness, and even hospitalisation. It doesn’t bear thinking about the worse case scenarios for the most vulnerable people.
So what do we do?
All I can suggest right now is contacting your GP and/or Pharmacists to enquire about the levels of meds available, and how you will able to access them going forward. Let’s not lose our heads and take our frustrations out on the staff working long and difficult hours, but a polite query may be necessary if you’re concerned.
I will be doing what I can and posting what I know on social media, so please follow us on Instagram where you can keep up with our stories, and also join us on Facebook where we have created a group to help people talk about the issues they are facing whilst in lockdown.
We are now currently in a 14 day isolation at home until the end of March 2020 and will be offering some support and advice for people in the same situation, check out the blog on our sister site Rebel Tribe where you can find 50 things to keep you busy when stuck at home and get in touch if you need any help with anything.
How are you dealing with the potential medicine shortages? Do you have any help or advice you could offer people in this time?
Love you lots
Zoey xxx
