TAKE ACTION (US): DEA + testosterone access
The DEA has proposed changes for telemedicine prescribing that will affect trans patients seeking testosterone. This also affects those of us on testosterone, ADHD medication, and even those on medications for substance use disorder.
You can see the DEA’s announcement about Docket 407 here and a summary from a telehealth attorney here.
Dr. Crystal Beal of Queer Doc has a beautifully written opinion here. Unfortunately, these proposed changes are going to do significant harm to the trans and gender diverse community if they are not modified.
What’s the big deal?
This would roll back a number of the expanded access moves made at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic (which we know isn’t over). This would require that providers perform an in-person examination of a patient for a Schedule II medication, which includes ADHD medications and testosterone. This would also potentially affect people with chronic pain or anxiety.
You could get a referral from a provider that you saw in-person, but this also requires that in-person providers know about your status as a transgender person - something we know is becoming increasingly & terrifyingly inaccessible.
For those of you who know me, you likely know how much my life has changed because of access to both testosterone and ADHD medications. I’m much happier in my body and mind, and so much more ‘me’ than I used to be.
My pain levels have gone down significantly, a mix of testosterone’s effects and of being myself. My Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) has even improved, meaning I am fully or partially dislocating joints far less often than before. See, T can help with a number of things, including strengthening and improving the connective tissues EDS has made more lax. I am so much stronger and more able to do things than I was before, especially because that strength is staying. I’m hungry more than I was before, meaning my metabolism is up and it’s helping me to maintain and even lose weight.
My ADHD meds have also changed my life. I’ve been without them for a few days due to the nationwide shortage, and it’s amazing how fatigued I have been. I’m not able to get writing done in the evenings after work, meaning freelancing gigs have suffered or taken a bit longer. Even writing for my day job is taking longer, which is never good. As my cardiologist recently said, going without ADHD meds is how people lose their entire livelihoods.
These medications together also help my body regulate, making it so I sweat more than prior and don’t overheat due to a lack of sweating (something that various forms of dysautonomia can easily do).
I’m lucky to see my local PCP for testosterone, but my ADHD provider is hours away. I already have to jump through SO many hoops for ADHD meds - hoops that often lead to missing doses at refill time because of supplies only being 30 days. And, again, there’s already a shortage. I don’t need more things to make life more difficult or potentially impact my ability to work.
ACTION ITEMS
You can help save lives RIGHT NOW:
Make a public comment on the DEA Docket 407 proposed changes to telemedicine prescribing.
Share this post or consider making your own on social media.
Ask your friends, family, legislators, and prescribers to make a comment.
Comments are due by March 31 (ironically also International Transgender Day of Visibility).
If you have feedback or anything you’d like to share, feel free to reach out to me on social media or by email (all linked here).
Take care of you, lovebug <3
Grayson