Soooo...sustanon has been discontinued?- UPDATE! I GOT MY SHOT!!!

[Jeatyn]

I got my script, as I mentioned in my other thread. I went to 5 different pharmacy's who all didn't have it, and one who said it's marked on their systems as discontinued.

One pharmacy tried to ring the company to check, and nobody picked up after trying a few times. I left the script with them and they said they would try to order it and give me a call as soon as they knew what was happening.

After looking around google for a while it seems that a lot of people have been having trouble getting it for quite some time, and some have been told that's it's discontinued.

I just don't understand...why are the gender clinics and GP's still recommending it...shouldn't they be in the know about whether it's still available or not?

I was also told by my gender therapist that other forms of T are available - BUT technically, they aren't "official" treatments for transsexuals, which means inexperienced GP's (such as mine) are often unwilling to prescribe it.

At this point I'm not even angry or upset, it's just like...well I'm not surprised xD yet another setback

[Tay]

As you know, I haven't been able to get hold of it for about 9 months. I first heard of supply issues almost a year ago. The company who produce it have it listed under "currently experiencing manufacturing shortages" and NOT under "discontinued products" - that's the bit of hope I'm holding onto right now.

I'm starting to think that because they also produce Nebido, which is more expensive, that they are trying to force everyone to switch onto that.

As you say though, no other treatment besides Sustanon is licensed for ftm treatment and therefore a GP can refuse to prescribe. My experience has been that if your GP has a recommendation letter from the gender clinic for an alternative form of testosterone, they should prescribe it. If not, look for another GP as they will more than likely cause you further problems with blood tests, if you want to pursue surgeries or to apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate. You will more than likely have to ask your gender clinic to write you a recommendation letter for an alternative and wait to see what the GP says.

Good luck and try not to let it get you down as it will be worth it.

[Jeatyn]

That does make sense, I didn't realise they also produced Nebido, definitely makes me think something fishy is going on there is clearly a demand for sustanon, so there should be no reason to stop making it.

I really hope my GP is willing to prescribe something else, I don't have another gender clinic appointment for months and months....to get this close and then be denied is so disheartening

I left him a message with the receptionist so I'm once again waiting by the phone to see what happens

[Natkat]

I had problems getting Nebido once in a while,
I dont know if its connected to this or not?

But somethimes people also had made up lies, that they didnt have it simple because it was the most easy way to refuse me. Kind of hard to prove after all..

[Tay]

When I had the same issue I called the gender clinic and they wrote again with a replacement, which the GP ignored, then they faxed and then they called and gave him hell because he refused to prescribe anything other than tablets. I just kept calling my specialist and they sorted it out in the end.

[Jeatyn]

Tay do you mind if I ask which Gender Clinic you're with?

I go to Charring Cross and every time I've tried to call them in the past nobody picks up....like I don't even get put on hold or anything, it just rings forever. So I assumed they had some sort of call screening system that only allowed recognised numbers through.

[Tay]

I'm at The Laurels, which was in Newton Abbott and is now in Exeter as I'm South West way, although I'm being discharged at my next appointment. I do extra stuff for my therapist like research surveys for her and I also wrote a couple of personal pieces about my transition for a book she was writing, so they do tend to help me out if I have issues.

Do Charing Cross have email? There isn't always someone at The Laurels (I think they're only open 3/4 days per week) so sometimes I purposely call out of hours to leave voicemail, or I email.

Hopefully you will hear from your GP tomorrow and all be be resolved. Fingers crossed.

[Arch]

 

More hoops to jump through, sheesh. You must be going nuts right about now.

[Kreuzfidel]

Why is Sustanon the only licenced treatment for FTMs?  Is this specific to the UK?  Because I've never heard of that here in Australia.

[MrTesto]

It's not approved for use in the US. We mostly use shots, and some gel, and newer, pellets. So if the docs say there isn't anything else to prescribe...point to all us hunky US and Australian guys!

[Jeatyn]

My GP prescribed me something else - woohoo!    ....but none of the pharmacies could get that in stock either....awww 


Soooo I've left another message with the GP


Still waiting....*sigh*

[Arch]

WTF??? Sorry, this is just mind-boggling.

[Tay]

I think at the moment the only available options are Nebido, Gel or possibly implants (although I haven't heard from anyone in the UK using implants).

[MaxAloysius]

Like Kreuzfidel, I've never heard of it here in Aus. I'm on quarterly Reandron injections, and I've never had trouble getting hold of them from any pharmacy I go to.

[Jeatyn]

I'm convinced it's me life hates me, nothing is ever simple


I'm hoping I don't have to go on Nebido because that will mean a trip back to the gender clinic, which will mean a much longer waiting time

[Nathan.]

Did your gp prescribe testosterone ethanate? I've been on that since not being able to get Sustanon and never had trouble getting it.

[Tay]

I'm not able to get hold of enanthate. Which pharmacy do you use Nathan?


Hang on, ethanate.... Not enanthate?

[henrytwob]

I've never heard about what you are mentioninfg either. However I'm in the U.S. However, in the U.S. dcotors are allowed to prescribe meds that are "off label", it mean that the drug is effect for the condition it is being prescribed for but the FDA and just not approved that for the use. Drug companies can only spend so much time and money getting things tested for approval, It does not mean the drug is bad or will not work. Fo rexample, 90% of bipolar medication currently prescribed is not approved for the disease. But it is effective and there is research supporting its use.

Get a hold of some evidence based practice (EBP) lit on t and bring it to your GP and state that you want this form of T.

At least, that would work in the U.S. it should work there, T is cheap.

[Jeatyn]

It wasn't Enanthate no, I assumed it would be...it was something unpronounceable and unspellable xD beginning with a U I think

[supremecatoverlord]

I'm not able to get hold of enanthate. Which pharmacy do you use Nathan?


Hang on, ethanate.... Not enanthate?

It's enanthate.
Ethanate is just a fairly common misspelling.