Going without (MTF)

[Emmy]

Okay well nearly every pharmacy at a reasonable distance from where I live has estradiol backordered.
I have plenty of spiralacatone or whatever it's called, but the last time I went 5-7 days without the estrogen I started feeling absolutely terrible.

Not sure if I'm going to be able to get ahold of any right now.

What do you think I should do? Wait it out and just deal with it? Or should I go to great lengths to get it sooner?

[eli77]

Uh... I'd start calling the pharmacies that are not at a reasonable distance from where you live. But then being off estrogen makes me a) get tons of migraines and b) crazy.

[Ave]

I'm peachy as every when I'm not on E, it's when I don't have enough spiro that I start to panic,

[Emmy]

I'm peachy as every when I'm not on E, it's when I don't have enough spiro that I start to panic,

yeah, spiro was really my main concern with hrt to begin with. I'm young and started HRT before being fully.. manned out..
Fortunately, I have tons of spiro

Uh... I'd start calling the pharmacies that are not at a reasonable distance from where you live. But then being off estrogen makes me a) get tons of migraines and b) crazy.

I have been. They're seriously ALL backordered. I'm going to asking even more tomorrow, but things aren't looking good.

[Ave]

yeah, spiro was really my main concern with hrt to begin with. I'm young and started HRT before being fully.. manned out..
Fortunately, I have tons of spiro
I have been. They're seriously ALL backordered. I'm going to asking even more tomorrow, but things aren't looking good.

same here, started spiro way before T had all of it's "magic" to work. I heard if you've been on hormones quite a while going off them is quite a vengeance:P

[Emmy]

same here, started spiro way before T had all of it's "magic" to work. I heard if you've been on hormones quite a while going off them is quite a vengeance:P

Lol yeah.
I don't really mind missing some time. I'm just worried about how I'll feel. the last time.. it was bad.. I don't want to deal with that again, but getting ahold of estradiol is starting to be a huge pain.

[eli77]

The only time I ever went off spiro when I still had testosterone producing organs, I was suicidal within 6 days.  I even got special permission to stay on spiro right up to my bottom surgery because I was terrified of that happening again. Not taking estrogen isn't AS bad, but it still isn't good for my head.

In terms of long term physical affects, a few days are irrelevant, but the side-effects...

I dunno, some people it doesn't seem to bother at all. Other people... are me. Joy! I usually refill my E a month or two in advance just because.

[Ave]

The only time I ever went off spiro when I still had testosterone producing organs, I was suicidal within 6 days.  I even got special permission to stay on spiro right up to my bottom surgery because I was terrified of that happening again. Not taking estrogen isn't AS bad, but it still isn't good for my head.

In terms of long term physical affects, a few days are irrelevant, but the side-effects...

I dunno, some people it doesn't seem to bother at all. Other people... are me. Joy! I usually refill my E a month or two in advance just because.

E mostly doesn't bother me since I feel satisfied with things as is (it's the cleavage...why I have cleavage when I'm technically underweight IDK, maybe it's the genes...or the butter?lol) but a day without spiro is toture.
I react badly to a day when I miss it and I can tell, I get break outs and moody and it's just not cute.

[Ms. OBrien CVT]

Unfortunately the manufacture has back-ordered.  I am i

[Jamie D]

Some basics about managing your medications:

1. Never run out - just as in this example of a supply shortage, a critical med dosing must be maintained.

2. Keep a one-week supply for emergencies - I am in earthquake country; others here can be affected by tornados, hurricanes, cold snaps, etc.  Plan ahead.

3. If you do realize you are going to run out, begin to lessen your dosage.  It is better to underdose than to go without, in many cases.  This is particularly true with HRT meds.  Lowering the dose will stretch the supply.

4. Consider an alternative medication which your Dr. can prescribe.

5. Keep in mind that solid pill medications often maintain their effectiveness long beyond their expiration date.  Some older pills in your medicine cabinet might be able to tide you over.  This is not true with geltabs and liquids.

[Violet Bloom]

I am very interested to know from anyone who has experienced dosage shortages how what you felt during those times compared with anything you felt before starting hormones in the first place.  I'm still trying to gather as much information as I can to guage what changes I can expect when I start my own hormone regimen and also what to be prepared for if there are dosage issues.

[Beth Andrea]

Wow, I feel lucky...I just (barely) got a refill, it took two pharmacies, one was 30 miles away.

They said the manufacturer was backordered...and no idea when it'd be in-stock.

Mmm...wonder about overseas?

[MadelineB]

Yes, I checked the fertility boards and other women are having problems filling estrace or estradiol oral prescriptions.

You can talk to your doctor or endocrinologist and have them temporarily put you on an equivalent dosage of another format of estradiol. For example, the patch forms and the injectable forms do not have a shortage.

I had to go a week once without patches and I got pretty down, craved carbs, overate, cried a little more, was a little on edge and cranky, didn't sleep as well.

I used to get a miniature version of those feelings once a week when the end of my patch's life neared and my blood levels dropped too low. Haven't had that problem since I switched to injectable, though I do hate needles. Bleh.

[Emmy]

Thanks all. I still haven't gotten ahold of any but a local pharmacy here had it in stock so I dropped my prescription off there. Unfortunately didn't see the hours so I have to wait until Monday but I should manage to get a month's worth at least.

I'll talk to my doctor about this on Monday as well so we can get something else sorted out because this is getting ridiculous.

[Rita]

I would agree, being off estrogen might effect some feminine growth but T-Blockers are much more important to maintain status quo.

But I would be freaking out if I didn't have access to E, because we have gone this far and are terrified of turning back into a man physically.  Heck if I miss a day of dosage(has happened ONCE) I start to freak out and poke my chest hoping they won't flab out or deflate like a balloon.  And then I start counting hairs on my tummy to make sure nothing else is growing. 

It can really become an obsession!

[MariaMx]

I am very interested to know from anyone who has experienced dosage shortages how what you felt during those times compared with anything you felt before starting hormones in the first place.  I'm still trying to gather as much information as I can to guage what changes I can expect when I start my own hormone regimen and also what to be prepared for if there are dosage issues.

Well, the first time it happened was after I had been on hrt for 5 months. It was bad. Really bad. The feeling reminded me of the sun being blocked by a cloud on a nice summer day. Everything felt gray and cold.

The second and third time I went off was before surgery. It wasn't as bad that time because I was so excited about my upcoming surgeries but I did get crazy migraines and eventually hot flashes.

In the country where I live there is as far as I know one doctor at the only GID clinic that is allowed to prescribe hrt to transitioning men and women, and to make matters worse he is quiet forgetful and/or busy. He can't be reached on the phone or email and one can not just make an appointment with him. The only way to reach him is by leaving messages at his office or sending letters in the mail. Every year I'd have tremendous problems getting a new prescription and I'd usually end up having to go without. Last year when it was time for me to get a new prescription they decided it was time for my regular doctor to take over and prescribe for me, but without proper guidelines he was afraid to do it because of potential malpractice lawsuits. It took 4 months of bickering before they could decide who's responsibility it was to provide me with the prescription. 3 1/2 months I had to go without any medication. It took nearly 2 months for the hot flashes to come down to an acceptable level once I went back on and I still have a couple of them every day.

[Emmy]

Finally got it today from a local pharmacy

I am very interested to know from anyone who has experienced dosage shortages how what you felt during those times compared with anything you felt before starting hormones in the first place.  I'm still trying to gather as much information as I can to guage what changes I can expect when I start my own hormone regimen and also what to be prepared for if there are dosage issues.

Was about 4 days without. 5 including the time today until when I usually take it.
Apart from a migraine, I've felt pretty alright. Nothing too different from when I'm on it.

As for comparing to before HRT, well I haven't really noticed much change apart from physical ones.

I've never been off Spiro for that long though. The most time I've went without Spiro is a day due to forgetting and that was rather early on. No idea how I'd feel if I went for long without it. Definitely don't want to find out.

[Ave]

Finally got it today from a local pharmacy
Was about 4 days without. 5 including the time today until when I usually take it.
Apart from a migraine, I've felt pretty alright. Nothing too different from when I'm on it.

As for comparing to before HRT, well I haven't really noticed much change apart from physical ones.

I've never been off Spiro for that long though. The most time I've went without Spiro is a day due to forgetting and that was rather early on. No idea how I'd feel if I went for long without it. Definitely don't want to find out.

I have really clear and nice skin with hormones (and I've never had acne pre-hrt or spiro), but even skipping a day of spiro will leave me with a small pimple or two.

I suppose it's my body's way of saying "Get it together!".

[Lady_Oracle]

I'm in the same situation with my E 
It's really annoying what's going on right now. I'm gonna call all of my local pharmacies and see if they have it stocked. If not gotta call my doc