First estrogen shot today

[GrayKat]

I thought I would recorded it somehow. I did not shoot a video like others do for YouTube. I was on patches and they are annoying, so my doc gave me a prescription for shots. I assume it will be more potent than patches.

[Laurie]

Hey GreyKat,

  I hope the shots work better for you. I can't help you on the potency question. I did patches for several weeks and didn't have any problems except some loosening in the shower but they stuck back down when things died out. I'm doing the pill right now. Not sure if the VA does other forms.

Good Luck to you.

Laurie

[jentay1367]

Generally speaking, patches and gels are the least efficacious of the delivery systems. Then pills, then shots and pellets. I'm quite sure youll be receiving more E through the injections. You're IM dosage would have to be ridiculously low for that not tobe the case. So low, no endo would bother prescribing it.

[Sarah.VanDistel]

Hi GrayKat! Doing shots myself now too, since a couple of weeks, every 10 days (I won't specify the dose, though). I found the IM injection (ventrogluteal site) surprisingly painless! What about you? And as for other symptoms, nothing so far. Girl's dope seems to be smoothly doing its thing... So much more practical than pills. I used to take the pills twice a day, so sometimes it wasn't that practical, even though I always carried a couple of doses in my pocket, inside their blister. I still have to remember to take the AA (I take it 3 times a day) and for that I keep different alarms on my smartphone. Hope my hormone levels will be good! I trust they will... 😌 I hope your experience will be as positive as mine!
Hugs, Sarah

edited: couple of minor typos.

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[Denise]

I take the injection in the leg.  I follow it with vigorous exercise.  Failing to do that the thigh gets stiff.


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[Jennifer RachaelAnn]

Until yesterday, I was on the patches. The problem I had with them, was that without a ton of medical tape and one of those big band-aid patches they would never stay on. They constantly fell off. I finally had enough and went to the doctors office to request another form. So last night I got a call that my method had been switched to the pill. Needless to say I'm happy, happy, happy. Also with the pills my dosage has gone up.

[Devlyn]

Generally speaking, patches and gels are the least efficacious of the delivery systems. Then pills, then shots and pellets. I'm quite sure youll be receiving more E through the injections. You're IM dosage would have to be ridiculously low for that not tobe the case. So low, no endo would bother prescribing it.

Link or source, please?

Hugs, Devlyn

[Michelle_P]

Link or source, please?

Hugs, Devlyn

I'm pretty sure patches don't work well when they are stuck to one's underwear rather than skin, but I haven't found a definitive study. 

Now, if someone wants to fund a long term research project into the matter, why, I'd be happy to conduct a study of the efficacy of patches as applied to one's undies vs hide.   

OK, enough snark.

Patches work OK as long as they are attached, and the delivery works OK through one's hide.  No dosages per patch, natch, but I have four of the little buggers on me right now at the max strength my insurance formulary permits.  At a $10 per patch 'copay' (list price!) before I hit my max out of pocket, and changing these twice a week, they are considerably more expensive than injections, pills, or gel.  They are also the only thing my endocrinologist will prescribe, so patch I must...  (The doc doesn't want me riding the estrogen roller coaster, just a nice steady level.  Something about how I present with PMS.  )

I have to re-order a 3 month supply next week, so all I can say is thank goodness I hit my max-out-of-pocket already.

[Devlyn]

Link or source, please?

Hugs, Devlyn

I'm pretty sure patches don't work well when they are stuck to one's underwear rather than skin, but I haven't found a definitive study.

Now, if someone wants to fund a long term research project into the matter, why, I'd be happy to conduct a study of the efficacy of patches as applied to one's undies vs hide.   

OK, enough snark.

Patches work OK as long as they are attached, and the delivery works OK through one's hide.  No dosages per patch, natch, but I have four of the little buggers on me right now at the max strength my insurance formulary permits.  At a $10 per patch 'copay' (list price!) before I hit my max out of pocket, and changing these twice a week, they are considerably more expensive than injections, pills, or gel.  They are also the only thing my endocrinologist will prescribe, so patch I must...  (The doc doesn't want me riding the estrogen roller coaster, just a nice steady level.  Something about how I present with PMS.  )

I have to re-order a 3 month supply next week, so all I can say is thank goodness I hit my max-out-of-pocket already.

I think you're supposed to undress before you put them on! 

Hugs, Devlyn

[Justarandomname]

I've never tried patches but I was on pills for a while before I changed to injections.  It was a world of difference for me personally and my e levels went up normal levels.

[ainsley]

Link or source, please?

Hugs, Devlyn

Just waiting for KayXo to post up the links and sources of sound clinical studies.  I know she will.

[Devlyn]

When something is delivered as fact I  like to see the information. 

Hugs, Devlyn

[ainsley]

Same here.  I have read the studies and am too lazy to search them out (lol), but I know KayXo has shown them to me in the past, and she is quite a clinical study digger, so I await her arrival.

[jentay1367]

When something is delivered as fact I  like to see the information. 

Hugs, Devlyn

Generally speaking, patches and gels are the least efficacious of the delivery systems.

with of course, the operative word being "Generally".  My answer was presented as anecdotal , apocryphal information that is generally accepted by the community. Never meant to be absolute empirical evidence by any means and I think that was evident by my verbiage. It was intended as a helping hand to an individual asking about generalities regarding the administration of Estrogen. Parsing my words is certainly your prerogative, but in the spirit of intent, I  fall on the sword of merely trying to help the OP with generally accepted outcomes within our community.

[Devlyn]

My anecdotal experience is that my doctor said all estradiol is the same, regardless of route of administration. She said patches offer more stable dosing than either oral or injected estradiol. Now none of this is fact, either, merely me relaying her words from memory. But I  don't recall her saying we were taking a less effective route by going with transdermal. Which is what you seem to  imply with your experiences.

Just wondering where you got the information.

Hugs, Devlyn

[jentay1367]

My anecdotal experience is that my doctor said all estradiol is the same, regardless of route of administration. She said patches offer more stable dosing than either oral or injected estradiol. Now none of this is fact, either, merely me relaying her words from memory. But I  don't recall her saying we were taking a less effective route by going with transdermal. Which is what you seem to  imply with your experiences.

Just wondering where you got the information.

Hugs, Devlyn

from my own personal experience as well as my personal Endocrinologist as well as my speaking with other trans Women throughout my journey. In other words, my personal experience. Yours is different than mine. Take my information with a grain of salt if you like.

[Devlyn]

The point is, there is no information that says

"Generally speaking, patches and gels are the least efficacious of the delivery systems."

that I know of. Please do point to that if you stumble across it.

Hugs, Devlyn

[jentay1367]

The point is, there is no information that says

"Generally speaking, patches and gels are the least efficacious of the delivery systems."

that I know of. Please do point to that if you stumble across it.

Hugs, Devlyn

All over the internet. Google is at hand

[Devlyn]

So it is. 

"In addition to offering the same benefits as oral therapy, this type of estrogen treatment has several additional advantages. For one, the patch is convenient. You can stick it on and not worry about having to take a pill each day.
While estrogen pills can be dangerous for people with liver problems, patches are OK, because the estrogen bypasses the liver and goes directly into the blood. A 2007 study also showed that the patch does not pose a risk of blood clots in postmenopausal women like oral estrogen does, though more studies are needed before making definitive conclusions on whether patches are safer than pills. Right now, all estrogens carry the same black-box warning with respect to clot formation."

[jentay1367]

So it is. 

"In addition to offering the same benefits as oral therapy, this type of estrogen treatment has several additional advantages. For one, the patch is convenient. You can stick it on and not worry about having to take a pill each day.
While estrogen pills can be dangerous for people with liver problems, patches are OK, because the estrogen bypasses the liver and goes directly into the blood. A 2007 study also showed that the patch does not pose a risk of blood clots in postmenopausal women like oral estrogen does, though more studies are needed before making definitive conclusions on whether patches are safer than pills. Right now, all estrogens carry the same black-box warning with respect to clot formation."

O.M.G!......looks like patches are the perfect delivery system for you. Congratulations...you've found your fit.