Pharmacy Discretion

[Meghan]

I am not worry much about Pharmacist ask questions. Staff at Medical Center knew about my Medical transition so when I visit my Endocrine sit in waiting room with all women, and nobody even though about the why I am there. Maybe because I live in San Jose California.

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[christinej78]

Christine,
GoodRx was a lifesaver. I picked my pharmacy as Walmart because patches only cost about $35 compared to the $100 or so the box said.
I eventually switched to pills and insurance covers it.
The only problem I ever had with a pharmacy was the pre authorization crap [emoji35]

Take care
Kitty



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Hi Kitty,

The $70.00 I paid was less than normal; the druggist gave me a break. It wasn't till I returned home and looked up Estradiol on the web and found GoodRx and $35.00 for it. When I refill the script in a week or so, I'll go where GoodRx gives the best price.

When I walked into the pharmacy my friendly "Drug Dealer" asked: "What's going on?" I told him "Just what it seems. Making a change in direction." That was an easy outing. I went to my dermatologist Tuesday and Primary Thursday. I asked both of them to discuss my transition with their staff so there won't be any misunderstandings.

My insurance refused coverage... thank you Medicare Part D. I can probably cut back on my junk food for a day and save enough for a months script. Actually, if I cut out all the junk food for a month it will cover the $35.00 and be a lot healthier. I need to get rid of some fat before it redirects to the wrong place. Since it has only been 2 weeks of HRT there has been no noticeable redirection. I keep hoping a couple speed bumps start forming on my chest soon. I'm sure it's kind of like watching a pot of water on the stove waiting for it to boil. Momentarily look away and it'll be boiling.

I do have one regret with my transition; I should have done this years ago. Advice to those of you who are wavering: Get on with it; don't wait until you are a "Seasoned Citizen." If you do wait, it's never too late. I see my transition as the greatest adventure of my life.

Best Always,

Christine

[TonyaW]

It's the first and only time iv had a scrip handed to me that iv never taken before and the pharmacist just looked at me and said "you know exactly what this will do right" (or something close to that I can't remember the exact wording) then paid walked out and nothing was said.

He was probably glad that he didn't have to explain it to you if you didn't know what they were for.

So good pharmacists do exist

Most of us are, thanks.  People tend not to make a fuss when someone does their job properly.


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[V M]

I rarely have to go into the pharmacy I use, my Dr. places the order from his office and the pharmacy has free delivery

The delivery person has no idea about what my prescription is other than to make their deliveries and get a signature and they are always politely in a hurry to finish their deliveries

[ToriJo]

My first experience:

I give the pharmacist the script and came back in 30 minutes to pick it up.

She asks me to go over to the window and then proceeds to ask me if I know it is estrogen.

I say, "Yep".

She asks again. I say "yep" again.  Then she asks a third time, and I say "yep" again!

At that point, apparently, she was able to put it together.  I was presenting as a man at the time.

She did ask rather loud, but I was done with secrets at that point so I didn't care.

Since then, I present as myself, and haven't had any issues.

[Rachel]

My first script for E I went to CVS. My prescription card is for CVS only. The pharmacist came to the counter and said loudly, Do you know what this will do to you? I said yes and she said it again. I looked at her and people looked at me. I was embarrassed.

For my refill I picked up my meds at the counter and a young clerk looked at me and as I walked away started laughing. I was embarrassed again. That was 4.5 years ago and I was pretty fragile at that point.

I then picked up my scripts at the Mazzoni pharmacy adjacent to the Mazzoni canter where I get my trans care and primary care and go to group. They are awesome.

I am a different person now. I get Truvada as an HIV prophylactic (perhaps some day I will find someone). The CVS pharmacist had to ask me questions as per protocol. I was descriptive about why I was going on the drug and the side effects. He was like ok, you know what you are doing and the side effects. Do you have any questions? Maybe it is me or that I handle myself differently, with confidence or maybe they have changed.

I was prescribed T (very small dose every other day). I picked it up at the Mazzoni Pharmacy. The pharmacist asked what am I doing with this. I just stated I am post op and taking a dab every other day for bone health. She said Ok, OK. 

There is a difference between being asked questions and being disrespected. 4.5 years ago I should have complained to CVS for being disrespected and lack of privacy protocol. I am a different person now and much stronger. I can handle myself and am not embarrassed about who I am.

[Meghan]

In my medical records acknowledge I am a transgender female. So when the pharmacy members call me questions about medication and they're always call me Miss when they are talking to me either in English or Vietnamese.

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[Danielle M]

I go to a Walgreens by my house. I have newer had anyone question it or say anyehing.

[christinej78]

There is a difference between being asked questions and being disrespected. 4.5 years ago I should have complained to CVS for being disrespected and lack of privacy protocol. I am a different person now and much stronger. I can handle myself and am not embarrassed about who I am.

Rachel,      10 Apr 2018

Congratulations, you are one tough lady. You ARE my hero. I used to think I was a pretty tough nut; I can't hold a candle to you. I have been reading your blog and I am amazed by your tenacity, fortitude, perseverance and courage.

All the Best to you always,
Christine

[pamelatransuk]

Thank you Ladies for all your responses.

I am sorry to hear a couple of sad stories here but thankfully they seemed to have happened some time ago rather than of late.

I am confident most pharmacies are discreet, professional and respectful.

Pamela

[KayXo]

I had pharmacists inquire why I was taking so much estrogen or progesterone as those doses were far above those recommended for ciswomen. I told them it was between me and my doctor and that everything was fine, not to worry. Annoying though...one girl in the back even shouted: "She's pregnant!". If she only knew...I told them I wasn't.

[Chelsea]

I go to a Walgreens by my house. I have newer had anyone question it or say anyehing.

I use Walgreens also. I still present male and the first time I went the pharmacist showed me the prescription names and said "are these the correct medications for you?"  I said "yes that's me alright"  I have only been two times total so far but no problems with them yet.

Hugs,
       Chelsea

[Barri]

After 14 years of DIY, I recently contacted a doctor online who prescribed injectable EV for me.
I had him call the script into Walmart since they list it online as something they carry.
Had an assistant and the Pharmacist both speak to me, now imagine the scenario....
6'8" person who will NEVER be able to pass, dressed in regular guy clothes, picking up that particular drug....
Neither seemed overly curious, they just wanted to know if I was ok with self administering an injectable.
I told them I'd been doing it for 14 years already.
They did give me the wrong needled syringes though and will be told when it's refill time.

[Donna]

I had pharmacists inquire why I was taking so much estrogen or progesterone as those doses were far above those recommended for ciswomen. I told them it was between me and my doctor and that everything was fine, not to worry. Annoying though...one girl in the back even shouted: "She's pregnant!". If she only knew...I told them I wasn't.

Well that would be way uncomfortable for them to explain that miracle of nature.
Pregnant and loving it. Lol

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

I had pharmacists inquire why I was taking so much estrogen or progesterone as those doses were far above those recommended for ciswomen. I told them it was between me and my doctor and that everything was fine, not to worry. Annoying though...one girl in the back even shouted: "She's pregnant!". If she only knew...I told them I wasn't.

LOL! But I don't understand how being pregnant could explain being placed on high doses of oestrogen..

[KayXo]

LOL! But I don't understand how being pregnant could explain being placed on high doses of oestrogen..

That was when I was getting my progesterone prescription and some women are prescribed high doses of progesterone to prevent miscarriage in the beginning of pregnancy. Also, women undergoing IVF (in-vitro fertilization) take both high doses of estrogen and progesterone in the beginning, until the placenta takes over.

[KathyLauren]

LOL! But I don't understand how being pregnant could explain being placed on high doses of oestrogen..

There is a school of thought in the medical community that high doses of estrogen during pregnancy will reduce the risk of miscarriage.  I don't know how much truth there is in this, but I am pretty sure the theory is still out there.

That theory was the reason for prescribing high doses of DES, a synthetic estrogen, to women in the 1950s and 1960s, which probably resulted in many of us being MTF trans.

[Quinn]

I switched my medical insurance to Kaiser Permente  because I heard they had the best Trans Care and when I was on another I was having trouble finding a Endo to prescribe HRT.  So I made the decision to wait about 2 months for open enrollment so i could switch to Kaiser and start treatment.
  It has been overall a been great decision, at the start of everything i was nervous about talking to anyone including health professionals about transitioning which i think most people are.
  So after seeing the Therapist for the first time she recommended me immediately to schedule with the endo so i could start HRT. I had been trying for over a year with the other insurance and there therapist so this was happening really fast which excited me also terrified at the same time.
Within a week i had a appointment with the endo at one of the larger Kaiser Hospitals in the Los Angeles area.
I dressed for the appointment androgynous womens jeans  just a plain T shirt , I'm 51 so i was not passing or trying to pass at this time. So get to the appointment and walking down the hall looking for the right room. I spot the room # and open the door to walk in and there is female Kaiser employee on here way out, She stops in the doorway looks me up from head to toe then back toe to head and just really loudly makes the PFFFT so everyone in the waiting room hears. Shakes her head and struts out.
  This is my first experience like this i was fairly embarrassed for a little while sitting there until everyone went back to what they were doing.
     I get called to see the endo went in had the appointment and she prescribes the Estradiol and asked me i wanted to go downstairs and get my prescription right now. I was surprised i was used to having to get it called into a local pharmacy and waiting for it to filled, figured it would be a few days at least. So was really surprised since i was new to Kaiser that you can walk out the office right to the pharmacy and get the prescription.
  I said yes i will get it here and now excited and a bit apprehensive since i have bee trying for so long and its happening really fast.
  I go down the pharmacy downstairs , this is one of the bigger Kaiser location so there was probably 30 people in pharmacy to pick up prescriptions. This pharmacy was tiny thou, crammed in there like sardines and NO privacy whatsoever.  When i was called to come up and collect the prescription it was a young male in his mid twenties  , at first he was all business here it is pay this to each customer and he is the same with me at the start of the transaction, then he looks at what the prescription is , he pauses his lips scrunch up and every word from is mouth at this point everyone can hear.
Who are you picking this up for ?    me
You do know this is estrogen right? yes   
Do you need the pharmacist to go over how to take it? no

Now I'm sweating its the first time getting HRT, already had the experience upstairs with the women, now this
I walked out of there and back to my car so fast already questioning my decision if it is going to be like this the whole way if this is what its like the first day.
   At the start of traveling home my emotions were  embarrassment, fear, then some anger 
Then i started laughing the more i thought about it, if I'm going to let a couple people i don't know and will never see again dictate how i live my own life then I'm really destined to be sad and miserable for the rest of life. So decided then to just smile and move on with my life and not let these small and yes they may feel embarrassing at the time but those people didn't think about me the moment i was out of their sight. Why would i think about them any longer than they thought about me and let them control me.

When i arrived home went straight in and took my first dose  and its been almost a year now

Those were the only experiences like that i have had to date and almost let those stop me yet again.

I'm glad i did not, transition is hard enough without letting small blips take more control of you then they should

I have been getting my RX now online from the Kaiser mail-order most of the time but i have been into the local one on a few occasions now to pick up the RX and there has never been an issue since
   

[Donna]

I have to agree Kathy. Those high doses my mom got caused this. Thank you mom💗💗💗💗 for taking your meds as needed

[Kendra]

> I spot the room # and open the door to walk in and there is female Kaiser employee on here way out, She stops in the doorway looks me up from head to toe then back toe to head and just really loudly makes the PFFFT so everyone in the waiting room hears. Shakes her head and struts out.

>
  then he looks at what the prescription is , he pauses his lips scrunch up and every word from is mouth at this point everyone can hear.   

Brie I admire your ability to laugh this off later on.  You did the right thing - placing your future first, regardless of people who don't matter.  This was their failure, not yours, although at the moment it happens we tend to blame ourselves. 

As we gain confidence it becomes easier to know where the line was crossed and in some cases do something about it on the spot.  For the employee whose brain went PFFFT, asking her "excuse me, is there a problem?" would have thrown this back on her to explain.  She probably wouldn't have answered much, but point made. 

The pharmacy is in the US so it must follow HIPAA.  Although that was a year ago, if they haven't changed procedures and the setup of that room you could contact management and let them know some of their employees have been unintentionally breaking the law.  I would do it in writing. 

It does sound like there are also a lot of good people and practices at that facility.