Thoughts on Delestrogen

[tsamantha79]

I just recently got switched to a new Dr last week because my regular Dr just up and quite..I know interesting...but anyways me and Dr M were talking about my HRT and stuff and I brought up injectable estrogen as maybe a replacement for the orals that I have been taking for the past 3yrs. He said that it was a very good idea and set up "injection visits" with the nurse. I am happy..but at the same time I am a little scared.
I was on delestrogen for a very short time..when I first started my HRT but I had to quite because
A. I was self-injecting and it made me sick
B. I suddently started having panic attacks
I guess I can rationalize the GAD from just being really stressed at the time..and now I don't have to inject myself. so I guess my question is. Has anyone went from a few years of oral to injectables and how was that transition.
I realize everyones body is different..and my labs came back normal. but I was just wondering.

Thank you very much

xxoxoxo Samantha >

[April221]

I switched over to Delestrogen several months ago from the pills, and haven't had any problems with it. The first few injections were leaving me with a low estrogen level after about 10 days, and I was able to feel the difference. After three or four injections, everything stabilized, and now I no longer experience the sharp drop off.

As for self injecting, it took a while to find the exact spot where I should inject. I inject into the thigh, and some spots have proven to be painful whereas some spots are virtually pain free. Finding the best spot needed some experimentation. I was uncomfortable with injections, and wasn't looking forward to self injecting at first, and the sight of the long needle didn't help, but after I located the most comfortable areas to use, the entire procedure became uneventful and routine.

If you'd like to switch to injectables and have a question about it making you sick or having other problems, why don't you allow the nurse to do the first few injections if you'll have less stress that way? It will allow you to evaluate the medication without the same amount of stress, and it may help you in making your decision whether or not to switch.

[Keira]

Injections have a tendency to create much more variability (extreme high to a low serum level) within the injection cycle (especially if they're spaced out). People react very differently to this variability. Just see how GG's react to variation of estrogen levels within the menstrual cycle.

With time, the body kind of becomes less sensitive to this, but there's still a lot of variability in the reaction.

[Sandy]

I have always self injected.  Early on I did notice a little cyclic emotional variation but that seems to have straightended out.  However if I miss my injection day I do start to get emotional.

I do feel a very slight nausea following injection for a few hours, but I have had no other side effects.

-Sandy

[tsamantha79]

thanx ladies..your posts are very helpful..though I have come to a bit of trouble..though I had it prescribed and I went to my pharmacy..I guess the manufacturer is in a shortage and all alot of the venders or so are taking months to get it in. so I am pilless..(lost my entire refilled prescription the day I refilled it!!!) so I am sooooo hoping that I will not have to long without any estrogen. Does anyone know how long it takes for your body to start reverting after estrogen has been stopped? I know that I won't be without that long...but still


thanx again for the really great advice and experiences

[Beyond]

I'm post-op now and don't use them anymore, but try:

Anzao Health (formerly Kronos)
1-800-723-7455
fax 800-238-8239

They are a compounding pharmacy out of Las Vegas.  I know you're saying WHERE?  Trust me, these guys are fast, reliable and cheap.

1. Call and set up an account.

2. Have your doctor fax them a script.  Be sure he includes syringes and needles.  Delestrogen is a brand name, so your doc will write for Estrodiol Valerate, which is the same exact stuff.

3. Call (if they haven't called you first) and place your order.  You should recieve it in 3 or 4 days.


Cost?  My last refill last fall was about $40.  Keep in mind that same vial would cost more than $200 at a local Walgreens.  The syringes and needles will be another $15(?).


Good Luck!


p.s. Anzao uses a castor oil base I believe which is thick.  So don't be surprised when injecting is a little harder than you expect.  Hint: warm the vial up your hand  first, that'll make it a bit easier to inject.

[NicholeW.]

I've found that the compounding pharms are simply easier and provide excellent quality. If you've been using pills, then the IMs will definitely be "different" for you. The pill forms at compunding pharms are generally the exact same price as at the chain pharms plus you pay for shipping.

The IMs are MADE at the compounding pharms so the costs there are much less than at the chains or locals that don't compound as the pharmaceutical companies are left out-of-the-loop and the charges with those who make the hormones.

And the advice about warming the vial a bit (not too much, just hand-warming) is excellent. The suspension is THICK with the castor oil. If you are allergic to ground nuts be sure to find out what the suspension is before you order. I don't think I have ever seen peanut oil used to suspend the E, but I suppose it could be. The websites are very up-front about what is used.

As for illness or reaction, I've never had one to the E. The AAs did that when I first began them, for about 2 months prior to getting the E. The other caveat with injectibles is to use the buttocks, preferably in the upper left or right quadrant as there are fewer chances there to slice a vein or artery. To do so can cause a truly nasty reaction in most as well as displacing the E so that it doesn't pool and disperse slowly.

Nichole

[kareema]

I'm post-op now and don't use them anymore, but try:

Anzao Health (formerly Kronos)
1-800-723-7455
fax 800-238-8239

They are a compounding pharmacy out of Las Vegas.  I know you're saying WHERE?  Trust me, these guys are fast, reliable and cheap.

1. Call and set up an account.

2. Have your doctor fax them a script.  Be sure he includes syringes and needles.  Delestrogen is a brand name, so your doc will write for Estrodiol Valerate, which is the same exact stuff.

3. Call (if they haven't called you first) and place your order.  You should recieve it in 3 or 4 days.


Cost?  My last refill last fall was about $40.  Keep in mind that same vial would cost more than $200 at a local Walgreens.  The syringes and needles will be another $15(?).


Good Luck!


p.s. Anzao uses a castor oil base I believe which is thick.  So don't be surprised when injecting is a little harder than you expect.  Hint: warm the vial up your hand  first, that'll make it a bit easier to inject.

how many mg is the bottle of delestrogen/estrodial when you order it?

[Beyond]

how many mg is the bottle of delestrogen/estrodial when you order it?

Your doctor will specify on the prescription.  There are generally 3 different strengths manufactured/compounded:

10mg/ml

20mg/ml

40mg/ml



And remember stregnth is NOT dose.  To figure dosage you need to know strength, amount injected and how often.

[NicholeW.]

And the doctor will give the dosage info to the pharm and you as well.

[shanetastic]

I'm post-op now and don't use them anymore, but try:

Anzao Health (formerly Kronos)
1-800-723-7455
fax 800-238-8239

They are a compounding pharmacy out of Las Vegas.  I know you're saying WHERE?  Trust me, these guys are fast, reliable and cheap.

1. Call and set up an account.

2. Have your doctor fax them a script.  Be sure he includes syringes and needles.  Delestrogen is a brand name, so your doc will write for Estrodiol Valerate, which is the same exact stuff.

3. Call (if they haven't called you first) and place your order.  You should recieve it in 3 or 4 days.


Cost?  My last refill last fall was about $40.  Keep in mind that same vial would cost more than $200 at a local Walgreens.  The syringes and needles will be another $15(?).


Good Luck!


p.s. Anzao uses a castor oil base I believe which is thick.  So don't be surprised when injecting is a little harder than you expect.  Hint: warm the vial up your hand  first, that'll make it a bit easier to inject.

That's the place I use and their awesome.  Super fast and easy to deal with :]  And cheap of course too, yay!

[joannatsf]

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is very effective in treating anxiety disorders such as yours around self-injection. CBT is based on the Cognitive Model of Emotional Response.  Cognitive-behavioral therapy is based on the idea that our thoughts cause our feelings and behaviors, not external things, like people, situations, and events.  The benefit of this fact is that we can change the way we think to feel / act better even if the situation does not change.

Talk to your therapist about it.  It's an easy technique to learn.

[Mari]

Injections have a tendency to create much more variability (extreme high to a low serum level) within the injection cycle (especially if they're spaced out). People react very differently to this variability. Just see how GG's react to variation of estrogen levels within the menstrual cycle.

With time, the body kind of becomes less sensitive to this, but there's still a lot of variability in the reaction.

Could someone pls explain this little further?
Because endo that i will be going to uses only injections for her TS patients.
And i am wondering is that a good idea? Becaude yes there will be extremely high
and extremely low E values vs. "straight line" that orals create

[Beyond]

Mari,

This is a strictly YMMV thing.  Some go through swings, some don't.  I have had practically no problems with mood swings or precipitous hormone level drops (I've been using injectable about 4 years).  My advice is to try it, see what happens and go from there.  Also orals do not give a constant stream.  More like a wavy line as your levels peak about an hour after each dose.  I believe patches give the steadiest levels.  Oh and you might be surprised at what happens at high levels   A couple times as I increased dose I had a temporary (few hours) high when I felt bullet proof.


So don't put the cart before the horse.  Everyone reacts differently to meds.  Try it and see how it works for you because there is no "sure thing" when it comes to HRT.

[April221]

Mari,

Oh and you might be surprised at what happens at high levels   A couple times as I increased dose I had a temporary (few hours) high when I felt bullet proof.

Oh, my! I remember the times that the estrogen level was high...one time I went to the supermarket! I just felt sooo good...until I found my way to the register and had to take out my credit card to pay for everything!!! 

With injections, if peaks and lows become uncomfortable, you can go to half-doses weekly, instead of the full dose bi-weekly. The idea is that the hormone is in an oil base, and when it is injected deeply into a heavy muscle it will slowly leak into the bloodstream. This can lead to the highs and lows that some people experience. Many people find that over time, their bodies accept the fluctuating levels of estrogen without a problem.

[gilded]

Thanks for the compounding info.

I couldn't believe they were any good at $40 so I've been paying much more at a major online discounter

Have a great 2009 !
- g_nyc

[Ms.Behavin]

One thing I did as I was experencing some high/ lows with injections was to reduce the injection dose and also use a patch (which gives a constant dosage).  I found that better for me overall. 

but YMMV.

Beni

PS after GRS I'm only on the patch.

[gilded]

PS after GRS I'm only on the patch.

They compound patches?
Some people make their own with large band aids and vaginal cream.

Thanks for the scheduling info.

Have a great 2009,
- g_nyc

PS The BEST on your GRS!

[NDelible Gurl]

Sorry for restarting an older thread but if the costs are still low w/the mentioned Pharmacy then it might be worth restarting. I had an appointment yesterday to meet a new Doc at the local Indian Hospital. The old doc up and left and they handed over his patients to this new doc. I went in and asked to get my levels checked and while talking I mentioned injectables. At the end of my visit I left relieved that he was professional and didn't say something like "you'll need to go somewhere else for that!" I also left with a Rx for Delestrogen and Prometrium.

I had been wanting to do the injections for quite some time but money is always a huge factor! I've saved up so I am anxious to give injectables a try and see how it works out for me. I went into town after the hospital visit and tried Wally World and got quoted a price of $177 for Delestrogen and $256 for Prometrium!

Holy Crap!!! 

I then went to Walgreens and the Pharmacy Tech at the counter told me they didn't carry the injectable Delestrogen but did have Prometrium. The Prometrium costs...are you ready for this??!!!

$381

This is for a monthly prescription! I'm wondering if anyone has used Anzao recently and if you might be able to PM me a recent price for Delestrogen. I am aware that we aren't allowed to discuss dosages here so I will do that in PM. I'm wondering if Anzao also carries Prometrium or where else I could get that safely and cheaply. Thanks ladies

[Brinewtg]

Does anyone know of a doctor in New Haven Connecticut working with transgender patients