Injections V. Cream/Gel

[Lex]

I've done some searching and haven't found exactly what I'm looking for, so hopefully I'll be ok posting this =]

I've been doing T injections (injecting is the only form of getting T that I've done) for about 7 months now, but I'm considering switching to cream/gel. Basically, injecting is becoming too big of a hassle because my Dr. doesn't want me doing them myself and prefers that I don't do them in my leg blah blah blah... So, what I'm wondering is.. what are the major differences between doing injections and doing rub ins.. are there separate side effects, cost differences? Any info or advice would be MUCH appreciated.

Thanks everyone!
Aven

[Mark]

Originally my endo tried to get me to do gels/creams/patches because he said it would be annoying going to the doctors every other week to get shots done. I told him that i wasnt planning on going to the docs to get the shots.. I would do them myself and he was pretty shocked by that. Only reason i could see your doc wanting you to do it at the office is if they would be profiting from your visit.

The reason I stuck with injections (despite my endo discouraging it) was because all of the other options require a daily application. Twice a month is much more manageable to me then every day.. Also, There is a HUGE price difference for me.. I know with the quotes i got from my pharmacy, the patches would be roughly $670 with insurance and $1700 without insurance for a 5 month supply... Where as when i get my injectable T it only cost me $60, everything included.. big scary numbers..

Your insurance might be different and cover more/less this was only my experience. But along with the price i didnt want to be bothered with applying something everyday.

[Mark]

also I might add, gels/creams take time to dry
and patches sometimes cause irritation if you have sensitive skin

[Hurtfulsplash]

Do the creams and patches work as well as the injections? I know the pills are hard on the liver, are creams/patches harmful too?

[Robert Scott]

So, when we took our transson to the doctor ... she explained the choices to him

Shots work the quickest but causes you to have peeks in T

Patches work by giving you a consistent flow of T - more natural and easier on the system

Gels work just as well as patches --- however, the gel can be transferred to your partner - jokingly she told him that if his girlfriend started growing a beard that he should stop gel.

My kid choose to get the shots.  His mom gave them to him in the beginning - now his girlfriend does.  However, there is a trans clinic here where they can go and get help with them.

Ultimately all three will give you the same results after two years - but injections give you the changes initially quicker

[Mark]

from what ive heard, the results should be pretty similar and take the same time... whether its injections or cream etc 

i would never recommend the pill because like you said its bad on your liver.. long term damage

[Lex]

Thanks for the input everyone!

I ended up going to my endo yesterday and he put me on Androgel to try out.. the thing is, my insurance isn't going to cover it as great as I had expected it to. Luckly the doc said to call him if it's too expensive and we'll try to work something else out.. SO that's my plan. If worst comes to worst, I'll stay on the injections.

Funny thing though, I was given a card for a possible discount on Androgel if I was elligible for it.. and you have to call a number to activate it and all that. I called the number on the card and went through the whole "press one for yes, two for no,..." thing and was asked the question "Is the patient male?". I was a little confused about whether it meant male as in sex or male as in gender.. My question is, what would you have said? Yes or no? I decided to just hanging up the phone because I didn't want any legal issues to deal with. >.>

-Aven

[Mark]

generally when dealing with doctors they only care about your sex.