Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Anyways, I am usually skeptical of trans girls who insist one form is better than another. However, my insurance will not cover HRT until I turn 18 (their policy is really weird-they do actually cover srs and some things like a trachea shave so I can't really complain) so I  have been thinking about talking to my doc about switching over since Injections are much cheaper than pills. What think ye all? How have your experiences been on injections (if applicable)?

Injections seem to be werkin fiiine.
Nothing cray.

It's more convenient than taking all these pills everyday, and its once a week.
Plus I have a quirky thing for needles.

Much cheaper than pills? Seeing how cheap the pills are, I don't think there can be such a big difference. I mean, my pills are about 1.05 $ each before insurance... Given the needles to buy and all, are injections really cheaper? And even if they are, are they worth the huge hassle?

Anyway, I advise against injections, personally. They're painful and hard to do - well, it does depend on the person - and every serious text I have read about them said they did sub-optimal results. As far as I know, they bring faster results, since it's directly into the bloodstream and the dose gets very high very fast, but it makes hormone levels fluctuate a lot between injections.

There is no proof, but since that's not how bodies work (hormones are normally released in a somewhat steady manner, not a big rush once a week), I fully agree with the doctors who think it wouldn't bring as much results in the long term.

The variations can also be unhealthy, I think, for a few reasons I don't know. The fact injectables are not allowed in quite a few countries feels like it supports the idea, too.

Finally, I don't know about you, but I am much less likely to forget a daily habit of taking pills with my breakfast - especially since I have the antiandrogen that's a pill anyway next to it - than an injection once a week. Injection that might even require a visit to a health professional every time, I don't know (but I would personally never trust myself with a delicate thing like an injection!)

Quote from: A on May 03, 2012, 12:12:44 AM
Much cheaper than pills? Seeing how cheap the pills are, I don't think there can be such a big difference. I mean, my pills are about 1.05 $ each before insurance... Given the needles to buy and all, are injections really cheaper? And even if they are, are they worth the huge hassle?

Anyway, I advise against injections, personally. They're painful and hard to do - well, it does depend on the person - and every serious text I have read about them said they did sub-optimal results. As far as I know, they bring faster results, since it's directly into the bloodstream and the dose gets very high very fast, but it makes hormone levels fluctuate a lot between injections.

There is no proof, but since that's not how bodies work (hormones are normally released in a somewhat steady manner, not a big rush once a week), I fully agree with the doctors who think it wouldn't bring as much results in the long term.

The variations can also be unhealthy, I think, for a few reasons I don't know. The fact injectables are not allowed in quite a few countries feels like it supports the idea, too.

Finally, I don't know about you, but I am much less likely to forget a daily habit of taking pills with my breakfast - especially since I have the antiandrogen that's a pill anyway next to it - than an injection once a week. Injection that might even require a visit to a health professional every time, I don't know (but I would personally never trust myself with a delicate thing like an injection!)

True I keep hearing different things on the effectiveness and I believe the pills are more consistent. However, considering my mom is a nurse and I am also studying to be one an unhealthy immunity to fear of needles seems to course through my veins :P

I wanted to do injections, but by day 3 my skin was oily, my sex drive was returning, my emotions were dulling.... maybe my muscles just dissolved it.

I was on injection for a month and I honestly felt like I wasn't getting anything.  I felt like any changes I had were dissolving and it made me feel like poop.  I pay 20$ a month for spiro and estrogen with insurance and its 70$ for injections of E that isnt covered by insurance.  It last for 2 months but regardless, I gotta go with the cheaper feel.  I really loved not having to take as many pills a day, but in the end I had to go with what was cost effective.  Also, it always took me FOREVER to get the estrogen in the dam syringe.

I'd love to try injections but in the United Kingdom they are illegal. I've been on pills for many years but I personally think injections would work better for me. Does any one have any idea how I could get them imported?

Hey girls,

Just to add a different perspective of things. My Endocrinologist told me that the best treatment was= tablets > injections > implants.
But this had to be done over time.

Tablets strain the liver, but can be given in small doses to build your levels up.

Injections can be introduced once levels are satisfactory, as this bypasses liver, but you may not be able to handle the fluctuations yet.

Implants are best once further down the track as you can't wait a day or week if the hormones drive you crazy. Once it's in, surgery will need to be performed to remove it.

Best probably to raise concern with your Doctor and see what they say. Best to mention your money concerns as well. I'm sure they'll understand.

Let us know how you go


Love

Jenny

OXOXOXOXOX

I've done both pills and injections and known others that also done both. I've also done both horse piss and synthetics in pills. Everyone I know has had different responses to every form and type of estrogen. As someone else has said, I cannot imaging pills being all that much more expensive, especially when you factor in the total costs between syringes and filters, if required.

My personal preference is for injectable. First off, pills are a PITA for me to keep track of. Doing my supplements is enough of a hassle. The injectable also gives me a lot more bang for the buck. A 10mg shot lasts easily a week to 10 or more days now. (3 years plus and AA). In the beginning the effects came on far faster than pills did in the past.

The big down side is after a while giving yourself a shot is getting to me. You mess up once or twice, and it gets harder and harder to "do the plunge".

Injections are much cheaper... $12.50 for 10 vials, that's around $65 a year = £40 - one vial per week.

If you inject into your thighs, there is no pain at all. You can watch the needle slide in, very little resistance.

Syringes are $3 for 100, needles $3 for 100, alcohol pads $1 for 100.

If your pharmacy is charging too much then just order them online, so long as you're still doing lab tests.

Can't report on effects, only on my 2nd week, pills were doing nothing.

I guess it just personal. I have done injections for years and very please with results.

Quote from: JoanneB on May 03, 2012, 07:09:28 AM
I've done both pills and injections and known others that also done both. I've also done both horse piss and synthetics in pills. Everyone I know has had different responses to every form and type of estrogen. As someone else has said, I cannot imaging pills being all that much more expensive, especially when you factor in the total costs between syringes and filters, if required.

My personal preference is for injectable. First off, pills are a PITA for me to keep track of. Doing my supplements is enough of a hassle. The injectable also gives me a lot more bang for the buck. A 10mg shot lasts easily a week to 10 or more days now. (3 years plus and AA). In the beginning the effects came on far faster than pills did in the past.

The big down side is after a while giving yourself a shot is getting to me. You mess up once or twice, and it gets harder and harder to "do the plunge

JoanneB    You are a beautiful women

Quote from: Jenny_B_Good on May 03, 2012, 06:54:10 AM
Hey girls,

Just to add a different perspective of things. My Endocrinologist told me that the best treatment was= tablets > injections > implants.
But this had to be done over time.

Tablets strain the liver, but can be given in small doses to build your levels up.

Injections can be introduced once levels are satisfactory, as this bypasses liver, but you may not be able to handle the fluctuations yet.

Implants are best once further down the track as you can't wait a day or week if the hormones drive you crazy. Once it's in, surgery will need to be performed to remove it.

Best probably to raise concern with your Doctor and see what they say. Best to mention your money concerns as well. I'm sure they'll understand.

Let us know how you go


Love

Jenny

OXOXOXOXOX

Both Injections and Implants are not licensed in the United Kingdom, so we don't get the choices that you lucky folk have in America and I'm pretty pissed about that!  but go ahead and rub it in with threads like this!

Every trans woman I know of here in Belgium gets pills. Estradiol valerate.
I was initially very interested in injections. Needles don't bother me and it means I could stop setting alarms for 3 darn pills a day. But I've had surprising success with the Progynova, so why mess with a good thing?

Quote from: Eve87 on May 05, 2012, 07:14:02 PM
Every trans woman I know of here in Belgium gets pills. Estradiol valerate.
I was initially very interested in injections. Needles don't bother me and it means I could stop setting alarms for 3 darn pills a day. But I've had surprising success with the Progynova, so why mess with a good thing?

My doctor advised me to take my Progynova once a day.. So I take my entire dose in one go.. My levels are great, and I only have to remember to take it once a day..

Quote from: Jenny_B_Good on May 03, 2012, 06:54:10 AM
Hey girls,

Just to add a different perspective of things. My Endocrinologist told me that the best treatment was= tablets > injections > implants.
But this had to be done over time.

Tablets strain the liver, but can be given in small doses to build your levels up.

Injections can be introduced once levels are satisfactory, as this bypasses liver, but you may not be able to handle the fluctuations yet.

Implants are best once further down the track as you can't wait a day or week if the hormones drive you crazy. Once it's in, surgery will need to be performed to remove it.

Best probably to raise concern with your Doctor and see what they say. Best to mention your money concerns as well. I'm sure they'll understand.

Let us know how you go


Love

Jenny

OXOXOXOXOX

Pills shouldn't be anymore of a strain on the liver than injections if they are taken sublingually. I don't have specific information.. But I am a biology student. The route in which they would be metabolized which is through the blood stream, should be roughly the same, while pils that are swallowed WOULD be metabolized in the liver.

Also implants are very expensive.

I've been hearing a lot about those sublingual things, and I wanted to know... How do I know, except by asking the endo (not seeing him for another month or more), if I can take my estrogen sublingually? And if I can do that, does the dosage I should be taking change? Like, is it more effective under the tongue, which would mean that my current, high-end dosage would be too much?

Quote from: A on May 06, 2012, 11:18:43 AM
I've been hearing a lot about those sublingual things, and I wanted to know... How do I know, except by asking the endo (not seeing him for another month or more), if I can take my estrogen sublingually? And if I can do that, does the dosage I should be taking change? Like, is it more effective under the tongue, which would mean that my current, high-end dosage would be too much?

Not to go into dosages, but what brand of oestrogen do you take?

It's written Estrace on the vial.

Quote from: A on May 06, 2012, 11:18:43 AM
I've been hearing a lot about those sublingual things, and I wanted to know... How do I know, except by asking the endo (not seeing him for another month or more), if I can take my estrogen sublingually? And if I can do that, does the dosage I should be taking change? Like, is it more effective under the tongue, which would mean that my current, high-end dosage would be too much?

Just give the endo a call. A change like that should not be a problem. I do that will my DR and it works great

Quote from: A on May 06, 2012, 12:03:25 PM
It's written Estrace on the vial.

I have the same thing and my doc tells me to take them sublingually because he says its more effective(?) You should ask your doc though I thought most people do the under the tongue thing.

I guess I'll wait until the appointment in June, then. He's hard to reach and it's a long-distance call, so...

Quote from: A on May 06, 2012, 11:18:43 AM
I've been hearing a lot about those sublingual things, and I wanted to know... How do I know, except by asking the endo (not seeing him for another month or more), if I can take my estrogen sublingually? And if I can do that, does the dosage I should be taking change? Like, is it more effective under the tongue, which would mean that my current, high-end dosage would be too much?

Maybe not more effective, but it would probably be easier on the liver, since if it's swallowed it will be going directly through the liver, if it's taken subling then it will goin the blood stream, whether this still affects the liver Im unsure of, but it should be much easier on it.

I take mine under the tongue just to avoid first pass through the liver.  You might get a higher spike immediately after taking the pills.  The main issue with SL administration is that the SL dosage is inconsistent as you have no idea how much went SL and how much you actually just swallowed with your saliva.

In any case, he didn't change my dosage.

Quote from: luna nyan on May 07, 2012, 05:44:55 AM
I take mine under the tongue just to avoid first pass through the liver.  You might get a higher spike immediately after taking the pills.  The main issue with SL administration is that the SL dosage is inconsistent as you have no idea how much went SL and how much you actually just swallowed with your saliva.

In any case, he didn't change my dosage.

I cup the pill with the underside of my tongue for about 10 minutes and don't move my tongue. After 10 minutes the only thing left is the tiny bit of grit. Sometimes nothing is left.

Both Injections and Implants are not licensed in the United Kingdom, so we don't get the choices that you lucky folk have in America  I personally think both injections and implants are much better than pills but that is just a theory as I've never had to option to try injections.

No one wants to comment and I am continually ignored in this forum no matter what subject is discussed.

Quote from: Naturally Blonde on May 08, 2012, 05:54:11 AM
Both Injections and Implants are not licensed in the United Kingdom, so we don't get the choices that you lucky folk have in America  I personally think both injections and implants are much better than pills but that is just a theory as I've never had to option to try injections.

No one wants to comment and I am continually ignored in this forum no matter what subject is discussed.

Well, at least you have androcur?

Quote from: Erin on May 08, 2012, 06:05:01 AM
Well, at least you have androcur?

Androcur has it's issues.. It is hard on the liver.. It has quite variable efficacy.. And can, and does, cause depression..

Quote from: Erin on May 08, 2012, 06:05:01 AM
Well, at least you have androcur?

The U.K NHS GIC's not longer use androcur but I still have a supply if I need it. I think Spriro also isn't licensed in the U.K?

Quote from: kelly_aus on May 08, 2012, 06:14:21 AM
Androcur has it's issues.. It is hard on the liver.. It has quite variable efficacy.. And can, and does, cause depression..

I think it works better than other anti androgens I've tried but it may have those issues? 

Quote from: Naturally Blonde on May 08, 2012, 07:30:44 AM
The U.K NHS GIC's not longer use androcur but I still have a supply if I need it. I think Spriro also isn't licensed in the U.K?

I think it works better than other anti androgens I've tried but it may have those issues?

Yep.. I'm one of those people for whom Androcur works too well.. I had a zero T level which really surprised my gyno, given dose and time frame.. It also caused me to have quite bad depression.. Take the Androcur away, I was happy as a clam within a week or so.. My T level is still somewhere in the basement though....

Quote from: Erin on May 03, 2012, 12:00:12 AM
Anyways, I am usually skeptical of trans girls who insist one form is better than another. However, my insurance will not cover HRT until I turn 18 (their policy is really weird-they do actually cover srs and some things like a trachea shave so I can't really complain) so I  have been thinking about talking to my doc about switching over since Injections are much cheaper than pills. What think ye all? How have your experiences been on injections (if applicable)?

For me, if Estrogen was a vehicle, the pill would be like a nice 2003 Ford Focus while the injections would be like an Airbus A380 Jet liner.

Ford Focus (pill):
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dragtimes.com%2Fimages%2F9590-2003-Ford-Focus.jpg&hash=826dd0b2d99115ae604365d66746d53f936e83ef)

Airbus A380 (injection):
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.home-designing.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2009%2F06%2Fa380-luxury-interiors.jpg&hash=b18b21f83b43bb4bcf180eec712908c7bc9cd97e)


Pills worked for me. They were ok....but Injections made the pill obsolete for me. The injections were so much more effective for myself, I vow never to slip another blue pill under my tongue again. The injection method was just insanely different for me in terms of results vs the pill.

Plus injections go right to the blood stream. Pills have to be metabolize by your liver first.

Also, the injections are so much more cheaper for me. The needles are pennies on the dollar. I mean they are ridiculously cheap (even without insurance).

And I inject in the upper arm. I literally feel nothing if I get it in the right spot.

Put in syringe> Put in arm > done for the week.

Quote from: Annah on May 08, 2012, 09:18:04 AM
For me, if Estrogen was a vehicle, the pill would be like a nice 2003 Ford Focus while the injections would be like an Airbus A380 Jet liner.

Ford Focus (pill):
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dragtimes.com%2Fimages%2F9590-2003-Ford-Focus.jpg&hash=826dd0b2d99115ae604365d66746d53f936e83ef)

Airbus A380 (injection):
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.home-designing.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2009%2F06%2Fa380-luxury-interiors.jpg&hash=b18b21f83b43bb4bcf180eec712908c7bc9cd97e)


Pills worked for me. They were ok....but Injections made the pill obsolete for me. The injections were so much more effective for myself, I vow never to slip another blue pill under my tongue again. The injection method was just insanely different for me in terms of results vs the pill.

Plus injections go right to the blood stream. Pills have to be metabolize by your liver first.

Also, the injections are so much more cheaper for me. The needles are pennies on the dollar. I mean they are ridiculously cheap (even without insurance).

And I inject in the upper arm. I literally feel nothing if I get it in the right spot.

Put in syringe> Put in arm > done for the week.

Ok thats it I keep hearing other girls say this. I'm definitely going to talk to my endo at the end of the month and have me switch over. Also, the price of injections in compounding pharmacies here are ridiculously cheap.

I know...i always thought it was odd that injections were so much more cheaper. Because injections are so much more potent, I had always thought the injections were be at least twice as much as the pill...but they are about 40% cheaper. It's crazy.

God, I wonder what the results would be if they had spiro in injection form lol.

My breast size on the pill were growing....but barely. Flat chest to AA cup from March 2009 to June 2009. When I switched to injections, my breast size went from AA cup to almost D cup from June 2009 to April 2010. Plus all the other estrogen benefits seemed to have been quicker for me with injections.

Some say you have to put it in the thigh...but honestly, where you feel comfortable doing it. I do the upper arm because I have some fatty tissue up there. I mean, I literally feel nothing.  Out of the 150+ times I have injected, I only had one uncomfortable experience because I hit a blood vessel.

Well, I think it depends on the product you're using. If it's designed to be an intramuscular injection, you're exposing yourself to a potentially dangerous dose spike if you put it directly into a vein, I'd say.

nope. it goes anyone on the body. Whichever you feel most comfortable with. The odds of the needle going perfectly into a vein like an IV and then get in trouble with a dosage spike is much rarer than developing liver damage from taking the pill

Quote from: Annah on May 08, 2012, 10:16:57 AM
nope. it goes anyone on the body. Whichever you feel most comfortable with. The odds of the needle going perfectly into a vein like an IV and then get in trouble with a dosage spike is much rarer than developing liver damage from taking the pill

In  your opinion, what about the injectioins feels more potent than the pills?

its more concentrated. Not in a bad way but in a good way. It yielded much better results for me. Almost everyone I know of who took injections after the pill stated the same opinions.

Also, if you do hit a vein you'll be fine. First of all, the odds of your needle going perfectly into a vein and not pierce the other side is pretty frigging rare....if not impossible. Think about a nurse who gives you an IV. That's pretty much what you would need to do to get it into the vein where the medication would go right into the vein and no where else.

Also, its as safe as diabetes shots in terms of injection complications. The injection risks is miniscule unless you somehow insert the needle into your eyeball or eardrum or have a needle large enough to penetrate your sternum and rib cage and go to your heart.

Needless to say, it's pretty safe. The overall risks you still have to worry about is blood clotting, strokes, etc (as with any estrogen medication). It's why I think those who self medicate without any supervision isn't very bright.

I knew injections were faster, but I wonder if they're actually better in the long term... Is there any evidence related to that?

But well, it's not like it would affect me, either way. I'm just NOT going to stab myself with a needle. I've just gotten over falling unconscious for blood tests... ^^' Plus, since it's not a daily thing, my chances of being rigorous and consistent with it aren't high above zero.

Quote from: A on May 08, 2012, 02:58:40 PM
I knew injections were faster, but I wonder if they're actually better in the long term... Is there any evidence related to that?

I have never seen any studies that would make injections any worse than the pill in long term. In fact, the majority of long term usages of comorbids has usually been associated with the estrogen pill.

But either way you are changing your hormones so no matter what you take there will be risk

Well, I don't remember who/what/where, but I do remember a paper written by a doctor that didn't recommend injections, because they made the hormone levels fluctuate too much, which gave suboptimal results, according to the author. I also think there were some risks of additional unwanted side effects from hormones going way over the "normal" level shortly after the injection, then way below it right before the next one.

Injections are way, WAY overrated and it's the most dangerous of the 3 main delivery methods. It's no longer prescribed in many countries too. I'm on transdermal patches which people said was the suckiest( but the safest) of the 3 yet here I am, a bombshell with B cups after barely 6 months. So yeah  :P

Quote from: Seyranna on May 08, 2012, 05:28:01 PM
Injections are way, WAY overrated and it's the most dangerous of the 3 main delivery methods. It's no longer prescribed in many countries too. I'm on transdermal patches which people said was the suckiest( but the safest) of the 3 yet here I am, a bombshell with B cups after barely 6 months. So yeah  :P

My endocrinologist says the opposite. It's one of the safest methods of estrogen delivery and it's also one of the most popular methods of tradition estrogen delivery among women suffering from insufficient estrogen.

YMMV, but my results were far more effective with injections and I have bloodwork every six months. No issues here. 1.5 years of injections and D cups :) and no progesterone at all

Quote from: Annah on May 08, 2012, 10:00:53 PM
My endocrinologist says the opposite. It's one of the safest methods of estrogen delivery and it's also one of the most popular methods of tradition estrogen delivery among women suffering from insufficient estrogen.

YMMV, but my results were far more effective with injections and I have bloodwork every six months. No issues here. 1.5 years of injections and D cups :) and no progesterone at all

I've been on HRT (Pills) for over 10 years and they haven't been working as well as expected. My fat re-distribution isn't very good, the breast size is poor and I wanted to try injections as they are the only format I haven't tried. But the main problem is that they are not legally licensed in my country, so I can't get them through the normal channels and I would like to try them. I'm hoping there is a way of getting them across to the U.K somehow, so I can at least try them.

Pills are broken down too much through the digestive system so I believe they are far less effective that injections which go straight into the blood stream. Obviously you need to be medically fit to be on injections but I do think they are more beneficial. I only wish I could try them?

Sublingual pills (except the amount inevitably you swallow with your saliva) and transdermal patches go "directly to the blood stream" too, in theory, I think... So they should work precisely as well as injections. Your story sounds more like a monumental pile of bad luck.

But even though I doubt it, it is possible that the huge level variations induced by injections do help in some people. Who knows? In that case, yeah, you could try them. If your doctor is sympathetic to the idea, perhaps you could order a few vials from overseas, and despite their lack of a right to prescribe them, they could guide you into using them properly. After all, desperate situations call for desperate measures.

After all, no matter the opinion on risk/whatever, if done properly, TRYING injections for a while can't possibly do such a big harm.

Quote from: Seyranna on May 08, 2012, 05:28:01 PM
Injections ... and it's the most dangerous of the 3 main delivery methods.

My understanding of the party line here is that injections are dangerous because it is easy to OD on them. If you are an advocate for More's Law, "If more is good then too much is just right", just how is injecting a little more than prescribed or more often, any different then taking that extra pill or two a day or putting on that extra patch or two? The only validity I can see is that it is easier to go totally overboard with injections ( ie, offing yourself ) and there is no recovery mechanism. With pills your stomach can be pumped, patches get ripped off. No sucking out the venom equivalent for an IM shot.

As I've already said, injections cause great hormone level variations. That alone is reason enough for me to believe it's reasonable to at least consider that maybe it's sub-optimal/risky. After all, hormones aren't naturally released once a week; they're fairly constant. Also, some doctors (who I definitely find convincing) argue that maximum feminisation is obtained with a very slow and steady increase in E dosage, then a dose as stable as possible. Injections do the exact contrary, don't they?

Plus, an injection is generally a pain to do, and it's not even a habit you can take on daily like pills. I'd tend to think that it's really, really easy to be late, forget a shot, etc.

And depending on how and where you inject it, the way the hormones circulate through the body could differ. Depending on the tissue or area or deepness, I think the rate at which the hormones go to the blood stream can vary. Such an unstable regimen (one week huge and steep spike; the other, a softer spike...) doesn't feel 100 % healthy.

Of course, I don't have much to back myself up, but that's what I believe.

pills have to metabolize through the liver at first. Injections do not.

Yes, people can OD on injections....but I feel its silly to say injections is more dangerous because people can kill themselves easier if they OD on purpose. Don't blame a medication for someone wanting to hurry results or who wants to pump more than is prescribed into their body.

It's up to you. Injections or pills. I chose injections as well as my doc. I have had no complications on it and i am very glad I have done injections.

Sublingual administration does not pass through the liver before going into the blood. If taken sublingually (that is, if the pill is a micronized version of the hormone), it permeates through the mucous membranes underneath the tongue, through the epitheleal layer, and into the capillary bed. The hormone is now in your bloodstream at this point.

However, as this study says (which albeit is 15 years old.. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0029784496005133 (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0029784496005133) ) ...

"Sublingual administration resulted in rapid absorption with significantly higher E2 levels than did comparable oral dosing. Sublingual administration resulted in a significantly lower E1 to E2 ratio during the 24 hours than did oral administration."

So if you do sublingual, it is apparently pretty important to take your doses 12 hours apart, and not 24 hours apart.

I have been taking my dosages sublingually, and I am satisfied with my results. My estradiol levels (one lab test taken about 8 hours after a dosage) were @ 640 on a moderate mg value. My doctor, therapist, friends, mother are all blown away when they see me or look back at some of my old pictures and realize the rapid changes in just 8 months.

I do wish I could take injections though, it would be easier. Maybe when I don't have things that produce testosterone I will respond to the shot better and I don't have to worry about locking a pill underneath my tongue a couple times a day :)

If price weren't an issue, I'd definitely suggest transdermal patches, though. Direct bloodstream administration, most stable levels, no need to stab yourself... Really, apart from the fact it's another weekly thing easier to forget than daily pills (though I don't understand why they couldn't make daily patches), it's paradise~. Well, if you don't have my sister's evil skin on which nothing sticks and most adhesives cause allergic reactions, that is.

Annah: I never mentioned overdose, though.

Quote from: A on May 10, 2012, 04:58:21 PM
If price weren't an issue, I'd definitely suggest transdermal patches, though. Direct bloodstream administration, most stable levels, no need to stab yourself... Really, apart from the fact it's another weekly thing easier to forget than daily pills (though I don't understand why they couldn't make daily patches), it's paradise~. Well, if you don't have my sister's evil skin on which nothing sticks and most adhesives cause allergic reactions, that is.

Annah: I never mentioned overdose, though.

I can get patches very cheaply here in the U.K and still have a stockpile of them. But the problem is they are not effective on me personally. I've even tried three or four on at a time but haven't felt any benefit from them. 

I really want to try shots as it's the one I haven't tried yet. It's been a huge battle to try and get them over here in the U.K and a lot of fighting with both the NHS, PCT's and authorities nodding their heads in disapproval. I'm like a pioneer trying to get something that other gender dysphoria sufferers can't get over here because of our strict licensing laws.