Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I'm about 2 weeks away from starting E, and my endo is of the type who presents a lot of options (he specifically asked me whether I wanted Cyproterone Acetate or Spiro, I chose Cypro but had assumed he was just going to assign a regimen he was familiar with, was kinda nice lol).  I know he's going to ask me which I like, and then based off the blood work that comes in next week for my T levels will provide the dosage, but I'm curious as to what people here have preferred.

I'm not concerned over the health/clotting issues of Oral, as I'm healthy as a horse, so that's not playing a factor in things, just curious how people feel.  What did they like, what didn't they like, ease of application or difficulties, did effects manifest slowly or quickly, etc.

I've been taking oral for the past year it its been going well for me. I want to switch to injections at some point but oral is still fine for me right now. I didn't want to deal with the patches since I already have very sensitive skin and I felt like keeping a path on for a few days would cause a rash or it would just fall off in the shower or something. I just felt like the patch would be too much of a pain to deal with. Oral is the easiest and if you take it under your tongue its supposed to be safer on your liver and more effective overall. But injections are defiantly the safest thats why I'm planing on switching to in maybe another year.

He'll probably start you off on a relatively low dose first anyway, just to see how your system handles the medication. You should have the option to change if it doesn't feel right or if you develop complications. If you are going through a endo/doctor who knows their stuff and who is keeping an eye on your blood and vitals you should do OK regardless.

I have only used pills and injections. Over those two I prefer injections. If I had a choice I would get implants. Some day I may switch doctors and choose one that does implants.

Yea, my endo is pretty laid back, but does follow wpath protocol.  He seems fairly young, but has been practicing transgender care since 2008 (and I think I might be older, but I'm horrible at guessing ages).  He's definitely knowledgeable when it comes to what dosages and monitoring potential health risks, but he is incredibly open to his clients preferences on which medication route they wish to proceed with.

I really like this doc, I drive from Kitchener to Toronto just to see him (used to live closer, but oh well lol).

Patches give you a steady and decent dose, and they're not hard on your system. That said, unless you get smaller ones like the dot, they are a pain and a half to keep on. Doc has got me on two at the same time a week, and by midweek one is usually being held on with duct tape.

Hi Brooke,

I started on patches and ended up with a stomach I could play chess on. The adhesive always reacted before falling off prematurely.

Been on implants ever since and haven't looked back. Serum levels are much higher, more consistent and over all lots cheaper. $66USD for 2 years worth. Furthermore I don't have to remember to do anything, except see my Endo every year.

Enjoy the journey

Speak to you as soon as I reset the mouse traps.

Huggs
Catherine

Quote from: Cynthia Michelle on December 12, 2015, 07:32:20 PM
I have only used pills and injections. Over those two I prefer injections. If I had a choice I would get implants. Some day I may switch doctors and choose one that does implants.

How often do you have to change implants? don't they last like 3 months or something? I might look into them too at some point.

I'd love to try implants too, but I can't find anyone in my area. I might have to call the local Planned Parenthood to see if they can offer an assistance with that. I know they don't do HRT for transgender patients in my area, but they should be able to refer me to someone who can do implants. My doctor doesn't have experience with them so I am just doing the patches. They seem to be sticking quite nicely even through showers and work!

Quote from: MichaelaLJ1972 on December 14, 2015, 10:52:39 AM
I'd love to try implants too, but I can't find anyone in my area. I might have to call the local Planned Parenthood to see if they can offer an assistance with that. I know they don't do HRT for transgender patients in my area, but they should be able to refer me to someone who can do implants .

here is enough info for an endo or doc to get started:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,200276.msg1780555.html#msg1780555

Additionally gyns might do implants... there are different ones for birth control...


hugs

It's weird that the thought of injections don't bother me, but the thought of an implant just weirds me out lol

Quote from: Brooke33 on December 14, 2015, 05:07:00 PM
It's weird that the thought of injections don't bother me, but the thought of an implant just weirds me out lol

They are the size of a grain of rice... and its the closest to having ovaries... steady release...


hugs

Quote from: QuestioningEverything on December 13, 2015, 03:52:42 PM
How often do you have to change implants? don't they last like 3 months or something? I might look into them too at some point.

If you find an Endo who knows what they are on about, the first implant, if it's the correct size, should last you 6-9 months. The next 15-18 months. There after 2 years.

As Laura suggested, College Pharmacy in Colardo supply implants. Your Endo will know from your results what strength you need. 

Speak to you as soon as the rain goes.

Huggs
Catherine

Remember that everyone is different.  I started on pills and was doing okay, but switched over to injections because I was hoping for better results from higher levels.  Turns out that my levels were lower than they were before as a response.  I'm now on a higher injection dose and trying to convince myself this will work and have noticed slight effects from it, but we'll have to see.  At the end of the day, everyone responds diferently and doses and genetics all play a role.  So try to keep that in mind befoee choosing one method over another.  And remeber that it is a ling process that requires some trial and error before finding what works best for you.

I've been on the patch since Mar.  Levels checked every 90 days.  1st result 31, dbld the dose 2nd result 70, added another patch 3rd result 75. IMO they aren't working for me. Will see my Endo Thurs. and ask to switch to injections.  Would like to go with the pellet, but will tackle that after my GCS in Jan.

Quote from: learningtolive on December 15, 2015, 06:06:49 AM
Remember that everyone is different.  I started on pills and was doing okay, but switched over to injections because I was hoping for better results from higher levels.  Turns out that my levels were lower than they were before as a response.  I'm now on a higher injection dose and trying to convince myself this will work and have noticed slight effects from it, but we'll have to see.  At the end of the day, everyone responds diferently and doses and genetics all play a role.  So try to keep that in mind before choosing one method over another.  And remeber that it is a process that requires some trial and error before finding what works best for you.

You might try to switch to a cycle of 5 or 7 days... that might help...


hugs

I've been on patches since the beginning.  Right off the bat, Dr. put me on 2 patches at a time and switch them twice a week. 

April .. E was <20
June .. E was 80
Sept .. E was 252 

I haven't seen much in the realm of changes externally, so while the numbers look good, I am worried why I am not seeing changes that I assumed I would.

Quote from: DanaDane on December 16, 2015, 09:23:44 AM
I've been on patches since the beginning.  Right off the bat, Dr. put me on 2 patches at a time and switch them twice a week. 

April .. E was <20
June .. E was 80
Sept .. E was 252 

I haven't seen much in the realm of changes externally, so while the numbers look good, I am worried why I am not seeing changes that I assumed I would.

How are your t levels ? Levels should be below 50...

Quote from: Laura_7 on December 16, 2015, 09:27:37 AM
How are your t levels ? Levels should be below 50...

April was 415
June was 9.8
Sept was 9.2

Quote from: DanaDane on December 16, 2015, 01:06:04 PM
April was 415
June was 9.8
Sept was 9.2

FREE TESTOSTERONE

                     ng/dl          pg/ml
    Females  0.3-1.9      0.6 - 6.8
    Males       9-30         47.0-244.0

Conversion factor: 1 ng/ml = 3.47 nmol/l

Do you know the unit ?


hugs

Quote from: Laura_7 on December 16, 2015, 01:33:08 PM
FREE TESTOSTERONE

                     ng/dl          pg/ml
    Females  0.3-1.9      0.6 - 6.8
    Males       9-30         47.0-244.0

Conversion factor: 1 ng/ml = 3.47 nmol/l

Do you know the unit ?

hugs

My E is pg/mL
My T is ng/mL 

Doctor said that my T levels at the onset would "make her job easy".. So that means that they were on the low side..   She was quite happy at how much they dropped..

they are a pain and a half to keep on. Doc has got me on two at the same time a week, and by midweek one is usually being held on with duct tape.
[/quote]

I change mine twice a week per doctor's instructions, but I can certainly identify with the tape aspect!! A real PITA!

Love,
Clare

Quote from: TG CLare on December 16, 2015, 02:07:30 PM
they are a pain and a half to keep on. Doc has got me on two at the same time a week, and by midweek one is usually being held on with duct tape.


I change mine twice a week per doctor's instructions, but I can certainly identify with the tape aspect!! A real PITA!

Love,
Clare

Some seem to stick better...

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,189624.msg1688205.html#msg1688205


hugs

Quote from: Laura_7 on December 16, 2015, 02:16:04 PM
Some seem to stick better...

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,189624.msg1688205.html#msg1688205


hugs

Look on Amazon for TAGADERM.  They're like patches for your patches.  I won't leave home without them covering my patches.

Ooh, will check that out

Sent from my SM-G925W8 using Tapatalk

Ebay 2" transpore surgical tape.  Make sure it goes 1/4 past the patch.  Tegaderm builds up sweat and will fail. Transpore has holes for sweat and lasts a week:)  Trust me, I'm a surgical nightmare and have a pharmacy and surgical supply to research from:)

Postcards from the other side:)

I must be the only girl going the other way. I have been on implants for ages and loved them but I always had an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic. I've been advised that the allergy is getting worse with an increase risk of anaphylaxis, so I'm on patches.

They have been fine!

Quote from: Cynobyte on December 16, 2015, 11:26:36 PM
Ebay 2" transpore surgical tape.  Make sure it goes 1/4 past the patch.  Tegaderm builds up sweat and will fail. Transpore has holes for sweat and lasts a week:)  Trust me, I'm a surgical nightmare and have a pharmacy and surgical supply to research from:)

Postcards from the other side:)

You might consider using estradot / vivelle for a try...
they are supposed to stick well, and are quite small.


hugs

Quote from: DanaDane on December 16, 2015, 09:23:44 AM
while the numbers look good, I am worried why I am not seeing changes that I assumed I would.

Because we all vary in how we respond. Some need higher levels, some not. Individuals are not identical. I personally didn't respond to levels between 200-300.

Levels measured are also not indicative of what's going on in general and more likely, your levels will go up and down somewhat in time.

It also takes some time to see changes BUT some should come up sooner than later. If you are skinny, don't expect much in the way of fat distribution, breasts, etc.

Quote from: DanaDane on December 16, 2015, 01:59:16 PM
My T is ng/mL

Are you sure it wasn't ng/DL? I'm assuming it was total testosterone and not free testosterone.

Quote from: KayXo on December 17, 2015, 08:55:49 AM
Because we all vary in how we respond. Some need higher levels, some not. Individuals are not identical. I personally didn't respond to levels between 200-300.

Levels measured are also not indicative of what's going on in general and more likely, your levels will go up and down somewhat in time.

It also takes some time to see changes BUT some should come up sooner than later. If you are skinny, don't expect much in the way of fat distribution, breasts, etc.

Are you sure it wasn't ng/DL? I'm assuming it was total testosterone and not free testosterone.

it was total T.... 

Total T but measured in what units?

I have been on both patches and injections. I have to say I prefer the injections. The patches caused a skin rash and just didn't stay on. I have had really good results from the injections though. I asked to switch at the 6 week point. I was given options too. Good luck and Hugs
Mariah

Quote from: KayXo on December 18, 2015, 01:03:19 PM
Total T but measured in what units?

I finally found them.. I'm sorry..

9.2 ng/dl

I had confused myself.  I went back to older posts and found this. 

Makes more sense. About the same as me. My levels are 8 ng/dl. :)

Quote from: KayXo on December 18, 2015, 05:03:09 PM
Makes more sense. About the same as me. My levels are 8 ng/dl. :)

It's just frustrating that after 8 months I hardly see anything in the realm of changes.

At those levels, I wasn't getting much either. I needed higher doses, higher E levels despite my low T to get things moving. Progesterone also helped. So, go see your doctor and discuss your options at this point.

I don't think I've seen anyone on the site that has decided to change her name to "Patience"  Ummmm.  There must be a reason for this.

One thing that I have learned and will continue to learn on this journey is that once we have committed to transition,  most of us (not all mind you) want to experience the changes like "yesterday."  I know I'm in that boat.  We all have plausible reasons to want results to occur rapidly and for some of us this happens.  Most of us though will find that the results are somewhat predictable, but the timing is less so.

I did patches for 9 mos. with very subtle results at best.  They didn't work for me.  E level of 75.  Now my Endo has prescribed injections.  Will the dose prescribed for injections be the right one? I'll likely have to wait for 90 days to be tested again to find out. Unfortunately, the VA hospital where my injectable E. was prescribed doesn't keep it on hand.  Thus I am having to wait for it to be delivered by "Santa" hopefully B4 the end of the year.  I get one shot and then have to stop in preparation for GCS in late Jan.  Then no more E until mid Feb.

Oh "Patience" where are you when I need you!

Hugz!

Joi

Quote from: KayXo on December 21, 2015, 02:56:00 PM
At those levels, I wasn't getting much either. I needed higher doses, higher E levels despite my low T to get things moving. Progesterone also helped. So, go see your doctor and discuss your options at this point.

My current doctor is being stubborn about prescribing me P.  I have been asking since the beginning.  Also they keep looking at the numbers (especially my E) and saying that I fall within some normal range.  I am moving to another doctor in February, so that means that I will have "wasted" almost 10 months.  I have no idea what this current doctor will suggest, but I am going to bring the suggestion of my new therapist who agrees that my E dosages might be too low and also ask for P.  *crosses fingers*

I got my patches today :)  On a half dose for first month @ estradot <Not Permitted> swapped 2x a week and prometrium <Not Permitted> daily (will likely cycle)... I am soooooo excited :D


Mod Edit:Dosage

Quote from: Brooke33 on December 23, 2015, 09:34:59 PM
I got my patches today :)  On a half dose for first month @ estradot <Not Permitted> swapped 2x a week and prometrium <Not Permitted> daily (will likely cycle)... I am soooooo excited :D


Mod Edit:Dosage

Congratulations  :)

Those patches are said to stick pretty well.
Most effective seem to be upper buttocks, depending on skin  :)


*hugs*