Hi all,
I am a 23 years old mtf ts and have been on hormones since 21 years old(previously only on anti androgens to avoid any further masculinization). Now after about 2 years I can say that I can pass if Im not passable. Anyways back to my question.. I have created this account just to be able to interact with all you but also to ask you some questions for which I got too sick, worried and upset the last days. Now I am in the third year of my studies in Economics, I have one more year left to get my bachelor's degree and next year Im planning to go to the USA to do the MBA.
Talking with some friends that study in the USA I came to realize that during the journey from Cyprus(Europe) to USA, or even once you arrive at the USA airport there is luggage check(I am not talking about the ones that you hold with you in the airport, but the big ones-luggage that you carry everything inside including clothes, etc), using machines that the luggage pass through to see if there's anything suspected inside them or even airport policemen may stop you for random check and may ask you for opening your luggage. This scared me as I was planning to take with me to USA when I will go to do my MBA in one year, one year supply of my medicines(pills: cyproterone, casodex, dutas, and progynon depot that I inject. Note: I am self medicating and Im still using anti androgens since I want the male hormones levels to stay very low) as I will stay there for one year before coming back to my country for holidays, and so I was scared if they would take them from me after checking my luggage.
After so many thoughts(too many to keep inside..), I realized that what I thought sounds crazyyy about bringing 1 year supply of my meds... What I though is right, is to bring only a small quantity of my meds, just to spend the first few months(and my doctor's prescription to avoid things), and then order while being in the USA.
What worries me now, are the following questions, that I would like your opinion or answer to them:
1) In the USA the post office customs do they need any prescription for meds ordered from inhouse pharmacy or adc? If they do, then a Cypriot(international) prescription is acceptable? Do also customs need prescription for syringes bought from online or local pharmacies, while being in the USA?
2) Do you also know what is the maximum limit of meds you can order in the USA(If I recall correctly I have heard that you have to order only three months of meds in the USA, if I am not mistaken, but if it's so then how do they know the dose you take?)?
Thanks so much for taking your time to read my message. I would be grateful if you could answer my questions, from you all that you are experienced in these situations or that you know.. because the last days hearing this I got too sick and upset since w/o the hormones my life is nothing. I hope I will see at least some answers from you to feel better and to be again optimistic.
Please help me, I need your help
<3, Cheryl
I can't offer any direct info as I am in Australia, but have you contacted the US Embassy about this? That would be a good first step. The US Customs should have something on their website too I'd guess.
Karen.
Quote from: justmeinoz on August 13, 2011, 07:00:45 AM
I can't offer any direct info as I am in Australia, but have you contacted the US Embassy about this? That would be a good first step. The US Customs should have something on their website too I'd guess.
Karen.
Hey Karen. Nice to meet ya..
Nice idea.. Something that I haven't thought about. I will call them this week to see if they can help....
tnXXXX,
Cheryl
Cheryl, like Karen said the best thing to do would be speak to the embassy. However, so long as they're prescribed, and you bring the doctors note with you I can't imagine there to be problems. My suggestion though would be to bring as a carry on. That way if issues arise you can present documentation and not have your medication and luggage held in customs. Again though, talk to the embassy. Good luck!
All bags coming into the United States will be examined by Customs. Do not carry Any medications you do not have prescriptions for.
We will not answer any questions dealing with HRT that are obtained by Self Medication. That is against the rules of this site.
Quote from: Sarah Louise on August 13, 2011, 08:44:08 AM
All bags coming into the United States will be examined by Customs. Do not carry Any medications you do not have prescriptions for.
We will not answer any questions dealing with HRT that are obtained by Self Medication. That is against the rules of this site.
Hi Sarah,
I have prescriptions from my doctor for the meds I take, but Im just wondering if a prescription writing eg: "25 mg casodex 2x per day" is sufficient or is it better to have a letter describing the reason I take them(to show it to the US airport customs, if needed)?
Something that also worries me and something that I have also asked madirocks is:
Do the US post office customs accept an overseas/non-US prescription, when I will buy from an online pharmacy, while being in the US?
HuGs 'n kiSSes,
Cheryl
Quote from: madirocks on August 13, 2011, 08:05:13 AM
Cheryl, like Karen said the best thing to do would be speak to the embassy. However, so long as they're prescribed, and you bring the doctors note with you I can't imagine there to be problems. My suggestion though would be to bring as a carry on. That way if issues arise you can present documentation and not have your medication and luggage held in customs. Again though, talk to the embassy. Good luck!
Sure.. I will do that this week. Its a v.good idea and something that I haven't thought about.:DDD
So you suggest to bring the meds with me when I will go to USA, together with a prescription by my doctor, right? Do you think a prescription writing eg: "25 mg casodex 2x per day" is sufficient or is it better to have a letter describing the reason I take them?
I am also just wondering if the US post office customs accept an overseas/non-US prescription, when I will buy from an online pharmacy, while being in the US.
ThanXXX so much,
Cheryl
**********TO Irish Janet**********
Hey Janet!!
I couldn't reply or send you an email to your message that you send me. I hope that you see my reply on this topic.
Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post. Your response gave me so much courage!!! =D
I have some questions for you:
1) You want to say that not even a prescription is required(for meds order in the USA), right?
2) Outside the package/parcel that I get from alldaychemist.com(online pharmacy from India), there isn't the amount that I pay for the meds, not even on the invoice paper that it is inside the package. This isn't considered suspicious: "budget cuts"?
3) Do you also know what is the maximum limit of meds that you can order from alldaychemist.com, when I will be in the USA?
I just got too sick these days due to this issue and I cry all day long cuz I have no idea how to figure this out. Please if you have time answer my questions above.
HuGs 'n kiSSEs,
Cheryl
Replied via email.
Yes, a carry-on would be easiest if you can fit them. So long as you have the prescription, and explain your situation, they should be able to allow you through customs. But don't quote me on that!
Also, it might be easier to see a pharmacist rather than order online. But, know that we can't say specifics on ordering, or companies on these forums. It's not allowed. And yes, you absolutely must have a prescription.
I know it's easier said than done, but try not to worry yourself much over it. If anything, you just probably won't be able to bring as much as you'd like.
Quote from: madirocks on August 13, 2011, 11:23:20 AM
Yes, a carry-on would be easiest if you can fit them. So long as you have the prescription, and explain your situation, they should be able to allow you through customs. But don't quote me on that!
Also, it might be easier to see a pharmacist rather than order online. But, know that we can't say specifics on ordering, or companies on these forums. It's not allowed. And yes, you absolutely must have a prescription.
I know it's easier said than done, but try not to worry yourself much over it. If anything, you just probably won't be able to bring as much as you'd like.
Awww thanks so much madirocks... You have answered all of my questions and definitely to a big extent..
I wanna thank you for taking all this time to answer all these questions. Sorry for asking you so many questions and for being so boring.. I just wanted to clear some things up.
Thanks once again for all the help=D
Luv yA,
Cheryl
You're welcome. :) You're not being boring at all, they're absolutely great questions to ask. :)
I hope the embassy can give you a more definitive answer.
I'd sure ask the embassy. Your prescription is not valid here unless your doctor is licensed to practice in the US. Syringes would be very hard, and would send all the wrong signals.
Look it up the internet, allot of info out there.
Not necessarily true. If they a licensed in another country and you have the written script, you can get them filled here. As long as they can contact the doctor directly.
I'd sure check that out like 10 times, and get some sort of legal letter of understanding before you're standing in customs and they won't let you in. Given any doubt, in post-9-11 America and all that, the default choice is to disallow entry.
Exactly. CYA.
There is the added complication that cyproterone acetate (Androcur)
is not approved in the US by the Food and Drug Administration.
Spironolactone is the more typical anti-androgen in the US.
Quote from: tekla on August 13, 2011, 03:34:58 PM
I'd sure ask the embassy. Your prescription is not valid here unless your doctor is licensed to practice in the US. Syringes would be very hard, and would send all the wrong signals.
Hi tekla,
I agree with you that a European prescription is not valid in the USA. But the way I see it: Wouldn't a Cypriot(European) prescription satisfy because Im continuing a treatment that was started in my home country? Ordinarily, I think they'd want a US Rx, but wouldn't they take a foreign Rx since I started under the care of that doctor? Of course, how I interpret the regulations and how the government interprets the regulations could be two different things. I asked you all here cuz I wanted a definite answer on this, as I not sure how it works.
As for the syringes, I am planning to have the them in my luggage not in the bags that you carry on the airplane. The only info I found about syringes is from the following website:
http://transequality.org/Issues/travel.html (http://transequality.org/Issues/travel.html)
Kisses,
Cheryl
If I were in customs and I saw syringes I'd tear apart the rest. And remember there is no (NO) national law on a lot of this stuff, it goes state by state as to what they would accept, how and why.
Quote from: tekla on August 13, 2011, 05:03:46 PM
If I were in customs and I saw syringes I'd tear apart the rest. And remember there is no (NO) national law on a lot of this stuff, it goes state by state as to what they would accept, how and why.
Sure, you are right. That's what exactly I would do too..
But the info in the link(a more credible source) that Ive provided above, says that syringes are okay. At least that's what I understood.. if I have understood correctly.
"Medication and Syringes
Airlines advise passengers to pack all medications in their carry-on luggage just in case checked luggage is delayed or lost. If you have syringes in your carry-on luggage, either alone or along with injectable hormones, make sure to have either a prescription or a note from a physician. If you will not need the syringes the first day or so after you arrive (as luggage can be lost or delayed), or if you do not have and cannot get a written prescription, consider packing them carefully in your checked luggage. But remember, luggage can get lost.
If you do decide to carry syringes on the plane, the TSA suggests that you "have your medication and associated supplies separated from your other property and in a separate pouch/bag when you approach the screener at the walk-through metal detector. Request a visual inspection and hand your medication bag to the screener.""
Hi, Babydoll. May I ask a question? I think you used a term that we interpreted differently from what you intended. When you say that you are self-medicating, we interpret that as meaning that you get your meds WITHOUT a prescription. That's why the Terms of Service were mentioned earlier in the thread; we aren't allowed to talk about such things on this site.
However, I think you meant that you self-administer or self-inject your prescribed medication. If that is the case--and after reading your responses, I'm pretty sure it is--then you might want to slightly alter your first post so that people don't get the wrong impression.
I think you're getting good advice here--contact the authorities. See if there is a published policy that is posted somewhere online. If there isn't, see if you can get the policy in writing from the Powers That Be. It's good that you're looking into this well in advance.
BTW, my friend gets his needles and syringes without a prescription. He buys them in bulk. So you might look into that possibility for when you arrive.
When I traveled between the US and Australia with prescription meds, I had my doctor write a letter on her official stationary explaining what I was taking, why I was taking it, and how to contact her if there were any questions. According to my doctor and the Customs websites I looked at, this is the standard procedure (or was a few years ago).
That said, I saw a diabetic woman get hassled when trying to board a plane in the US for a short domestic flight. They didn't want her taking her syringes on the plane in her carry-on luggage, prescription or not. This was because of the US regulation against having any sharp objects in carry-on luggage. The rules applying to checked baggage are more lenient.
Quote from: Arch on August 13, 2011, 05:24:37 PM
Hi, Babydoll. May I ask a question? I think you used a term that we interpreted differently from what you intended. When you say that you are self-medicating, we interpret that as meaning that you get your meds WITHOUT a prescription. That's why the Terms of Service were mentioned earlier in the thread; we aren't allowed to talk about such things on this site.
However, I think you meant that you self-administer or self-inject your prescribed medication. If that is the case--and after reading your responses, I'm pretty sure it is--then you might want to slightly alter your first post so that people don't get the wrong impression.
I think you're getting good advice here--contact the authorities. See if there is a published policy that is posted somewhere online. If there isn't, see if you can get the policy in writing from the Powers That Be. It's good that you're looking into this well in advance.
BTW, my friend gets his needles and syringes without a prescription. He buys them in bulk. So you might look into that possibility for when you arrive.
Hi Arch,
Nice to meet you and thanks for the warm welcome!!! Yes I get good advice here, it's nice to interact with other people that are in the same situation. As for the prescriptions, I was asking if in the USA they request any prescription because my prescription will be an overseas/non-US prescription and I don't know if they will accept it, something that I have asked in my original post. I am under the care of a doctor here in my country.. I am just also still using antiandrogens something that he does not know, since I want to keep my male hormones levels low for a while before discontinuing them, something that I have heard that girls from other forums do. I know it's risky I just want to screw these male hormones.
PLEASE remove me from the "FTM Transsexual" group and insert me in the "MTF Transsexual" group. I mistakenly confused the FTM with MTF and I mistakenly joined the "FTM Transsexual" group instead of joining the "MTF Transsexual" group. I have contacted you at: susan@susans.org before a while, so that you can fix it. Please fix that, I can't see that FTM under my name....:((( I really want to be myself...Btw thanks for the info for syringes and also for giving me the chance to meet you. It means so much tome.
Much Hugs and kisses,
Cheryl
***** To Arch *****
Hi and thanks so much for the reply,
I have just tried to go into "Modify Profile", but I can't find it because I can't access my profile. There is no profile link in my screen and thus I can't go into "Modify Profile" or "Group Membership". After I mistakenly joined the "FTM transexual" group, the profile link disappeared from my screen. In my browser(Safari)'s history I had a link that goes to my profile, I tried it but got the following message: "An Error Has Occurred!. You are not allowed to access this section"
Can you please fix that for me or contact the main administrator to do it? Is there also any way to be able to access my profile(to change avatar, etc)? If I could do it, I would do it.. but the profile link disappeared from my screen to do it.
tnXXXX so much for all the help,
Cheryl
Oops, I'm so sorry, Babydoll--I forgot about the posting requirement. I believe you need 15 posts before you can edit your profile. I'll notify Forum Admin directly.
Cannot speak to what might or might not be required to bring meds in...but it *should* not be necessary to provide an explanation of what the medications are prescribed for (although it would also not be unlike the US Government to once again have a double standard related to the release of medical information).
As to online ordering, there are some out there that require proof of prescription to order while others do not. I will not discuss which ones fall into which categories. The post office does not typically ask for ANYTHING from the recipient of the medications unless it was one of the rare instances that the item was sent in a manner that required signature. The post office rarely knows WHAT was in the box anyhow since they won't open it in your presence... I know when an ex-roomie had prescriptions filled through a Canadian pharmacy (she faxed her script over on meds that were cheaper in Canada than the US) that we simply got a notice in the box and the key to the locker the box had been put into.
I've never had an issue traveling overseas and back here with hormones, even when I was self-medicating...
Customs is generally looking for the following:
Produce
Threats to national security
Narcotics
Generally if you're not taking huge supplies of things customs will not care what you bring in.
Quote from: Arch on August 14, 2011, 12:14:14 PM
Oops, I'm so sorry, Babydoll--I forgot about the posting requirement. I believe you need 15 posts before you can edit your profile. I'll notify Forum Admin directly.
tnXXX so much Arch,
yea!! it has been fixed.. it sucked seeing that ftm. and yes that should be the reason I can't access my profile. =DDD
thnXXX once again,
Cheryl
You'll get to fifteen in no time, Babydoll. Then--mwahaha--you can do all sorts of things.
Quote from: Arch on August 14, 2011, 01:23:20 PM
You'll get to fifteen in no time, Babydoll. Then--mwahaha--you can do all sorts of things.
Hahah...!!!! that's sound so Great.. =D
tnXXXXXXX so much Arch:>>>
Awwww.. thanxxx so much for getting back to me Girls!!! Didn't get again so MANY replies. Really thanks for all the answers to my queries, girls.
I will also have to check with the embassy what is the maximum limit you are able to order and the rules regarding when traveling, just to confirm everything is okay. All I can say is that everything has been answered, no exceptions.... Thanks for taking your time to answer all my queries.
These days were so awful for me, crying all day long due to this issue that I didn't know how to figure it out. I've already had three episodes of breaking down crying in the past 24 hours over all of those things... I can't help my self from crying. The female hormones works this way you know. Im much more sencitive, much more prone to cry... So I wanna thank you:DDD It means so much!!!!
Hope everything goes well with you Girls:DDDDD
Much much much HuGs 'n kiSSes,
Cheryl