What pharmacy do you get HRT meds at? (Legally, of course)
Why?
I would normally use CVS, but I don't know if my wife will want me to (she knows people at many of them).
When I still had health insurance, Walgreen's. My insurance completely covered the cost. When I got fired, though, I was forced to switch to Walmart, because taking advantage of their $4 prescriptions cut my monthly costs by 80% and let me still be able to afford them. At any other pharmacy, I'd be paying close to $120/month out of pocket for them. With the Walmart thing, it's $25. Thank God for that.
I was getting them from Walmart. $20 for 90 days. But I started to get them from the county pharmacy, I can charge it to the account.
CVS for scripts covered by insurance (AA and E)
Walgreens (owned by Mazzoni Center) for 2 scripts not covered by insurance, Fenasteride ($18.80) and Cialis ($15.80).
Cialis has 30 pills and there are 5 refills. I think the PA-C was having fun with me with this script. I think I used 2 in 3 months.
K-Mart. It's all covered by my insurance. One of the happiest days for me was when I got medical insurance in 2008. I was still on three scripts and paying almost $200 out of pocket so it was a huge help.
Thanks! Hopefully my insurance covers it... they have exceptions for gender transformation, but HRT is often still OK in the pharmacy plans, AFAIUI. It looks like wal*mart is my best bet, just in case (and since CVS might not be a good idea for my wife)
My employer requires me to get my ongoing meds through mail order pharmacy manager. $12 for 3 months supply. My employer's insurance pays for all transgender transition related drugs and surgeries. They are very progressive and a great place to work.
I'm paying OOP so I go with Walmart since their prices are pretty decent. If my prescription changes in Feb, I might have to go to CVS. Walgreens if I have to, but when I got my first prescription I went there and it wasn't as cheap as it could have been. Btw GoodRX is a great site for price comparisons between all these places, and they have coupons! Took $20 off my Spiro last time. :)
I get my hrt from a locan pharmacy close to my house...lol
I pay 2 euros for e pills and 15 for aa :-\
Walgreens, Stroheckers.
Most of those meds are covered under our national health scheme in Australia - I get mine from a local pharmacy. I love the weird look the guy behind the counter gives me (I buy them in guy mode)...
Quote from: Ms Grace on December 20, 2013, 02:21:36 AM
.... I love the weird look the guy behind the counter gives me (I buy them in guy mode)...
The look is the best. I have a young lady who helps me and she always asks, "Uh, er, do you know what these are for?"
Like Grace my local Pharmacy. They had a vote on my name change! They have been great.
Like my two other Aussie sister (partners in crime), I go the chemist near work right in the main shopping mall in the centre of Sydney. It's a big chemist and always. So far not one word other than to pay my $20 and go. Pretty easy so far.
I just use the pharmacy attached to my doctor's practice. I can request a prescription refill online and the meds are waiting for me in the pharmacy a day later. I'm on the paperwork as female and old enough that I don't pay for prescriptions so it's very easy. I have talked to the pharmacist about some concerns I had about the meds and he said he has to be aware of what people are taking and he knows why I would be using the Decapeptyl - the testosterone blocker. He doesn't mention it unless I do and I don't see any reason why his assistant would know.
Originally I went to CVS, but then my insurance changed and they wouldn't accept it. At that point I switched to a local pharmacy, but then my insurance wouldn't cover it there either. Apparently, I have to now switch to a mail order service for all maintenance drugs and have them sent to a rite aid. Why I can't just drop my prescription off at a rite aid and instead have to have a mail order send it to them is beyond me. I haven't received anything from the mail order service yet, so I can't verify the quality of the service. Otherwise, my experience at pharmacies were decent enough. Sometimes I got questioned about why I'm on this medication or who prescribes it to me or do I know what it will do, but it hasn't been an issue since my appearance has been changing. Perhaps that says all they need to know, lol.
The questioning look and questions from the pharmacist should be fun and interesting :D
It sounds like that's a common theme!
Why would they think you didn't know? I mean... maybe if it was just spiro - since that's a diuretic and could have been mis-prescribed.
But... E? Of course you know why you're taking estradiol... I mean... really...
So... my plan is... any questions about E and I will definitely be saying "no, my MD just prescribed it and said it would help... it's not going to grow breasts or anything, will it?" (ok... I won't actually say that)
Right now, spiro and E are costing me 20 dollars a month. I checked walmart's $4 prescription list, and spiro and higher doses of E aren't listed. Some of you said that you have been paying $4 for your HRT at walmart, though?
I know Spiro was on at the Walmart $4 list when I checked. I think that can be cheaper than getting the bigger tabs w/o insurance.
Edited for Dosage
I filled my initial scrip in da big city because I don't trust the local to respect confidentiality. There are no secrets in a small town. :-\
The pharmacist who filled my scrip was priceless.
Her: "So, estradiol... do you happen to know what this... umm... was prescribed for?"
Me: "Yes. Absolutely."
Her: "Umm.. Okay. Do you have any questions about the estradiol? Side effects, for instance?"
Me: "No, I'm good."
Her: "Alright then. Well, if anything emerges that you'd like to discuss..."
Lol, I think I got slightly confused or hesitant looks the first time but they didn't say anything about it.
There is a Walmart close to my house so that's where I get my HRT from. Some of my meds get the cheap price ($4/$10) which is nice.
The first time I picked up estrogen I had the pharmacist come around from his work area to have a "chat" with me, and I knew what was coming. I just flat out told him that I am transgender and that ended that chat rather quickly LOL.....
A local mom and pop shop for me, they're really nice and my family has been going to them for many, many years. They're really good with all my meds :]
Edited for Dosage
Quote from: KabitTarah on December 21, 2013, 10:40:55 AM
I know Spiro was on at the Walmart $4 list when I checked. I think that can be cheaper than getting the bigger tabs w/o insurance.
Ok true, with insurance though my dose is better at my regular pharmacy for 10.
Edited for Dosage
Quote from: Thylacin on December 21, 2013, 12:02:41 PM
Ok true, with insurance though my dose is better at my regular pharmacy for 10.
I expect mine too....
How does US Pharmaceuticals insurance work for this stuff... can any of them tell the difference between HRT for menopause / PCOS and HRT for transgender hormone imbalance?
Kaiser
Is it legal to buy these meds in the USA? It isn't here (UK). When I was buying my own I had to import them from - ahem - the other Brits know where.
I get mine from Callen-Lorde which is a LGBT Health center in Manhattan. They handle a lot of Transgender patients with lots of experience. They charge on a sliding scale if you don't have insurance. (Which I don't at the moment, but will next month.) Spiro and Estrogen costs about $27/month total as they have their own pharmacy.
Nearby is an amazing place called Dr. Ike's Pharmacy. I have my HRT custom compounded there. It has very friendly staff, and they all know me as Jill despite all the prescriptions being in my legal name. I have a funny feeling I'm not the first transwoman they've encountered.
Quote from: KabitTarah on December 21, 2013, 08:41:37 AM
The questioning look and questions from the pharmacist should be fun and interesting :D
It sounds like that's a common theme!
Why would they think you didn't know? I mean... maybe if it was just spiro - since that's a diuretic and could have been mis-prescribed.
But... E? Of course you know why you're taking estradiol... I mean... really...
So... my plan is... any questions about E and I will definitely be saying "no, my MD just prescribed it and said it would help... it's not going to grow breasts or anything, will it?" (ok... I won't actually say that)
Believe me, some will question you pretty heavily. It's daunting for some pharmacists to fill female hormones for someone presenting as male. Even though I've changed pharmacies and dealt with different techs, I no longer have an issue. However, when I started, I felt like I was about to be interrogated on 2 occasions. It's already hard enough to bring your first script of hormones to the pharmacy, the questioning only brings things over the top. At the end of the day, it's not so bad. They are just covering themselves for liability reasons and that's understandable.
I get only the utmost respect from the Walgreen's owned by Mazzoni (LGBT primary care center).
CVS, I get, are there any questions. I say no, then I get have a nice day SIR. I think they emphasize the sir, although it may just be me being sensitive. I just do not care anymore.
Quote from: KabitTarah on December 21, 2013, 12:04:14 PM
I expect mine too....
How does US Pharmaceuticals insurance work for this stuff... can any of them tell the difference between HRT for menopause / PCOS and HRT for transgender hormone imbalance?
It is all in how the docs code this stuff, both meds and surgeries.
Quote from: Miss_Bungle1991 on December 22, 2013, 01:50:43 PM
It is all in how the docs code this stuff, both meds and surgeries.
I've decided it's an imbalance causing angst. Partial feminization is a side effect. Most endos code it that way (I've heard mine does). If they want to audit (and likely they won't) I'm above board and prepared to defend my stance.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,156114.msg1314471.html#msg1314471 (and the follow-up)
SAMs club.
I put in an order just a couple days ago. The assistant said they'll need to order some estradiol they don't keep that much in stock. Hehehe just a small mountain of the stuff, that's all.
The fun of current filling aside, the first fill at SAMs in the past had a nice little consultation, even discreet. The pharmacist lady practically used a fly swatter on customers to back them off the consultation window. Fun fun.
Hi friends :police:
Please do not post dosages as it is against rule 8 of the Site Terms of Service and rules to live by
Quote8. The discussion of hormone replacement therapy(HRT) and it's medications are permitted, with the following limitations:
A. You may not advocate for or against a specific medication or combinations of medication for personal gain. This is strictly prohibited.
B. You may not discuss the means to acquire HRT medications without a prescription. The discussion of self medication without a doctors supervision is prohibited.
C. The discussion of recommended or actual dosages is strongly discouraged to prevent information obtained on this site from being used to self medicate.
We can not in good conscience condone the self administering of these medications. Not only may self medication be illegal, but HRT medications can cause serious health problems, and many have the potential for life-threatening side effects that can only be detected and prevented with proper medical supervision.
Please be sure to review
- Site Terms of Service and rules to live by (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,2.0.html)
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Thank you
V M
Quote from: Antonia J on December 19, 2013, 07:37:01 PM
My employer requires me to get my ongoing meds through mail order pharmacy manager. $12 for 3 months supply. My employer's insurance pays for all transgender transition related drugs and surgeries. They are very progressive and a great place to work.
Where might u work? I'll need to come there, lol!
I'll message you offline.
I went to Walmart...
Both my spiro and premarin were paid by insurance. The premarin was not available when I went in, but I picked it up the next day. I just completed my 2nd day of HRT :D
Yes... I'm planning on requesting estradiol at my follow-up in January. If not for the pregnant ponies, I want to cut my expenses by up to $30/mo!!!
Tarah! You started HRT! I'm so glad for you :)
How does it feel? Or is it too soon yet? :D
I'm 2 weeks behind you if all goes to plan.
Quote from: KabitTarah on December 28, 2013, 04:45:31 PM
I went to Walmart...
Both my spiro and premarin were paid by insurance. The premarin was not available when I went in, but I picked it up the next day. I just completed my 2nd day of HRT :D
Yes... I'm planning on requesting estradiol at my follow-up in January. If not for the pregnant ponies, I want to cut my expenses by up to $30/mo!!!
*hugs* So awesome! I'm really happy for you. :) But yeah, definitely try to get on estradiol ASAP!
Medco, three month supply. For my first script and refill I went to walgreens the price was decent. Second refill the price almost doubled.
I am fascinated by how much the non-insurance prices vary from store to store. I checked the prices of four different national pharmacy chains all within a three block radius and found that the prices can vary by as much as 40 percent. If you have access to several different stores, do your research... before getting the script filled ask how much it will be. The price variations will shock you.
I am not discussing where I get my hormones from but I really like the pharmacy at Costco good prices and they actually pay their employees well and I always get good service. That and you can also get other shopping done while you are there.
Quote from: Laura Squirrel on December 19, 2013, 06:48:37 PM
K-Mart.
I recently switched to Marsh. The K-Mart is closing in a couple of months. The property that the mall is in was purchased at an auction awhile back. K-Mart is the only store that has remained since the mall opened in 89/90ish. I honestly believe they are just going to raze the mall since it is virtually empty. Maybe they won't...I don't know. But I don't know what they could do to revitalize it. It's been going downhill for a long, long time.
Lloyd's chemist always have HRT in stock,there's several branches about.Not to keen on one of them that also has methadone and always has brownheads hanging around
i work at a kmart with a pharmacy, convenient right?
I have always used CVS. I feel they don't ask too many questions and they are very common where I live.
I think the weirdest part at first is that I thought EVERYONE would know I was taking HRT because I was a transsexual. But, as it turns out, I've never had anyone treat me differently and I think it's mostly because estrogen and spiro can be used for so many things.
Other than CVS, I'd suggest Walgreens, they are similar to CVS.
Good ole' Walmart. Of course, I don't care who knows what I'm taking, or why...so I'm not too worried about the line behind me. I wouldn't suggest them if your stealth. With my insurance it ends up costing me $27 per month for spiro and patches.
Quote from: itsxandrea on January 27, 2014, 08:11:37 PM
I have always used CVS. I feel they don't ask too many questions and they are very common where I live.
I think the weirdest part at first is that I thought EVERYONE would know I was taking HRT because I was a transsexual. But, as it turns out, I've never had anyone treat me differently and I think it's mostly because estrogen and spiro can be used for so many things.
Other than CVS, I'd suggest Walgreens, they are similar to CVS.
OH I don't know about that the pharmacists do know the regimen. Back when I started HT the first pharmacy consult went like this:
P "Do you know why you are taking these meds?",
Me "Yes.",
P "Great cause either you are dying or you aren't, and I gather that you aren't thew type of patient that is dying."
Me "correct."
Quote from: Missy~rmdlm on January 27, 2014, 08:39:42 PM
OH I don't know about that the pharmacists do know the regimen.
Yes they do. I went to my local small town pharmacist for syringes. They wouldn't sell me any unless I had an Rx for a medication that required them. I do, obviously. But, the girl at the counter had her brain so totally broken by me getting an Rx for Estrogen that she had me talk to the pharmacist. Mind you, I went in there wearing a blouse and skirt, but, I don't pass for crap, so clearly I looked like a man in a blouse and skirt. The pharmacist was an older man, who reeked of midwestern conservatism. He looked at me, looked at the Rx, looked back at me, looked back at the Rx, looked at me again, then looked back at the Rx again, and then finally he looked at me and said "What medication are you taking that requires syringes?"
At this point there's a bunch of people standing around me, so I say "I'm NOT saying it outloud."
That's when the light clicked on for him.
Thankfully he surprised me and just said "It's not my job to judge. It's my job to keep needles from heroin users." and sold me the syringes I needed.
I think this thread is in part about purchasing hormones anonymously? Anyway, I've been trying to work out how to buy them anonymously (in Australia) for ages and it seems that you can't. I should say that when I mean anonymously I mean total anonymity, like doctor-patient discretion. Pharmacies (even online orders) just don't offer that level of privacy. It bugs me. I would love it if someone could contradict me on this subject.
There is a lot of difference between buying hormones "under the counter" and getting prescriptions. There also seems to be a lot of difference between different countries. I'm in the UK so that's what I know about.
I had them sent to my work place as that was a facility my employer provided. It was just a plain package with my name on it.
Now I'm getting the Oestrogen and Finasteride on prescription. I'm getting Decapeptyl for the anti-androgen but that's an injection every 12 weeks. I can renew a prescription online, the doctor sends it direct to the pharmacist, I go to pick it up and it's just a paper bag with my name and address. Every pharmacy is the same price and the same procedure, I use the one in the same building as my doctor.
Hi friends :police:
Let's make sure to keep the site rules in mind when posting
Quote8. The discussion of hormone replacement therapy(HRT) and it's medications are permitted, with the following limitations:
A. You may not advocate for or against a specific medication or combinations of medication for personal gain. This is strictly prohibited.
B. You may not discuss the means to acquire HRT medications without a prescription. The discussion of self medication without a doctors supervision is prohibited.
C. The discussion of recommended or actual dosages is strongly discouraged to prevent information obtained on this site from being used to self medicate.
We can not in good conscience condone the self administering of these medications. Not only may self medication be illegal, but HRT medications can cause serious health problems, and many have the potential for life-threatening side effects that can only be detected and prevented with proper medical supervision.
Thank you
V M
There has already been quite a lot of discussion and as far as I can see several members have not been prescribed hormones by a gender clinic. Could I ask for clarification on just what we can say in those circumstances please?
Direct from my Endocronologist. Two implants, one oestrogen and one progesterone. They last about 12-15 months. A real no brainer, particularly for one who can't remember to get out of bed of a morning. ;D ;D
Huggs
Catherine
Quote from: MaryXYX on January 28, 2014, 07:30:27 AM
There has already been quite a lot of discussion and as far as I can see several members have not been prescribed hormones by a gender clinic. Could I ask for clarification on just what we can say in those circumstances please?
Not a mod or anything, but AFAIK the rule is no discussion of self medication without doctors supervision. The Way I always assumed was it was okay to talk about, but specific information that could be used by people to self medicate isn't allowed because of liability issues. As I said in my post above I do like Costco for my pharmacy, but it isn't were I get mine at, and I interpret the TOS to say that I shouldn't disclose where I get them from.