Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: LittleEmily24 on June 03, 2014, 11:50:53 AM

Title: Question about hormone costs (in Florida)
Post by: LittleEmily24 on June 03, 2014, 11:50:53 AM
I'm currently on pills and my insurance covers the majority of it (i pay around 18$ a month for my month's worth of Spiro, medroxy and estradiol), however I'll soon be having an appointment with my Endo to talk about changing to injections instead... but I can't seem to find any info on whether or not my insurance covers injections nor how much it would cover if they do... So can anyone give me a rough estimate on how much generic estrogen injections might cost without insurance coverage?

I mean im hoping that if they cover my pills, then why wouldn't they cover injections? but regardless, i'm going in totally blind.
Title: Re: Question about hormone costs (in Florida)
Post by: Cindy Stephens on June 03, 2014, 12:36:42 PM
Second one today on cost.  I am in FL also, but get Estro and injectable Medroxy from stroeheckers in Portland O.  Then ship express mail.  The Estro is cheap, 10 injections that last 20 weeks for about $40. The medroxy comes as a standard dose (used for birth control) and it is fairly expensive.  $65/month.  I usually go 6 weeks.  I saw an endo at a symposium last year in Atlanta (Southern Belles?) who administers an outreach program at U.of California for poor girls.  They monitor extensively and that standard dose seems to last 3 months with T levels below typical female.
Word of warning!  Do gooders find it almost impossible to not comment on your use of medroxy - You'll die!  Grow hair all over! have a heart attack while contracting breast cancer!  I like it far better than spiro because of all the fresh fruits and veggies I eat. Potassium poisoning was a real possibility for me from spiro.  I have seen no androgenic effects.  and my blood work is good.  But don't want a debate.   
Title: Re: Question about hormone costs (in Florida)
Post by: LittleEmily24 on June 03, 2014, 12:46:56 PM
The only negative side effects i've gotten from medroxy is early on i got easily irritable (which faded)
Then I got trouble sleeping (which also faded)
and my most recent side-effect (which I am only assuming is a side-effect from medroxy but can't be sure) is extreme depression.

though, my hair growth has thinned, I take baby aspirin as per endo's orders, and spiro has given me minor skin-itchiness which has also faded.

So I can't really attest to the negative medroxy effects as it hasn't proven all that terrible for me.... the depression is crippling though, assuming its a result of the medroxy and not just your every-day transition occupational hazard.
Title: Re: Question about hormone costs (in Florida)
Post by: KayXo on June 04, 2014, 12:41:37 PM
One way to find out if depression is from medroxy is to stop it and see after a few weeks. Always consult with your doctor though before making any change. If he/she is ok with this, then perhaps this will clear up confusion. :)