Recently I've been debating on switching from take the pills to switching over to using the needles. Its just a pain in the ass for me taking pills everyday and I'd much prefer to switch to weekly injections. Could anyone give me any opinions on this? I've been on hrt for 9 months BTW. I'd love peoples in sites and opinions on what they r experiences were on the injections. Thanks
Hello,
there was quite a live debate on this in this thread:
Is it true that the shots are more effective that the pills?
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,97015.0.html (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,97015.0.html)
Yes I know, but I would like my own answers to my post thanks
Im gonna be switching to injections or patches soon :P if it happens to occur before your change, i'll let you know xD so far ive been seeing endless info that pills are the least effective form.. i mean my endo seems to be very specific about "taking it slow", but theres taking it slow and then there's "my speedometer can go faster than this".
Though if its just because you don't like to take pills frequently, i would think that injections are good if you can manage to inject yourself xD i mean they teach you and all but.... thats an intense thing to stab yourself hehe, i hear patches can be fun though. 0_o
I have only used Oestrogel and Estradiol Valerate injections.
The half-life of Estradiol Valerate is approximately eight days. The "side chain" of the molecule takes a while to detach from the estradiol, so it helps keep levels more steady. Estradiol without the valerate or cypionate would have a very short half life. Injecting deep into a large muscle like the gluteus maximus or vastus lateralis makes it last even longer since there aren't many capillaries deep in a muscle.
Over time the various "half lives" of earlier injections, combined with the new shots adds up to a reasonably constant level. I have used Oestrogel in the past to add in a little in the days before the next shot.
Oral estrogens are subjected to the first pass effect in the liver. This strains the liver and lessens the effectiveness of the estrogen. People over 40 probably shouldn't be using oral estrogen.
I was diagnosed as hypogonadic eight years ago and don't produce any significant testosterone, so my development may be more related to that than my HRT. With that said, I have bigger boobs than either my mother or sisters.
Randi
Thank you, then yes I will be switching over :-)
Years ago, I started off with my doctor giving me injections. It was a good drive from where I lived, so she taught me how to inject myself. Oh, how I hated it. Moved to another city, new doctor, pills perscribed, never looked back. Have bloodwork checked once or twice a year, so far so good.
I have only ever used injection, after 2.5 years it has become quite routine, the main reason I chose this is because of the health side of HRT, i read initially they would be less harsh on my liver, so yeah. goodluck choosing.
You really need research the pellet method. Check out this site. its in california, but it explains the benefits well and if you have any doubts there are girls on here that have been there. you can go 3-6 months and its safer. Non oral. and hrt can be 13-24 months so it is faster than oral and no blockers.
http://gendermedical.com/
I've heard Dr O'Dea is pretty expensive, even without travel costs. Are other doctors doing pellets?
Quote from: KatrinaLynne on June 26, 2014, 06:38:53 PM
You really need research the pellet method. Check out this site. its in california, but it explains the benefits well and if you have any doubts there are girls on here that have been there. you can go 3-6 months and its safer. Non oral. and hrt can be 13-24 months so it is faster than oral and no blockers.
http://gendermedical.com/
When I first stared self med'ing @ 19 I had instant results within days using injections.
Flash forward to 29 when I began HRT for real I started injections again and I had a similar result. My doc told me that it has that kind of effect because it bypasses the liver and lingers in the muscle so it's effects are faster. I started on pills 21 mos ago and even though they were cool to start I noticed the most changes after injections.
Ladies if using an ampule, then a reminder. Make sure your doctor has explained to you how to pre-filter whatever it is you are using if it's drawing from an ampule where the top is broken off possibly raining glass shards down below.
(and there's also the safety requirement for intra muscular aspiration)
That's about all I would be allowed to say on those subjects.
I'm in the same boat. I've been taking the pills for some time and get jealous of all the results and feedback I hear from those on injections. It seems it's a more effective, even if a bit more costly, method of administering hrt. Guess I will have to get used to needles.
Dr odea is a bit pricey I know there's a few more in California that do pellets as well and I do pellets and am super happy once every few months and no pain so I like It on the other hand if you don't have insurance or its a cost thing ide seriously think about doing injections being as it's way better for your liver also if you look into patches are pretty useless the for post menopausal women and the dose is so very low that it's not really worth it "that's my opinion" but deffinetly talk to your endo and see what plan you can work out
I see my Endo again on July the 3rd. I just had my bloodwork done yesterday. I know he will be increasing my E and he mentioned a more effective delivery method. Patches are out of the question for me because they won't stay on no matter what I do. And I'm not comfortable using gels. So my only alternatives are the injections or the pellets. While my insurance will cover the injections I doubt it will cover the pellets unless something has changed. I have no problem with needles. It's the up's and down's I've heard of (the not being able to keep things constant) that are worrying me with injections.
Ally :icon_flower:
For me going the injection route was driven more by the pita of taking pills then results driven. Pills are very easy to skip. Especially if you are adding one more to handfull or two of supplements you do each day. In the past when taking pills if I was in a WTF am I doing funk it was so simple to skip a pill and get even deeper into a depression.
Took my first injection today.
Wow. WOOO!!! Never got that with Oral!
All the people switching to injections deserve a big hip hip hooray and CONGRATS!
Cheers to healthier methods of HRT administration! Makes me really happy to see :)
Only thing is, I'm needle shy.
I had to curl my toes, stammer, feigned once, feigned twice!, bit my lip to sidetrack any pain, then OK darn it, feigned again
^^ X4
OK - IN!
Opens eyes. That's it? Hmm. Pull back on the plunger. OK no red stuff. And away wE go! WEEEEEEE!
Quote from: Evelyn K on June 30, 2014, 06:23:53 PM
Took my first injection today.
Wow. WOOO!!! Never got that with Oral!
What do you mean when you say "never got that with oral"? Do you really feel and notice the effects right away or something? I'm very needle shy but I'm going to likely switch very soon so I'm a bit curious about the short term differences when going from pills to injections.
By the way, for all the people that switched, did you have more trouble with injections than pills with insurance? I can pay out of pocket if I have to, but it's so nice having to pay nothing for my hrt cause of insurance. I fear that injections may be more difficult to get covered, but I have no idea either.
Quote from: learningtolive on June 30, 2014, 08:45:59 PM
What do you mean when you say "never got that with oral"? Do you really feel and notice the effects right away or something? I'm very needle shy but I'm going to likely switch very soon so I'm a bit curious about the short term differences when going from pills to injections.
By the way, for all the people that switched, did you have more trouble with injections than pills with insurance? I can pay out of pocket if I have to, but it's so nice having to pay nothing for my hrt cause of insurance. I fear that injections may be more difficult to get covered, but I have no idea either.
I don't know. Could be nothing but a placebo effect. Or the tail end of an adrenaline rush.
I mean it felt weird. It's only a jugular vein after all. Not like an artery.
Whatever it is I feel so much happiness and contentment.
Quote from: Evelyn K on June 30, 2014, 08:50:40 PM
I don't know. Could be nothing but a placebo effect. Or the tail end of an adrenaline rush.
I mean it felt weird. It's only a jugular vein after all. Not like an artery.
Whatever it is I feel so much happiness and contentment.
Interesting. I was very euphoric on pills for the first few times and that left me after a while. It seems like many have that effect when they start hrt, so I'm guessing changing the way you apply it could do the same.
i JEST aboot the jugular part ;D
Lady's again, if using an ampule, make sure you're drawing up first using a filter straw or filter attachment so you don't end up with glass in your muscles. Then re-attach the needle. Get those air pockets and bubbles out. And don't forget to pull back on the plunger and aspirate to make sure you're not going directly into a vessel. Your doc will advise you.
Does anyone know how easy/hard it is to split the injections up into dailies and if there are any benefits like a more even and steady estrogen level?
I'm already doing 5 injections a day for diabetes so I really don't care about one more if there are benefits.
Hardly worth it. Usually the Estrogen is compounded with an oil excipient to moderate and slow the absorption. It's engineered and meant to be purposefully used this way.
Quote from: Jennygirl on June 30, 2014, 06:47:19 PM
All the people switching to injections deserve a big hip hip hooray and CONGRATS!
Cheers to healthier methods of HRT administration! Makes me really happy to see :)
That's what my Endo is supposed to be switching me to -injections. I am worried about the high's and lows described herein and in other similar threads though Jennygirl. But as you already know I trust your opinions that injections are a better delivery method than the orals I'm on now.
I see my Endo this coming Thursday on the 3rd of July.
Oh and by the way, you look radiant in your new Avatar!!
Ally :icon_flower:
I'd always done injections from the start until recently, currently on the pills, the effect is not as strong or lasting for sure, but at least now I know the difference (I had always wondered). But it'll do for now until I can afford to get back on the injections again, better than nothing, right. ;)
Quote from: Megan Joanne on June 30, 2014, 09:58:01 PM
I'd always done injections from the start until recently, currently on the pills, the effect is not as strong or lasting for sure, but at least now I know the difference (I had always wondered). But it'll do for now until I can afford to get back on the injections again, better than nothing, right. ;)
Oh definitely. I put my E under my tongue and let it dissolve there when it's time to take it. I've heard it's better that way and more is absorbed. Of course, I swallow my Spiro and Dutasteride.
Ally :icon_flower:
Thanks Allyda :D :D Good luck with your endo, I hope he prescribes them to you!
I started HRT with pills for both estrogens and anti-androgens. Oral estradiol taken sublingually for the estrogen, spironolactone for the anti-androgen. Still on spironolactone for the AA, but I have switched to intramuscular estradiol valerate injections.
In my opinion, the injections are superior in many ways.
I switched because I had heard from many people that the injections provided better results. I definitely would confirm this for myself, although your mileage may vary, don't expect total miracles or anything. All I did was ask my doctor if I could switch, and he agreed to try it out.
Week 1 of HRT on pills-only, I started getting breast pain, discomfort, soreness/tenderness, heat, etc. Then it kind of faded. That and everything the pills did to me were nothing compared to what the injections did. I have had so much breast growth since I started the injections. My roommate has commented, without me saying anything about it, that my breasts have definitely grown a lot since she moved in 3 months ago. I let my ex-gf, who I'm on very good terms with, feel them the other day, and she was pretty surprised - they were bigger than hers. (I was in guy mode at the time and hiding them)
In mere hours I will be injecting myself again, for the 11th time. Just 11 weeks, and I've had so much change physically and mentally. Everyone is amazed when they see my pre-hrt pictures. My ex, my family, my friends, my coworkers - and I'm 4 months into HRT. 2.5 months of that was with injections. Soon to be 2.75
Been feeling quite a bit more euphoric since yesterday. No question at all this represents a spike in E activity in my body.
My top development has picked up in just two days. Things where never this puffy!
Oh and did I mention the euphoria? :D
That's great Evelyn. :)
Quote from: ath on June 30, 2014, 10:18:36 PM
I started HRT with pills for both estrogens and anti-androgens. Oral estradiol taken sublingually for the estrogen, spironolactone for the anti-androgen. Still on spironolactone for the AA, but I have switched to intramuscular estradiol valerate injections.
In my opinion, the injections are superior in many ways.
I switched because I had heard from many people that the injections provided better results. I definitely would confirm this for myself, although your mileage may vary, don't expect total miracles or anything. All I did was ask my doctor if I could switch, and he agreed to try it out.
Week 1 of HRT on pills-only, I started getting breast pain, discomfort, soreness/tenderness, heat, etc. Then it kind of faded. That and everything the pills did to me were nothing compared to what the injections did. I have had so much breast growth since I started the injections. My roommate has commented, without me saying anything about it, that my breasts have definitely grown a lot since she moved in 3 months ago. I let my ex-gf, who I'm on very good terms with, feel them the other day, and she was pretty surprised - they were bigger than hers. (I was in guy mode at the time and hiding them)
In mere hours I will be injecting myself again, for the 11th time. Just 11 weeks, and I've had so much change physically and mentally. Everyone is amazed when they see my pre-hrt pictures. My ex, my family, my friends, my coworkers - and I'm 4 months into HRT. 2.5 months of that was with injections. Soon to be 2.75
Aw that sounds wonderful! I'm happy for you and thanks for sharing. Seems like you have hit another plateau of development and couldn't be happier about it! Enjoy it because it only happens once for the first time :)
Quote from: Evelyn K on July 01, 2014, 11:39:36 PM
Been feeling quite a bit more euphoric since yesterday. No question at all this represents a spike in E activity in my body.
My top development has picked up in just two days. Things where never this puffy!
Oh and did I mention the euphoria? :D
I'm digging on all of this gender euphoria right now. Like, mega.
Jenny you look great.
Yeah, I'm seriously falling in love with myself. I am BLOOMING. Probably going to end up making a cardboard cutout of myself so I can dry hump her in the bed. :D
Quote from: Evelyn K on July 02, 2014, 12:42:36 AM
Jenny you look great.
Yeah, I'm seriously falling in love with myself. I am BLOOMING. Probably going to end up making a cardboard cutout of myself so I can dry hump her in the bed. :D
LOL... I love your sense of humor !! ;D That was my initial euphoric response from recently switching to injections also. Maybe it's just me, but I've been experiencing some wild mood swings lately. I've managed to "tame" them slightly between shots with some leftover gels I had. I will have to give it more time perhaps, but will speak with my endo about going to weekly injections (right now bi-weekly). I think my metabolism is just "burning up" the E too rapidly or something. Not trying to be a buzzkill, just saying to be on the lookout for your E level possibly crashing after about 7-10 days. Around day 7 after my first shot, I went from "beaming" to a really bad depression very rapidly. Maybe it takes a few months to stabilize... congrats on going on-the-needle though !! ;)
:D Thanks evelyn dear!
Quote from: Kira357 on July 02, 2014, 01:22:24 AM
LOL... I love your sense of humor !! ;D That was my initial euphoric response from recently switching to injections also. Maybe it's just me, but I've been experiencing some wild mood swings lately. I've managed to "tame" them slightly between shots with some leftover gels I had. I will have to give it more time perhaps, but will speak with my endo about going to weekly injections (right now bi-weekly). I think my metabolism is just "burning up" the E too rapidly or something. Not trying to be a buzzkill, just saying to be on the lookout for your E level possibly crashing after about 7-10 days. Around day 7 after my first shot, I went from "beaming" to a really bad depression very rapidly. Maybe it takes a few months to stabilize... congrats on going on-the-needle though !! ;)
That is the one thing you girls need to watch out for. If it gets too rough, just know you don't have to endure it- there are better options. Pellets will be calling your name from the canister!
I am switching from patches to injections July 9th myself. The patches worked great in the winter months when temps and humidity were low, but with summer and high humidity it causes them to loosen and fall off. Either that or the Hawaiian Tropic was loosening them! ;D Being a Paramedic injections are no big deal to me. I can't wait to see any differences between the two. Hopefully the "girls" will love them. :)
Quote from: Jennygirl on July 02, 2014, 01:30:25 AM
:D Thanks evelyn dear!
That is the one thing you girls need to watch out for. If it gets too rough, just know you don't have to endure it- there are better options. Pellets will be calling your name from the canister!
I'm already very interested in the pellets, just will be hard to find where I live. IMI is considered "cutting-edge" and "holy-grail" here, it took me 2 months to find the right doc (an OB/GYN) and is a 240-mi round-trip for me. Well worth it though, I just hope things stabilize soon. I should mention that I'm currently going through a nasty divorce right now, and the anxiety of that certainly has a significant impact on my overall transition experience lately. God, I'll be glad when that's done !!! Now... if I can just find some of these "magic" pellets..... mmmmmm ;D
** And congrats on getting the IMI Jessica... that first shot (20mg/mL - Delestrogen)... WOW!!! OMG!!! :eusa_dance:
Just a comment about the implants.. I gave them a try - all it did was cost me money. No changes to levels and no increase in any physical changes..
I am not sure as I am just a patient, but depending on the dosage it may take shorter/longer to kind of kick in with pellets. Over time things even out even more as the remnants of one pellet can take a long time to dissolve, spreading across to another dose. Also I think you need a higher dose if you want to see fast changes, at least until t factories have been removed. It does get expensive quickly if you desire to see the fast changes pre-op/non-op.
9 months long enough?
E levels were never more than about 7-10% different to my level on pills..
Has anyone heard from a doctor that pills are more effective and put less strain on the liver? This is what my new doctor told me, and I mentioned to her that it was counter to everything I've ever heard. She dismissed what I've read because it was from "the internet."
I wish we had some academic papers that we could present to doctors who might be uninformed or using outdated methods. ::)
Quote from: jojoglowe on July 02, 2014, 05:15:06 AM
Has anyone heard from a doctor that pills are more effective and put less strain on the liver? This is what my new doctor told me
Please find a new doctor, this one is nuts! Everyone knows injections and pellets are the best possible for effectiveness and easier on the liver. Oral carries quite a few risk's and have to do a first pass through the liver. Patients over 40 are strongly advised not to take oral Estradiol. This doctor is dangerous in my professional opinion as a 28 year career Paramedic. :)
Quote from: jojoglowe on July 02, 2014, 05:15:06 AM
Has anyone heard from a doctor that pills are more effective and put less strain on the liver? This is what my new doctor told me, and I mentioned to her that it was counter to everything I've ever heard. She dismissed what I've read because it was from "the internet."
I wish we had some academic papers that we could present to doctors who might be uninformed or using outdated methods. ::)
Just goes to show how doctors are sometimes overglorified memorization drones who just orders labs, references a standards of care treatment sheet against the results, then shoo's you on your way with a smug self righteous important feeling on their face. As if it took so much brain power to medicate you.
Quote from: Evelyn K on July 02, 2014, 09:56:43 AM
Just goes to show how doctors are sometimes overglorified memorization drones who just orders labs, references a standards of care treatment sheet against the results, then shoo's you on your way with a smug self righteous important feeling on their face. As if it took so much brain power to medicate you.
This... so totally this !!!
Well girls, tomorrow is the day!. I see my Endo at 2:30 pm and will probably be put on injections for my E. I'm going to insist on the weekly ones though because I've heard too many complaints about the up's and downs with the bi-weekly. I'm in full transition, 49 years old and though I have great liver function I'd like to keep it that way. My bloodwork shows that with the exception of my chronic pain issues from my 91 accident I'm in excellent health. Needles also don't bother me because of the afore mentioned accident (I've seen more than my share -just a cakewalk) so that won't be an issue. My Endo though, or pharmacist will have to show me how to properly administer the injection as I've never injected myself before. First time for everything right?
I do plan to ask about the pellets. However I don't know (and am pretty sure they won't) if my insurance will cover them.
Ally :icon_flower:
Congrats Allyda! Sounds like you'll soon be coming back here with some gender euphoria of your own to report!
Quote from: Jennygirl on July 02, 2014, 11:06:19 PM
Congrats Allyda! Sounds like you'll soon be coming back here with some gender euphoria of your own to report!
I hope so Jenny! I'm real excited about tomorrow!
Ally :icon_flower:
So day 5 on injections, about 3.7 months after oral.
W0ts different? Oh, maybe my stalled tanner staging jumped from II to just a little under III. Things-are-movin - now!
I still feel emotions especially happiness and joy so much more intensely. ;D
Injections gave me -much- better results and feminization compared to pills. I was on an ordinary regular dose of oral estradiol, but once I started the injections, I got so much breast pain, and so much development. It's crazy. I feel way better, too, and it's so much easier to inject once a week or every two weeks, than to take all those pills (or pill halves) sublingually every day.
My advice - do it. Try it out. Get your doc to switch you over. It's so much better, at least in my opinion. Plus there's less risk of liver damage and all that.
Edit: I'm going to add, I was Tanner I, pre-injections, at like 1.5 months HRT. Now I'm at Tanner IV, at just over 4.25 months HRT. Your milage may vary, of course. Genes and other things play a factor. My family has big boobs for sure - my cousin even got breast reduction surgery.
I had no idea what this Tanner thing was ???, thanks google. :) Oh, the wonders of internet, learn something new every day. I guess that puts me at about a III. :-\
Well, yesterday my Endo switched me from orals to injections once per week. However I haven't started them yet as I have to fill them and got in late yesterday during a rainstorm after my Endo appt. They are the once per week kind which I insisted on, and my Endo agreed, to avoid highs and lows I've read about with the bi-weekly injections.
However, my injection prescription isn't for the same type of Estradiol my orals were, Estradiol Valerate. It's for Estradiol Cyp. Oil. If this isn't the correct form of Estradiol please chime in and let me know. (I dunno what the Cyp. stands for).
Ally :icon_flower:
Note to moderators: I hope I haven't violated any site policy. If I did it wasn't my intention. I'm just trying to make sure my Endo gave me the right medicine. Thanks.
I have been on HRT for over a year now I have been on the Injections form the start I take my injections every 2 weeks an then I'm done with them for another 2 weeks , I'm glad I don't take those pills everyday the the Injections are better an safer than the oral route ..
Happy to say I'm about to start injections after being on pills for 2 years yipee!!
Quote from: Allyda on July 04, 2014, 06:07:11 AM
Well, yesterday my Endo switched me from orals to injections once per week. However I haven't started them yet as I have to fill them and got in late yesterday during a rainstorm after my Endo appt. They are the once per week kind which I insisted on, and my Endo agreed, to avoid highs and lows I've read about with the bi-weekly injections.
However, my injection prescription isn't for the same type of Estradiol my orals were, Estradiol Valerate. It's for Estradiol Cyp. Oil. If this isn't the correct form of Estradiol please chime in and let me know. (I dunno what the Cyp. stands for).
Ally :icon_flower:
Note to moderators: I hope I haven't violated any site policy. If I did it wasn't my intention. I'm just trying to make sure my Endo gave me the right medicine. Thanks.
It's a slower absorbing estradiol. Where valerate absorbs in 7-8 days cypionate absorbs in about 11 days. Not sure how this translates in therapeutic dosage terms. For instance I could have a lower valerate dose than a higher cypionate dose yet the daily average would be roughly equal to each other. I guess the upside to cypionate is its slightly lowered frequency of injections.
I actually don't understand why estradiol valerate would be prescribed bi-weekly if its absorption rate really is 7-8 days.
Quote from: Evelyn K on July 04, 2014, 10:44:17 PM
It's a slower absorbing estradiol. Where valerate absorbs in 7-8 days cypionate absorbs in about 11 days. Not sure how this translates in therapeutic dosage terms. For instance I could have a lower valerate dose than a higher cypionate dose yet the daily average would be roughly equal to each other. I guess the upside to cypionate is its slightly lowered frequency of injections.
I actually don't understand why estradiol valerate would be prescribed bi-weekly if its absorption rate really is 7-8 days.
One thing that's confusing me is my injection dosage is, like, 20 times smaller than my oral dosage per week. I hope there wasn't anything lost in translation between my Endo and the girls in the front office who actually wrote the script for him to sign. Is cipionate that much stronger than valerate? Or, do you think somethings wrong with my script.?
Ally :icon_flower:
I know mine is roughly less than half what I was taking in oral form. Just ring your Dr. and ask him, or your pharmacists if it sounds typical. Either way followup labs will need to be redone. Also realizing that therapeutic dosages for transexuals is a lot higher than cis hormone levels. This all fast track stuff for us.
Quote from: Evelyn K on July 04, 2014, 11:14:29 PM
I know mine is roughly less than half what I was taking in oral form. Just ring your Dr. and ask him, or your pharmacists if it sounds typical. Either way followup labs will need to be redone. Also realizing that therapeutic dosages for transexuals is a lot higher than cis hormone levels. This all fast track stuff for us.
If you say yours is about half of your oral dosage, than mine's definately off. Comparing the two more closely, my injection dose is really only about 10% of what I am taking orally (I haven't started the injections yet). My injections are weekly though, not bi-weekly. But I am comparing a weekly injection dose against my weekly oral dose.
Ally
PM incoming
Different routes of administration require different dosages. With estradiol valerate, injections require much less to get the same results as a good deal more orally or sublingually. This holds true for many other things, as well, not just trans-related stuff. Injecting things into your body is a lot more effective than basically eating it.
Allyda wuts up?
Quote from: Evelyn K on July 09, 2014, 11:16:07 PM
Allyda wuts up?
I'm a little sad Ev. My insurance isn't covering my estradiol cypionate injections, I've had no work in the last two months due to rain, and on my low fixed income alone there's no way I can't afford the $100. per month cost for it. I'm trying to get my Endo to switch me from estradiol cypionate, to estradiol valerate injections. 1, they're cheaper, 2, since my insurance is covering my estradiol valerate pills, it's my hope they'll cover the estradiol valerate injections.
I just had to stop reading all these injection success stories for a while.
Ally :icon_flower:
I'd suggest for the girls here in the US either switching or signing up for Obama care when enrollment starts back up in the fall.
I'm soooooooo glad I listened to my case worker when I did. I'm low income at the moment and I switched my insurance.
I pay ZERO co-pays for injections, pills etc.
Before I paid $25 for injections and nothing for pils & spiro.
Quote from: Allyda on July 10, 2014, 12:11:00 AM
I'm a little sad Ev. My insurance isn't covering my estradiol cypionate injections, I've had no work in the last two months due to rain, and on my low fixed income alone there's no way I can't afford the $100. per month cost for it. I'm trying to get my Endo to switch me from estradiol cypionate, to estradiol valerate injections. 1, they're cheaper, 2, since my insurance is covering my estradiol valerate pills, it's my hope they'll cover the estradiol valerate injections.
I just had to stop reading all these injection success stories for a while.
Ally :icon_flower:
F* cypionate. Don't even sweat it. Just get on valerate. Heres to hoping your insurance covers it.
Quote from: Janae on July 10, 2014, 01:08:54 AM
I'd suggest for the girls here in the US either switching or signing up for Obama care when enrollment starts back up in the fall.
I'm soooooooo glad I listened to my case worker when I did. I'm low income at the moment and I switched my insurance.
I pay ZERO co-pays for injections, pills etc.
Before I paid $25 for injections and nothing for pils & spiro.
When your on disability and you get medicaid your options are somewhat limited. Though my medicaid is federal, I have to follow the state I'm living in's rules which sometimes works out okay, but more often than not, it complicates things. I pay nothing for my hrt meds in pill form, and won't have to pay for my SRS or even VFS if I can ever find a voice surgeon. However, I am having a problem getting them to cover the estradiol cypionate in injectable form. I'm hoping since they pay for my estradiol valerate pills, they'll pay for estradiol valerate injections.Quote from: Evelyn K on July 10, 2014, 01:12:59 AM
F* cypionate. Don't even sweat it. Just get on valerate. Heres to hoping your insurance covers it.
Thanks Ev, it's what I'm hoping for. I should know something tomorrow, er, well, today now later on hopefully before lunchtime.
Ally :icon_flower:
Quote from: Evelyn K on July 10, 2014, 01:12:59 AM
F* cypionate. Don't even sweat it. Just get on valerate. Heres to hoping your insurance covers it.
Well, no injections for me I guess. My insurance won't even cover the Estradiol Valerate injections, and, at my pharmacy they cost the same as the cypionate does. Soooo, in light of this, my Endo doubled my pills. I'll just have to remember to always put them under my tongue instead of swallowing them so I get as much of my dose as possible and hope that brings my E levels within range for full transition.
Even though my E level is low, I have had decent development so hopefully I can manage until my SRS and the T factory gets shut down.
So no hormone rush story for me.
Ally :icon_flower:
Quote from: Allyda on July 10, 2014, 02:34:44 PM
Well, no injections for me I guess. My insurance won't even cover the Estradiol Valerate injections, and, at my pharmacy they cost the same as the cypionate does. Soooo, in light of this, my Endo doubled my pills. I'll just have to remember to always put them under my tongue instead of swallowing them so I get as much of my dose as possible and hope that brings my E levels within range for full transition.
So no hormone rush story for me.
Ally :icon_flower:
Well, I can tell you this. The last time I was sublinqual'ing, my E levels where in the 1800 high range....
Can't say how many I was taking. But my liver tests where fine.
Place the pill towards the side and towards the back of the tongue a little to help keep saliva from running off the pill too quickly.
Quote from: Evelyn K on July 10, 2014, 02:39:03 PM
Well, I can tell you this. The last time I was sublinqual'ing, my E levels where in the 1800 high range....
Can't say how many I was taking. But my liver tests where fine.
Place the pill towards the side and towards the back of the tongue a little to help keep saliva from running off the pill too quickly.
Thanks Evelyn for the tips. It's just been a bad day. I just found out the surgeon I was counting on for my SRS just retired three months ago. So now it looks like I'll be going to Miami for my SRS, that is, unless the University of South Florida branch in Tampa has a surgeon there who does it.
It's prolly better it's done in Miami anyway. They have an entire transgender department so they'll be experienced surgeons.
Meanwhile, I wish somebody could tell me why my injections are $100. for 1 month supply at my local pharmacy, and I can get a two months supply for 1/6th the cost online. It makes absolutely no sense, lol!!
Ally :icon_flower:
Quote from: Allyda on July 10, 2014, 04:33:07 PM
Meanwhile, I wish somebody could tell me why my injections are $100. for 1 month supply at my local pharmacy, and I can get a two months supply for 1/6th the cost online. It makes absolutely no sense, lol!!
Ally :icon_flower:
So then, why don't you? If you have a script it's perfectly acceptable to use an online pharmacy. Just make sure it's a reputable one.
Quote from: Dee Walker on July 10, 2014, 06:24:40 PM
So then, why don't you? If you have a script it's perfectly acceptable to use an online pharmacy. Just make sure it's a reputable one.
Oh I plan to, I have to inform my Endo I found this deal online with a pharmacy (it was after 4 pm when I found it -Endo's office closed.) and get his approval. Plus, it will take a while for them to get here (3 weeks) because they're outside the US. I have experience with them and know them to be very reputable.
Ally :icon_flower: