Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Female to male transsexual talk (FTM) => Transsexual talk => Testosterone => Topic started by: patrick1967 on December 22, 2016, 08:14:08 PM

Title: Problem with T refills
Post by: patrick1967 on December 22, 2016, 08:14:08 PM
I just finished up the last of mt first two bottle scrip last week and am due to have my next shot weds. I went to my pharmacy for a refill and they told me that I can only refill every 60 days. Luckily the refill date they gave me was for Monday but I am on a two week dosing schedule so if I can only refill every 60 then by the next refill I won't be able to fill until AFTER my next shot is due. Anyone ever run into this and if so how do you handle it? I am really concerned that if this is the caase my dosing will get pushed back 4 days every two months
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: Dena on December 22, 2016, 08:33:43 PM
I suspect that is an insurance limitation. You should talk to you doctor and the pharmacy about ways around it however with insurance, you have the option of paying out of pocket for an additional bottle. My estradiol is only $20 for 6 months worth so I skip the insurance coverage so I don't have to keep going back for more.
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: patrick1967 on December 22, 2016, 08:38:50 PM
I'm on cash pay not processed through my insurance. They said it had to do with it being a controlled substance. I have an appt with my doc next month so I will see what she recommends
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: Randi on December 23, 2016, 02:57:36 AM
If you are taking testosterone cypionate, it has a half life of 8 days. If you are injecting every 2 weeks, 1/2 the dose remains after 8 days and 1/4 remains after 16 days.  You can see how this steadies out, because the shot from a month ago still has an effect. After a year or so the cumulative effect makes your levels more and more constant.

Back when I was male I took T on a weekly schedule. I found taking half as much, weekly prevented the highs and lows.

After a few months the T builds up in your system, so you find running a few days late or injecting a small amount less won't have a noticeable effect.   
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: FTMax on December 23, 2016, 09:49:49 AM
If you're not going through insurance, ask your doctor to write your prescription for 10ml vials. Insurance sometimes has caveats that they'll only pay for 1ml vials, and in my experience it is honestly not worth screwing around with them. You can get a 10ml vial for somewhere under $50 currently, and syringes are available for cheap in bulk online without a prescription.

At normal doses, these last several months so you have plenty of time to prepare for a refill and it should never fall within a 60 day window.
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: patrick1967 on December 23, 2016, 01:45:27 PM
Well hell. I am paying $50 for 2 1ml vials. Where do you get yours at that kind of pricing?

Also checked with the pharmacy. Since I am on 56 day dosing they said it can fill at 54 days
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: FTMax on December 23, 2016, 02:25:37 PM
Quote from: patrick1967 on December 23, 2016, 01:45:27 PM
Well hell. I am paying $50 for 2 1ml vials. Where do you get yours at that kind of pricing?

My grocery store. Use the GoodRx app and you can compare prices between all of the pharmacies near you.
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: patrick1967 on December 23, 2016, 03:00:47 PM
Thanks for the rec. Checked them out and they had a coupan that will save me over $20 on my next fill
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: Alexthecat on December 23, 2016, 03:34:39 PM
You were getting ripped off. It was 28something$ for a 10ml vial when I paid out of pocket one time.
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: FTMax on December 23, 2016, 06:36:06 PM
Quote from: Alexthecat on December 23, 2016, 03:34:39 PM
You were getting ripped off. It was 28something$ for a 10ml vial when I paid out of pocket one time.

Price fluctuates! The most I've paid was $65, the least I've paid was $22, both times for 10ml vials.
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: patrick1967 on December 23, 2016, 08:42:42 PM
I've checked around and the cheapest locally is about 48 cash price for 2 ml. Don't know if it is the area or what and i was told I can't get a 10 ml because it is more than a 6 months supply
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: FTMax on December 23, 2016, 09:31:13 PM
That's weird. Literally everyone I know uses 10ml vials unless they are paying with insurance. A vial lasts me between 5-7 months.
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: LordKAT on December 24, 2016, 12:04:59 AM
USA doesn't allow for more than a 6 month supply on a script.  New rules.
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: FTMax on December 24, 2016, 01:38:14 AM
Quote from: LordKAT on December 24, 2016, 12:04:59 AM
USA doesn't allow for more than a 6 month supply on a script.  New rules.

How recent is that? I just refilled mine last month and at my current dosage a 10ml vial should last me around 7 months.
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: LordKAT on December 24, 2016, 01:45:42 AM
Just going on what my doc said. Maybe it was a state rule but it didn't sound that way. That was last March.
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: lil_red on December 27, 2016, 05:12:42 PM
When I first started T I had to pay $20 a pop for 1  ml vials. When my does was increased I was able to get a 10 ml vial but it cost me over a $100.  Where I live I can only have 6 month supply at a time.

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Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: LordKAT on December 27, 2016, 06:14:13 PM
Should never have to pay that much. Try a compounding pharmacy such as Strohecker's.
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: FTMax on December 27, 2016, 06:43:24 PM
Quote from: lil_red on December 27, 2016, 05:12:42 PM
When I first started T I had to pay $20 a pop for 1  ml vials. When my does was increased I was able to get a 10 ml vial but it cost me over a $100.  Where I live I can only have 6 month supply at a time.

Yeah, you're getting taken for a ride. See if Stroheckers can ship to your state, or use the GoodRx app to find a better deal.
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: patrick1967 on December 28, 2016, 12:49:39 PM
Goodrx had a coupon for the test that dropped my cost in half. From 56 for 2 1ml bottles to 26.
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: kings joker on January 23, 2017, 08:44:52 PM
wow. This is incredible! How have I not heard of GoodRX before? I didn't realize you could get coupons for drugs outside of a doctors office. I also want to check out a 10ml vial next time I'm at the Dr. It sounds like ti would save me a lot of money, time and hassle.
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: FTMax on January 23, 2017, 08:50:31 PM
Quote from: kings joker on January 23, 2017, 08:44:52 PM
wow. This is incredible! How have I not heard of GoodRX before? I didn't realize you could get coupons for drugs outside of a doctors office. I also want to check out a 10ml vial next time I'm at the Dr. It sounds like ti would save me a lot of money, time and hassle.

I got a 10ml vial for $35 last week and it'll last me around 5 months. Much less hassle and super cheap. Comes out to under a quarter per day in terms of cost.
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: xSMITHx on February 07, 2017, 04:27:09 PM
Do you live in a state that Strohecker's ships to? When I went through them I paid $60 for a 10mL vial and all the gear. This was 2009-13 and without insurance so I'm not sure how their prices are now.

Currently (still no insurance) I pay $32 for a 10mL vial locally (not Stroheckers)

I think you're getting ripped off; I hopeyou can get this sorted!
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: patrick1967 on February 07, 2017, 05:00:28 PM
Paying $25 for a 2 month supply. Because of state regs I can't get a 10 ml bottle, because it is more than a 6 mo supply, i have to get 1ml ones. It sucks but it is what it is
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: Silver Centurion on February 08, 2017, 06:12:31 PM
Are 10 ml vials supposed to be good for 6 months? I'm not sure I will make 3 :O
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: Alexthecat on February 08, 2017, 06:13:13 PM
Quote from: Silver Centurion on February 08, 2017, 06:12:31 PM
Are 10 ml vials supposed to be good for 6 months? I'm not sure I will make 3 :O
4-5 months.
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: patrick1967 on February 08, 2017, 07:52:16 PM
At my dose a 10 ml vial would last me about 8-9 months
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: xSMITHx on February 09, 2017, 08:07:57 AM
Yes, I've been on low dose before and my 10mL lasted just fine 8-10 months. Zero issues.
Title: Re: Problem with T refills
Post by: FTMax on February 09, 2017, 09:13:03 AM
Quote from: Silver Centurion on February 08, 2017, 06:12:31 PM
Are 10 ml vials supposed to be good for 6 months? I'm not sure I will make 3 :O

It all depends on the dose, but I've never met anyone for whom it did not last 4 months at a minimum.