Harper, seeking an orchie if unsure of surgery date and feel it wo't be until down the line a bit, it makes since, but if you are close, it probably won't make any difference in the transition unless you need to get away from the spiro. And if you do go for an orchie, don't forget to do streatching excercises on the scrotum on a routine basis afterwards to prevent shrinkage of the scrotum tissue. It will hang normally at first but after a few months you will notice it begin to tighten up. Also, ask your Doc to recommend you to a Urologist to get it done and it likely will be covered by your Kaiser insurance. They did it for me after a stroke in November of 04. I was naturally taken off estrogen and Dr. Dea argued Medical Necessity for me and after it was done, I was allowed to go back on Estrogen at highly reduced doses. They did it for me, so i take it would likely do it for any who are deemed dangerous to themselves if it is needed. I know that Dea had a hard fight to get it included in insurance for me, but I'm sure she got so involved for the benifit of others also.
If you want one and are worried about scrotum scaring thats not a problem. Mine was done with surgical incisions in the groin area on each side of the penis, they went in from there and pulled them out. The scrotum was never touched. It means a little more down time because they have to cut through the lower abdominal problem, but I was back at work in two weeks and had no problem performing my normal duties with no restrictions or undue discomfort in two weeks. That included, lifting totes of charts and pushing/pulling carts weighing up to 500lbs and loading laundry carts weighing considerably more. The doc wanted me to wait a month, but I didn't want to use up all my saved vacation time as I needed as much as possible for the real surgery and needed it to have income during recoup at that time. Anyway, if you want to do it, there is no risk of tissue loss by using this method
Estrodiol is the generic form of Estrace and if I'm not mistaken, that is available in injectable form, though a particular pharmacy may or most likely have to order it since orals are the more normal way it is taken.
I have no idea what problems if any would be associated with injectables other then they are generally only used in cases where direct infusion to the bloodstream is needed. I got by on Orals with existing Liver problems, so personally don't put much stock in needing injectables. They don't necessarily produce any better results then oral types, but are sometimes better for some conditions, and estrodiol or Estrace is considered to be a more potent form of estrogen as it is much closer to the natural hormone in the human body, and yes, injectables are common enough in the U.S.
If I'm not mistaken, the perscription you showed me in SF was Primarin, what was wrong with that? If you have objections to the treatment of pregnant horses and disposal of the coalts born, which many do, Estrace or the generic Estrodiol is a perfect solution. If you are having any kind of health issue problems ask your Kaizer specialist to check with Robin Dea in Redwood city which is nearby you for any advice, which the specialist probably is used to doing anyway. She's the one who took me on with my liver problems when others wouldn't.
Terri
