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That pretty much sums up how I feel right now. I called as soon as they opened and scheduled my appointment. It didn't register, until 20 minutes after, that I only have 14 more days until I could potentially be on T. The lady that I talked to said they would (basically) give me a physical and determine whether I needed blood work done, or not, and also ask some questions. Most people go out with a script so I'm hopeful I'll be in that percentage.... My stomach is literally burning with excitement. I have no idea how to act!? Everything is so surreal.

Does anyone on T have tips? I've read multitudes of guys stories, watched endless hours of videos, and everything in between. However.. I still have questions/concerns?

• Does the shot hurt? +is thigh or butt better?
• Should I ask for weekly shots or every other week?
• Is it normal to be afraid? (I'm an anxious person by nature, so I wasn't sure if it was that or to be expected?)
• What should I look out for? (anything that may trigger an anxious person?)
• How fast does your voice drop?

Aaaah... I cannot think of anything right now. Thanks to anyone that helps me out

Quote
Does the shot hurt? +is thigh or butt better?

No it does not. My first shot was in my arm because they were short staffed and my dr did it. I did tell him I was nervous and he brought my attention away by saying 'Hey check this out" and instantly stabbed me in the arm. I felt no pain at all. I have a shot due today so I will update if I get a booty shot today on painwise.
Butt is what the nurses do, thigh is what you will do when you take home your needles.

Quote
Should I ask for weekly shots or every other week?

The doctor decides. Mine decided biweekly so every other week.

Quote
Is it normal to be afraid? (I'm an anxious person by nature, so I wasn't sure if it was that or to be expected?)

Yes. But be brave

Quote
What should I look out for? (anything that may trigger an anxious person?)

Don't look at the needle if they scare you. But sooner or later you will need to get past that. Make sure your paperwork has a "preferred" name section if you have not changed your name yet. If not write in big letters "PREFERRED NAME: INSERT" My dr has a sheet that has a preferred spot but sometimes they don't pay attention to it. Just write it really big and they will notice.

Quote
How fast does your voice drop?

Within the first month there should be the slightest drop. But around 3 months is noticeable. 5-6 months is the most noticeable drop there will be.


EDIT:

I'm not sure how your office works, but my dr gives me the script to fill and I go back to them to get my shot. I think that might be what you're doing.

Quote from: prestonnn15 on October 13, 2014, 09:09:42 AM

• Does the shot hurt? +is thigh or butt better?

as much as any other shot. I prefer but, some don't. Some will hurt a bit more than others.

• Should I ask for weekly shots or every other week?

Leave that to your endo to start with. Adjust it if you feel it necessary. Most are fine with every 2 weeks.

• Is it normal to be afraid? (I'm an anxious person by nature, so I wasn't sure if it was that or to be expected?)

Any feelings are normal, excitement at finally getting what you have been wanting is perfectly normal.

• What should I look out for? (anything that may trigger an anxious person?)

Write down any questions you have and take that paper with you. Sometimes in all the excitement you forget to ask or bring up whatever you wanted to.

• How fast does your voice drop?

This varies form person to person. You should notice some drop in the first few months. For some it is within days, other longer.
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Quote from: Wolfy on October 13, 2014, 09:21:06 AM
No it does not. My first shot was in my arm because they were short staffed and my dr did it. I did tell him I was nervous and he brought my attention away by saying 'Hey check this out" and instantly stabbed me in the arm. I felt no pain at all. I have a shot due today so I will update if I get a booty shot today on painwise.
Butt is what the nurses do, thigh is what you will do when you take home your needles.
The doctor decides. Mine decided biweekly so every other week.
Yes. But be brave
Don't look at the needle if they scare you. But sooner or later you will need to get past that. Make sure your paperwork has a "preferred" name section if you have not changed your name yet. If not write in big letters "PREFERRED NAME: INSERT" My dr has a sheet that has a preferred spot but sometimes they don't pay attention to it. Just write it really big and they will notice.
Within the first month there should be the slightest drop. But around 3 months is noticeable. 5-6 months is the most noticeable drop there will be.


EDIT:

I'm not sure how your office works, but my dr gives me the script to fill and I go back to them to get my shot. I think that might be what you're doing.

Thank you!! I was extremely impressed because I was asked what my preferred name was on the phone. There were also minor hold ups (not having an ID, waiting until my name is legally changed) but we worked around that and I'm highly impressed. I had a friend go to the same endo and he had to get it filled here and do it himself. Ultimately he didn't start due to insurance issues, I'm just going to pay up front. Also it's 2.5hrs away so I can't go back ever other week.

Quote from: LordKAT on October 13, 2014, 09:22:20 AM

Thank you so much! I didn't think to write down questions... Lol. I'm still on that "high." My mom has always said that my voice is on the deeper side/I look more masculine (than I should, lol) so I feel like I'll be one to notice changes quite rapidly. My leg/armpit hair looks like I'm on T..... I have to trim it monthly because there's too much. Ah.. The perks of being Italian/Croatian.

I live in jersey and my endo is in manhattan. It's a clinic and it's free, so I don't need insurance. I just have to pay for my script and I have to go there biweekly. It's pretty fun going into the city but it's 40 dollars +food whenever I go. It's usually a 6-8 hour trip in NYC. It's nuts but it's all good. Just make sure you stay stable on everything and don't be afraid to ask friends and family for money.

When you get the script use goodrx.com and get the discount. It's worth it!

i walked out with my script but i still needed to get blood work done before i could get my shot done in case something was wrong with my blood work. my doctor told me i could get my shot after my blood work or something like that.

as for the whole hairy thing, i thought i'd experience changes on the faster side too (i'm portuguese) but i didn't. when you're hairier, you don't really notice the "hair" changes other people do like an abundance of hair springing up places they never used to be like others.

Does the shot hurt? +is thigh or butt better?
i get mine in my thigh and it doesn't hurt. i've only had it hurt one time and i think it was because my doctor just put it in weird or put it in a weird spot on my thigh. after your shot your leg is gonna be sore though probably so keep in mind after your shots, walk around. if i don't walk after my shot, my leg ends up hurting where i got the shot for like two days.

Should I ask for weekly shots or every other week?
my endo asked me what i wanted to do. i went every week so i didn't have as much ups/downs in my moods.

Is it normal to be afraid? (I'm an anxious person by nature, so I wasn't sure if it was that or to be expected?)
of course it is, it's a big step! i was anxious because i had all the worries going through my head of what could road block me again, what changes i could expect, how my body would react, everything.

What should I look out for? (anything that may trigger an anxious person?)
i know i like to know what's going on step by step. also you should probably expect the worst but hope for the best. that's how i deal with things so if the bad comes, i'm prepared for it (like things preventing you in that moment from starting right away, getting shots right away, etc.) i used to be more anxious before starting t so i know i didn't like just jumping into things without knowing what to expect.

How fast does your voice drop?
if you start on a low dose like some do (including myself) i didn't notice a voice drop until about 3 months in. others noticed before, i didn't until about then.

you should also be aware of other changes that come faster (growth down stairs, acne, etc.)

I've gotten two shots today. My t and a flu shot. They didn't hurt. But you could feel it as a slight cat scratch I guess? What I can say it really depends on who's doing it. If they're an expert or if they're a beginner at it. My nurse seemed a little disorganized and nervous maybe? But I did feel it this time. I got it in my deltoid and in my booty. And I must say it depends on the dr and your tolerance to pain.

Quote from: Wolfy on October 13, 2014, 09:49:34 AM
I live in jersey and my endo is in manhattan. It's a clinic and it's free, so I don't need insurance. I just have to pay for my script and I have to go there biweekly. It's pretty fun going into the city but it's 40 dollars +food whenever I go. It's usually a 6-8 hour trip in NYC. It's nuts but it's all good. Just make sure you stay stable on everything and don't be afraid to ask friends and family for money.

When you get the script use goodrx.com and get the discount. It's worth it!

That's around the same time it'll be for me. Thank you for the tip!! I'm only 19 so thankfully my mom is paying for me. She said she would "pay even if it's $1,000." I felt really touched by this. I'm blessed.

Quote from: invisiblemonsters on October 13, 2014, 10:48:55 AM
i walked out with my script but i still needed to get blood work done before i could get my shot done in case something was wrong with my blood work. my doctor told me i could get my shot after my blood work or something like that.

as for the whole hairy thing, i thought i'd experience changes on the faster side too (i'm portuguese) but i didn't. when you're hairier, you don't really notice the "hair" changes other people do like an abundance of hair springing up places they never used to be like others.

Does the shot hurt? +is thigh or butt better?
i get mine in my thigh and it doesn't hurt. i've only had it hurt one time and i think it was because my doctor just put it in weird or put it in a weird spot on my thigh. after your shot your leg is gonna be sore though probably so keep in mind after your shots, walk around. if i don't walk after my shot, my leg ends up hurting where i got the shot for like two days.

Should I ask for weekly shots or every other week?
my endo asked me what i wanted to do. i went every week so i didn't have as much ups/downs in my moods.

Is it normal to be afraid? (I'm an anxious person by nature, so I wasn't sure if it was that or to be expected?)
of course it is, it's a big step! i was anxious because i had all the worries going through my head of what could road block me again, what changes i could expect, how my body would react, everything.

What should I look out for? (anything that may trigger an anxious person?)
i know i like to know what's going on step by step. also you should probably expect the worst but hope for the best. that's how i deal with things so if the bad comes, i'm prepared for it (like things preventing you in that moment from starting right away, getting shots right away, etc.) i used to be more anxious before starting t so i know i didn't like just jumping into things without knowing what to expect.

How fast does your voice drop?
if you start on a low dose like some do (including myself) i didn't notice a voice drop until about 3 months in. others noticed before, i didn't until about then.

you should also be aware of other changes that come faster (growth down stairs, acne, etc.)

Thank you so much! A close family friend is a nurse and she's going to help me out with shots. She chose my butt because apparently it is less painful. She's had patients complain for awhile after having shots in their thighs... Another friend told me that he felt light headed after getting a shot in the bum? Has anyone else experienced this?

Quote from: Wolfy on October 13, 2014, 04:23:26 PM
I've gotten two shots today. My t and a flu shot. They didn't hurt. But you could feel it as a slight cat scratch I guess? What I can say it really depends on who's doing it. If they're an expert or if they're a beginner at it. My nurse seemed a little disorganized and nervous maybe? But I did feel it this time. I got it in my deltoid and in my booty. And I must say it depends on the dr and your tolerance to pain.

Ah, jeez. You're getting loaded up on everything lol. I understand completely! Thank you so much. I also added you on Skype- I was having trouble responding to your message on here.

Awesome!   Also, your mom is brilliant.

Quote from: Mosaic dude on October 15, 2014, 09:56:09 PM
Awesome!   Also, your mom is brilliant.

Thank you kind sir! I couldn't agree more. She's fully supportive and I'm very blessed.

Quote from: Wolfy on October 13, 2014, 09:49:34 AM
I live in jersey and my endo is in manhattan. It's a clinic and it's free, so I don't need insurance. I just have to pay for my script and I have to go there biweekly. It's pretty fun going into the city but it's 40 dollars +food whenever I go. It's usually a 6-8 hour trip in NYC. It's nuts but it's all good. Just make sure you stay stable on everything and don't be afraid to ask friends and family for money.

When you get the script use goodrx.com and get the discount. It's worth it!

Wow, that sounds like a long day.  I don't know where you are in NJ, but if you went to the Mazonni Center in Philadelphia, they would give you subq injections that you could do at home.  It is also free.

http://mazzonicenter.org/content/trans-care-mazzoni-center

My trip tomorrow is going to be pretty long, as well...

Leaving @ 10:45
2.5 hour drive
Appointment at 1:45
Lasts about 15-20 minutes
Get food
Drive home 2.5 hours

-if I get the script-

Pick it up from CVS
Go to neighbors for injection
Home

I'm guess that I'll get home at around 6 or so...

Quote from: Brett on October 26, 2014, 09:26:19 AM
Wow, that sounds like a long day.  I don't know where you are in NJ, but if you went to the Mazonni Center in Philadelphia, they would give you subq injections that you could do at home.  It is also free.

http://mazzonicenter.org/content/trans-care-mazzoni-center

Before I did this, I did google maps the distances and this place is much closer than the mazzoni center. There's a direct bus line that goes into the city as well as the subway. I don't believe there's a direct bus line close to me that takes me to phili. My appointments are free so it doesn't really bother me plus I kind of enjoy the commute. I'll eventually switch to callen-lorde but for now I'll stay at this place I'm currently at.

Quote from: prestonnn15 on October 26, 2014, 09:45:52 AM
My trip tomorrow is going to be pretty long, as well...

Leaving @ 10:45
2.5 hour drive
Appointment at 1:45
Lasts about 15-20 minutes
Get food
Drive home 2.5 hours

-if I get the script-

Pick it up from CVS
Go to neighbors for injection
Home

I'm guess that I'll get home at around 6 or so...

I hope all goes well! try to enjoy the time out.

Quote from: Wolfy on October 26, 2014, 09:59:31 AM
Before I did this, I did google maps the distances and this place is much closer than the mazzoni center. There's a direct bus line that goes into the city as well as the subway. I don't believe there's a direct bus line close to me that takes me to phili. My appointments are free so it doesn't really bother me plus I kind of enjoy the commute. I'll eventually switch to callen-lorde but for now I'll stay at this place I'm currently at.



I hope all goes well! try to enjoy the time out.

I'll try to! I'm going to be insanely nervous haha. Not starting tomorrow would suck....

Good luck!!!
I recalled that I wasn't nearly as nervous at my visit. Because the MD told me she was just going to discuss the results of my physical exam which was done during the previous visit.
But she just came in with the consent form and talked me through the thing in an hour and gave me the script. Totally unexpected and I did not even have the time to be nervous lol

Quote from: SWNID on October 26, 2014, 03:53:06 PM
Good luck!!!
I recalled that I wasn't nearly as nervous at my visit. Because the MD told me she was just going to discuss the results of my physical exam which was done during the previous visit.
But she just came in with the consent form and talked me through the thing in an hour and gave me the script. Totally unexpected and I did not even have the time to be nervous lol

My endo does not require blood work the first time... She's going to examine me and see if I show anything that would require further examination. In that case I'd need blood work done and then I'd have to wait to get the script...