Hi everyone.  I apologize for being such a stranger here on Susan's, just have not been myself for sometime from all this cancer and recovery.  My question though is this, I am 56 years old, in good health other than the cancer and being legally blind, have been on Estradiol pills taken sublingually for many years, they did help a little in the softening the skin and some breast growth, an A cup.  Not so well in the feminization in the face from what I can tell, although other friends say I look fine for my age.  I see my Endocrinologist next month and I am debating whether I should ask him to put me on Estradiol Valerate IM instead of the pills.  He did inform me a long time ago that the injections would give a faster result but all methods would give me the same result, just that the other methods will take longer, no kidding doc.  This may just be me but I believe that from all the steroids that the transfusion room gave me from my 3 month chemotherapy regimen might have done some major changes in my hormone levels.  I had to go off HRT for the three months I was on chemo, started back on HRT at the end of March 2015.  I am unable to take Spiro because of the major side effects it caused me when I first started taking it when I began my transition, I ended up in the hospital with a near heart attack and extreme low weight.  I do take Finasteride however for a mild anti-androgen.  Basically I am relying soly on the estrogen alone to do it's work.  Any suggestions, advice would be much appreciated, you may PM me too if you like.  Thank you.

Hugs,
Susan

Hi Susan,

I am glad you are doing well battling the cancer.

I am 53 and switched to IM at 52. I am glad I switched. I am on a high dose of E.

There is a need to be able to perform the injection so that may be an issue depending on your sight abilities.

Hi Cynthia

Thank you for replying to my post.  I do have a little sight in my left eye and with a magnifier I can read the numbers on the syringe.  I do understand though about concerns the doctor might have concerning my visual difficulty, I will see when I ask him next month.  I know patches are in alternative but I do not think I would get enough estrogen in my body even with two patches. 

Hugs
Susan

Quote from: Angelgrl on July 22, 2015, 06:35:10 PM
Hi Cynthia

Thank you for replying to my post.  I do have a little sight in my left eye and with a magnifier I can read the numbers on the syringe.  I do understand though about concerns the doctor might have concerning my visual difficulty, I will see when I ask him next month.  I know patches are in alternative but I do not think I would get enough estrogen in my body even with two patches. 

Hugs
Susan

I find estrogen uptake is much, much better from a patch over oral/sublingual pills. Lower apparent dose and higher levels are the result.

You may want to inquire with your doctor about E pellet implants, patches and IM. Pellets at supposed to be the best but I have no experience with them.

Thank you Kelly and Cynthia.  I will ask my doctor about these methods as well.  The pellets sound promising.  I actually see him tomorrow, his office called me today to remind me.  I will let you know what he decided when I get home.  Have a great day.

Susan

Oh dear....I saw my endocrinologist and I asked him about being put on injections, he said do you want to change to injections?  I asked him if there is a difference from the pills and he said no.  He ordered lab work and said that he would increase the dose of my pills, I am not comfortable with that, I would rather go on the injections.  I am suppose to call him next week to find out what the results of the blood test were and I think I may just tell him how I feel about increasing the dose of the pills and see if he will just prescribe the injections instead.  I am a bit concerned about the injections though too, not that I am unable to inject myself, I can always have a friend do the injections for me if need be, but I was on injections before, not with my current doctor though and the injections were only every other week and my body hair started to grow back along with my T increasing, I was taking an anti-androgen too.  I do not want that reaction again.  Since I have been on the pills I do not have that anymore and do have smooth skin, no more hair on the body.  So...am I not sure what to do right now, stay on the pills or switch to injections with injecting every week instead of every other week. 

Susan

Hi Susan,

Different E delivery systems effect people differently. Having T sufficiently decreased and an effective amount of E and a delivery method that is effective for you is the key. 

If my PCP provided pellets I would be on them, from all the positive testimonials I read.