I'd stated in another thread that my GP would prescribe me the estrogen of my choice.  I know there a four basic methods that are generally used for HRT and I'm curious to get everyone's opinion.  I would think that the cheapest method that produces the best results would be the best route and with that in mind, my four choices (in order) are:

1.  IM injections
2.  Pills
3.  Patches
4.  Gel

Much a matter of choice, I think. I've always used pills. Began with Premarin and later shifted to estradiol. That's when my endo recommended taking the pill sublingually. He said that method skips one trip through the liver by introducing the estradiol directly to the bloodstream.

At 74, I've cut way down on my intake: lowest dosage taken every other day. Sublingually, of course. Keeps the hot flashes away.

Robyn

Im for me! A quick shot a week and no fuss over pills or having to mess with patches!

Quote from: Samantha_Marie on August 12, 2011, 02:03:57 PM
Im for me! A quick shot a week and no fuss over pills or having to mess with patches!

I am leaning towards the shot seeing as its one less pill to take a day.

For E, I use gel

I've done them now and am currently on the pills. I figure I have to take spiro and fin so I a few more is not an inconvenience. I may have to go back to shots if my liver won't stop stripping all the e from my system. Trying them subl. right now to see what the blood tests show.

The patches were more expensive and left a black adhesive residue that took quite a bit of scrubbing to get off. I was using the estradot and didn't have a problem with them falling off. I have heard of some of the generics doing that.

I got to where I didn't mind taking the shots but it felt like my E started off high and tapered off towards the end of the week.

-M

Quote from: melissa42013 on August 12, 2011, 05:39:19 PM
I've done them now and am currently on the pills. I figure I have to take spiro and fin so I a few more is not an inconvenience. I may have to go back to shots if my liver won't stop stripping all the e from my system. Trying them subl. right now to see what the blood tests show.

The patches were more expensive and left a black adhesive residue that took quite a bit of scrubbing to get off. I was using the estradot and didn't have a problem with them falling off. I have heard of some of the generics doing that.

I got to where I didn't mind taking the shots but it felt like my E started off high and tapered off towards the end of the week.

-M

I experienced this as well for about 6 months so would just take my e pills I had left over for the last two days, then suddenly it stopped and my levels balanced out. Not sure if the orchi helped with that tho.

I take pills. Until recently I've been taking my Spiro/Estradiol together in one swallow (I'm a pill taking master). I mean: "Take X Tablet by mouth" doesn't tell me I need to let the thing melt under my tongue. Now, about taking it sublingually! I let it melt and melt and melt, and after a while I get tired of waiting for it to melt and end up swallowing the "dust" that's left over from the tablet. Is this correct? Or am I doing something wrong. My doctors has said me E levels have been on the high side of normal for GGs so I'm not sure it matters much for me, but any edge I can get counts. Right?

Quote from: Whitney on August 13, 2011, 02:51:19 AM
I take pills. Until recently I've been taking my Spiro/Estradiol together in one swallow (I'm a pill taking master). I mean: "Take X Tablet by mouth" doesn't tell me I need to let the thing melt under my tongue. Now, about taking it sublingually! I let it melt and melt and melt, and after a while I get tired of waiting for it to melt and end up swallowing the "dust" that's left over from the tablet. Is this correct? Or am I doing something wrong. My doctors has said me E levels have been on the high side of normal for GGs so I'm not sure it matters much for me, but any edge I can get counts. Right?

Taking it SL lets it skip the liver on the first pass through your body.  Your E levels should be higher as a result.

I took pills for a year and then switched to injections.  I like the convenience of it, 3 pills a day vs 5 is a big deal for me mentally.

I do the pills, sublingual.  Always have.

Quote from: regan on August 13, 2011, 08:14:14 AM
Taking it SL lets it skip the liver on the first pass through your body.  Your E levels should be higher as a result.

As I assumed it would, but am I doing it right? I mean, it feels like I'm just letting it melt into dust under my tongue for fifteen minutes and then just swallowing all the dust. It makes it feel like I'm just predigesting the tablet in my mouth and not consuming it any differently.  Thanks for the advice. 

I would choose any from the list except the second one since its less safe than the other three....

Quote from: regan on August 13, 2011, 08:14:14 AM
Taking it SL lets it skip the liver on the first pass through your body.  Your E levels should be higher as a result.

This is very true- I was taking my E sublingually because I take my progesterone that way.  However, at my last endo visit my E level was almost 3 times the highest normal level!  My doctor told me it was because of the way I was taking the pills- I should have just been swallowing them.  I do take the max dosage.  I've been doing it correctly now, so next visit I will see what difference it has made.

Am I the only one who uses a gel?

I find it very convenient.

I take mine IM. I like it. I also like knowing that it's easier on my liver than pills.

Quote from: Samantha_Marie on August 12, 2011, 02:03:57 PM
I'm for me! A quick shot a week and no fuss over pills or having to mess with patches!

DITTO Concur but NOT into thigh! Buttocks/derrière is (mostly) spotless, painless place of choice . . .and ya don't 'ave to be a contortionist either, practice always makes perfect!

Anti-antigen? Casodex, one(1) every OTHER day and u become virtually Pill Free . . .

To Be A True GIRL SUPERHERO (just like the guy(s) used to be?)

I had rather a bad reaction to the injections, so I'm back on pills (sublingual). A couple pills a day is a fairly minor inconvenience compared to a couple migraines a day.

Quote from: regan on August 13, 2011, 08:14:14 AM
Taking it SL lets it skip the liver on the first pass through your body.  Your E levels should be higher as a result.

How do you take it SL? Im completely lost :|
Oh and I take my Spiro the same round as my e. So I do I take them both the same way?
The way I've been taking them is the standard way with water ._.
Now I feel stupid
Lol

Quote from: Joeyboo~ :3 on September 02, 2011, 09:18:25 AM
How do you take it SL? Im completely lost :|
Oh and I take my Spiro the same round as my e. So I do I take them both the same way?
The way I've been taking them is the standard way with water ._.
Now I feel stupid
Lol

SL is sublingual - dissolved under your tongue. It has to be the right form of estrogen, and you should check with your HRT prescriber before doing it.