Estrogen possibly ending

[Laura Squirrel]

I was going to refill my estrogen, and I had the total runaround as usual. After speaking with this person, that person, this person, that person, and on and on and on and on and on......

I am very, very scared that after my current supply runs out, I am in serious trouble. Please don't suggest DIY. I can't handle needles. I am too dumb to mess with that stuff, and with my luck, I would give myself an accidental embolism.

I remembered the thread about this with the VA that, I think, Develyn posted, and it made me think of something: If they don't eliminate us outright, they will just take the meds away. I will not be able to live with that. Having to sit there and watch as my body breaks down over time. No.

I don't want anyone to think that I am going to do anything crazy. I've already proven to myself that I couldn't do it in January of last year.

But this.....this is too much. Obviously, I am going to wait and see what happens once they get back to me. But this is so awful. I just want to live my life. Is that too much to ask? Seriously?

I really, really hate saying this. But maybe transitioning was a mistake. There are other things I could add. But that isn't a good idea.

Again, I want to stress that I am NOT doing anything drastic. I just have to let this play out. But this really, really stinks.

[ChrissyRyan]

I was going to refill my estrogen, and I had the total runaround as usual. After speaking with this person, that person, this person, that person, and on and on and on and on and on......

I am very, very scared that after my current supply runs out, I am in serious trouble. Please don't suggest DIY. I can't handle needles. I am too dumb to mess with that stuff, and with my luck, I would give myself an accidental embolism.

I remembered the thread about this with the VA that, I think, Develyn posted, and it made me think of something: If they don't eliminate us outright, they will just take the meds away. I will not be able to live with that. Having to sit there and watch as my body breaks down over time. No.

I don't want anyone to think that I am going to do anything crazy. I've already proven to myself that I couldn't do it in January of last year.

But this.....this is too much. Obviously, I am going to wait and see what happens once they get back to me. But this is so awful. I just want to live my life. Is that too much to ask? Seriously?

I really, really hate saying this. But maybe transitioning was a mistake. There are other things I could add. But that isn't a good idea.

Again, I want to stress that I am NOT doing anything drastic. I just have to let this play out. But this really, really stinks.

I am sorry that you are in this medicine predicament.  Please consider visiting a community health center or planned parenthood.  They may be able to provide help.  I thought the VA would continue with the medicine if you are an established HRT patient.  @Lori Dee  may have some information for you in this regard.

[Laura Squirrel]

I am sorry that you are in this medicine predicament.  Please consider visiting a community health center or planned parenthood.  They may be able to provide help.  I thought the VA would continue with the medicine if you are an established HRT patient.  @Lori Dee  may have some information for you in this regard.

My stupid town has nothing like that. We had one when I was in high school in the early 90s. This one chick would picket it all of the time. I would go to the nearby grocery store and use part of my lunch money to buy a carton of eggs. Then, I would launch them at her. She didn't stick around for too long after that. I think it's an attorney's office now.

About the VA thing: I'm not a vet. I've never served, and even if I wanted to, I couldn't get in for various non-trans related medical issues. The VA thread made me think of a neighbor of mine. We don't speak. But I have heard her phone conversations, and she's just as terrified as me. But for different reasons. I seriously doubt that she is trans. But she does get care through the VA for other things, it seems.

[Lori Dee ✅]

Technically, they can't just do away with the meds because they have other uses besides Gender Dysphoria. However, the gatekeeping is real.

If you run into that, where they refuse to fill your prescriptions, find a Planned Parenthood or contact Folx. They can set you up with a mail-order pharmacy.

I have not been that route, so I don't know about cost, insurance, or any of that.

The VA has discontinued all treatments for Gender Dysphoria, including mental health. Thank you for your service! However, according to their own medical records, I already transitioned; therefore, I am receiving Hormone Replacement Therapy as appropriate for a 68-year-old woman.

Don't despair. It's not the end yet.

[Laura Squirrel]

find a Planned Parenthood or contact Folx. They can set you up with a mail-order pharmacy.

Don't despair. It's not the end yet.

The only way I could use Planned Parenthood is if I throw my clothes, meds, and Portia into a bag and leave the state. I COULD go to Ohio and pitch a tent in my friend's backyard. (We actually discussed this) But, he has stuff going on that I will not go into here. So, that IS a choice. However, it isn't a possibility at this time.

I looked, and Folx doesn't take my insurance. So, that isn't an option.

All I can do is wait.

I hate this.

I have been in the depths of despair for at least a year and a half. I try to do so many things to cope, and I am running out of options here.

I just wish I could go back to 1988.

[Lori Dee ✅]

Is there a local LGBTQ Support Group that could direct you to another resource we don't know about?

[Laura Squirrel]

Is there a local LGBTQ Support Group that could direct you to another resource we don't know about?

Unfortunately, no.

I looked, and all of them are in the major cities. Yeah, I COULD move. But I would need to accumulate funds to prep for that. But with the state of the economy being so bad, I can't save money anymore. It simply isn't possible now. Ten or so years ago? Oh, yeah. I could figure something out. Now? No. I'm trapped in that regard. I could sell 99% of what I own. But so many people are so broke that this would be a wasted effort, and time simply isn't on my side. Not anymore.

[tammy753]

I am using FOLX and it was super easy to get started. I just picked up my HRT at the drive thru at the pharmacy. My insurance paid for it. It is expensive for the service unless your insurance covers it. They don't my insurance for FOLX its self so its a bit pricey to get started. $99 a month and then the first visit with the clinician is $179. It $80 for follow ups. I think Plume might be cheaper if paying out of pocket but I haven't used that.

[KristaFairchild]

.

If you run into that, where they refuse to fill your prescriptions, find a Planned Parenthood or contact Folx.

Don't despair. It's not the end yet.

I used Planned Parenthood and it was literally one virtual meeting of about half an hour, and they prescribed. No interrogation. Just lots of compassion and understanding. I got a three month supply and I've got an appointment next week to get my next three months. they haven't even asked for a blood test yet, but I got one anyway through my regular provider,

[Rochelle]

I am using FOLX and it was super easy to get started. I just picked up my HRT at the drive thru at the pharmacy. My insurance paid for it. It is expensive for the service unless your insurance covers it. They don't my insurance for FOLX its self so its a bit pricey to get started. $99 a month and then the first visit with the clinician is $179. It $80 for follow ups. I think Plume might be cheaper if paying out of pocket but I haven't used that.

I use Folx, I pay anually, $349/year. I get my meds through Amazon and they are quite low with a Prime Membership. Clinican rates are as you stated.

[ChrissyRyan]

I suppose you could go the phytoestrogen route, it does work somewhat but slower.

You have to like tofu or some seeds or other veggies and things that have phytoestrogen in it.

It may not work for some, while work for others.

It can cost too as food prices have gone up.

That Folx service sounds pricey.  Hooray for group health insurance.

Chrissy

[ChrissyRyan]

I was going to refill my estrogen, and I had the total runaround as usual. After speaking with this person, that person, this person, that person, and on and on and on and on and on......

I am very, very scared that after my current supply runs out, I am in serious trouble. Please don't suggest DIY. I can't handle needles. I am too dumb to mess with that stuff, and with my luck, I would give myself an accidental embolism.

I remembered the thread about this with the VA that, I think, Develyn posted, and it made me think of something: If they don't eliminate us outright, they will just take the meds away. I will not be able to live with that. Having to sit there and watch as my body breaks down over time. No.

I don't want anyone to think that I am going to do anything crazy. I've already proven to myself that I couldn't do it in January of last year.

But this.....this is too much. Obviously, I am going to wait and see what happens once they get back to me. But this is so awful. I just want to live my life. Is that too much to ask? Seriously?

I really, really hate saying this. But maybe transitioning was a mistake. There are other things I could add. But that isn't a good idea.

Again, I want to stress that I am NOT doing anything drastic. I just have to let this play out. But this really, really stinks.

Why do you think you received this run around?  If a pharmacy has zero refills, they will usually electronically contact your prescription provider for a new prescription when you ask for a refill.   You should not need to contact anyone yourself other than the pharmacy.  Of course, you can contact the physician and let her office know about this need but that tends to be unnecessary except for the busiest of medical offices.

[Lori Dee ✅]

I suppose you could go the phytoestrogen route, it does work somewhat but slower.

You have to like tofu or some seeds or other veggies and things that have phytoestrogen in it.

Phytoestrogens do not work for what you want to do.
https://getplume.co/blog/debunking-the-myth-of-a-natural-feminizing-transition/ 🔗

[Laura Squirrel]

Why do you think you received this run around?  If a pharmacy has zero refills, they will usually electronically contact your prescription provider for a new prescription when you ask for a refill.   You should not need to contact anyone yourself other than the pharmacy.  Of course, you can contact the physician and let her office know about this need but that tends to be unnecessary except for the busiest of medical offices.

Yeah, and they haven't. This has never happened before. But I do get the runaround on other meds. So, I screwed up what I was typing because I am so angry. There are also other things happening where I may lose my non-trans medical care. THAT will kill me. I have already contacted everyone that I can.

I am beyond angry at this point. I just want to break something. But it won't accomplish anything at all. I could go buy a pint of some booze. But that's a horrible idea. I keep having really, really dark thoughts that I can't stop. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this.

I have dealt with medical crap from, literally, the moment I was born, and for what? This? I can't take this. I'm about ready to snap. 

[Laura Squirrel]

Phytoestrogens do not work for what you want to do.
https://getplume.co/blog/debunking-the-myth-of-a-natural-feminizing-transition/ 🔗

Exactly. That does NOTHING! I remember reading about that stuff back in '06 when I found this site. It seemed like snake oil nonsense. No way in hell am I going to do anything like that.

[ChrissyRyan]

If you take herbs or supplements you should disclose those to your doctor to avoid any medicine interactions.

[tammy753]

Phytoestrogens do not work for what you want to do.
https://getplume.co/blog/debunking-the-myth-of-a-natural-feminizing-transition/ 🔗

I tried all of these types of things over the years. Absolutely none work. I started buying HRT from overseas and FOLX or other telehealth options are so worth it. When the tariffs hit I had to ration my hormones for fear of running out, they wouldn't take orders and I was afraid I would run out. They are at it again here and so I don't know if you can even order them now. The stress of customs confiscations, yes they confiscated my HRT a couple times about $700 in lost pills, and the shady sites aren't worth it. I remember worrying they would get delivered to the wrong person and someone would see what was in it. Trust me you don't want to deal with it.

[ChrissyRyan]

It is best to have a prescription filled by a local pharmacy or a big mail order pharmacy (such as CareMark or Optum). 

By the way, if you have any prescription written for a 90 supply let us say with three refills, then the 90 day supply can be dispensed in a smaller batch, such as for 30 days, if you request the pharmacist to do so. However if you get a 30 day prescription with 11 refills, you cannot ask for a 90 day supply, you need to get them dispensed 30 days at a time at most.

[Tig58072]

We have a small clinic in Fargo called Canopy that offers care and counseling for LGBTQ people. You can get hormone subscription through them and they come from Amazon. Look for something similar in your area.

When you see something like health care/medications for certain individuals being taken away ask yourself who benefits from that.. In this case it's the health insurance industry.

[ChrissyRyan]

Other quirks for paying for medicine:

You may not get the best price available unless you ask for it.  Perhaps there is a state that requires it, but it is best for the buyer to ask. It also often costs pharmacies to look up some prices from some services, such as coupon services or even from insurance.

If you have insurance for drugs, it may have a deductible separate for medical or mental health services.  If you do not care about meeting your annual deductible and out of pocket maximum for meds, you can ask for the cash (or member prices if you use a wholesale club) and then simply pay cash.  You can also comparison shop prices to see where you should have your meds dispensed.

That is because if you use insurance, you may pay more for the meds than the cash price, plus you may have to pay for it all until you met your deductible.  If you do not use much medicine, this may be cheaper for you.  So why then did you buy prescription medicine insurance if you do not use it? Perhaps it was bundled for you. 

If you use a lot of medicines, then it may be wise to use insurance to meet that deductible.  Or if you use an expensive medicine, use the insurance for the expensive stuff first, meeting your deductible sooner, then use it for all meds.

If you have an insurance card on file with a pharmacy, they may use that payment method first.
You do not have to accept that, you can ask for alternative costs.

Maybe the above does not apply outside of the USA.

Strive to be a smart consumer.  Sometimes a little extra work on your part can save you some money.