My first HRT shot

[renee k]

Hi All,

I picked up my RX for my estrogen today, and then off to the clinic to have it injected.
I go every two weeks for the injections. The nurse asked how long I will be coming in for them. I told her, "for the forseeable future. I'm making some big changes in my life." I walked out, feeling like a new person.

Renee

[Stephanie Anne]

Careful. I hear they can become a real pain in the ass.

[renee k]

Careful. I hear they can become a real pain in the ass.

Ha Ha! Your right I have a little ache from the shot right now!

Renee

[crystalann]

So happy for you! I have been doing injections for the last 2 and half years now. I had a nurse show me the first time and been doing the injections myself.:)

[renee k]

So happy for you! I have been doing injections for the last 2 and half years now. I had a nurse show me the first time and been doing the injections myself.:)

I asked the nurse if I could do the injections myself. She said no, that they pretty thick and would have to go in the hip. Maybe she miss understood me. I'll ask again when I go back. Thanks for your encouragement BTW!

Renee

[Wendy_Marie]

I have my first therapy appointment tomorrow at 12:00 noon...with the goal being to starat HRT in the near future.

[StaceyJane]

I hate needles, just give me the pill to take everyday. :)

[CharleneT]

I asked the nurse if I could do the injections myself. She said no, that they pretty thick and would have to go in the hip. Maybe she miss understood me. I'll ask again when I go back. Thanks for your encouragement BTW!

Renee

Congrats and the pain will fade quickly. Most of the time there will not be residual pain, but once in a while you do get a little soreness.

Really it is quite easy to give to yourself - ;) -. I've done it for 19 months and I know many others who do as well. Truly, easy-peasy. I will say that donig your hip opposite your dominant arm can require a mirror ... but it works too. I use L&R hip, then L&R upper thigh. That way no where gets a shot more than once every 40 days or so. It is thickish, the estrogen is suspended in oil (castor or peanut usually). If you want any help with the "how", I would be glad to write it up or send you some links. Do not try in the thigh without seeing some instructions, there is a particular area you want to hit.

[Katesback]

Cant say I had any wish to inject myself. Those little blue pills tasted just fine thank you. Of course to each their own.

[Persephone]

Congratulations! That's great!

[Kaitlyn Michele]

you need to draw the liquid with a thick guage needle then change the tip to a thinner gauge needle...the needle i use is barely felt going in ...i still find it difficult to plunge it in though...

[Nicki S]

Those little blue pills tasted just fine thank you. I fully agree, they taste just fine.

[renee k]

I fully agree, they taste just fine.


They may taste just fine but there hard on your liver. THAT'S why I opted for injections.

Renee

[Kaitlyn Michele]

exactly renee...in fact they can be brutal on your liver, and its worse as you get older...

[Leanne2]

If the little blue pills are taken sub-lingual, ( dissolved under the tongue ) then they are much easier on the liver. Leanne

[renee k]

If the little blue pills are taken sub-lingual, ( dissolved under the tongue ) then they are much easier on the liver. Leanne
I guess I would rather have the med. not have any effect on the liver as opposed to being "easier" on the liver. That's the primary reason for my choice. Plus my liver has had a lot of use and abuse in the sixty one years I've lived so why give it more abuse.

Renee

[ReneeT]

I too have concerns about my liver, specifically the impact that oral E has on coagulaion factors, many of which are produced by the liver. I was initially prescribed E patches, but they were denied by my insurance company ("boys don't need no stinkin' estrogen!"). As they were quite expensive, i opted for oral, but take an Ecotrin once daily to reduce the risk of thromboembolic complications

[Stephanie Anne]

Cant say I had any wish to inject myself. Those little blue pills tasted just fine thank you. Of course to each their own.

I'm with you there. Mmmm minty fresh breath!

[CharleneT]

If the little blue pills are taken sub-lingual, ( dissolved under the tongue ) then they are much easier on the liver. Leanne

True, but some will still pass thru your digestive system and then your liver. The amount that goes that way in unknown. Patches and injectables are the only way to avoid the first pass completely. There are some implants (just under the skin), they should also avoid the first pass. But there is no way to regulate the dose over time, so not a good solution for transitioning folks.

[Teri Jean]

Renee, I am Happy for you and wish my estrogen could be that easy as I am on the patch. Now the real fun starts, as they say "BETTER LIVIN THROUGH CHEMISTRY". Wish you the best. Teri

[MonicaTC]

Congratulations Renee, hope it all goes well for you. Your an inspiration to the rest of us Michigan ladies :)

[Stephenie S]

Charlene is right. It goes through your liver anyway. There is no way to avoid this. Anything you put into your bloodstream either through your digestive tract or deep into a muscle will pass through your liver. Just keep a close watch on your blood work and stay on top of your health. Hormone therapy is dangerous, and it would be nice not to have to do this.

I don't know many who would rather go without though.

S

[7sisters]

Congratulations Renee

[Katie Moore]

Sweet Lady is about to get sweeter. Let us know your progress.

[Melody Moore]

Charlene is right. It goes through your liver anyway.
I was told the same thing & the difference is apparently that oral oestrogen passes
through the liver twice where injectable hormones only go through the liver once.

[Jay Cee]

Congrats, Renee. Its one of those very exciting and defining moments in your life.

[Jean Marie]

I have no problem giving myself my injections all prior coments about procedure are true. the soloution is thick and you use 2 sizes of needles, syringes are inexpenssive and easy to get, you will harly feel the small prick;

[renee k]

Thanks to all of you who have responded to this thread. With help and encouragement. And CharleneT a special thanks, for your help! All the encouragement is deeply appreciated. I'm off to clinic for my secound shot today. After today I'm going to start giving myself injections.

Huggs, Renee