Finally....

[Nicole Brown]

I traveled up to Northwest New Jersey today for my noon appointment with Dr. Lisa O'Connor. I was so excited since I awoke this morning as I hoped to be given the go ahead to begin HRT.

Dr. Lisa put me through a required physical and after redressing I joined her in her office. She told me that we needed to discuss a few things and launched into a discussion of the possible problems and concerns with HRT. She told me that she was going to provide me with copies of everything she had said as she was pretty sure I wasn't understanding what she was saying. She was right, I only wanted to hear one thing, and within 10 minutes she said what I was waiting to hear and handed me my prescription for my hormones.

She then offered to fax the prescription in for me and that I should have them mailed to me within a week. Just before I left I made 3 more appointments spaced 2 weeks apart and in just 12 days I will actually begin injecting myself.

The day that I had been waiting for for so long had finally arrived, and now with only a 12 day wait, I will move one step closer to my nw life.

[AllieSF]

Congratulations on this one milestone of many more to come. Now just remember to read the material. She may assist you with your health care, but you are the one responsible for it. Best of luck.

[Jorja]

Yay for you!:cheer::dance::eg::cheer:

Now pay strict attention to what your doctor was talking about. HRT is nothing to mess with and some serious complications can happen before you know it.

[StephanieC]

Congrats. Your first step!

-stephani

[Rianna Humble]

I understand exactly what you and your doctor mean about not understanding what she was saying because I had a very similar experience. Luckily the surgery mailed a very helpful document to me about what to expect at my age from the treatment, what not to expect and what to look out for. Whilst I was waiting for that precious first prescription, I read that avidly.

I thought the offer to fax the prescription was sweet.

[kellycan27]

Congrats! You're on your way

[Laurie Ann]

I am happy for you to take your first step to becoming yourself.

[Kaitlyn Michele]

i'm delighted for you and wish you the best of luck in pursuing this phase of your life!!!

[Jennifer Marie P.]

Congrats your first big step in your new self.

[Jodi Anne]

Congrats. Your first step, the 12 days are going to seem like 12 years, I know I had the same thing on the wait after the script was sent.

[Tora]

Bravo, Be Well, and read, read, understand, ask questions. Oh a

[Aprilrain]

Congrats! I know how excited you must be.

I'm curious, why so many appointments so close together?

[DeidraDee63]

Hi Nicole,
Congratulations!!!!Good Luck and may you get the results you hope for.
Hugs,
Deidra

[Nicole Brown]

Thank you ladies for all of the good wished and thoughts. It is now only 9 days until my next appointment and I have to stop holding my breath, I just can't hold it that long.....

I have read and reread all of the material that the doctor provided and it does make for some interesting reading, OMG, what have I gotten myself into....:eek:

While some of the printed material is sobering, it is truthful and paints an accurate picture of what I have to look forward to. Even with some of the more serious possibilities, the gains will defiantly outweigh any possible drawbacks.


Congrats! I know how excited you must be.

I'm curious, why so many appointments so close together?

The reason for the 3 appointments just 2 weeks apart is simple. By April 9 I will have received the hormones and will go to the first appointment where the doctor will instruct me on how to give myself the injection. Two weeks later I will return and demonstrate giving myself an injection and 2 weeks after that, will be a routine checkup with complete blood work to determine how I have adapted to the hormones and if any adjustments need to be made.

[Aprilrain]

Ah, i see, makes sense.

[Leanne2]

Nicole, Why did you choose injections over pills? Did you ask for that or did your doctor suggest it? Good luck girl! Leanne

[LeaP]

Congratulations!

And injections… Ouch!

[TNRobin]

Congratulations, that's a HUGE step!!!

[Rianna Humble]

I agree with Lea, injections can be a bit of a pain!

[Nicole Brown]

Again, thanks to all of you for your kind wishes and wonderful thoughts.


Nicole, Why did you choose injections over pills? Did you ask for that or did your doctor suggest it? Good luck girl! Leanne


Congratulations!

And injections… Ouch!


I agree with Lea, injections can be a bit of a pain!

The answer is really quite simple. For gals of my age, injections are recommended over patches or pills due to its lower rate of problems. I am trying to remember the exact reason that Dr. Lisa told me, and I can't remember it and it isn't on any of the material she gave me. Damn, I just knew I should have paid more attention to her.....

But believe me, if I didn't have to self inject, I wouldn't. According to her, it is just much safer.

[LeaP]

From a delivery perspective, the key difference is avoiding the hepatic portal. Often called the "first pass" through the liver, it is far more than that. It is an entirely different route for substances passing through the liver, and they are metabolized differently than they are when passing through the liver in the bloodstream. Some drugs, in fact, rely on the mechanisms in the hepatic portal for their efficacy.

The concern with oral estrogens through the hepatic portal that they are rapidly metabolized, i.e. the hit to the liver is harder. As a result, less estradiol winds up in your bloodstream also. Still, I wonder sometimes if the concerns are overblown. Sublingual oral administration bypasses the hepatic portal to a great extent, too. And the studies that I have read of that raised the concerns were based on early transsexual administration of estrogens at extraordinarily high levels – something that is no longer practiced or typically necessary, given that anti-androgens are also usually in the regimen.

If there is anything nice to be said about injections, it is that at least you don't have to deal with it every day. On the other hand, you have to think about that next stick every single day!

[arbon]

Congrats!! :) and yes, shots are a real pain!! After a while you just don't look forward to shot day anymore.

[ArleneRaquel]

Nicole,
Congrats darlin, and Best Wishes. HUGZ !

[josee]

Congratulations on beginning your transition Nicole. It is an exciting time!

[Marleena]

Congrats Nicole!

[stefan37]

Lea I only inject once a week and it takes no time at all. Sometimes I nick a nerve or something and my leg gets sore for a couple days but that is it. I like the convenience of not having to take it everyday, as I already take spiro and medroxy daily. I was wondering myself Nicole why the need for appts so close. In my case it took 2 days to get the script and I saw my doctor the day I got them. He showed me how to inject and we made a follow up appt 4 months later. I have had 2 since that time and all has been well. You do not mention if you are on an antiandrogen and if you are just starting one I would imagine it would take more than 2 weeks to effect any real change. Dr O'Conner is a licensed physician and I have heard is very good, but expensive, so good luck. You are on your way.

[LeaP]

Out of curiosity, what does it cost for injectable medication and supplies? Oral estradiol costs me all of $4 per month. I assume injectable is more, but how much more? Creams, gels, and patches (Vivelle Dot, anyway) are really high.

[Kaitlyn Michele]

lea i pay for a 3 month dose of estrodial valerate about $60.... my dose may be lower as i've had surgery though...its more, but not much more...

my understanding is that pills are tougher on the liver but maybe somebody with more medical info can set me straight..

[stefan37]

I initially was using name brand Delestrogen and it cost $244 for 10 weeks. Another member suggested an online compounding pharmacy and I pay around $50. for a 20 week supply syringes included. But even if I buy syringes, my insurance covers it so it costs about 5 dollars. Insurance also is covering my spiro but the savings for estradiol is huge as my insurance will not cover it.

[Nicole Brown]

WOW, I am really excited by all of the discussion this thread has generated, and once again, thank you all for your kind words and encouragement.


Lea I only inject once a week and it takes no time at all. Sometimes I nick a nerve or something and my leg gets sore for a couple days but that is it. I like the convenience of not having to take it everyday, as I already take spiro and medroxy daily. I was wondering myself Nicole why the need for appts so close. In my case it took 2 days to get the script and I saw my doctor the day I got them. He showed me how to inject and we made a follow up appt 4 months later. I have had 2 since that time and all has been well. You do not mention if you are on an antiandrogen and if you are just starting one I would imagine it would take more than 2 weeks to effect any real change. Dr O'Conner is a licensed physician and I have heard is very good, but expensive, so good luck. You are on your way.

Dr O'Connor wants to show me how to perform the injection, thus the first appointment. On the second appointment, 2 weeks later, she wants to watch me self inject. The last of the 3 appointments is for a checkup complete with blood work. She is good, and yes she is expensive.


Out of curiosity, what does it cost for injectable medication and supplies? Oral estradiol costs me all of $4 per month. I assume injectable is more, but how much more? Creams, gels, and patches (Vivelle Dot, anyway) are really high.

Dr Lisa faxed a prescription to a mail order pharmacy that she has been using for nearly 10 years. She told me to cal them once I returned home and to provide my mailing address and a means of payment. Upon calling the pharmacy, I was informed that a bottle of the medicine and 25 sets of syringes and needles will cost me $49 plus $5 shipping. So, that works out to $54 for approximately 25 injections and at an injection once every 2 weeks it should last me almost a year.

[Kaitlyn Michele]

thats exactly how i did it nicole...

i was injected the first time...the 2nd time (i went a 3rd) he watched me inject...

btw... make sure you get the skinniest needle...i draw the oil with 18 and i inject it with 22(1/2?)

[stefan37]

I am a wimp. I draw with 22 and inject with a 25 LOL. But I received from the pharmacy free supplues and they sent an 18 for draw and 22's for injection. :