How to deal with the massive shortage of injectable estrogen?

[Transgirlkatie]

Hi, right now there is a massive shortage of depo estradiol, and pfizer won't have any batches till december assuming there's no more supply chain issues. Currently I only have 1 vial left and it might not be as effective due to improper storage during an AC failure. I switched to injections so I can do estrogen monotherapy without spiro and also because I got better results from it. I spoke to my doctor and they said this was the first time they've heard of the shortage. They said they can try and call around, but if all pharmacies run out then I will have to switch back to pills and maybe go back on spiro. For those of you who had to switch from injections back to pills what has your experiences been like?

[VickySGV]

I have only had pills or patches and have been fine that way.  I was on the pills with what my friends all claimed would be an ineffective strength for two years with no Spiro for two years before my doctor prescribed Spiro, and then, not as a T-blocker, but simply to get my blood pressure where it should be.  Before the Spiro I had been crashing my Potassium levels, so really my Spiro had little or no effect on my E.  It does depend on your body, but my current Endocrinologist would not have me using T-blockers if not the Blood pressure issue.  My suggestion is to rely  on your doctor as things hit us, and not worry too much about shortages.  I was off the E for 6 months after I had a blood clot in my right leg, but did not lose anything, although I was a mess from the shock of getting the DVT but as life went on, I just kept going too.

[Transgirlkatie]

3 hours ago, VickySGV said:

I have only had pills or patches and have been fine that way.  I was on the pills with what my friends all claimed would be an ineffective strength for two years with no Spiro for two years before my doctor prescribed Spiro, and then, not as a T-blocker, but simply to get my blood pressure where it should be.  Before the Spiro I had been crashing my Potassium levels, so really my Spiro had little or no effect on my E.  It does depend on your body, but my current Endocrinologist would not have me using T-blockers if not the Blood pressure issue.  My suggestion is to rely  on your doctor as things hit us, and not worry too much about shortages.  I was off the E for 6 months after I had a blood clot in my right leg, but did not lose anything, although I was a mess from the shock of getting the DVT but as life went on, I just kept going too.

Thats really good to hear that even pills were successful in suppressing testorone. 

[Ivy]

I am on patches with no Spiro.  Have been for 3 years now.  Spiro doesn't agree with me apparently.  Some say it isn't really necessary anyway, IDK.

My understanding is that the patches don't have the bad effects associated with the pills.

[Transgirlkatie]

12 hours ago, Jandi said:

I am on patches with no Spiro.  Have been for 3 years now.  Spiro doesn't agree with me apparently.  Some say it isn't really necessary anyway, IDK.

My understanding is that the patches don't have the bad effects associated with the pills.

I wish I could do patches, unfortunately my skin gets too sweaty

[VickySGV]

4 hours ago, Transgirlkatie said:

wish I could do patches, unfortunately my skin gets too sweaty

 

My Endo prescribes enough patches that I can put a new one on if one falls off before the 7 days they are rated for.  Between the two of us the dose is one thing, between her and the insurance company its a different dose -- SHHHH!!  Over time, the E itself will cause your sweating to decrease and you will get more mileage from the patches.  There are also gels that you can use as well.

[Transgirlkatie]

23 hours ago, VickySGV said:

 

My Endo prescribes enough patches that I can put a new one on if one falls off before the 7 days they are rated for.  Between the two of us the dose is one thing, between her and the insurance company its a different dose -- SHHHH!!  Over time, the E itself will cause your sweating to decrease and you will get more mileage from the patches.  There are also gels that you can use as well.

I've heard of the gels, I thought they were only used in Europe. I wonder where you can get it in America

[VickySGV]

1 hour ago, Transgirlkatie said:

I've heard of the gels, I thought they were only used in Europe. I wonder where you can get it in America

I know that our Moderator @Charlize uses it and she is very much here in the U.S..  This will get her attention

 

[Charlize]

I tried using patches and despite all efforts they rarely stayed on as prescribed.  Then i tried gels which were messy.  For some years now i have been using a spray which dries quickly and seemingly is all i've needed.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Transgirlkatie]

7 hours ago, Charlize said:

I tried using patches and despite all efforts they rarely stayed on as prescribed.  Then i tried gels which were messy.  For some years now i have been using a spray which dries quickly and seemingly is all i've needed.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

Huh I didn't know there was also sprays. Do sprays get used in the USA?

[VickySGV]

7 minutes ago, Transgirlkatie said:

Huh I didn't know there was also sprays. Do sprays get used in the USA?

 

@Charlize lives in New Jersey which at last I know about is still part of the USA.  😃   I am in Calif, and belong to Kaiser Health Plan, and it is listed in our drug formulary of approved medications.  I would suggest asking your Endo about it if you are interested. 

[Transgirlkatie]

1 hour ago, VickySGV said:

 

@Charlize lives in New Jersey which at last I know about is still part of the USA.  😃   I am in Calif, and belong to Kaiser Health Plan, and it is listed in our drug formulary of approved medications.  I would suggest asking your Endo about it if you are interested. 

My endo only prescribes pills, patches or injections. I'm currently trying to get into contact with them but with roe v Wade it's been almost impossible to get ahold of planned Parenthood.