My first Injection

[J DIESEL3]

I paid 21.78 each for the 200mg cyp 1 ml vial at cvs with out any insurance.

[DaRoq]

well at least looking at online pharmacy prices, 60 bucks is almost right for 2 1 ml vials. But why waste that money, when i can get 10 ml so much cheaper, when i need more i will see if doctor will prescribe me the larger bottle cause this is a rip off. 300 bucks for 10 ml going that route vs 100 bucks lol.

I feel you, man. Imagine having to pay $50 per outpatient injection. I was doing that for 200mg e14d, so it was "affordable" at $100/month. But that became unacceptable once I discovered the retail price for a 10ml bottle of 200mg/ml. For that bottle I would've paid $500-1000 out of pocket (not to mention what they charged insurance) for 10-20 nurse visits, whereas I'm sure it cost them less than $100!

I'd definitely make a case for a 10ml bottle of at least 100mg/ml. Your Dr. could easily prescribe that as a month's supply, whereas he might have to make it 90 days for 200mg/ml bottle, like FONZY007's doctor. In that scenario you might pay $1 more per 100mg dose at 100mg/ml, but you'd also get 1000mg more to "play" with over 90 days. At least that's my rationale when comparing my scenario* to others'. I used have $5 prescriptions too, when I was married, but I'm not going to drive myself crazy lamenting over that.

*I'm actually on Androgel 1% now, $20/mo co-pay.

[DaRoq]

I paid 21.78 each for the 200mg cyp 1 ml vial at cvs with out any insurance.

The closest to that I found online was $65 for 3 vials. I would've thought CVS to be one of the more expensive; at least they were for Androgel 1%. They quoted me $461 retail when I didn't want to wait for insurance pre-authorization, whereas other places averaged $350. (I waited anyway)

[SEOINAGE]

Well my attempt at getting an AI failed. From the girl that called me, apparently the doctor doesn't think it is right for my situation and won't prescribe it, LOL such a joke. But anyways, my acne this week isn't as bad, and water retention is slightly down. My nipple sensitivity is gone for now. I might order up an estrogen lab and get my test done at the same time. Would it be bad to show up at the lab with my slip from the doctor and my order from online? Cause I might as well do it at the same place, also don't know what the charge would be like to take my test order to them vs a clinic at my hospital. Also told them to change my script at the pharmacy on file to be the 10 ml bottle cause of price issues. So hopefully that goes through.

[FONZY007]

The closest to that I found online was $65 for 3 vials. I would've thought CVS to be one of the more expensive; at least they were for Androgel 1%. They quoted me $461 retail when I didn't want to wait for insurance pre-authorization, whereas other places averaged $350. (I waited anyway)

Yea the androgel is expensive with my insurance 90 bucks a month supply because of no generic. The Watson 200mg 10 mil vial cost 115 that what it says on the paper I get. So I only pay my co pay of 5 bucks. Its the way he writes the prescription, my first time they pharmacist was confused and had to call him!! That's when I told him my insurance pays for 90 days supply and they been giving me a 10 mil vial per month( which i only should get 1 every 3 months) Lol im happy

[SEOINAGE]

My doctor suggested I contact a bioidentical hormone doctor. He will prescribe the 10 ml vial instead too but can't do it early obviously. But I am going to check this other doctor out, if insurance doesn't cover visits and its like your typical clinic with high costs i won't be a part of it, but at least going to look into it.

[FONZY007]

My doctor suggested I contact a bioidentical hormone doctor. He will prescribe the 10 ml vial instead too but can't do it early obviously. But I am going to check this other doctor out, if insurance doesn't cover visits and its like your typical clinic with high costs i won't be a part of it, but at least going to look into it.

Bio identical hormone doc.. Hmmm never heard of , do they deal with trt patients?

[SEOINAGE]

well i know they deal with trt for aging men, but not sure about my situation. I watched a video with the doctor and he talks a lot about anti aging and preventative medicine etc. his name is Scott Rollins.

[FONZY007]

well i know they deal with trt for aging men, but not sure about my situation. I watched a video with the doctor and he talks a lot about anti aging and preventative medicine etc. his name is Scott Rollins.

Keep us posted, hope everything turns around and you start to get the help you want..

[Herman Munster]

"But here is the problem. I tried to talk to him about the benefits of HCG and the need to be on it because I want to continue to have children, he seemed to not be concerned and said after a few weeks of being off of test I will start producing sperm again fine because I can right now. It might take a few months to bring it all the way back. But he says he felt like I had other motives behind wanting the HCG and that he couldn't just prescribe it to me."

I've been following along here, I am a fellow TRT'er (only new to the board), A few quick observations: 1. Overly obvious, get a new doc! The quote above should warn you of his incompetence. TRT is a long term decision, you dont come off it. Diabetics do not halt their insulin protocol, persons w/ low or altered ability to produce adequate amounts of T will not becoming off their protocol, unless they wish to return to the pre-T symptoms. 2. I strongly suggest bloodwork, get your E checked, for me symptoms of high E have always been; Acne, bloated, lethargic. Private med labs, for 60.00 you will know quite a bit about yourself.

[SEOINAGE]

"But here is the problem. I tried to talk to him about the benefits of HCG and the need to be on it because I want to continue to have children, he seemed to not be concerned and said after a few weeks of being off of test I will start producing sperm again fine because I can right now. It might take a few months to bring it all the way back. But he says he felt like I had other motives behind wanting the HCG and that he couldn't just prescribe it to me."

I've been following along here, I am a fellow TRT'er (only new to the board), A few quick observations: 1. Overly obvious, get a new doc! The quote above should warn you of his incompetence. TRT is a long term decision, you dont come off it. Diabetics do not halt their insulin protocol, persons w/ low or altered ability to produce adequate amounts of T will not becoming off their protocol, unless they wish to return to the pre-T symptoms. 2. I strongly suggest bloodwork, get your E checked, for me symptoms of high E have always been; Acne, bloated, lethargic. Private med labs, for 60.00 you will know quite a bit about yourself.

Good advice, so I could order up the blood test and do it tomorrow while i am in the area, but should i do that even if i decide to go to this new doctor? Or should i just focus on getting in to see him asap? I imagine i will have to pay just as much for that blood test going through him so it wont hurt to just take it with me and already have it done? I need to call and get more info from this doctor also.

[Herman Munster]

I would get your labs done ASAP, once you have the labs then you can start and others can suggest a treatment protocol. At the very least, when you have your next visit w/ the PCP or new doc you have some factual documentation. Aside from the gyno, w/out the labs you have liver, RBC, cholosterol etc. issues to worry about. Labs IMHO the basis of any change or addition to the protocol. I constantly adjust my AI, I do this based on labs, also place the labs against how I am feeling. Example; if my E2 is high on labs, I typically am bloated (moon face), Acne on my back and chest, lethargic AND loose morning wood. I slowly raise my AI, same delivery days, just up the dose slightly, once my skin looks better AND my wood returns (this is usually first). I cruise a little at this pace. I am honestly more worried about too low then too high.

For you, I suspect you need to get in some level of normalcy. Gyno situated, a "decent" doc and a baseline protocol. Adjust from there. I cant tell by your profile where your located, If your anywhere near Philly Pa. PM me. I have a doc who I work with, he's good, I struggle a little with getting hime on board w/ certain changes. Good thing is he listens and is receptive to my requests - No matter how asinine they may be.

Good Luck

[SEOINAGE]

I have noticed the last two thursdays, which is right before my shot, have been miserable. Today i started forgetting all kinds of stupid little things and it really screwed me up at work, especially this afternoon. I also noticed i felt like my libido was superior last week than this week. I am pretty sure 100 mg a week isn't even close to enough, and my test isn't until next week, so depending on how long it is to get those results i got to deal with this for a couple more weeks. I just don't feel near as good mentally today as I did 5 days ago, struggling right now.

[SEOINAGE]

Ok well estro results are in, of course this was taken day after shot, but doesn't it have a cumulative effect so if in range any time in the week should be somewhat ok? This is on 100 mg per week of test c, nothing else. total testosterone will be drawn on friday. I found out the blood tests I got screwed over in town here locally are 5 times as expensive as elsewhere, so i have this huge bill because of it, wish I could fight that bull crap, but I always call around to get prices now, people get annoyed but oh well.

estradiol, sensitive, 21 pg/ml range 3-70


Anyways I don't feel as bloated as first week although i am still a little heavier. And I really am not feeling the nipple thing since then either. So glad I am in range, I have some arimidex on the way, that if my test dose gets upped and I have a concern I can start taking if I have sides or if new doc takes blood tests I suppose I will get a script. I do need to get an appointment with him, but trying to figure out if he knows what he is talking about before I dump 200 bucks. I wish I knew how I ended up with gyno in the first place. If I wasn't reaching my max out of pocket I wouldn't push to get surgery right away and lose some more weight first, but I want to save as much money as possible by doing surgery this year, and hopefully save most of my HSA funds next year if that is possible lol.

[SEOINAGE]

Question, does estradiol fluctuate enough that it matters when to take the e2 blood test during the week? Or like I see my levels are fine or slightly low, chances they would be that much higher other times of the week? I am guessing I am good, as I hear it takes a long time to bring them up if you crash, so assume they don't move out of place rapidly unless maybe you overload yourself with test?

[flatscat]

As long as you are dosing at least twice a week it won't matter enough to worry about it.

[SEOINAGE]

I want to switch to twice a week, it would be nice to not have these "lows" but I had my test checked friday, of which the doctor has results already today but won't release them to me until after he has a chance to look over it and interpret it whatever you want to call it. I will not go to that same person again, never had anyone stab my arm so hard, I mean it didn't really hurt but it bled like crazy and then left a large bruise, whereas the nice cute girl who took my estrogen was gentle completely painless, and I could have a decent conversation with, not to mention I want to give her more than my blood. I will find out tomorrow what my doctor has to say about my results, and hopefully he will be willing to get me into a range I am comfortable with. He mentioned shooting for 600-800 range, but if that doesn't get me feeling like early 20s again I would want more even if it means being at the top of the range. I'lll update tomorrow, I kind of was hoping the doctor would look at it today and let me know because then I would do a shot tonight and go every 3.5 days, friday mornings and monday nights would work decent for me.

[SEOINAGE]

On a side note I just called my pharmacy and they can sell me a 10 ml vial of 200 mg/ml for 75 bucks!!!!!!! They said they would order it in and have it tomorrow for when i get my script, haha awesome. They first quoted me name brand that was 128 bucks that was in stock. So this makes me pretty happy.

[APIs]

Sadly he claimed that all the tissue is removed and wont come back, but I know for a fact and it is even stated on most plastic surgeons websites that some is left for cosmetic reasons.

Exactly. Some of the gland must be left in as to minimze any chance of an indentation being present in the nipple after surgery. Doc sounds like a quack IMO...

[SEOINAGE]

Exactly. Some of the gland must be left in as to minimze any chance of an indentation being present in the nipple after surgery. Doc sounds like a quack IMO...

That and he didn't know the difference between prop and cyp. and was going to prescribe either to me at every other week or weekly injections, I was like cyp please if I am injecting that far apart. I just hope he ups my test dose, definitely don't feel like it is anywhere near it is supposed to be, watch i get my results and they are like 1k range and he wants to lower it haha, I doubt that is possible based on how I feel.

[SEOINAGE]

Edit: TLDR version. Test result 213 in range of 132 to 813, doc bumped me from 100 mg a week to 120 mg a week.


MOTHER FKKASJNLG:ASDJKHL:GDJHL:JASDGD.

Ok end yelling and screaming. This is a joke, my lab values came back at 213 on a range of 132 to 813. never heard of a reference range like that before. I knew I was getting super low at the end of the week but not that low. So my dose before was 100 mg a week. So what would you expect the doctor to raise my dosage to given that blood work? I would think at least 150 mg a week if not doubling my dose to 200 mg a week. Anyways I am getting a 10 ml vial script called in, so realistically I could abuse it for a few weeks but that won't get me anywhere. Basically he recommended a 20% increase in medication which sounds decent but holy crap I am so far off of what I need to be at. It really infuriates me and I hate being rude but I try to make my point to them, and I even called back after I started making my post to make sure she was going to talk to the doctor and mention my concerns with how far away I am from where I need to be.

So 120 mg a week is what I will be taking now unfortunately I don't think it is going to fix things. I am going to start dosing twice a week at 60 mg, next blood test not take last injection so it is a full week and more similar to as if I am taking 120 mg weekly and see blood work from there. Apparently the nurse says he tries to get people in the 500 to 600 range and he worries about anger problems with too much test. If anything I get anger problems when I have too little test in my system. like right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bad thing is I really am seriously irritable when my test is low, and I don't want to ruin my relationship with my wife, everything wasn't perfect before, mostly I wasn't giving her enough attention, after starting treatment I treat her fine after shots but end of the week, like the day I went to get blood drawn I was a jerk and I didn't mean to be but it was really hard not to be no matter how hard I was trying things would just slip out of my mouth. Maybe I am just an asshole all the time and don't realize it and I need to fix myself, but honestly I think this is a big problem, especially when my memory and other things is crappy as all get out.

[HRTstudent]

A 20mg per week bump is reasonable, because you have to understand from the docs perspective they want to titrate UP as opposed to titrate down.

On this end of the spectrum, we don't deal with a lot of the crap docs deal with. For example, lets say the doc gives you 150mg or 200mg per week and then your blood work comes back above range. Maybe it will maybe it won't. But if it does, well now the doc will have the insurance company coming after him. It happens all the time and the insurance companies DO play a role in your medicine.

The best thing you could do is let the doc know your symptoms are very poor, your quality of life is suffering, and you want to get into a healthy range and are OK taking a higher dose than 120mg per week. If they are comfortable with it, they will probably go along. Keep in mind the maximum upper dose for most docs is going to be 200mg so they wouldn't readily put you there.

Another option you COULD try is 60mg twice a week. A doctor would probably have a harder time biting on this however, because that is a lot of injections of the course of your lifetime, unless you're like 60+. But that's still over 100 injections every year. Could lead to scar tissue or anything really we simply don't have data on frequent IM injections from trt.

What was your estradiol? Maybe you are aromatizing a lot of the test.

[SEOINAGE]

my estradiol was 21, so that can likely be ruled out at these test levels. Insurance doesn't cover my test injections because my starting total t wasn't under 300. So they really can't come after the doc and give him a hard time at this point. I just got a voi***ail from them saying he can't up the dose because it is a 20% increase and referred me a second time to another doctor in town who I would have to pay out of pocket to see. still in the process of getting things ready to see him. I think I am going to start doing 60 mg twice a week until I can get in to see this other doctor, I have the packet they want me to fill out but maybe I can be transferred as a patient to them instead of filling that crap out, the thing is huge, I dunno we will see, i would just like to get something going that works, and I still don't know enough about this other doc to want to dump 200 bucks out of pocket to see him. Not getting a lot of info about him from the receptionist, but he sounds like he is up to date and is somewhat of an expert in this area, so I will keep trying to get to see him, just want things to be half decent in the mean time.

[SEOINAGE]

Sweet I have a refill as well. Picked up some 25 gauge pins and did a sub q shot, draws up easily, I might try even smaller later. It burned a little at first but so far so good, pinned .3 ml since I am going to try twice a week.

[Ace111]

I feel ya on the being aggressive/angry thing. It's usually when I'm tired and have no energy that I get irritable. I'm fine if I'm left alone but get annoyed when people, usually parents, ask me to do things or ask questions.

Maybe you should show your doc this - http://www.nature.com/scitable/blog/...sion_or_180520

"The result: the women who had received testosterone without knowing became fairer, more generous and had increased efficiency in social interactions, while the other group (those who had been told that they were receiving testosterone) behaved much more unfairly. In sum: one group acted they way they thought testosterone should affect humans (and it wasn't pretty). But the reality was much different. Case and point, ladies and gentlemen."

[SEOINAGE]

great article thanks, i wish i had email addresses for my doctors office, would give it specifically to the girl that had talked about the aggression issue.