Went to a routine Veteran's Administration (VA) appointment in northern New Jersey on Tuesday and it was interesting. When I told the doctor, (who was a female Pakistani/Indian doctor) that I had recently gotten a pernieal urethostomy (reroute) she said, "O.K., let me see this thing. Take off your pants and lie down on da table." She examined me, moving things around, and then said, "Is that because of that thing in your penis?" Referring to my ampallang ring, "I told her I didn't think so." She rolled her eyes and shook her head a little, as in disgust, and then told me to pull my pants up. She asked me some follow up questions and then asked me if I wanted to see a endocrinologist for testosterone replacement. She said the VA only provides patches. I told her that, "No, I did not want to see an endocrinologist at this time." She handed me a paper to take to the front desk, so I left and got a new appointment for October. I was not offended by her reaction, it's typical. Most doctors don't appreciate genital piercings and this doctor already knew I was castrated so that was no surprise to her. I had removed the ring on first visit. I go to these appointments to maintain my VA status, one never know's when one might need an alternate source of care.

Hash, I'm under the VA in the southeast and they do offer androgel. I'm on 2.5mg and get it thru the VA.

That's interesting? Wonder why my doc said they only offered the patch? I'll have to investigate further, maybe take her up on the offer to see an endocrinologist. Do you pay for it or pay a certain amount for it? What's strange is that my nurse told me that some prescriptions are cheaper at the VA and some are cheaper at Walmart or other pharmacies. She said it depends on the medication. I was under the impression that the U.S. government would get the drug companies to give vets medications dirt cheap. Seems strange that the government helps the drug companies, but then they're still trying to profit off the government. I think the prez should step in and tell the drug companies that the vets who protect them need steep discounts.

Yes, the VA does negotiate with the drug companies for the best prices unlike Medciare.

By the way, the drug companies gives no one a break on anything.

my scrips cost me $8.00 for the month, does not matter what it is.

River

I should have been more explicit. I had a very interesting conversation with a VA Administrator a number of years ago (he worked at the Manhattan VA and is now retired by choice) who expalined to me that they kept their prescriptions costs low by negoiating with the drug companires for the best price. Sorry I didn't mean to mislead anyone.

By the way, I also pay a small co-payment price. I thing that it's $9.00 for a thirty day supply. I'm Catagory 8 Viet Nam Veteran.

This may not be the best place to mention this but I just received a notice from the VA that they are studying the possibillity of a link to high blood from exposure to Agent Orange.

I pay a $8.00 co-payment for a month supply(30 packs of 2.5mg). Years ago the VA put me on the patch. They had problems with it sticking. I had to tape it on and thats when they change to androgel.

I am on Androgel 2.5 mg as well through Kasier, the VA did an ultra sound of my balls that after 2 months a burdizzo was used on them. I had already had a peace of metal shoot into my groin from being in Iraq. They determined the testicles were non-functional for my VA claim. You don't get a big Disability for being castrated in Military Service, I do have 100 precent for PTSD/Depression. But I have private insurance, and he VA states I am crazy at any rate in my VA Medcial Record.

The Androgel is around 200.00 but I pay 30.00 for the pump. My Internal Medicine Doctor likes doing Prostate Checks.