Today I filled an Rx for T patches. The total for 30 Testoderm TTS patches was $143. This was $63 cheaper than the same number of Androderm patches, which seems to be the more popular of the patch replacement brands. I don't pick it up until Monday. I could have had Androderm today, but $63 was a worth a few days wait.

It's been a long time. I'm scared, I'll admit. Potential MPB, bad skin, thick body hair, facial hair, severe acne (this one according to my doctor), erections, libido, and all that fun stuff. And that's only the physical.

I said I'd give it a try. We shall see how long it lasts.

You might do better with "compounded testosterone cream," and it's cheaper. I get my "compounded testosterone" from an apothecary (pharmacy) in Hershey PA, and it costs about $70.00 bucks for a month and a half supply. However, since it's in cream form, you can use as much or as little of it as you need. You'll have to work with it, trying different amounts, but when you find the amount that works for you a month's supply could be spread out to two months. I like "compounded testosterone" for this reason. The adrogel/androderm is expensive unless your insurance covers it. My insurance covers most of it, but I still have to pay $45.00 per month supply. If you're paying over a hundred bucks, try the compounded. You will need a prescription for it, but there are plenty of pharmacies/apothecaries that still compound it. Hash

plix (imported) wrote: Sat Aug 26, 2006 7:11 pm I'm scared, I'll admit. Potential MPB, bad skin, thick body hair, facial hair, severe acne (this one according to my doctor), erections, libido, and all that fun stuff. And that's only the physical.

I said I'd give it a try. We shall see how long it lasts.

Hi Plix,

Sounds like all of T's effects are side effects to you. What effects are beneficial? Trying to ward off osteoporosis?

Speaking for myself, the cure (T) is worse than the illness.

* * *

Hash,

Good advice about compounded T. If I had known about it back in May, I may have taken some in order to make the marriage work. Wanted a form which could be applied sparingly, only as needed. Glad I was ignorant about it at the time because I didn't really want T in my system again. The cost of gel and patches was prohibitive, so that was a safe excuse to not use T.

Terri

I get testosterone injections at two week intervals. The cost (to my insurance carrier) is $75 for the T and $25 for the medical office. The injections have acomplished what they were prescribed for,mostly better strength and stamina. I'm not too fond of the "side effects" either! Don't even bring up the subject of body hair! Also, in my case, I cycle very unpleasantly between too much right after the shot and too little right before the shot. I come down as if I stepped off a tall ladder. I like the idea of self-applied cream so as to co-ordinate dosage with needs. --FLO--

If I decide to stay on it on a regular basis, then the cost of the patches could become a problem. I have looked into injections and might consider those, but am worried about the swings, as I hear they are worse than E injections, which for me weren't really noticeable.

I don't really know if I would consider them side effects. In my eyes they are simply what was meant to be for the male portion of the population. I don't think any guy wants to go bald, but few would be willing to live without T in order to prevent it.

Flo

I Inject 0.5 ML of Testosterone Cypionate 200mg/ml twice a week by myself. The compounded T costs me about $75 for a months worth.

I have the srcipt filled by San Diego Compounding Pharmacy and they ship it to me via USPS.

I Got used to the self injection and I feel much better now than when I was using the gels and creams. The twice a week injections keep me pretty level and allow me to ease off every now and then.

SDCP's number is 858-277-8884. They also compound gels.

Steve

BroBear

plix (imported) wrote: Sat Aug 26, 2006 7:11 pm Today I filled an Rx for T patches. The total for 30 Testoderm TTS patches was $143. This was $63 cheaper than the same number of Androderm patches, which seems to be the more popular of the patch replacement brands. I don't pick it up until Monday. I could have had Androderm today, but $63 was a worth a few days wait.

It's been a long time. I'm scared, I'll admit. Potential MPB, bad skin, thick body hair, facial hair, severe acne (this one according to my doctor), erections, libido, and all that fun stuff. And that's only the physical.

I said I'd give it a try. We shall see how long it lasts.

Check with your insurance. It should cover most of the costs. Be SURE you ask if they have a 90 days supply for 60 deal if you use Mail order. This saves me a lot of money. Injections are cheaper but you may want to use them weekly to avoid the peaks and valleys of HRT. Or you may find that bi weekly works fine for you. Are you taking DHEA by any chance? That might level things out a tad. But DON'T fool with that unless your Doctor says it ok and agrees to test you regularly for it.

Look, I understand first hand how having your body suddenly react "differently" is weird. You might think as I did "What am I turning into?" And the changes will be pretty amazing. What I want to say (Like the guy in the pool) the waters fine jump in! And no, its not ice cold. Give it a chance. Try to be open to the experience. Being fired by testosterone is not bad! I have a un-medical joe six pack opinion that the guys with too much give it a bad name. And the guys with too little (like us) feel lousy.

When I went on HRT My first experience (On maybe day 4) was waking up with tons of energy. I wanted to get up (Not go back to bed for once) and do stuff. I was able to start and finish projects. My mental axiety issues we just gone! And these were getting to be really bad. I was just about ready for mental health meds. I used to love to read. When I got on HRT I was able to read a book again without getting bored 1/4 through it. My mood improved. My family was able to "stand me" much easier! I never got acne or bad skin. Not sure what MPB is. I did get some added hair growth but heck I just shave it all off! My mental FOG went away after many weeks to maybe months? And that was fantastic. I think its almost a on the knees and thank God type of moment. Sex, drive? Yes. Your going to have to deal with that but it can also be a good thing. Erections and such I still don't deal with but I've got ED issues from another medical problem. Thats a "problem" I wouldn't mind!

Anyway, talk with your doctor to be sure your getting a healthy amount and give it a chance. It "can" be a great thing.

- James (aka MrT *as in Testosterone)

Personally, I can feel a wide fluctuation in testosterone when taking it (cypionate) every week even. And I have heard about some ignorant doctors who tried giving cypionate injections every four weeks. The only testosterone I have used that can be given that far apart is Sostenon and thats not legally available in the states as it has never been FDA approved yet. In the UK they have Testosterone Undecanoate which is VERY long acting, as in shots taken every month provide a consistent level, probably equal to cypionate done every week, in terms of consistency. Also, in the UK, they have testosterone pellets that are implanted under the skin which can be given as seldom as once per year and there is even some (Though I hear never been used) that last even two years. I wish America would catch up with some of these other countries sometimes.

Plix,

I wish you the best on the patch, but if its not right there are other options.

River

It turns out my wait was for nothing. I went to the pharmacy today and they told me Testoderm TTS is no longer made. My only choice was Androderm, which would now cost $269 because apparently it was not covered under a cash discount like they thought.

So I asked for my Rx to be returned and left. I wanted to go over to my school pharmacy and get it filled there, but a certain someone insisted they closed at 4 when it was actually 4:45. I thought I'd have to wait yet again for another few days, but that certain someone came up with another pharmacy we could check.

But that wasn't the end of the fun. We called this pharmacy and found out they had it in stock for only $209. I was excited and thought I might finally have it. But when we got there we found out the computers were down and they didn't know when they would be back up.

I was upset by this point because it seemed like we were running into one obstacle after another. I was wondering whether it was meant to be at all. But they called a different location and found they had them in stock along with working computers. So we went there and were able to get Androderm for $209. Very expensive, but Androderm appears to be the only patch option now for those of us who are not intact.

So I have them now and will put the first one on at 10:00 tonight as is recommended. I have to admit that as scared as I am, I am excited too

By the way, MPB is Male Pattern Baldness.