Seriously? Taking the advice from my doctor, im supposed to trash after 4th shot. He says there will be a bit left, but because of contamination(???) he wants me to switch vials every 4th shot.
Like, is that the real reason? Because it physically hurts to throw this away, knowing how much i and others have worked to get this stuff in the first place, and how many sisters cant access it ๐ญ
Also really seems like a waste of time and resources. Like people had to make this, and that required time effort and money. Are we cool with throwing away the results of so much progress and effort?
Idk, its hitting me now that i have to toss one, these are all questions i have that my doctor will probly hear next time i go in ๐๐
PS. My nails look bad, its been a really rough month, dont talk about it ๐
Are you doing 0.5ml injections? That is quite a bit left, but I'm used to seeing a more empty bottle after four 1ml shots.
The contamination is the little pieces of debris from the cap each time you puncture it. When there isn't much left, your needle is drawing from the bottom where they all settle.
Hypothetically if you drew another shot while keeping the tip of the needle just below the surface you may avoid this, but it's probably for the best to just use as directed.
These vials are all prepared the same way with 5ml, regardless of whether you're prescribed 4ml or 2ml. What's left is possibly contaminated, so it isn't of use to anyone at that point.
Fwiw, there isn't a scarcity of this medication, just dumb laws keeping it away from those who need it. In the same way that not finishing your dinner isn't taking away food that might have fed someone else, not emptying your vial isn't taking away treatment from anyone.
So, just passing by as a diabetic, but not trans, and I'm confused a bit about the contamination part.
I use insulin that seems to come in a vial exactly like this, and have had to only throw a vial or 2 out over the 10 years I've been type 1 diabetic, and thats been either from:
Or 2. From bacteria contamination that turned the vial cloudy.
But most or the time, I can use the vial as many times as I need until the insulin is finished. This is the first I've heard of particulate contamination being a problem like you're saying.
Is this just the difference between the liquids inside the vial, and how sensitive the human body is to the contamination? Because based on my diabetes experience, I would just continue using the vial as is, unless it actually causes some sort of problem for me.
I love having your input its great to have someone with inject experience โค๏ธ
The contamination thing seems really strange to me too, idk it felt like a catch all reason to give people when they ask
Afaik the liquid inside is just a small amount of estradiol really overall, and its suspended in oil. I havent looked into mine that much (maybe i should) but ive heard sesame oil apparently
Its really interesting thats not been a concern for your medication, but they told me this upfront before i took any of it
I am on estradiol valerate
My Dr, the nurse, and 2 pharmacists told me to toss mine after 28-30 days because it starts breaking down after a few weeks and isn't worth injecting anymore. Nobody mentioned contamination. The pharmacists were making exrea sure I knew I needed to wipe the top of the bottle with alcohol prep wipes to avoid contamination.
I'm getting refills every 4th injection anyway, but there's so much left inside, I kind of wish I could independently verify it is breaking down (not just find info online, actually have it tested somewhere or something idk) because I know someone who would absolutely want the extra...
Thats interesting, idk the similarities or differences in our meds and obviously im not a doctor but you are the first person to mention this breakiing down problem. Maybe its more likely for valerate??
But cypionate (what im on) seems to be shelf stable for years. The consensus ive been hearing is when its open its good for about 6 months safely. Ive heard mention of people going longer, but those are outliers and most agree 6 months is a good rule. I believe at my dose 6 months would make an empty vial.
You have the same concerns i have. I see stories every so often on here of people struggling to get doctors, clinics, pharmacist, psychs etc etc to believe in their transness. Some people it takes years! So i does hurt to throw it away.
Which is why ultimately i wont be doing that. Might use till gone and build a backstock, might donate. Idk yet.
Like i said, not a doctor, but if youre feeling and thinking the same as me then i say its worth doing research into it and seeing if there is something you can do. โค๏ธโค๏ธ
I also find it strange. I'm on a medication in a very similar vial, maybe a bit larger, and I was told to use it for 8 weeks, 2 injections a week. I was only instructed to throw it away if it appears cloudy or discolored.
You know, I may be wrong. That's what I was told and have seen repeated. Maybe I'm spreading misinformation without realising ๐ฉ
.25ml
Idk its not that im worried about scarcity, just access for others. I know and have that mindset with food too but its a bit harder to translate that into medication, maybe cause i cant hold this much value in food with 3 fingers lol. I guess in this regard im more concerned about just the sheer level of manufacturing waste, especially if im not the only one throwing away this much. Eventually youd be able to fill pools with the thrown away stuff ๐
I mean, ill probly just listen to doctor, after i ask, cause end of day i always do but its just hitting me with a level of sadness i didnt expect
Really want to be mad? That vial only costs a couple of bucks to manufacture.
Well now it does, but doesnt it cost more than a couple of bucks to get to the point where its so cheap to manufacture
US medical system is garbage, we all know this, thats a whole different post tho ๐
You know home brew HRT vials? Those are made by folks in labs they set up in their basement. They're able to make vials for a couple dollars. The home brewers usually charge $50+ for a vial, but most of that cost is just finding a way to get it to you without revealing the identity of the seller. They have to use really elaborated and convoluted shipping/reshipping methods.
But the actual pharma companies? They have even better economies of scale. No way it's costing them more than a few dollars per vial. If random STEM nerds can do it in their homes, I'm sure they can pull it off.