Lesser of 2 evils?

[Pilgrim]

The good news... I'm 7 months on from I/O and single shot Chemo, and my tests and markers have been normal since.

I havent been on the site for ages, and given that some major family problems kicked of the same week my tc was diagnosed I'd almost forgotten about the whole thing.

However, just got my latest test results back and my testosterone levels are low: 5.9 nmol/L compared to a normal range of 9.4 - 37.0

I've been nackered (which I put down to a 2 week bout of viral gastroenteritis I just finished - nice - whilst on holiday!)

and also feeling a bit low and "weary of the fight" needed to get through family and work issues at times. (which I put down to a lack of tenacity on my part)

I also found my strength and ability to do push ups LOADS worse than it was a few years back (which I put down to being rubbish at excercise in recent times!)

Here's the thing tho....

I've yet to see the endocrinologist, but reading up on Testosterone it seems like the choice is:

a) Live with low levels - associates with anxiety, depression, poor concentration and memory, increased upper body and tummy fat, low sex drive, errectile dysfuncion, and poor bone density even osteoparosis

b) Get replacement therapy - associated with nausea, vomiting, 4 hour errections needing medical attention (!) acne (!!) headaches, appetite, moode changes, liver damage, swollen ankles, MAN BOOBS!!! and lipid problems which need monitoring.

It's hard not to conclude that we're going to be chasing after one problem after another fixing the effects of the thing that we used to fix the thing before.

I realise I'm whining and I feel bad about that, given that most of us on this site, me included, have had to face (or are still facing) much bigger issues. I guess I'm just deflated by being lulled into a false sense of security by a few months without having to think alot about health issues.

I dont know what the % risks are of all of the side effects of TRT, so if you've done that piece of research... perhaps some of you guys who've had this can help give me back some perspective. There is life after TRT isnt there?

[Michael112]

b) Get replacement therapy - associated with nausea, vomiting, 4 hour errections needing medical attention (!) acne (!!) headaches, appetite, moode changes, liver damage, swollen ankles, MAN BOOBS!!! and lipid problems which need monitoring.

I dont know where you got all that from, the only thing true is acne and manboobs, which acne is not a problem for most people depending on what your teen years were like. Man boobs are prevented with arimidex, and if you knew the reason for it you wouldnt really consider it a side effect but rather a reversable outcome of poor HRT.

Most people report a better quality of life on TRT compared to an average person without TRT.
I can assure you once you start taking TRT you wont go back.

Gyno(man boobs) is more likely a problem for people who are overweight even slightly, if the case then you should consider eventually switching from an endocrinologist to an anti-aging doctor who is aware of the importance of lowering estrogen for TRT patients.

If you want me to point you in the right direction of some good doctors let me know what country and state your in and I will see if your close by to any.

[Pilgrim]

Endocrinologists etc

Thanks Michael

Feeling less down today, and your post cheered me up. Mostly I think the side effects thing was to do with feeling insecure in my relationship - acne and man boobs would not help an already rather fragile situation.

I'm in the UK, the midlands, so it's the national health service, and I'm at a big teaching hospital with a good reputation.

You get a choice of hospital for planned consultations, but once you're on the cancer pathways it tends to be that you get what you're given.

[stitch]

It's sad that there is so much misinformation out there that you would consider

NOT seeking TRT, and it's even sadder that so many "doctors" actually believe this misinformation, or at least cite it as thier reason for denying men TRT. PLEASE seek TRT...the "adverse risks" you listed are all almost complete nonsense. I honestly am not aware of one single legitamite risk associated with properly administered and monitored TRT. I've been on the gel and Arimidex for about 2 and a half years, and I wouldn't give up TRT for anything. Unless you have active prostate cancer, I believe any physician who would advise you (or any person with your symptoms and T levels) not to be on TRT should not be practicing medicine.

[nickohs]

Hi Pilgrim,

Yes, you do need TRT. I have been on it for twenty years now following TC.
Check out my site linked below and email me if you need help

best wishes

Nick

[Ras Joe]

Hey Pilgrim--

I wouldn't worry about the man-boobs and such. I have been on HRT for a year and I after a rough couple of months getting adjusted things are as good if not better than they were before my second go around with TC. I have no boobs and if anything I have gained muscle mass, energy, and a bit fuller of a beard! Hang in there if things go bad at first....the hot flashes went away after about 7 months and they were the worst of it.

[Karen]

Hey Ras Joe,
Good to hear from you and sounds like you are doing well!

[Totally]

Man boobs

In recent weeks, I have noticed a marked increase in the size of my man boobs, in particular the right side. i can almost feel ii growing and it is tender to the touch. The left is larger, but not tender yet. I'm freaking out. My last chemo was in 1990. i haven't really had any problem with my sex drive per se and I have never felt this boobage sensation before. What do I do?

[nickohs]

HI Totally,

You should mention it to your doctor and get your Estradiol checked.

I hope this helps

Nick

[Michael112]

HI Totally,

You should mention it to your doctor and get your Estradiol checked.

I hope this helps

Nick

We both know his doctor wont do anything about high estradiol.
Besides it sounds like low T even if its in range everyone is diffrent.
I remember my nipples hurt a bit inbetween my I/O and my starting of TRT. but my E2 was only 6 points above LEFs optimal range and my TT was something like 550ng/dl.
Whats sad is his doctor will probly tell him its all in his head.
Totally, if you dont get any help from your urologist, or an endocrinologist then you can look for an anti-aging doctor.

[JamesC]

I can give you one report from the trenches. HRT made my crappy life 1000x better. I'm serious. My GP thought I might be metally depressed at first but of course is was lack of Testosterone in my case.

Here are the hoops you have to jump through.

Yearly Physicals. You need them anyway so? The PSA and DRE test. As my family has been hit with prostate cancer deaths for me this was NOT a big deal.

Some fiddling to get the dose right. That mean blood tests two weeks after you start and after any dose change. Then one 6 months later, then yearly when you do your physicals.

Man boobs happen if your Testosterone converts to Estodiol. Be SURE your labs include Estro and if it spikes you can change the way you get Testosterone into you or if your Doctor is willing take a drug like Arimidex to knock it down.

Thats the deal. I don't think its a big deal once I got on a healthy dose. Man - I feel GREAT! What your feeling day to day sounds bad. I've been there.

My wife was ready to kill me and I was ready to let her. Life is 1000x better. Honest!

The good news... I'm 7 months on from I/O and single shot Chemo, and my tests and markers have been normal since.

I havent been on the site for ages, and given that some major family problems kicked of the same week my tc was diagnosed I'd almost forgotten about the whole thing.

However, just got my latest test results back and my testosterone levels are low: 5.9 nmol/L compared to a normal range of 9.4 - 37.0

I've been nackered (which I put down to a 2 week bout of viral gastroenteritis I just finished - nice - whilst on holiday!)

and also feeling a bit low and "weary of the fight" needed to get through family and work issues at times. (which I put down to a lack of tenacity on my part)

I also found my strength and ability to do push ups LOADS worse than it was a few years back (which I put down to being rubbish at excercise in recent times!)

Here's the thing tho....

I've yet to see the endocrinologist, but reading up on Testosterone it seems like the choice is:

a) Live with low levels - associates with anxiety, depression, poor concentration and memory, increased upper body and tummy fat, low sex drive, errectile dysfuncion, and poor bone density even osteoparosis

b) Get replacement therapy - associated with nausea, vomiting, 4 hour errections needing medical attention (!) acne (!!) headaches, appetite, moode changes, liver damage, swollen ankles, MAN BOOBS!!! and lipid problems which need monitoring.

It's hard not to conclude that we're going to be chasing after one problem after another fixing the effects of the thing that we used to fix the thing before.

I realise I'm whining and I feel bad about that, given that most of us on this site, me included, have had to face (or are still facing) much bigger issues. I guess I'm just deflated by being lulled into a false sense of security by a few months without having to think alot about health issues.

I dont know what the % risks are of all of the side effects of TRT, so if you've done that piece of research... perhaps some of you guys who've had this can help give me back some perspective. There is life after TRT isnt there?