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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Reggie BoStar on January 19, 2007, at 2:29:13
Hi Everyone,
Not only do anti-depressants not work for me - now even hormone therapy has failed. They tried Testosterone on me, in the theory that my abnormally low levels were contributing to my lack of motivation, and perhaps, severe depression.
I took the stuff for almost three weeks, and did start noticing more energy and slightly less despair.
Then my urethra started clamping shut. This happened to me once before in response to medication, so I at least had some idea what was causing it. Then I did more reading on the Testosterone supplement I was taking, and sure enough - paruresis (inability to urinate) and BHP (Benign prostate enlargement) are some of the "More rare" side effects.
My MD has agreed. So now testosterone is going the way of all the AD's that don't work, leaving me with abnormally low levels again.
This had gotten ridiculous 10 years ago when the name-brand SSRI's baled on me (Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil). Since then I've tried the new SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclics, and even ECT. I had to draw the line with MAOIs because they're just plain too dangerous.
This leaves me with nothing. I'm 56 and can't imagine living much longer this way. In fact I'd rather not, but I'm too afraid of dying. Not death, dying. It rules out suicide but leaves me with just this existence.
I'm starting to think that I should just keep getting ECT until my memory and other cognitive functions start to go. I've got nothing to lose now.
Posted by Honore on January 19, 2007, at 7:58:07
In reply to Now Testosterone has failed, posted by Reggie BoStar on January 19, 2007, at 2:29:13
Maybe you should reconsider the Maois. Emsam doesn't have food interactions---probably not at higher doses, but defnitively not at 6 mg.
Even the other Maois are not so dangerous-- depending on whether you have a condition that requires another med, or feel that you couldn't adhere to the dietary restrictions. Those are often overstated, and not as hard to manage as you might think.
It depends, I guess, on what foods you eat and how hard it would be to monitor-- and to some degree, your reactivity.
When/why did you rule them out?
Honore
Posted by Jimmyboy on January 19, 2007, at 9:32:18
In reply to Re: Now Testosterone has failed, posted by Honore on January 19, 2007, at 7:58:07
Yeah, I agree.. So many people out there ( maybe not as many on this board b/c we tend to be hard to treat or we wouldn't be here) - have had great success on MAOI's like Parnate and Nardil after nothing else. Look at "remedyfind" or "askapatient" - they have the highest scores around and alot of those people have been taking them 20 + years . The food interactions are nothing compared to the rest of your life.. I would keep those in mind like the above person said.
Posted by medievil on January 19, 2007, at 10:52:14
In reply to Re: Now Testosterone has failed, posted by Jimmyboy on January 19, 2007, at 9:32:18
actually i think its criminal to give ppl tricyclics before the maoi's, just go for nardil!!
they arent dangerous, no risk if you follow the diet, actually i take parnate and i dont follow any diet, and i eat lots of old cheese, and drink lots of beer
i dont recommend doing this tough!
Posted by Phillipa on January 19, 2007, at 11:46:45
In reply to Re: Now Testosterone has failed, posted by medievil on January 19, 2007, at 10:52:14
I guess this is anti-med week. Reggie I'm sorry the testosterone made things worse for you. Love Phillipa
Posted by NYCguy on January 19, 2007, at 17:48:23
In reply to Now Testosterone has failed, posted by Reggie BoStar on January 19, 2007, at 2:29:13
Reggie, I assume you got your Total T, Free T and Estradiol checked both before and during the treatment. Were you using Androgel?
Posted by bulldog2 on January 19, 2007, at 19:28:18
In reply to Re: Now Testosterone has failed » Reggie BoStar, posted by NYCguy on January 19, 2007, at 17:48:23
Your side effects might have been caused by high estradiol. Testosterone frquently aromatizes to estradiol which causes prostate problems. Your doc should be monitoring total T, Free T and estradiol. Free T is probably the most important number. If estradiol is high a med arimidex can reduce it and that usually bumps up free t.
I've done the hormonal thing. Got a little more energy but also more anxiety.
The anti-aging docs would try and convince us that low hormones cause our depression which could be true in some cases! But it's also possible that untreated depression could be what is lowering your T.
Posted by Reggie BoStar on January 19, 2007, at 23:34:38
In reply to Re: Now Testosterone has failed » Reggie BoStar, posted by NYCguy on January 19, 2007, at 17:48:23
Hi NYCguy,
Yes to all except "during the treatment". That test is coming up early next month.
I may not last that long if this urinary problem keeps up. I call the MD on Monday to report it.
The last thing I want to do is get to the point where I have to be catheterized again.
BTW the Androgel is the packet version, not the pump. A friend of mine who uses the pump says it's a lot easier to use. I can believe that. Trying to squeeze the stuff out of those packets is a real PIA.
The medium is basically a mix of K-Y and alcohol, my two bitter enemies.
Take care,
Reggie BoStar
Posted by medievil on January 20, 2007, at 3:30:57
In reply to Re: Now Testosterone has failed » NYCguy, posted by Reggie BoStar on January 19, 2007, at 23:34:38
also, read up on amisulpride, it can also be used as an antidepressant
just giving some alternatives that might work for you!
Posted by alohashirt on January 20, 2007, at 7:36:43
In reply to Re: Now Testosterone has failed » NYCguy, posted by Reggie BoStar on January 19, 2007, at 23:34:38
Will your doctor do injections every ten days? Probably less hassle than those nasty gels and more predictable effects.
> Hi NYCguy,
>
> Yes to all except "during the treatment". That test is coming up early next month.
>
> I may not last that long if this urinary problem keeps up. I call the MD on Monday to report it.
>
> The last thing I want to do is get to the point where I have to be catheterized again.
>
> BTW the Androgel is the packet version, not the pump. A friend of mine who uses the pump says it's a lot easier to use. I can believe that. Trying to squeeze the stuff out of those packets is a real PIA.
>
> The medium is basically a mix of K-Y and alcohol, my two bitter enemies.
>
> Take care,
> Reggie BoStar
This is the end of the thread.
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