I started experiencing the side effects about 3 weeks after my castration. That's when the hot flashes and difficulties with erections began. The hot flashes started off few and far between then increased in both frequency and strength after a month or so. I went without any HRT for almost a year ...

Congratulations and best of luck for a speedy recovery! Although it's been 12 years now, I remember my castration like it was yesterday. Just continue to be careful - don't try and lift anything heavy at all and lots of ice will help all the bruising. Safe travels home!

Happy Birthday Danya!

Hope you have a great one!

The Bells: A Novel by Richard Harvell

http://www.amazon.com/Bells-Novel-Richard-Harvell/dp/0307590526

I saw a book review of this in The Washington Post a couple of weeks ago and thought I'd give it a read. Checked it out from the library and just finished it. Very interesting novel, and although ...

I certainly wish you all the best and hope that things go well for you without HRT. I, too, did the same thing and managed to go without any T for 8 months. Like anything, there are pros and cons. Give yourself about 3-4 weeks and the inevitable hot flashes will appear. At least you're doing this ...

You have to spend some time walking around Le Marais - especially on a Sunday afternoon when all the boys are out.

Another interesting museum is in Le Marais as well, the Musee Carnavalet, which depicts the history of the city of Paris. You like wine? Le Musee de Vin (www.museeduvinparis.com/en ...

I'll second the Chateau de Versailles - really amazing and an easy train ride from Paris on the RER (suburban commuter train).

If you like the Impressionists, then the Musée d'Orsay is a must. The building alone (a former train station) is worth the visit.

Musée Marmottan also has a great ...

Hope you have a great birthday and that lots of good things come your way in the new year!

Not sure if Pristiq & Effexor are the same drug. I have seen Pristiq advertised here in the US as well, separately from Effexor.

Pristiq = Desvenlafaxine

Effexor = Venlafaxine

Here's a link about where to apply androgel:

http://www.androgel.com/aboutandrogel_howtouse.html

I apply it on my shoulders, upper arms, and stomach areas daily. It has a slight alcohol smell to it, but it dries completely in about 5 minutes.