"Loss of energy"

[nicnic1988 (imported)]

I am chemically castrated for about 2 months now. Because of the very bad sexual fantasies including children I got depressions but these are now almost gone. I feel much better now.

But I have a problem with very excessive sleepiness but I am physically ok. When I do a longer sprint or ride on the bicicle I dont feel more exhausted than before I took Androcur. Its just that I have these "sleep-attacks" when I sit on the pc or do something where I dont move much.

The question is: Many castrated men (surgically or chemically) report "loss of energy". But what is meant by that? This sleepiness I have or less energy to do physical things?

[Hash (imported)]

You're experiencing one of the many side-effects of castration. Testosterone is a muscle building hormone, without it your muscles will atrophy to a certain degree. The problem is, without the testosterone you won't be as motivated to exercise, you feel fatigued, tired and your body will put on more fat. That's why a lot of women and some men and many eunuchs are, well, fat. Obese men have low testosterone and I've read that obese men have more estrogen. So chemical/physical castration is beneficial in removing most sexual thoughts and desires, but it can spur obesity because testosterone helps build muscle. Look at this article: http://www.draxe.com/lack-of-energy-may ... tosterone/ Notice the list of side-effects of low testosterone levels. This is what you're experiencing. However, if you want to maintain low testosterone levels because you want to remove your sexual desires, you'll need to consume high energy foods or products to prevent your sleepiness and lethargic feelings. Here's a high energy diet that will help you greatly: http://www.webmd.com/diet/fiber-health- ... ost-energy

Lastly, you might be over doing it with the chemical castration. For example, I use a low dose regimen of testosterone to ward off osteoporosis and to give me some needed energy. I maintain about a 125-145 level of testosterone in my body. It's a lot lower than an intact non-castrated man. Normal testosterone levels are between 250-1000mg's or more. So my testosterone is low, but good for me. I can function, I have sufficient energy, without it, I fall into depression pretty quick. That's another danger of being castrated. But experiment, try to use a lesser amount of chemical castration. Try to find a balanced place, where your testosterone level is not to high and not to low, a balanced place. It'll take some time, but it'll be worth it. Hope this helps.

[nicnic1988 (imported)]

My Psychiatrist said its likely I have this because of the medicine I take. Besides Androcur its also Mirtazapine and Risperidone.

But i am a little sceptical because physically I feel ok and like I said:

I dont feel more exhausted than before

when I do something like sprinting....

[paring (imported)]

Your sleep attacks like you said are caused by the lack of testosterone. I had same problem when I had low T level. Mirtazapine is for night time. Wellbutrin is known to keep you awake during the day. Most anti depressors are known to have anti androgenic effet. Perhaps you can lower your Androcur, your T level doesn't need to be at castration level to keep you out of trouble.

[ukdesexed (imported)]

I have been on Androcur for over a year, I experienced severe energy loss and lethargy I began getting Gall bladder pain and my Doctor who knows my low testosterone levels said it was a result of to much oestrogen taking over where the testosterone left off, he advised taking a zinc tablet daily drinking lots of fresh orange juice and vitamin C, These to my surprise neutralise the effects of too much oestrogen and almost instantly my energy levels increased, I no longer nap in the day and my Gall bladder pain disappeared almost over night, as a bonus my breasts no longer ache either. Be careful with energy drinks containing glucose, Androcur can make you glucose intolerant and with me if I had too much glucose in my system it brought on night sweats and chills.

[tugon (imported)]

I did not suffer a lack of energy after castration. My job was very physical at the time and I was still lifting weights. Today I spend about 3 hours total walking my dog at different times. I work full time and all my other activities keep me busy. Now I can drop off to sleep in front of the computer so quickly that I have trouble getting things done. Working on my iPhone causes me to drift off to sleep. This phone has been dropped so many times as my head drops off to sleep. Physically I have energy but optically I fatigue easily.

[Riverwind (imported)]

Yes I think its true, the lack of T you loose energy its not only the loss of T but age plays into it as well as weight gain. Add them all together and you have the couch potato.

Welcome to the world of the eunuch.

But the real question is, do you feel happier now that you have no T? If that answer is yes then the rest is worth while and can be dealt with.

River

[tugon (imported)]

I should have added that I was never high energy/hyper type of person. I have always been slow and steady wins the race. I also was castrated at 41 so the slow down may have already occurred. If I was castrated in my 20's I may have noticed more of a change.

[unencumbered (imported)]

Yes I think its true, the lack of T you loose energy its not only the loss of T but age plays into it as well as weight gain. Add them all together and you have the couch potato.

Welcome to the world of the eunuch.

But the real question is, do you feel happier now that you have no T? If that answer is yes then the rest is worth while and can be dealt with.

River

The body needs some level of testosterone in order to help ward off the bad health effects of being castrated. It does not mean that there will a return of libido if the dosage is not too much. Eating less and exercising also helps, as it does for anyone who gets older and his metabolism begins to slow down, but a lack of T in the body makes it worse.

[kristoff]

With androcur, lose the Remeron (Mirtazapine) (interesting perhaps, my doctor used to prescribe it not only for depression, but also as a sleep aid). Try wellbutrin (bupropion) instead - it has no drowsy side-effects, generally - if you need an antidepressant. Of course, a side effect of castration is often deprression. A very common side effect of Risperidone is drowsiness / excessive sleep, as well as weight gain; reducing dose may help with the drowsiness, but won't do much for the weight gain (only diet and exercise will help that). Insist that the psychiatrist start adjusting the med levels of all three drugs - keep in mind that once castration effect is achieved, the level of androcur can often be reduced yet maintain the same effect, often after about 6 months of use.