Yes once again its time to post on this subject. I think in the past I kind of poo pooed some of the comments made and I want to apology to any I may have offended at that time.
The bone density screening I had is in.
There is a lot of tech talk but the bottom line is I have Osteoporosis of the spine and osteopenia of the hip. Increased risk of spontaneous fracture.
So, I will start a drug that is taken once a week in the morning with water. DonΒt know the name of the drug yet but will post it when I get it. It must be one hell of a drug that you only take it once a week.
I am glad that I insisted that I have the bone screening and any of you who are eunuchs should do the same on a regular basis. Remember the younger you are the worse it will be.
I will keep all informed as I find out more about the drug and its effect.
The name of the drug is most likely Fosamax. It's relatively new, and you only take it once a week. Sounds pretty good, actually. A lot better than the daily ones out there. (And possibly cheaper, too.)
From what I've been able to hear, it's pretty damn effective, too.
Sorry to hear about the osteo news though. Take the meds, maybe start a light workout regimen, and definitely start taking those calcium suppliments. Things should start looking up then.
I am curious, is the osteoporosis you have something that runs in your family, or is it the result of your recent chemical/physical castration? Other than the fact that you are a eunuch, are there any other reasons that promted you to get a bone density test?
This brings up another question:
At what point should one consider a bone density test after being chemicaly/physicaly castrated?.....6 months, a year, two years?
I am sorry to hear of this recent problem. I hope you have a doctor that will take good care of you.
I just got back the blood test the doctor ran, he checked for everything he could think of and everything checked out OK. My testosterone level is less then 20 which is were the scale starts. I requested the bone density screening and the doctor agreed. The result was that I do have osteoporosis and we will deal with it. It is from the castration or more specific the loss of testosterone.
Christina (imported) wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2002 7:17 pm
This brings up another question:
At what point should one consider a bone density test after being chemicaly/physicaly castrated?.....6 months, a year, two years?
Ok. My personal recommendation is that you get a bone density screening as soon as you have been castrated. It may not point out any problems immediately, but it will at least give you a baseline to work from.
Once you have done that, even if you keep up with the exercise and calcium, you should probably consider yourself in a 'high risk' category for osteoporosis, and get rescreened on a yearly basis. (Every other year, at the outside.)
Riverwind (imported) wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2002 3:18 pm
Yes once again its time to post on this subject. I think in the past I kind of poo pooed some of the comments made and I want to apology to any I may have offended at that time.
The bone density screening I had is in.
There is a lot of tech talk but the bottom line is I have Osteoporosis of the spine and osteopenia of the hip. Increased risk of spontaneous fracture.
So, I will start a drug that is taken once a week in the morning with water. DonΒt know the name of the drug yet but will post it when I get it. It must be one hell of a drug that you only take it once a week.
I am glad that I insisted that I have the bone screening and any of you who are eunuchs should do the same on a regular basis. Remember the younger you are the worse it will be.
I will keep all informed as I find out more about the drug and its effect.
I have long insisted that osteoporosis is, or should be, the #1 health concern of us eunuchs as we age. I had my first DEXA bone density scan one month after castration to set up a baseline, and my Physician wants me to have a bone scan every two years, just like her post-menopausal women patients. My secnd DEXA should there fore come in June 2003.
AT that, I would have grave doubts that your osteoporosis was brought on by your hypogonadal situation since starting androcur a year ago. It does not develop THAT fast. You may have other reasons for this problem that should be discussed with a Physician who knows something about menopause.
Andrew (imported) wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2002 8:49 pm
I have long insisted that osteoporosis is, or should be, the #1 health concern of us eunuchs as we age.
I totally agree that as soon after castration a bone scan should be taken and then again at least every 2 years but I am sure in my case my doctor may want it again in a year.
I guess what Andrew, IEunuch and now what I am are saying is that this is very real and should be your #1 health concern after castration.
I would like to add that the one pill a week taken with a full glass of water on an empty stomach is not fun, I feel it burning I know right were its at. I am glad I only take this once a week.
Sorry to hear about the osteoperosis, but we're definitely glad to know that you found out now instead of later.
As a eunuch, I have several questions about it.
I was curious to know what the doc's feelings are about how effective the treatments will be. Do they believe that this medication will control it, or reverse the effects? Or just hold it in place from getting any worse?
As a contractor, I have no insurance, all medical expenses are coming out of my pocket. So I was also wondering, what is involved in a bone density scan, and what (roughly) does it cost? Also the cost of the medication?
These are concerns that have haunted me in the back of my mind ever since I first decided to go through with the castration, but I was so determined at the time to "just do it" that I pushed all that aside in my mind, telling myself, "we'll cross that bridge when we come to it". The desire to be castrated was too strong to let anything like that dissuade me at the time. Now, however, I must face these issues, instead of ignoring them. I've researched a lot about osteoperosis, but still have lots of questions. Same as with castration: no matter how much you research it, experiencing the reality is far more than words on paper from a "research publication".
Tammie and I are both wishing you the best, and hoping that you will come through this OK, happy and healthy.
There seems to be a lot o' ignorance re. osteoporosis out there. Firstly, it doesn't just crop up suddenly upon castration. If individuals are suffering from it that have recently been castrated, the disease undoubtedly commenced long ago. It might occur in individuals suffering from hypogonadism (low testosterone) that might have preceded their castration by years if not decades. I've known even young guys suffering from osteoporosis that are intact with 2 functioning gonads and even adequate testosterone levels (congenital in that case).
However, those who've been castrated would be advised to get tested. Nothing like a little preventive medicine, and castration undoubtedly adds to one's risk levels. I was tested last year and was 110% of a 21 y.o. female, the standard. My bones are healthy, but they advise that I repeat the test every 2 years. It cost C$26 at the Osteoporosis Society of BC.
