Joint pain and depression strategies

[WheelyFixed]

I am pretty careful with the herbs, aware of some of the dangers. I just stay low dosage and not complex combinations. Vitex wasn’t working like it used to, but now black cocosh seems to help (marginally) with mood and arthritic pain. The really nice thing that I just found out is I’m probably going to be able to fund several blood tests this year, even before seeing a doc. I’m going to put off working with a therapist for a while but I get your point. I’m thinking I may prefer a unilateral orchiectomy, if the uncrushed one is in good shape and can produce enough T.

Sounds like you are doing the right sort of things, which I'm glad to hear... There is definitely sense in the idea that if only one testicle is bad in only getting the problem one removed, and in most cases the one that's left is quite capable of supplying the needed amounts of T (and sperm if you care about that) I haven't seen him in years, but I knew a guy that had a kid after having one removed because of testicular cancer.... Given the other history you've mentioned, I don't know if it would work in your particular case, but it's definitely an option to consider / investigate...

WheelyFixed

[wanasoso2 (imported)]

Actually it's around 3% of men having only one testicle, as me. The gonad compensate by growing larger than those comming in pairs. One alone is completely fonctional and fertile. Also less cumbersome in panties.

[Conrad73 (imported)]

I sent in a saliva based testosterone test (verisana labs) yesterday morning and am trying to comfort myself while waiting for the results. The last few weeks have been basically unprecedented in terms of my sense of hormonal instability. I’ve been reading menopause symptoms thinking �� I have most of those… It feels like maybe I’m settling into something stable now but not feeling virile. I’m being very easy on myself, keeping calm. I work from home online, not even doing much of that.

I’ll probably post once I get some news from the lab.

[Conrad73 (imported)]

My saliva testosterone level came back normal, slightly above average for my age. In the light of these findings, a bilateral orchiectomy is not desirable, because I have a working sex hormone factory. I’m going to go to try to get into a urologist and/or endocrinologist as soon as I can because my symptoms do suggest a hormonal imbalance, and with one badly injured testicle, it’s complicated beyond my understanding.

Thanks for the support and information on the forum. I’ve learned a lot!

It seems like the urology standards of practice will try to deprive me of a unilateral orchiectomy, which I still think I want, by making me try a bunch of other things first. I’ll try to post about it if I end up getting the procedure done, so that my case records may be of benefit to people with similar issues.

[WheelyFixed]

My saliva testosterone level came back normal, slightly above average for my age. In the light of these findings, a bilateral orchiectomy is not desirable, because I have a working sex hormone factory. I’m going to go to try to get into a urologist and/or endocrinologist as soon as I can because my symptoms do suggest a hormonal imbalance, and with one badly injured testicle, it’s complicated beyond my understanding.

Thanks for the support and information on the forum. I’ve learned a lot!

It seems like the urology standards of practice will try to deprive me of a unilateral orchiectomy, which I still think I want, by making me try a bunch of other things first. I’ll try to post about it if I end up getting the procedure done, so that my case records may be of benefit to people with similar issues.

Well, having a working T factory means you have more options, but if having the T is causing you issues, it doesn't necessarily mean the orchie is undesirable... It might also be worth considering getting rid of the injured ball, and just having one, if that would be more comfortable... IOW the test is a good data point, but doesn't necessarily rule out any options....

Given what you describe of your situation, the ideal urologist and endocrinologist docs for you (it sounds to me like you have a need for both) would be ones that at least work with a TG center, as they should be more open to approaches other than the seeming standard protocol of "Do everything possible to save the ball(s) first, instead of listening to the patient". This also would mean that you'd need to be open with them about having gender / orientation issues.

I think you need both a urologist and an endocrinologist, because it sounds like you have two different sorts of problems, and need two different sets of experts... On the one hand you have the damaged testicle, and on the other some apparent hormone balance issues.... Urologists are basically 'hardware' experts on the plumbing and related bits, and are the right folks to look at the testicle, but generally don't have an in depth hormone expertise. Endocrinologists specialize in hormones, but won't have the skills to figure out the testicle problem... There probably are experts in both areas, but I think most of the time you would want a team of separate docs....

WheelyFixed