Depression Anxiety

[WeRNotAfraid (imported)]

As some of you know, I am having surgery on Feb. 22. I am not too nervous about the surgery itself, but am very apprehensive about becoming seriously depressed post-op. A lot of people seem to have horrible "crashes" after surgery. I do take estradiol, so hopefully I won't experience the "I have no hormones at all" effect that seems to be so problematic. Also, a lot of people who have the depression problems seem to be the ones who did it for fetishistic/self mutilation fantasy reasons. This is not me, and it's no wonder that something motivated my sexual desire would backfire when the source of that desire is over and done with. I have never really heard of any transgendered people, such as myself, having serious post-op problems. This may or may not be true. Any advice would be great, from both sides.

[Leona Lee (imported)]

Well Honey! Exactly which operation are you having? At any rate, if you take testosterone out of the equation. you should have the hormone level as a post menapausal female. Then you can add what you wish, but at that point ,it shouldn't take much. I'm un-cut but my testosterone reading is "10". I do have very depressing times that I really have the blues. Some of my post's show it, sometimes kinda aggressive. I think we all here have to deal with some of that at one time or another.We're here for you no matter.Hugs, Leona

[Blaise (imported)]

This is an important and interesting thread. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[Christina (imported)]

WeRNotAfraid,

I believe depression will affect everyone going through hormonal changes. How much, or how little, has a lot to do with having any of these issues beforehand. I think those that do it for a fetish, do it for the wrong reason, therefore feel the most regret.

4 1/2 years ago when I first started to transition, my hormone levels began to drop. A few months into transition I experienced depression. Mind you, it wasn't severe depression, but very notable to say the least.

For the next 3 years I saw my doctor every few months. Each time he had slowly increased anti-androgens and estrogens. A few weeks after each time my medication was changed, I experienced some depression again, but not nearly as much as the first time. This continued up until about a 1 1/2 years ago when my hormone levels were at there highest and haven't changed since, and I haven't had any emotional issues since that time.

Last January when I had my surgical castration, I felt little change in emotional status. There was perhaps a slight gain in physical change now that the anti-androgens didn't have to fight against the unwanted testosterone. I believe I had been well prepared given the fact I had been chemically castrated for 3 years prior.

I believe the key here is not which hormone you have, or don't have, but maintaining a stable level of hormone. In your case, taking estrogen would give you the benefit of secondary sexual characteristics you seek, as well as giving you the health benefits of having a suitable hormone in your system.

[bigwichita (imported)]

To help bypass depression associated with hormonal changes I first am fighting to get my weight back under control as I know this will give me a TON more energy! I'm down from 485 @ Christmas 2003 to about 350 right now. 135 down & another 100 lbs. or so to go! My goal is to get back to my high school/college sport weight of 275.

Secondly, today, I placed an order w/ Puritan's Pride (http://www.puritan.com) for Royal Jelly (energy), Ginseng(energy), St. John's Wart(natural anti-depressent), Mega-Multi Vitamin, & Vitamin C (anti-oxident & flu fighter).

Study after study are coming out touting the benificial qualities of health food supplements. I'm living proof that unhealthy eating & living will destroy your health. I got sick and tired of being sick and tired and have learned that I can be healthier & happier by eating & living right. Paul Harvey even discussed Friday how St. John's Wart is one of the absoloute best anti-depressents God ever gave us!

I'm doing the chemical castration route to stop my out of control libido which was about to get me in some serious trouble. I can't let treatment for that swing all the way around and take me out on the other end due to depression. I've still got a wife who supports me in this and four kids to raise and all of them need a healthy husband/father to be there for them!

I've done a bunch of research on natural supplements and such. I'd love to discuss this here and maybe we can help lift each other up?!

Take Care!!!

BIG

:balsmilie

[Andrew (imported)]

As some of you know, I am having surgery on Feb. 22. I am not too nervous about the surgery itself, but am very apprehensive about becoming seriously depressed post-op. A lot of people seem to have horrible "crashes" after surgery. .

Post-surgical depression happens to many, even if the surgery is not castration but something else. Heck, I've had friends go into post-surgical depression after an appendix operation.

And if you had a tendency to depression BEFORE castration, it will be intensified afterwards. (I am summerizing information from eunuchs. Trans-genders in this forum can tell you their side of the story.)

In my case, I had depression issues relating to childhood abuse by my Father. I was an alcoholic from age 19 to age 39. At age 56, I was castrated by Dr. Spector, and my post-surgical depression turned into chronic depression.

So I went into therapy (something I should have done decades ago) and am now on an antidepressant. Nowadys, those who interact with me notice my eunuch calm and cheerful outlook on life.

In other words, you don't need to be paranoid or fearful of depression, just keep in mind that it can happen AND treatments are available.

[Moreschi (imported)]

In other words, you don't need to be paranoid or fearful of depression, just keep in mind that it can happen AND treatments are available.

Andrew, it depends what symptoms you get with depression. I just had an episode with mine out of the blue - someone named it "homicidal hallucinations"- but whatever you call it, its not something I'd say not to be fearful of! My dr. just said it was depression and gave me celexa. I don't think getting castrated will help me, and I am not an alcoholic. They definitely want to see me, but my insurance won't pay for another month. Had to see a social worker for free. And pay for meds out of pocket.

[cpecke (imported)]

Hello everyone. It's been a while since I have posted anything here but depression is a big issue with lowered testosterone levels as I found out first hand.

I started taking Androcur about two years ago right now. It was sometime right around spring. This was to lower my t-levels and reduce my way overactive libido. I was to the point of constantly thinking about and wanting sex, masturbating multiple times every day. My wife and I both agreed we didn't like this. Anyways, my experience taking Androcur was very positive at first. I loved not being horny constantly. So did my wife. I got to the point of having an orgasm every 3 weeks or so was fine. I was calmer, more relaxed, more loving, caring, etc. I was able to excercise regularly during the summer and actually lost weight while jogging as much as 6 miles in under an hour. Things were great. Then winter hit. We're from Iowa. Shorter days, colder temps, boredom, and lack of excercise. Sometime during about January or so, I got really depressed. Sometimes even thinking about suicide. Not actually doing it, it was more just the thought about "why am I even thinking about it. It shouldn't even be entering my mind." There were other factors involved besides just the lowered t-levels. Financial, health (not related to hormones), job, loss of a relative, etc. It all piled on at once. Things that I normally could handle with normal t-levels.

Then there was the weight gain. Everything I lost during the summer I piled back on. I'm a big guy anyways, muscle wise. But the fat piled on. Everything that everyone says here and other places about "the bigger you are, the more chance you have to gain weight" is true!

I made it through the winter and was able to get back to excercising some. I started walking, then jogging. However, from as much as 6 miles jogging the previous summer to not being able to jog 1 mile without being exhausted and having to walk the rest. My wife and I decided to gradually cut back on my Androcur and eventually stop it entirely which I did. My energy levels increased and I was able to jog and excercise some. However, I got so busy that I didn't have time to do it enough. Then I got a case of the 'gout' which shut me down from walking any distance for about 6 weeks. By then fall was setting in and I never did lose all of the weight I gained back.

The depression decreased to virtually none. Let me add that the other problems causing the depression also were put behind me so that helped a lot. Our current plan is for me to start taking Androcur again starting sometime soon. We're going to start slowly. I'll post more about this on the 'chemical castration' or 'eunuch' forums since I'm kind of getting off topic of the main topic of this post which was about depression. Everyone interested in becoming a eunuch must be advised that depression is a REAL issue.

Take care everyone,

Chris