I'm also only a sample of 1. In any event, it needs to be stressed that all of us are different. The risk of osteoporosis is just that, a 'risk.' It varies by individual, with or without testes. Those w.o. testes undoubtedly experience a higher risk. My own score is +1.1 s.d. with the single scan I had last autumn. I'm 58 y.o. and was nutted 2+ yrs ago. I also do HRT.

Andrew,

As a typical working American, I have no medical insurance and with allergy meds running me $89 a month, I can't afford one. Plain and simple. Well, that and I really DON'T care.

I a

Andrew (imported) wrote: Sat May 11, 2002 3:36 pm nd several others have also posted on the topic of osteoporosis during the last couple of years, and I think you do many in the EA an injustice. Of course, from my perspective, I see three catagories of eunuchs.

The first are those who are eunuchs, but not by choice. And if I remember correctly, IEunuch is one of these. They have no choice about the dangers of osteoporosis. And IEunuch has the additional disadvantage of being cared for by the Canadian Health System, British Columbia brance (if I remember correctly).

Actually, I am a eunuch by choice. But I am cared for by the BC version of the Canadian Health Care system. For most, I guess it works fairly well. It's only when unusual people like me come along that the system isn't as effective as it could be.

Posted by Charlieje

Charlieje (imported) wrote: Sat May 11, 2002 11:36 am Thanks for your posting and warning, IE. I am still stubborn enough to suggest that your bone density loss might not be the result of testosterone loss. You are a sample of 1, and so am I, and I have experienced no calcium loss whatsoever.

The thing that makes me most suspicious about your case is the fact that you suffered so much loss in only 1 year. To me that says either, as you suggest, that HRT doesn't do the entire job, or possibly there is something else going on in your system.

[/]QUOTE]

It is entirely possible that my bone loss is indeed a result of some other major factor. I'm not trying to suggest otherwise. There is a chance, though, that the testosterone loss contributed in some way. Either way, though, it is something for people to take into consideration, and keep an eye on. Better safe than sorry.

As for the testosterone, there's mixed news on that front. I managed to get a vial, and am back on it. But right now there's apparently (so I was told by the pharmacist) a manufacturers shortage, so hopefully it'll be over before I need another vial.

I have applied once again for an exemption to gain coverage for testosterone and for another med (for hiatus hernia), and am fairly sure that I'm gonna get approval for the T, at least.

IEunuch.

BossTamsin (imported) wrote: Sat May 11, 2002 11:54 pm As for the testosterone, there's mixed news on that front. I managed to get a vial, and am back on it. But right now there's apparently (so I was told by the pharmacist) a manufacturers shortage, so hopefully it'll be over before I need another vial.

I have applied once again for an exemption to gain coverage for testosterone and for another med (for hiatus hernia), and am fairly sure that I'm gonna get approval for the T, at least.

IEunuch.

I am happy to hear about the T, and I ran a CEPT request for you throgh alt.callahans.

IEunuch, That would be great to get you back on T, we are all pulling for you on this one.

River

BossTamsin (imported) wrote: Fri May 10, 2002 2:34 pm Eunuchs CAN have major bone problems. The two options I have for causes are: 1) my bones have lost this much in (essentially) one year without testosterone, and 2) the testosterone wasn't exactly all that effective. Either way, this is defnitely something all eunuchs should watch out for.

IEunuch.

(Been a strange day overall.... must be manic....)

Over in alt.support.menopause, one of the ladies suggested that more information might be found on sci.med.diseases.osteoporosis

So this morning I subscribed to it. Perhaps some others concerned about this problem might consider this? In any case, if anything good comes along from this newsgroup, I'll pass it on.

All this has encouraged me to join the internet newsgroup sci.med.diseases.osteoporosis and I'll pass along any worthwhile information that crops up.

Andrew,

I stand by my message about eunuch-wannabes poorly assessing risks (such as oesteoporosis). Actually, all humans are poor at risk-assessment and make decisions based on short-term gain or based on the fact they don't believe it can happen to them (like JeffEunuch saying "it's just a risk").

For example, if you took any smoker and let them live a day as a person dying of lung or throat cancer, I can guarantee you that they would quit right away. But somehow the future seems remote, a person feels lucky, and so they take another puff. Is that really conscious risk assessment?

The same goes for many eunuch-wannabes. They desperately want to escape their libido, or to resolve gender identity issues, or they have a S&M fantasy -- so they want to be castrated as soon as possible. But if they fast-forwarded ten years and realized that they would lose their lean body, physical prowess, have frequent hot flashes, and have to be careful about breaking their hip -- they might reconsider.

You and I have considered these issues for a long time. But my message was mainly intended toward those younger people I've seen as eager to be castrated: consider it carefully!

Sure there are ways to counter some of the negative effects of castration -- but does a person really want to be taking pills and injections for the next fifty years?

It is too bad that castration cannot just take us to a childhood pre-sexual state. Unfortunately, it is more likely to take us to senior post-sexual state.

>

SplitDick (imported) wrote: Tue May 14, 2002 1:58 pm It is too bad that castration cannot just take us to a

> childhood pre-sexual state. Unfortunately, it is more

> likely to take us to senior post-sexual state.

So what happens to boys who were born without functioning testicles and did not receive hormone replacement, when they are around 50 years old?

Splitdick,

I hope I am still taking pills in 50 years and remember why. I would be 105 years old.

Smoking, I quite last fall after 38 years, the best thing I ever did for myself.

I think the hardest thing for me is doing regular workouts. It takes lots of discipline and I do re-nig. I need a wife to nag me on this on.

Riverwind