Osteoporosis diagnosis, where does this leave me?

[mrt (imported)]

I agree, MrT. I will go to the insurance web site to see what they consider the fomularly osteoporosis drug in this class to be. It's likely my doctor won't object to switching to one of the others in this class unless he has a really good reason. I'll be glad to listen to that if he does. I still suspect he'd agree to switching to a different one if I explain how costly Actonel is. This isn't even the least expensive co-pay i've got. I'm paying $150/month for another drug! I need to shop around for that one, too.

If your paying a percentage (20% for formulary, 40% for non formulary) I did some research and found that the Pharmacy at CostCo and Sams Clubs are the best prices I could find with them being around 20 to 30% less.

[kristoff]

Hi Bobbie,

I've used a multivitamin but that hasn't been sufficient. The vitamin D in calcium supplements also isn't nearly enough to make up for the shortfall I've got.

Also, as you know, there's very little sun available here in the Upper Midwest in winter, even on days when the sun is shining.

The blood test gives the true picture that I don't have nearly enough vitamin D. It's possible this is a genetic problem.

I've heard stories that many doctors are starting to think the risks of exposure to the sun (i.e., skin cancer) are far outweighed by the benefits of vitamin D production. I may have to get more of a sun tan this year!

-todd

Aside from supplements sounds like you might want to set up an SADD light box. 1/2 hour of reading and knitting there works wonders for many, including vitamin D issues. They work wonders for many with "cabin fever."

[gpb3aol (imported)]

Hi Todd,

I have a question, won't the doctor who gives you androcur give you estrogen. If he understands you need low T and E gives you somewhat the same good effects of T without the bad side. Well sounds logical to me.

[Danya (imported)]

Hi Gary,

I ordered the Androcur over the internet from overseas, so it wasn't prescribed by an American doctor. There was no doctor of any kind involved. The internet site doesn't require a prescription. Androcur is not approved for use in the US so I've been taking some risk in using it. That is, my own physician doesn't know much about it or how to work with it.

When I see the univeristy endocrinologist (in Feb) who works with transgender issues, I will ask her to replace Androcur with something she's familiar with here in the US. I'll also discuss the possibilitiy of taking a small amount of estrogen and whether that's a good idea for where I'm headed.

My family doctor is doing the blood work necessary to see that I'm not having living problems, etc. from Androcur. He will not presciribe estrogen.

Take care

[gpb3aol (imported)]

Hi Gary,

I ordered the Androcur over the internet from overseas, so it wasn't prescribed by an American doctor. There was no doctor of any kind involved. The internet site doesn't require a prescription. Androcur is not approved for use in the US so I've been taking some risk in using it. That is, my own physician doesn't know much about it or how to work with it.

When I see the univeristy endocrinologist (in Feb) who works with transgender issues, I will ask her to replace Androcur with something she's familiar with here in the US. I'll also discuss the possibilitiy of taking a small amount of estrogen and whether that's a good idea for where I'm headed.

My family doctor is doing the blood work necessary to see that I'm not having living problems, etc. from Androcur. He will not presciribe estrogen.

Take care,

Todd

Hello Todd,

We are so much the same in how we feel and what we think we should be. It's great for me to know someone else out there is like me. (in the general sense). I've made an appointment with a gender therapist in Portland, 35 miles away. I can't get in to see him until March, glad I'm not suicidal. So please let me know about your Doctor vist, mostly about the estrogen issue.

Love Gary

[Danya (imported)]

Kristoff,

Are you saying the reading and knitting are required components of the seasonal affective disorder therapy? As you know, I'm not depressed but if this treatment helps stimulate vitamin D production, I'll go for it. I'll do some research on it.

In the meantime, I've got photographic light boxes with high intensity daylight wavelngth bulbs. I could sit under those for a while.

-danya

[Danya (imported)]

Hey Gary,

It didn't take you long to find the gender therapist. Good for you! You're lucky to live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. The Portland area is stunningly beautiful.

-Danya

[plix (imported)]

If the endocrinologist mostly works with transgender people, chances are she will only be familiar with Spironolactone, which is almost exclusively the chemical castration option used by MtFs in the US. In fact, I have never heard of an MtF use Depo-Provera for the purpose of lowering T. I have heard of a few use anti-LH drugs, but most of these are transgender children trying to block puberty.

I say this because it is questionable that Spiro is effective enough alone to reduce T to castrate levels. It is a weaker anti-androgen, and MtFs use it in conjunction with E, which probably helps lower T levels beyond what Spiro can do alone.

[DonFL (imported)]

yes, i wish andocur would just pay the necessary bribes to become FDA approved..

[Danya (imported)]

I appreciate the information on Spironolactone, plix. I knew this would be a possible choice but I didn't know that it was that ineffective, when used alone, in reducing testosterone to castrate levels.

Knowing this, I will suggest to the endocrinologist that I stay on Androcur and continue to be monitored for side effects. This could result in a heated discussion.

When I was reducing my daily dose of Androcur, by half, to conserve the drug until more arrived, I noticed no difference in my feelings the first five days. I was pleased because, on one pill a day versus two, I would save a lot of money. After that initial period, though, I started to feel out of sorts. When I further cut the dose by 3/4, I felt even worse.

This certainly isn't conclusive proof of anything. I suspect, though, that I was experiencing a rise in testosterone. Certainly not to pre-Androcur levels by any means, but enough to leave me feeling unhappy.