Kangan (imported) wrote: Tue Oct 28, 2008 11:20 am Kristoff,

I owe you an apology and a great big thank you! You and some of the others were correct in challenging my assumption that I had castrated myself by clamping.

When Dr. K. got the testicles out, they were fully vascularized (pink color) and of normal size. I had expected gray or black shrivelled lumps. NOT!

I am convinced that I did manage to shut down the cells that produced Testosterone, at least for a while. However, since I never managed to arrange for a blood test, we will never know, as the question is now very moot.

Don't be sorry. Hormones are tricky things. I have a theory that we are almost unable to sense when ours are off because they affect what our "normal" is. You may well have wished it be one way or the other and "wired" yourself a bit different. There is some good info on Placebo effects that are quite amazing. What you will have now are some very real affects from lack of Testosterone. I really hope this helps you with your issues. Don't be afraid to scream for help and again. Be honest with your doctors. I assure you they have heard it all. And what they do hear stays with them if your worried everyone is going to suddenly know your status testicle wise.

mrt (imported) wrote: Thu Oct 30, 2008 12:12 pm Don't be sorry. Hormones are tricky things. I have a theory that we are almost unable to sense when ours are off because they affect what our "normal" is. You may well have wished it be one way or the other and "wired" yourself a bit different. There is some good info on Placebo effects that are quite amazing. What you will have now are some very real affects from lack of Testosterone. I really hope this helps you with your issues. Don't be afraid to scream for help and again. Be honest with your doctors. I assure you they have heard it all. And what they do hear stays with them if your worried everyone is going to suddenly know your status testicle wise.

Testosterone is definitely gone. I thought I knew what hot flashes were before.... Now they are really strong and nasty, especially at night.

I've been to see my personal physician. Details in my other thread.