Re: Osteoporosis. What about Fosomax or Evista? Has anyone gone on one of these drugs to prevent osteoporosis post op? I am scheduled for October 13th, but reading all the horror stories on here has given me second thoughts. A few questions:

1. The weight gain. Can it be prevented/reversed through diet and exercise? Or is it permanent and irreversible. I struggle to stay thin now through diet and working out a lot. Will it be impossible to stay thin post op?

2. I used to take estrogen and Aldactone, but had to stop due to medical reasons. I did enjoy the lack of libido, loss of body hair, and other changed I noticed on these drugs. Is orchiectomy similar to this?

3. I am getting implants placed at the same time as my castration. Any experience with this?

I am very nervous about surgery. On one hand, I see myself as I was on estrogen; calmer, less sex obsessed, and with reduced body hair (My personal bane.) On the other hand, I also can imagine a fat, depressed me with brittle bones and miserable. How can I be sure I am doing the right thing?

I'm 25 and unsure about the long-long term effects of castration. Would I end up crippled in 20 years? Has anybody had this done a long time ago? I am pretty well read on the subject, but now that it's down to only a few weeks my mind has gone all topsy turvy.

Thanks for the help!

Not afraid, Think that you should try chemical Castration, ie Depo Provera. That way youll have more time by trying it, You likely will need the Diet & Exercise.I myself didnt want fake replacements,but your younger than I am. Good luck making your choice. dl

Osteoporosis is not caused by calcium deficiency. It is a failure of the protein structure of the bone. This is not corrected by extra calcium even thouch the bone may appear more dense. The strength of the bone does not increase with extra calcium. There are many nutrients that may play a role including the B-vitamins, vit K. Osteoporosis is most common in European white post menopausal women. Castrated dogs, cats and horses don't get it unless on bad diets (i.e. dogs on all meat diets) Most of the nutrients that play a role are found in green leafy vegetables. Don't believe me, check the net. It is also related to assorted diseases, and medications, cortisone is especially bad, so is smoking. Check the net.

Marsha

I take Fosomax, I have for almost two years. This is a once a week pill and should not be taken with calcium the same day. You should take Calcium everyday other then the Fosomax.

Weight gain, I put on 40 lbs, you can keep your weight down with a regular workout and diet, Bone stressing workout also will help keep the osto away.

Good luck and keep us up to date.

River

I agree with others here and thats to try chemical castration first if you can.You didnt say if it is a needed surgery of if this is just somthing you feel you need.I was on depo provera for two years befor i had my surgery so i knew what i wanted and i have no regrets about it.Remember surgery is permanent chemicales can be reversed.

your doing your homework.this is good,surgery is permanant,once it's done you can't go back and undo it.I knew what I wanted for years.I didn't like myself the way I was.for me the gains far outweighed the risks.One more problem you may want to consider is finding a doctor that has delt with hypo gonadal males like us.I have seen two in the last few weeks for hot flushes that are really intense every twenty minutes with no help at all.They just don't understand at all.The one I saw today lectured me for 20 minutes on the awfull effects of not having testosterone.Then tryed to prescribe androgel.If I wanted testosterone I would have kept my nuts.dah!!! she didn't get it either.I agree with sag when he says do the chemical for a time first.One more interesting note is when I talked with dr kimmel he said that one third of the people that make appointments change their minds either before or while they are in the exam room.take care,[twin]