If I go through with my surgery, and take a small dose of estrogen daily, would I also have to take Fosomax or similar, or would the hormones alone be enough to prevent osteoporosis? I don't mind mild feminization, and estrogen seems to prevent some of the depression and health problems common in those who are castrated and take nothing, so I would be willing to try it. Any thoughts?

Well I am one that is not taking HRT of any kind, and I take fosomax once a week. Its a good idea one way or the other that you get a bone scan before or soon after surgery. This will give you and the Dr a bench mark then check it again in a couple of years if everything is ok.

River

While I have had castration, I am also on estrogens too. Both my doctors feel it is not needed to check calcium levels while taking estrogens.

For you a small dose of estrogens may be helpful in warding off things such as osteoporosis and hot flashes. If mild feminization is not your thing, perhaps taking a large dose of calcium (1,500 mg daily) and a moderate exercise program may do.

Be aware that no matter what, you are going to go through a period of adjustment with either route. That is to say you will experience some depression issue until your body adjust to the new hormone level, HRT or no HRT.

Not Afraid, Do Females on HRT take Calcium? My Endo Dr. has not mentioned it,Im on 3mgs Estradiol 2 times daily.Still having flashes (started on Indole 3 carbinol 150 mgs ) to ballance Estradiol or take care of the flashes in having,Seems much worse. Think I need more Estradiol. Wonder what the max is?.Would say go ahead & start the Female Hormones. Think that you will benefit. dl

That is a pretty high dose of estradiol already. I believe that the recommended pre-op dose is 4 mg a day in divided doses. I don't know if you're post-surgery or not, but 6 mg is pretty high, and if you're no longer in possession of testicles, you don't need anywhere near that amount. 1 or 2 mg a day should do it. If you're having problems, it's probably because your estrogens are too high.

WeRNotAfraid (imported) wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2004 4:18 am That is a pretty high dose of estradiol already. I believe that the recommended pre-op dose is 4 mg a day in divided doses. I don't know if you're post-surgery or not, but 6 mg is pretty high, and if you're no longer in possession of testicles, you don't need anywhere near that amount. 1 or 2 mg a day should do it. If you're having problems, it's probably because your estrogens are too high.

If you think that's high, I'm on 8 mg/day Estradiol tabs, plus a bi-weekly injection of 10 mg/ml Delestrogen. I also take 200 mg/day Spironolactone. I am post-castrated 8 months now.

I've heard oral estrogen doses up to 12 mg/day. It all depends on how your body reacts to the medications. I get blood work done ever 6 months for hormone levels. I should know next week some time the results of the latest tests.

dl_mooney (imported) wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2004 11:41 pm Not Afraid, Do Females on HRT take Calcium? My Endo Dr. has not mentioned it,Im on 3mgs Estradiol 2 times daily.Still having flashes (started on Indole 3 carbinol 150 mgs ) to ballance Estradiol or take care of the flashes in having,Seems much worse. Think I need more Estradiol. Wonder what the max is?.Would say go ahead & start the Female Hormones. Think that you will benefit. dl

Both of my doctors feel that calcium is not an issue with me so long as I am on female hormones.

Do you find that estradiol makes you sick? I started off on ethinyl estradiol (Estinyl) but switched later to estradiol after I started to self-medicate. The estradiol gave me the queasies, something that the Estinyl never did. I don't really want feminization; I will be taking the estrogen soley to prevent osteoporosis and to not be completely hypogonadal, with all of it's downsides. I just don't know how much to take. Unless I can get my doctor to prescribe it again, I will have to get it from Inhouse Drugstore. I hear the minimum dose post-op to maintain bone mass is 1-2 mg. Should I start with the 2 and work down to 1, or try 1 first and see if I need to go up? I don't know.

WeRNotAfraid (imported) wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2004 10:03 am Do you find that estradiol makes you sick? I started off on ethinyl estradiol (Estinyl) but switched later to estradiol after I started to self-medicate. The estradiol gave me the queasies, something that the Estinyl never did. I don't really want feminization; I will be taking the estrogen soley to prevent osteoporosis and to not be completely hypogonadal, with all of it's downsides. I just don't know how much to take. Unless I can get my doctor to prescribe it again, I will have to get it from Inhouse Drugstore. I hear the minimum dose post-op to maintain bone mass is 1-2 mg. Should I start with the 2 and work down to 1, or try 1 first and see if I need to go up? I don't know.

There is that chance that most medications might upset your stomach at first until you get used to them. The documentation that comes with the drug will tell you the side effects. With any prescription drug it's best to have a doctor monitor you, but if you are going to self-medicate, then you should start at the lowest level. If that is not effective after severals weeks, then you should increase the dose. Give yourself at least 4-6 weeks at a given dose before changing it. Estradiol is the strongest of the oral medications and it is prefered by most doctors for monitoring hormone levels.

Thanks Christina & NotAfraid.Estradiol doesnt bother my stomach,usually take it a hour before Breakfast & Dinner meal.Want the full benefit of it.It can be taken after meals Good luck dl