Hello!

I am a swedish recovering sex addict which have tried cpa 2 times before and now are trying triptorelin instead.

I am now 3 weeks after having taking triptorelin injection, and my testoserone level is quickly getting down to prepubertal levels.

I like the effect on my libido and my love-life (much more intimate).

But I also have got a little bit of depression-feelings and anxiety.

Do anybody knows if they will stay, or if it will go over after a while?

Is there any way to get a better mood without raising the testoserone level.

My doctor said she will give me some testoserone gel next time we meet to raise my testoserone level to counter these effects, but I don't know if I want to try it that way...

All kinds of advice greatly appreciated!

meramums (imported) wrote: Fri Mar 03, 2006 9:55 am Is there any way to get a better mood without raising the testoserone level.

There might be, but I think the both of you: your doctor and you yourself realise that the cause of your depression and anxiety is the low T level. By the way, how come do you happen to have a depression and anxiety at the same time? I always thought that those things are an opposite of each other.

You might be willing to try low dose estrogen. It may help not only against the problems you currently experiencing, but also against some of the problems that are likely to happen because of the low T levels (i.e. osteoporosis).

As such depression is usually treated with anti-depressants (quite logical, huh? ) the most popular group being SSRI’s (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)[Prozac, Zoloft ,etc]. The effects of such drugs are very individual, so it’s hard to tell what you will end up with.

While anxiety is usually treated with benzodiazepines (Valium [Diazepam], Ativan [Lorazepam] and so on). The effects of all benzos are quite similar, in the long run patients basically end up with don’t-give-a-damn-about-anything attitude.

Psychotherapy is also used for the two problems mentions above, but since in your case you know for a fact that the symptoms are caused by physiological rather than psychological factors I doubt it will be of any help.

Meramums,

Thanks for posting! I can relate to your depression and panic attacks. While you would think the two were the exact opposite, I know from my own experience it is possible to be depressed over a long period, and suffer very brief (few minutes to a few hours?) of panic attacks during that phase.

I think low testosterone can be partly responsible for this - as I know I certainly experienced them after castration. Even now there are brief moments - but there are small things I've found I can do to combat it!

Firstly (and most important!) be physically active! I'm lucky that I cycle to work and am very physically active there. Take up a sport, or go for a walk to the shops or park. Call an old friend you've not spoken to for a while. Or (my personal favourite!) call up a few friends and go drinking! Well, okay ... be careful that it won't interact with any of your medications first!

Obviously, everyone is different and I hope you will find it easier in future. I certainly found that over time I learn more about myself and how to cope with my new body. I'm sure you will too.

thefraj (imported) wrote: Fri Mar 03, 2006 2:38 pm Or (my personal favourite!) call up a few friends and go drinking!

Alcohol is actually a depressant. Trying to fight depression with alcohol is like trying to cure insomnia by drinking coffee

Alfred (imported) wrote: Fri Mar 03, 2006 5:15 pm Alcohol is actually a depressant. Trying to fight depression with alcohol is like trying to cure insomnia by drinking coffee

Hehe, yes okay bad example . I suppose it's more the friends than anything (for me the friends and the alcohol are one and the same! LOL) << [Spoken like a true alcoholic]

Actually, as strange as it sounds eating chocolate can work wonders too. And for anyone with lower T levels - eunuchs and women, it tastes sooooo much better too! Guys really don't know what they're missing! Hehe.

Yeah, hehe, maybe the alcohol was a bad idea though

Do the pubs serve chocolate milkshakes??? Get your friends and chocolate too.

I know the feeling as i have been on permarin since my surgery two years ago and i just ran out.I seam to have more anxiety then i used to have and i dont want that so i will be going back on permarin as sone as i can.Thanks for your post.

Alfred (imported) wrote: Fri Mar 03, 2006 11:52 am There might be, but I think the both of you: your doctor and you yourself realise that the cause of your depression and anxiety is the low T level. By the way, how come do you happen to have a depression and anxiety at the same time? I always thought that those things are an opposite of each other.

Anxiety and depression are not polar opposites. They are commonly found coincidentally. Low testosterone levels have definitely been linked to an increase in levels of depression.

Thanks for all the advice, it has been very helpful!

I just bought a big bar of very dark chocolate, and really feel much better right away!

Will take up my exercise again, even though it won't improve my muscle mass anymore.

Does anyone know if you can keep your muscle mass just by exercising despite chemical castration ?

Or will muscle mass go down anyway ?

meramums (imported) wrote: Sat Mar 04, 2006 5:33 am Does anyone know if you can keep your muscle mass just by exercising despite chemical castration ?

Highly unlikely. But it all depends on a couple of factors:

- muscle mass before the castration

- your exercise program – you will have to work out very hard and on a regular basis

- your testosterone levels – as you use GnRh agonist as a castration agent, you should be left with 1 to 2 nmol/L of T, and since GnRh agonists don’t do anything at the local receptor level those levels may be large enough to keep your current shape