Re: Androgel, etc.

[Guest guest]

" The main issue is ED, apparently caused by the AD meds. "

What antidepressant are you on? Most of them made my ED worse, but

wellbutrin doesn't seem to bother me. I'd forget about prozac or

imiprimine; deseyrel gave me great erections but I couldn't come.

Could you try to stop the antidepressant completely for awhile now

that you're on TRT? I felt more fatigued on antidepressants.

" I recently added some Saw Palmetto, also, as Dr. Shippen says.

Anyone know if this helps? "

I've noticed that saw palmetto helps me to urinate easier and with a

more forceful stream. It works so well I only take it now and then as

needed. I just read that too much estrogen/estradiol can cause

enlarged prostates too; Since starting DIM and reducing my T level,

I haven't had any urinary slowdown recently, I'm guessing because my

E2 level has dropped.

Also, have you tried viagra and yohimbine? Those drugs plus regular

aerobic exercise like mountain biking have eliminated ED for me.

[Guest guest]

My pdoc uses combination drug therapy. Effexor, both for libido and

climaxing, seems to be the worst one for my ED. I am also taking Neurontin

for bipolar, Remeron, and Adderall. And I am taking them all at or near the

maximum dose.

After a few weeks on AG 10 gms., I tried reducing Effexor and Remeron

slightly but felt a sag that I didn't like. I haven't tried reducing since.

I asked my pdoc about reducing the drugs and he thinks that everything that

I'm taking is a component of my improved mood and energy. He doesn't

recommend stopping anything.

Do you know what dose of Saw Palmetto is recommended? I've been taking two

capsules twice a day. It may be helping with the urination. I wonder if it

will help with my ejaculation problem which seems to be partially related to

my prostate as well. What do you mean that you take it " as needed " ?--do your

symptoms gradually return so that an occasional saw palmetto does the job?

Have you tried soy isaflavones to reduce estrogen, as Dr. Shippen mentions?

You mention DIM has helped you. What is that?

I almost bought some Yohimbe but the bottle had a warning, something about

it is not good to take with prescription drugs or psychiatric drugs. Have

you heard why they have that warning? I take Viagra. I still have

problems ejaculating even with it. The thing that works best is Marinol

which they also give to cancer patients to increase appetite. Disadvantages:

It takes 2-4 hrs to kick in which is a buzz like you've smoked a joint.

(Remember sex on weed?) But I don't like feeling spacey and

forgetful--which are already side effects of other ADs that I'm taking. And

there are some withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability with slight

depression, for a couple of days afterward.

Re: Androgel, etc.

" The main issue is ED, apparently caused by the AD meds. "

What antidepressant are you on? Most of them made my ED worse, but

wellbutrin doesn't seem to bother me. I'd forget about prozac or

imiprimine; deseyrel gave me great erections but I couldn't come.

Could you try to stop the antidepressant completely for awhile now

that you're on TRT? I felt more fatigued on antidepressants.

" I recently added some Saw Palmetto, also, as Dr. Shippen says.

Anyone know if this helps? "

I've noticed that saw palmetto helps me to urinate easier and with a

more forceful stream. It works so well I only take it now and then as

needed. I just read that too much estrogen/estradiol can cause

enlarged prostates too; Since starting DIM and reducing my T level,

I haven't had any urinary slowdown recently, I'm guessing because my

E2 level has dropped.

Also, have you tried viagra and yohimbine? Those drugs plus regular

aerobic exercise like mountain biking have eliminated ED for me.

[Guest guest]

" Do you know what dose of Saw Palmetto is recommended? I've been

taking two capsules twice a day. "

I don't know what the recommended amount is. I just notice that my

urine flow increases dramatically and the hesitation at the beginning

goes away about 12 hours or less after taking one-160mg Walgreen's

softgel. Then I don't use it for weeks until I have a weak stream

again.

" Have you tried soy isaflavones to reduce estrogen, as Dr. Shippen

mentions? "

No; I need to try that sometime in the future.

" You mention DIM has helped you. What is that? "

DIM stands for diindolylmethane; it's a plant indole, derived from

cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts,

and cauliflower. I actually take " Diindolin " , which contains both DIM

and " a patented diindolylmethane complex " which is supposed to be a

more bioavailable form. DIM (or Diindolin) helps the liver remove

excess estrogen. The company I get Diindolin from is BioResponse,

Boulder, Colorado 80302. This company owns the patent for the delivery

system they call " Diindolin " , but other companies use the same name

for a product that may not do anything.

" I almost bought some Yohimbe but the bottle had a warning, something

about it is not good to take with prescription drugs or psychiatric

drugs. Have you heard why they have that warning? "

You should get a prescription for " yohimbine " . It's safer and more

uniform than the over-the-counter " yohimbe " , but it can increase

blood pressure and can cause insomnia and anxiety; it's

contraindicated in renal disease. I only take 1/4th of a tablet just

before sex along with viagra; the recommended dose is 3 tablets a day,

which is way too much! Since it's an herb, I'd guess there are

possible drug interactions that haven't been researched, as well as

the problems I mentioned above. I would think a small amount, such as

1/4 tab, wouldn't bother you, but you do seem to be taking alot of

medications. It makes it easier for me to climax and cancels out the

delayed orgasm effect of viagra, as well as increasing the amount of

pre-cum and making me ejaculate farther (it itensifies the climax for

me). Shippen talks about yohimbine and saw palmetto in his book.