casodex ?

[alex1234]

Thanks for the information .. it is very useful.

I only take 50mg per day and I still have my testes. I am not interested by a feminisation effect. What I want is a reduction of my libido.

So what I understand of all this is that such a small dose of bicalutamide will only make my testes work harder to produce more testosterone to overcome the blockage and overall there will be no effect on my libido. on top of that it will have a feminisation effect that I do not want. Is my understanding correct ?

I have been taking casodex for just over a week now. I do feel some effect. My libido seams to be reduced a bit but not completely. I also seams to feel more join pain but I suppose this is an effect of the withdrawal of the testosterone.

If I understood correctly the post from helsinki, I should see an increase of my libido instead of a reduction .. and this is not what I am feeling now. I will continue to take it for now and see if it helps.

feel free to comment.

Thanks
-alex

[alex1234]

I figured I would give an update ...

I took casodex 50mg/day for a little bit over 2 months.
The first couple of weeks were uncomfortable ... but after about 3 or 4 weeks I started to see an effect (decreased libido ).
after 7 weeks that effect seams to disappear and I started to notice a slight growth and tenderness of the breast. I did some research again and started to understand better some of the previous comments on this thread.
I also found the following article which is very interesting:
http://www.prostate-cancer.org/educa...notherapy.html

Casodex seams indeed to have a high chance (60%) of causing breast growth.

This is not something I am looking forward and it seams it was well on it's way for me ... so I went to see my md again.
My second blood test (2 months after the first one) showed a slight increase in the T level.

He switched me to Androcur 50mg/day. I know it's not a very high dose ... but the announced goal is just to "reduce" my libido. This was just a month ago and so far it has had the intended effect, even if i see some up and some down. Missing a dose seams to have an effect 24 hours later.

Questions:
Can I expect any long lasting effect with just 50mg/day ?
I know the recommendation it to take 100mg for one or two months and then reduce to 50mg. What can I expect with just 50mg ?

Also is there any danger in taking Casodex and Androcur at the same time and what would be the effect? (I still have over 2 months supply of casodex)?

thanks
-Alex

[bobbie]

Do not know about anyone taking both casodex and androcur. The fact that you had mixed results with the casodex, think 50mg of androcur will have the same effect. You are on the young side so your hormones should still be in the normal area. With that in mind 100mg or 150mg may be needed. Stay at one level for a while. Since you are under a doctors care you can use his recommendations on dose. Blood test is the only real way to know just how well the drug is working for you. Reducing testosterone will most often have some change in the breasts no matter what drug you take.

The only way to know just how castration will effect you is a test drive. You can read and talk to many people about the effects. Living them is far different. Wish you luck in your quest. You are one of the lucky ones to be under a doctors care. Keep us informed.

[ramses]

Wy not add Tamoxafen? It can stop breast growth and stunt you libido even further while giving you some health benefits for the bones.

[alex1234]

small update ...

I suggested Tamoxafen to my dr a few days ago and his response is that it has several side effects. Beside most often it helps when started at the same time than the anti androgen ... and it has little effect if started months after. I didn't insist.

I have been on Androcur for about 4 months now ... (after taking Casodex for more than 2 months before that). Just go a new prescription of Androcur. Still 50mg / day.

I am feeling the effect on my mood (lack of interest, slight depression, mood swing..) as well as on my body (less energy / strength). It still feels manageable so far.

I continue to appreciate the reduced libido.

My only concern is the development of small breasts. The area was very sensitive with Casodex but no longer since I started Androcur .. I hope it won't continue to grow. It's difficult to evaluate if it continued growing over the past few months. My measurement shows an increase of 1 inch for my chest circumference since the beginning ... so it is still not a real issue and i am probably the only one noticing it.

-alex

[Robster88]

Hi Alex,

You mention that your libido has been reduced. Can you give us more specifics about how big of an impact the meds have had?

[alex1234]

Hi Robster,

Here is a list of the few changes I have noticed:

- spontaneous erections are now very rares. I am still able if I want to but it takes a little bit more will and effort.

- almost dry... still able to get a few drops but I have been masturbating once every 2 or 3 weeks instead of every day.

After the first few weeks, after I started androcur I was able to get the same amount but it was very liquid and clear ... not at all what it used to be. Since it was almost like water, it even looked like it was actually more than before and in any case it was much more difficult to control (it is not "thick". so it just flow down).

It all changed over the past month or so and I now get a very small amount (few drops) and not so liquid. I am not sure how to interpret the change over time.

- very slight reduction of the volume of my tests. Several time it felt like there was a beginning of reduction but since I had taken precise measurements on day 1, it was easy to compare and I always saw there was no real change. For the first time, a couple weeks ago I noticed a reduction of the size of 1/8 inches on both sides. Both length and width.

- The main effect and the one I was looking for is that the will and need to engage in anything sexual has greatly diminished. It used to be a necessity to masturbate and I feel like I am now free of it. I can still have some fun if I feel like it but it is no longer an obsession.

I suppose it all depend on what each of us is looking for. I needed to remove my dependency on porn and masturbation and it is clearly a success. I feel like it has been worth the "price".

I am a little bit worried about the lack of energy and strength. A few times I actually felt a bit weak and I am afraid my muscles are starting to reduce. I have been trying to exercise more to compensate. It takes more effort to be able to accomplish the same.

I didn't have a blood test since I started Androcur 4 months ago. My next blood test is scheduled just before I see the dr again in 5 months. I have no idea how down my T level is now. However since I have been taking just a small dose (50mg/day) and it has not been that long, I doubt I am that low. But since the effect I am looking for is there, I am considering reducing the dose even further ... like taking a pill every odd day. The pill is small ... not sure how easy it is to cut one in two and just take an half every day.

I would be interested to know if others have been seeing the same effects and what they did about it.

Thanks
-alex