It has been awhile since I have posted. I am considering castration been in this fight since 2015 and would like feedback good and bad.

[farm15]

Castration good idea or bad idea?

[GP24]

Lupron itself does not cause side effects, these are caused by the reduced testosterone and estrogen levels. So you cannot avoid these side effects with orchiectomy. You just avoid the Lupron shot every three months.

[farm15 in reply to GP24]

Thank you for your thoughts. I'm just thinking that it would be less intrusive and more affordable.

[GP24 in reply to farm15]

If you have to pay it out of your pocket, yes, orchiectomy is the cheapest solution. However, should you ever desire to have testosterone again, you will have to add it with cream or pills.

Also, check the testosterone, in a few cases it will not get down to castration level in spite of the surgery. Then the adrenal glands produce more testosterone as expected.

[CSHobie in reply to GP24]

Lupron has plenty of side effects, they don't happen immediately, but don't think that Lupron is the first medication in the world with no additional side effects.

jamanetwork.com/journals/ja...

[Shooter1]

I for one was glad not to be on lupron for life. Just one more reminder of aPca and another thing to schedule into my way to busy life..... Orchiectomy was a no brainer for me...

[Hidden in reply to Shooter1]

Me too shooter .. Off with the juevos ! I’m just glad that the APC isnt actively eating me up from stem to stern like it was when I started this mad-hatters ride .. many men dream of a return of t. Not I . I don’t see that in my cards . Even Dr. Be well brother .

[Shooter1 in reply to Hidden]

Well as can be.... Snuck out Tues, for a Covid shot and Sunday with my daughter for a visit. Both grandsons were out-one working, one playing and son in law off to his folks place. Her hot tub with her, myself , grand daughter and grandson was really nice. great view of snow capped mts. and a (well 2) cold beers was a great break from the isolation we have been practicing. My Flag grandson is here for a visit for undetermined time. When we return him I may be able to sneak down and see you. A visit during the height of the storms with 17 closed off and on just wasn't the right time. Keep the gate closed till I get there and you and Shahrnoosh should be OK.

[Hidden in reply to Shooter1]

Yes Sir . We’re here anytime . Complete quarantine for me since the onset a year ago .. tuff time for kids without a grandpa to hang out with . Your grandkids all benefit from your time with them . I’m very happy for you to get this time with them . It’s awesome .. love you . 🏜🌵✌️

[farm15 in reply to Shooter1]

Thank you for your thoughts.

[Magnus1964]

I did regret the orchiectomy for a time. But looking back I don't any more.

[Hidden in reply to Magnus1964]

I was depressed for six months . But now it’s just a distant thought . Glad I made the move when I did .

[Shooter1 in reply to Hidden]

With aPca any distant thought is good....hang in there.

[Hidden in reply to Shooter1]

😎👍

[tango65]

If you have some cardiovascular issues, Lupron or similar could exacerbate these problems:

urotoday.com/conference-hig...

[Tall_Allen]

Lupron has its own side efects. If you are going to be on Lupron for the rest of your life, why wouldn't you get an orchiectomy?

[StayPositive1 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Hoping for a cure, and...because

[TJGuy in reply to Tall_Allen]

Tall_Allen

Can you list or divide up the side effects that are attributed to Lupron vs those attributed to orchiectomy?

What side effects can one avoid by Lupron alone?

What side effects can one avoid by orchiectomy without Lupron or ADT.

Thanks

[Tall_Allen in reply to TJGuy]

In a retrospective study, compared with those treated with GnRH agonist (like Lupron), patients who received an orchiectomy had significantly lower risks of experiencing:

• any fractures (-23%)

• peripheral arterial disease (-35%), and

• cardiac-related complications (-26%) .

• no statistically significant difference for diabetes and cognitive disorders.

jamanetwork.com/journals/ja...

However, in a randomized clinical trial, fat accumulation was higher for orchiectomy :

bjui-journals.onlinelibrary...

Chemical castration may get testosterone levels lower:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Hidden in reply to Tall_Allen]

👏🏼 bravo

[CSHobie in reply to Tall_Allen]

Tall_AllenI read the report on this, Chemical castration may get testosterone levels lower

How can it be possible, to me this can mean that Subscapular Orchi doesn't get all the T production of the testicles out.

Does this potentially then imply that complete removal of testes will yield lower T levels than Subscapular?

[Tall_Allen in reply to CSHobie]

Perhaps GnRH agonists may also affect to a small degree some non-testicular sources.

[farm15 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thank you for your insight. I am a stage 4 gleason9 metastatic. Prostate gone no sign of erections returning 6 yrs post op. some of the men stated that erections returned mildly after orchiectomy? I always thought all was lost for good after orchiectomy erections orgasms and sex drive.

[Tall_Allen in reply to farm15]

Testosterone is a big contributor to sex drive (libido), but I know 2 guys who are able to have libido while on ADT. Many men can still have erections and orgasms while on ADT, they just don't want to.

[Tall_Allen in reply to Tall_Allen]

You may be interested in this:healthunlocked.com/advanced...

[HamGuy]

I had an Orchy and don't regret it a bit.. Just had some warm overs (not real bad hot flashes) and loss of strength for a while but those have seemed to fade away after some time.. Just remember your sex life will be gone and its not reversible.. But at my age (77) its not an issue. Good Luck..

[farm15 in reply to HamGuy]

Thank you for your reply.

[MMK-XFuture]

Had bilateral orchiectomy, missed them at first, now ok without.

[farm15 in reply to MMK-XFuture]

Thank you.

[CSHobie]

At age 52 I decided to get Bilateral Orchiectomy.

I was on monthly Eligard shots for about 7 months, and I am now post Orchiectomy 3 months.

To those who think Lupron has no side effects of its own, I disagree.

I feel a lot better mentally: less brain fog.

Sexually I noticed a big improvement. To my surprise I now get spontaneous mild erections again.

I don't miss my testes, I feel an improvement.

Unfortunately the zero T effects are the same. But that's what I have to undure for now. I dream of going on BAT, or SPT, but don't know if I can get on that treatment.

[farm15 in reply to CSHobie]

Thank you for your reply. Pardon me if I ask but these post orchiectomy erections are they sexual ? I thought all is lost after this surgery .

[CSHobie in reply to farm15]

Hey, Farm no problem. No need to be afraid to ask here, we speak freely among brothers.

I would not exactly call it erections, but when we are lying in bed and she strokes my penis, and rubs it, etc, there is a firm response. That wasn't there while I was getting Eligard shots. There seems to be more blood flow to the area.

To get an erection for intercourse, I use a very small dose Caverject, or Triple mix, Injection.

[j-o-h-n]

I was gonna make a joke about castration...... but i don't have the balls....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 02/08/2021 6:08 PM EST

[Hidden in reply to j-o-h-n]

Your in the right place then . 😂kind a gives “two scoops” a differ spin .

[j-o-h-n in reply to Hidden]

FunE

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 02/09/2021 12:14 PM EST

[Hidden in reply to j-o-h-n]

😳

[farm15 in reply to j-o-h-n]

😜

[bluesnjazz]

Why??? It would give you NO advantage I've ever seen in research that you can't get from ADT, but on IADT (intermittent) you can likely have a sex life but with castration, it's done! And you cancer will still become "castrate" resistant, as they disgustingly call it, so you've destroyed yourself for naught.

[farm15 in reply to bluesnjazz]

Thank you for your insight. My prostate is gone my erections gone and my sex drive gone and my wallet is on its way out as well. My thought process is I started this journey at 53 I will be 60 this year. I finished a trial of Firmagone once PSA started to clime my Onc. put me on Casadex and lupron . I work as a lead in a high paced 12hr days factory and have for 39 yrs . I would like to apply for SSDI but ins. costs COBRA give me pause and I guess if I have to be castrated anyway perhaps It would be more cost effective.

[Hidden in reply to farm15]

I think SSDI allows access to Medicare. There were a couple of posts on that topic recently.

[farm15 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!

[Hidden in reply to farm15]

NP. I was diagnosed at 53 too.Almost identical to you but I do get erections (75%). I'm hoping to start an ADT vacation in July so when the T returns hopefully the E returns too.

Get a hobby you can focus on.

You're too young to do nothing.

For me it's the gym, bike riding, ice hockey, hiking and gardening.

Update: Breaking j-o-h-n's balz. (favorite hobby)

Good luck.

[j-o-h-n in reply to Hidden]

and breaking my balls.........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 02/10/2021 12:40 PM EST

[SPEEDYX in reply to j-o-h-n]

Castration Always An Option!!!

[j-o-h-n in reply to SPEEDYX]

What about cut and paste?

p.s. Good to see you back.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 02/10/2021 12:46 PM EST

[SPEEDYX in reply to j-o-h-n]

Yea it's been a tough go but getting back into swing of things...going for my 3 month check up tomorrow

[j-o-h-n in reply to SPEEDYX]

Keep you fingers crossed..... but not your eyes, legs, ears and arms........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 02/10/2021 12:54 PM EST

[SPEEDYX in reply to j-o-h-n]

Have to settle for eyes...full of arthritis😄

[j-o-h-n in reply to SPEEDYX]

Geez We all should have arthritis of the little Richards..... (1957 LOL)...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 02/10/2021 1:02 PM EST

[SPEEDYX in reply to j-o-h-n]

And Keith Richard's 2020

[j-o-h-n in reply to SPEEDYX]

STOP IT STOP IT you're gonna drive me f-n crazy..... damn' musicologist....and trivialogist.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 02/10/2021 1:09 PM EST

[j-o-h-n in reply to SPEEDYX]

BTW it's been a pleasure........................ all yours....👀got to beat up the boss now (even day she beats me odd days) see ya

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 02/10/2021 1:16 PM EST

[Hidden in reply to j-o-h-n]

😂

[Hidden in reply to j-o-h-n]

I forgot that hobby...thanks..I'm updating the list...

You haven't responded to Monte's and my posts recently...I think you would like them

[j-o-h-n in reply to Hidden]

I was busy putting my balls back in shape.....

BTW what are you doing up so early I though you were still in drug rehab?....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 02/10/2021 12:57 PM EST

[Hidden in reply to j-o-h-n]

Release for good behavior...and they couldn't stand the sight of me.

What shape are you balz in now? what shape did were they in? Mine are egg shaped...instead of goose egg size they are now hummingbird egg size.

[Hidden in reply to j-o-h-n]

We've been enjoying your book: Thinking for dummies by j-o-h-n.

[j-o-h-n in reply to Hidden]

hahahahhahahahahhahhahahaha

Nothing like the smell of laughter in the afternoon.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 02/10/2021 1:11 PM EST

[j-o-h-n in reply to Hidden]

Got to go..... Adding index to my dummies book.... (blank page)See ya

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 02/10/2021 1:18 PM EST

[farm15]

Thank you for your thoughts. I too saw the bulls getting their junk removed however it was done with a big rubber band and took a couple of weeks at best for them to fall off. did you see a rapid weight gain?

[Hidden in reply to farm15]

I actually started out at 233,but during my first year I went down to 165 during imrt . I was fasting two days of treatment per week . But then I came back to 195 and have stayed here five years . I lost all fat and muscle . I’m the thin man now . I was a skinny kid . I beefed from a teen working out and lifting weights . That all went away first . I eat mostly veggies and Whole Foods .

[CSHobie]

LuLu I echo what you said.

Staring down ADT injections for life, I chose the chop. I was diagnosed at 51, so if it works out, potentially many years of shots.

After several months of shots, as you noted, the balls are dead anyway, and T production will take years to come back, never to previous levels.

If you really need T later in life, it is easy to get a T patch or T Gel.

I also felt a cloud of brain fog clear somewhat after stopping Eligard shots.

[Hidden in reply to CSHobie]

Only time will tell brother . I’ve had almost six years given after a bad start .. try to keep the cart on the path ..😷😳👍