Hi everyone,
This is a big moment for me. Following blood tests three weeks ago my clinician wanted to amend my HRT. This thread is specifically about the anti androgen bicalutamide which they have approved for my usage. First, however, here's my backstory on medication so you get the picture:
The backstory on my anti-androgens is that I had real problems with spironolactone. It span me out with very low blood pressure / hyperkalaemia. So that's a no-no as far as I'm concerned. I'm not going near it again. I also briefly tried androcur which is widely used in the Thai trans community. I didn't enjoy the experience of it. Edit: I've just realised I never took straight Androcur but instead Diane 35. I would certainly never again touch Diane 35 despite it being widely used here as it's proven to be very dangerous. (Please note Susan's comment: 'Providing the community warning of healthrisks to a drug would not be in violation of the ban on discussing this medication.'
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=19242.0)
In terms of DHT inhibitors I've taken finasteride for 18 months which has been brilliant. I did try dutasteride which was pretty horrible: dizziness and other side effects.
So my life with anti-androgens, be they those affecting T directly or indirectly via the more potent DHT, has not been a bed of roses apart from finasteride.
In terms of estrogen, I take estradiol valerate sublingually. My overall E2 level is slightly low, hence my physician's desire to alter my meds. My T level is pretty meaningless because I'm only using a DHT inhibitor but anecdotal effects on my body are considerable e.g. breast enlargement and disappearance of body hair.
So bicalutamide is the next anti androgen to try.
Now, I'll lay my cards out. Not all the advice on this forum is right for everyone. I've had some bad experiences listening too hard to things that I was told here were fine and proved, for me, not to be the case. I suppose something I'd want to emphasise to everyone on Susan's is 1. Your body may not react in the same way as someone else's and 2. Please please please don't self-med. At the bare minimum get tested. Everything should come with a warning and everyone should see a physician.
Here's where I'm at before I pop this pill:
I AM concerned about bicalutamide. This drug, including for this use, is outside the
experience of my physician. It's rarely used, including for HRT and, of course, like most meds we take this isn't its primary purpose. What particularly concerns me is that despite being told (on this forum) that side effects are minimal this does not in fact appear to be the case, even in clinical trials at relatively low dosages:
http://medlibrary.org/lib/rx/meds/casodex-2/http://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancerinformation/cancertreatment/treatmenttypes/hormonaltherapies/individualhormonaltherapies/bicalutamide.aspxBy the way, it appears that bicalutamide
does cross the blood-brain barrier in humans. This wiki article has lots of references which indicate the difference between animals and humans in this regard.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicalutamide#Side_effectshttp://www.jurology.com/article/S0022-5347(01)66709-0/abstractSo I'm kind of scared. I'm thinking of starting an
extremely low dose once every two or three days and watch for the above side effects. Any thoughts gratefully received.
