Orchi needed?

[KatieP]

Hello All,
I should probably read A LOT more of the threads in this sub-forum before I actually ask questions, and this may be thw wrong sub-forum to ask in, but being the impatient sort (and having read all 14 pages of Devlyn's thread), I thought I would ask anyway:

It seems like most people have the Orchi so as to not produce T and to not have to take some AA. What if you had to take some diuretic for other reasons, so you were going to take Spiro anyway, and your T levels were really low. Would you still do the Orchi?

Short background: I have been on E for about 30 years. I always sort of figured I was non-Op for lots of reasons. I have not really felt my testicles in a LONG time. If I stick my finger up there, I can feel that there is something in there. At best, they are pea sized. But they have not been in a place to be able to grab them in about forever. Last labs, T (Total) was 14 ng/dl, and the one before that was 3 ng/dl. (And the increase is explained by having added Finasteride right after the 3 ng/dl.) So, I literally never think about testicles, they never get in the way, and apparently they don't produce much of anything.

Were you in this situation, would you still have had the Orchi?

Thanks for your insights!

Kate

[Colleen_definitely]

I really don't think I would bother at that point.  If you're on a blood pressure control dose of spiro you wouldn't be gaining freedom from it, and after 30 years of being on estrogen there's a good chance you may never need an AA again so long as you keep the estradiol levels up.

[AnneK]

I'm in a bit different situation.  I'm going to an endocrinologist next week, for HRT.  However, I've been on dutasteride for a couple of years, so there shouldn't be a need for another anti-androgen.

[StacyRenee]

After 30 years you could probably skip the AAs. I've heard that Spiro can also block estrogen receptors to a lesser extent. That's why I chose to get the orchiectomy. Since my orchi three months ago I've already seen a noticeable increase in breast size! (My orchiectomy was at 22 months of HRT. )

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[Linde]

I needed a diuretic because E caused my feet and lower legs to swell (Edema), and I needed a testosterone blocker.  I took finasteride for about 5 years already, but for a different reason, Independent from the trans thing.

I had an orchi (partially justified because of a seemingly chronic inflammation of the testes.).  Anyway, after the orchi I stopped to take spiro (because it's potassium sparing character started to mess with my brain) and finasteride.
I am now taking a pretty common diuretic that has hardly any side effects, and it seems to work well.

I have very low T now (5 ng/dl).  About 3 weeks after the orchi I started to feel way more feminine than ever before, and I still have this feeling, almost as if I am a cis woman (they tell me that they have the same kind of feeling.
I love it that the orchi freed me of those other chemicals and gives me the feeling I want.

I don't know what to recommend, if your insurance covers the cost, I would do it, just for the reasons I am enjoying!

[StacyRenee]

I am now taking a pretty common diuretic that has hardly any side effects, and it seems to work well.

Which diuretic is it that you take. After 27 years of smoking, I'm getting the early stages of vascular disease and am starting to have edema. The Spiro worked well for it, but now that I'm off it, the edema is coming back. When I asked my hormone doctor about a new diuretic, she just pushed back that I needed to quit smoking (again).

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[Tessa James]

A very personal decision for you, of course.  One of my most significant reasons for an orchi was to make my changes permanent!  No more spiro is nice but i agonized about the possibilities of not having ready access to medications and the nightmarish possibilities of any return of that guy.

I feel complete and assured at this point, no going back!

Good luck with your choices.

[Linde]

Which diuretic is it that you take. After 27 years of smoking, I'm getting the early stages of vascular disease and am starting to have edema. The Spiro worked well for it, but now that I'm off it, the edema is coming back. When I asked my hormone doctor about a new diuretic, she just pushed back that I needed to quit smoking (again).

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Your endo is a very wise person, but on the other hand, all of us medical professionals are very wise! Aren't we?
I quit smoking for good about 35 years ago, it thus has no influence on my edema.  E is clearly the culprit for me!  i did not have it prior to HRT, I have it now!
I am currently taking Furosemide twice daily, and I wear compression knee highs whenever I have to sit for longer periods of time.
You may want to talk to an internist about your edema, endos are not the top specialists on that stuff!

[KatieP]

A very personal decision for you, of course.  One of my most significant reasons for an orchi was to make my changes permanent!  No more spiro is nice but i agonized about the possibilities of not having ready access to medications and the nightmarish possibilities of any return of that guy.

I feel complete and assured at this point, no going back!

Good luck with your choices.

THAT is a very good point!!! Thank you!!!

For most of my "coming out" I have done things that had no way back, one way, then burn the bridge. There is much to say for that strategy...

Thanks again for the wisdom, ALL of you!!

Kate

[krobinson103]

For me it was about burning the bridge back. I already had female level e and t and was on Luprin which is a very good AA/inhibitor. With them gone (apart from some ongoing nerve pain) I feel free.