Thanks so much Lucie x

For those following or coming to this thread in subsequent weeks I found a couple more quite interesting links. The second of the two is a kind of what's-what of bicalutamide:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/22272

Clicking through the tabs tells you almost everything about it:

http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB01128#pharmacology

Thanks for the links Richenda.

All the links you provided of side-effects with bicalutamide are at higher doses, sometimes quite high. One cannot assume those same side-effects will occur at lower doses and in a population with different characteristics. Apples and oranges.

I know several transwomen who've taken bicalutamide with no such side-effect but individuals do vary in their response (I agree with you), of course. I also took it for several months and had no complications from it. I took low doses.

Quote from: KayXo on June 15, 2016, 01:12:22 PMI also took it for several months and had no complications from it. I took low doses.

Took it for YEARS . . . and I'm still 'ticking'!!!

As a further warning to anyone going down the 'oh its fine because it's just a low dose' meme ... the half life of bicalutamide is 7 days. That means that most people taking lower doses are likely to build up high levels of serum bioavailabilty, negating the argument.

It's also important to mention that some of the links I provide suggest potentially serious (fatal) side effects at low doses. If you have a reaction, such as my interstitial lung infection, it doesn't matter how small the dose is.

This drug is untested in the MtF population. Sure, it may be fine for some people (great to see Kiera) but I urge people to exercise caution. It's a very powerful and potentially dangerous drug.

Quote from: Richenda on June 16, 2016, 12:50:18 AM
As a further warning to anyone going down the 'oh its fine because it's just a low dose' meme ... the half life of bicalutamide is 7 days. That means that most people taking lower doses are likely to build up high levels of serum bioavailabilty, negating the argument.

Levels will still be less than if higher doses are taken, more so if taken once every 2-3 days as doctors may sometimes prescribe it.

QuoteIt's also important to mention that some of the links I provide suggest potentially serious (fatal) side effects at low doses.

Of all the links provided, I have seen none showing side-effects at doses under the minimum dose prescribed for men with prostate cancer. That's what I mean by low doses. These are VERY low doses.

It is, however, important to be aware of potential side-effects and of alternatives that may be safer. Thank you for bringing this all up and further educating us. Overall though, I consider bicalutamide to be quite safe and serious side-effects to be quite rare, noted at higher doses.

Personally, based on everything I've read so far, I think that if one sticks to bio-identical estradiol and progesterone, this is the safest route. As always, consult your doctor.

Quote from: KayXo on June 16, 2016, 09:35:44 AM
Personally, based on everything I've read so far, I think that if one sticks to bio-identical estradiol and progesterone, this is the safest route.

Kay, do you mean estradiol+progesterone+bicalutamide or estradiol+progesterone without any AA ?

QuoteAs always, consult your doctor.

AFAIK in my country no endocrinologist know bicalutamide (casodex). Urologists only know it, but they don't want to prescribe it for HRT. 

Quote from: Lucie on June 16, 2016, 11:31:11 AM
Kay, do you mean estradiol+progesterone+bicalutamide or estradiol+progesterone without any AA ?

I meant no anti-androgen at all.

Quote from: KayXo on June 16, 2016, 11:33:29 AM
I meant no anti-androgen at all.

I agree, all anti-androgens have more or less serious adverse effects.

That's the position I've arrived at which is quite frustrating. I know some people seem fine on anti-androgens and all power to them: genuinely I'm happy that they're okay. But I've had a tough time with the things.

I'm booked in next month for my orchiectomy so no more AAs after that.

As anti-androgens go spironolactone is on the " WHO list of essential meds " for a reason, it has been widely prescribed for its diuretic and blood pressure benefits for the last 50 yrs. Obviously it does not work for everyone because of the potential side effects but i would bet its overall success rate is very high.

It makes me wonder if some people like yourself, do not have a special sensitivity to it. My blood work has consistently come back with a very little rise in potassium levels. I experience the thirst and salt craving that is about all.

Best of luck with your orchie - i hope to have the same sometime in the next couple of years.

Thanks so much Robyn for your good wishes. I think you're right about sensitivity. Curiously though I've now been put on low dose Androcur and so far I feel fine. If so, that will be the first true anti androgen that has worked for me. Anyway, it's temporary as in 6 weeks I'm having the orchie. The thinking is to try and keep my T and E levels near to female range so that when the testicles disappear it's not such a big shock to the system.

If anyone on here has been professionally prescribed bicalutamide then I've a load, properly sourced, that I shall never use again because a) I hate the drug and b) I'm having an orchiectomy. PM me.

Please note the italicised words.

As you know, they're hellishly expensive so I'll hang on to them cold stored for a few more months then flush them away.