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early signs of gynecomastia

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Posted 6/10/2015 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
I'm getting tenderness in nipple area and some breast growth. In a Myers video he says it can be treated (maybe he means controlled) with Cabergoline, Femara, or Rimidex. I'd be interested to know experiences of anybody using any of these. Do they shrink the existing growth, slow the growth, stop the growth?

I had blood tests this morning so I'll know T and DHT levels later this week. I presume Avodart is the cause. T was 687 and DHT 5 last month. T is 30% above my pre-treatmant level. I'm on Casodex 3x per week too.

Thanks
Posted 6/11/2015 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
10 mg tamoxifen/day can prevent it. Once it's occurred, you'll want to increase that to 20 mg/day. Don't let it go too long because it gets increasingly harder to get rid of the longer it's been in place.

I agree with you that Avodart is the cause - it blocks one of the two testosterone metabolic pathways, and the other is via estrogen - so estrogen may build up. The tamoxifen will block estrogen's effect on breast tissue, while allowing it to be used elsewhere. Femara and Arimidex aren't good choices because it prevents estrogen too completely - and you need some to maintain good health, sexual function, and possibly help fight the cancer. Cabergoline will increase dopamine, which has its own SEs.

- Allen
Posted 6/11/2015 6:14 AM (GMT 0)
good luck to you
Posted 6/11/2015 7:37 AM (GMT 0)
Tender nipples was how I found out that I was T deficient. It was also one of the "prompts" for me to have my PSA checked.
.
Posted 6/11/2015 8:43 AM (GMT 0)
I've had a tender and swollen left nipple for years, only the left. Ever since the Orchiectomy it's completely disappeared, swelling and tenderness, nipple is still there! Go figure! I was expecting the opposite.

Cheers, Doug
Posted 6/11/2015 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
I've used both Arimidex and Tamoxifen to prevent this problem, with good success.

This is part of my testosterone replacement therapy and unrelated to prostate cancer.

I've never tried not using them while on testosterone to see if I would have problems. But, the two meds are cheap and cause me no side effects at all.
Posted 6/11/2015 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
I know we want to control our girlish figures, but I thought we also were trying to keep our T-Levels down to keep the beast at bay.

So why would we be on testosterone replacement therapy?
Posted 6/11/2015 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
I want to be on TRT. I wasn't suggesting it for anyone else. But, I wanted to put my usage of those drugs into context.

I was simply saying that I have had no gynecomastia problems and I've had no side effects from two drugs that can reduce the likelihood of developing it.

The original poster did not have low testosterone (level of 687), and it sounded like the same drugs I use might be of help to him.
Posted 6/11/2015 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
... And I appreciate your feedback on the drugs. I went back to an earlier Myers video where he addresses the Avodart side effect of gynecomastia. In that one he suggests Tamoxifen, and also Cabergoline because it combats another cause of gynecomastia, prolactinemia. It's not clear to me how he would know which drug to use unless he sends me for more tests. He said it also increases sexual drive, probably because of its effect on dopamine. I think that's an item targeted by some antidepressants. I've had success with Nefazodone which I'm thinking of starting again. It's cheap and would make Avodart more effective so I could cut back on the expensive drug, and maybe get a boost to my spirits as a bonus. I did some research on Tamoxifen and it seems it has been used safely for this purpose for a dozen or so years at 20mg/day.
Posted 6/12/2015 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
I asked my medonc about getting on Tamoxofen and he was reluctant to prescribe it because it could cause heart disease in men. Is this correct or is he misinformed? I appreciate any links you guys can provide to help present my case to him. I see him next week. Thanks

Ed
Posted 6/12/2015 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
I don't think it will cause heart disease, but thrombosis is a legitimate possible concern. It hasn't been reported as an adverse event, but that doesn't mean it never could. Maybe a good idea to take a baby aspirin with it.

Here are a few references to keep him busy:

Tamoxifen for the management of breast events induced by non-steroidal antiandrogens in patients with prostate cancer: a systematic review

A randomized trial comparing tamoxifen therapy vs. tamoxifen prophylaxis in bicalutamide-induced gynecomastia.

Efficacy of tamoxifen and radiotherapy for prevention and treatment of gynaecomastia and breast pain caused by bicalutamide in prostate cancer: a randomised controlled trial

Prevention of Gynecomastia and Breast Pain Caused by Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Prostate Cancer: Tamoxifen or Radiotherapy?

- Allen
Posted 6/12/2015 12:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Allen, good info

Ed
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