Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: racjen on October 03, 2017, 04:59:43 PM
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I was prescribed testogel (the usual pea-sized blob daily) alongside Evorel patches and utrogestan, as both my oestrogen and testosterone levels are very very low after chemotherapy for breast cancer. Been using the Testogel for a week and have had to stop as it's been making me desperately depressed. Didn't use it this morning and felt much better within a couple of hours. I've scoured the web and can't find any reason why this should be happening; ideas anybody? HAs anyone out there had a similar experience? I was really hoping T would help with low-level depression, anxiety, insomnia etc. so feeling pretty gutted right now.
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Did your Oncologist prescribe the testogel?
Sometimes hormones can upset the whole body, Tamoxifen almost killed me ........
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No not my oncologist, private GP who specialises in Women's Health and Menopause. I'm not on anything like tamoxifen as my tumour was triple negative.
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Not for you then ? :bighug:
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Racjen I switched from testogel to testim because I didn't get on with it. Worked it out it was probably the fillers in testogel that were the problem. I'm fine on testim. I do only use a tiny blob though (pearl sized) my body doesn't like too much - each tube lasts me 3 weeks. How much are you using? and maybe try the less is more approach x
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How do you know its the gel making you depro could just be coincedence I really do not think that is one of the side effects.
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Thanks peri, I might try that. Only trouble is it's private prescription so that'll be another 40 or 50 quid on a whole box when I have no idea whether it'll be any better. I'm using 1 sachet over 10 days so maybe I should try halving that first. I suspect with me though it may be some strange quirk of brain chemistry - this felt exactly the same as the reaction I had to anti-depressants a few years ago. Maybe my brain just doesn't like outside interference!
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Cassie - It was pretty obvious - came on gradually over the week I was on it and disappeared within hours of stopping it. I may try it again in a week or two's time to check, but I have no doubt that was the cause. I don't think it's a side-effect as such, I think it's just something to do with the way my brain chemistry works (unfortunately).
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I think that you need to discuss this with your Oncologist/Surgeon. You really shouldn't need to pay for treatment.
How R U today?
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I'm a bit better thanks - managed to go to work and lasted till 4pm, now at home distracting myself with crap TV. I agree that it should be up to my Oncologist or surgeon to deal with this, but they just don't seem to have the in depth knowledge - all they offer is standard HRT and/or anti-depressants. I have a check-up with my oncologist later this month so will bring it up with him, but I don't hold out much hope.