everything got worse for me from taking the progesterone,my dick went 100% numb,anxiety went into overdrive,i even got sides id never had before,very dry skin and horrible pain in my balls,and lost quite a bit hair,it took me around 4 months to get back to where i was before trying it,4 months of pure hell believe me,if taking finasteride was the stupidest thing ive ever done then taking progesterone comes second,messing around with your hormones is crazy,i should have learned that from finasteride,like everyone else i was just desperate to be cured,ive seen some write on here that they’ve got nothing to lose by trying this that and the other and that things cant get any worse,well believe me they can get much worse by pumping more hormones into yourself etc…
I think as i’ve said before its a tricky balancing situation. Progesterone not only is a 5 alpha reductase inhibitor but it potentially increases prolactin, and potentially reduces AR signalling and AR expression.
Some people experience only negative effects like robbo whilst there have been 2 people with very positive effects. I’m somewhere in-between. Negative effects i get are dry skin, increased fatigue (this gets quite bad), water retention. Libido varies. First two times i tried it i had improvements but this time (admittedly this time it was only a few days) no real change.
We know we have reduced neurosteroids and progesterone metabolites and testosterone metabolites in the brain. By taking progesterone we shut down the testosterone element even more but increase progesterone. Progesterone also has anti-oxidant capabilities.
I think we need to increase progesterone and testosterone and 5AR in the brain. I’m not sure if deprenyl is helpful.
Prolactin inhibits GnRH. GnRH raised testosterone. So if we raise dopamine via deprenyl, we will inhibit prolactin and raise testosterone.
Not sure…
ADHD medication such as Ritalin or Adderall also works by affecting dopamine in the brain and yet it doesn’t change symptoms - at least I haven’t heard of it? Adderall is a dopamine release agonist, whereas Ritalin is a dopamine reuptake inhibitor. Thus they both increase the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Rightio Gentleman…
Progress so far has been amazing, it has not been with its ups and downs but as of today I feel almost 70%-80% cured. This protocol is definitely working for me on all fronts except testicular size (which I really don’t care too much about given that everything is now on the up). I feel so relieved I cannot describe how it feels.
I actually cracked a spontaneous boner 4 times today after receiving some dirty txt’s from a chick i’ve been banging for a while now. To date that has never happened in my past 1.5 years as a Eunuch lol.
Current Protocol:
- Progesterone 5mg daily
- Pregnenolone 50mg daily (100mg on really stressful days)
- Calcium (1000mg) + Magnesium (500mg) + Zinc (25mg) daily
- Boron 6mg daily
- Vitamin D 5000iu daily
- And to quote light at the end: Positive attitude with a steadfast resolve (as light of the end once put it to me, this is critical as I cannot stress how important a psychological recovery is to a physiological one). get your stress and cortisol under control or nothing will work for you!!
I actually believe this issue has got nothing to do with androgen insensitivity or anything like that. It’s about re-establishing the Cholesterol Hormonal Pathway. My blood test pre-protocol indicated Low-normal Total T, Very Low Free T, High-normal SHBG, and high-normal Estradiol.
On first glance everything is in range so it seems normal to the untrained and idiot doctors out there, but as you know it is far from it. My GP had also ordered some lipid tests and i noticed something very strange. My Total Cholesterol was well under the lower limit on the reference range.
If you’re cholesterol is extremely low, your body does not have the raw materials required to produce sex steroids.
The pathway Cholesterol->Pregnenolone->Progesterone->DHEA-Testosterone->E+DHT is lacking in raw materials and has a cascasde effect all the way down to the primal sex steroids (T,E,DHT). I urge you all to get your lipid profile checked and see if this is the same with you!
By way of reason than re-establishing the entire pathway is the way to go. With our foundation in tatters how can we expect to function? I will also be adding DHEA at a starting dose of 25 mg to speed things up. I believe that supplementing the pre-cursor hormones along with Vitamin D and CoQ10 (supplement that assists the enzymatic system) and 1000mg of Omega3s (Fish Oil) as supporting aids is the right way to begin. I’ve just purchased these supplements and MACA+Tongkat Ali from Biovea as well (just throwing some more shit into the mix, cant hurt at this point)
I’ve definitely passed the major hurdle of this nightmare. I expect a few more speed bumps ahead but I am %100 certain now this protocol is the way to go.
Also, Please give it at least 2 months before you throw in the towel. I believe this is a long and steady progression to recovery and homeostasis, not an overnight whiz-bang quick-fix.
I can honestly see myself on this protocol for the next 6 months at minimum.
Cutting back the caffeine has also helped me tremendously, and going for quick 10 minute jogs and doing really light weights in the gym has been speeding up recovery. I’ve been eating alot of meat and veggies lately and in the past 2 weeks throwing some high cholesterol foods such as eggs, bacon i.e. high cholesterol foods into the mix. Also drink plenty of water to get all those chemical reactions between hormones to speed up!
Count me as the next person on this thread who is claiming genuine recovery.
Beekay
Supplementation of Pregnenolone can have steroid-like effects and the overall impact on the body is not fully understood yet, be careful with the doses.
In this article raysahelian.com/pregnenolone.html Ray Sahelian recommends a much lower dosage
pill or cream? brand?
i also noticed that when i eat cholesterole food like eggs, i feel better.
Bekay, are you taking Progesterone and Pregnenolone pills or cream? Which brands?
I get all my goods from Biovea as per light at the end. Progesterone = cream, Pregnenolone = pills
- Progesterone 5mg daily
- Pregnenolone 50mg daily (100mg on really stressful days)
- Calcium (1000mg) + Magnesium (500mg) + Zinc (25mg) daily
- Boron 6mg daily
- Vitamin D 5000iu daily
Beekay,
Do you plan to be on your protocol for life or do you expect to taper off over time? Also, you mentioned poor sleep in some of your earlier posts. Do you feel that your protocol has had a positive effect on your sleep? If so, how has it changed? Finally, have you had any blood work since being on the protocol to see if your T, Free T and SHBG levels have improved?
Thanks again for posting your success. Hope everything sticks.
Beekay- i noticed you also cycled HCG and clomid in the past. Do you think any of your improvements are attributable to that? Or do you think the progesterone / pregenalone combo is the reason? Is your erection strength improving? General energy levels?
Ohio Guy:
I’m due for a blood test next monday morning. With my crazy schedule with work it has been almost impossible for me to take some time out however next will i will be getting tested. Will post my results. the Key indicators for me will be SHBG, Free T and Total Cholesterol. I don’t intend to be on this protocol for life, at some point i will taper off and see how my body functions on its own. That being said, if it ends up being that I have to stay on this protocol indefinitely, I don’t really care as its very easy and inexpensive for me to maintain.
Finatruth:
I think the HCG / Clomid helped me out whilst I was on it. But returned to baseline when I got off it. Unfortunately staying on HCG / Clomid is unsustainable over the long term. Without a doubt in my mind the current protocol is the reason for my continued and persistent recovery. All symptoms except testicular size have improved dramatically.
Hope this helps!
Beekay
Beekay- thats fantastic news. Just a few questions, and I have to ask because obviously everyone is subjective when asked how they feel. When you say dramatically can you tell us how. For example, I have done nothing in 15 months, and have setbacks, but a steady slow upward pace of feeling better. Nocturnals and AM erections, but very weak. Random erections only occasionally. Muscle (sub cutaneous fat) loss in my lower legs and lower arms, bloating, red dry skin, fatigued muscles etc.
So if you could, in jus the short time that you have used this protocol, can you give me an indication of how dramatic your improvements are. For instance I can say without a doubt I have had improvements, but you say dramatic.
Beekay,
Thanks for the response. Could you also comment on your sleep and any improvements that might coincide with your protocol?
Thanks.
Thought I would post this because of the overall significance I experienced. Could be a coincidence but in any event. Last night applied 15-20 mg of progesterone cream to my neck. On my way to work had a random erection that lasted about 15 minutes and was pretty sustained , gonna continue with use for a few months
Finatruth. definitely not my former self but I actually got libido now, can get hard pretty easily without much effort, sex is no issue. No depression / very very minimal anxiety, havent had a panic attack since i’ve been on this protocol. Heaps more energy drive and motivation. Still get quite fatigued occassionally when im overworked and stressed, but i’ve had a pretty rough ride over the last year and a half so definitely some adrenal fatigue in there. Still get clockwork nocturnal and morning wood and definitely some extra spontaneous wood which is occuring more and more often.
OhioGuy i’ve got back into a really good routine with sleep. Going to bed earlier and waking up nice and early too, sleeping very comfortably. Have not woken up with that feeling of dread for over a month. The world just seems a nicer and friendlier place lol.
I’ve had shit loads of good fortune happen to me recently financially and career wise as well so my mind-set is in the right place and has coincided perfectly with the improvements from this routine. Plus the girlfriend has been very supportive and loving and doesnt think i’m a kook lol. Plus i’m chilling out for a month until I start my new job + heading for a week holiday beginning tomorrow so good shit is happening!
Just give the protocol a go, if it works for you then all the more better - its working for me and has me convinced im on the right path. If it doesn’t then you’ve lost nothing! Just make sure to stick with it and not throw in the towel after a week or 2. Give it at least 2 months until you start noticing some improvement, and stop testing your shit out so much. Gotta let the boys having some breathing space. I’ll also be doing some lab work tomorrow to further cement my belief in this protocol. Hopefully the numbers are what i expect them to be and correlate the improvement in my symptoms. What i’ll be looking at will be Total Cholesterol, Total Test, Free Test, SHBG, E2, HDL, LDL, Pregnenolone, Progesterone, DHEA-S, Cortisol particularly. Hopefully LH and FSH will have improved somewhat as well.
Will keep you guys posted, i’ll check back in this time next week.
Peace out.
Beekay
Beekay mate- sorry i haven’t really been round to respond- its true that when your over this crap then you see little point in lingering round this forum… (previously my subjective jail cell).
That positive attitude and resolve of your’s is an inspiration- couldn’t be happier for you bud and i’m so glad that my experience helped someone else…
Alas- i am freken brilliant- healthy as a horse, putting on very nice size and FINALLY GETTING MAJOR RESULTS in the bodybuilding dept- (no endocrine enhancements ofcourse- lesson learned!)- My baby boy who was born in march is tall, EPICALLY STRONG, very happy and very bright- and curiously enough, appears to be immune to illness according to multiple GP’s… (touch wood)- ofcourse i could strart drawing conclusions and theories bout how this may tie in to PFS and genetically passed on immuno-moduation blah blah but i’m over that shit LMAO
One hefty downside to my recovery, is the relentless return of DHT in all its glory… causing havoc to my hairline… haha gotta laugh. LIFE>HAIR my friends… never forget it.
All the best guys
Beekay, any updates? How is your progress? Did you do your blood test? Please update us
Gents I can genuinely say that I am now (almost) 100% recovered! This protocol has worked wonders for me especially after the addition of clomid and nolva. I don’t know what else to say but that I’m finally free of these 2 years of bullshit! If you need any guidance pm me and I’ll be happy to assist you in anyway I can. I’m back in business baby!!!