Questions about Dr Shippen

Therapeutic Efforts Doctors & Therapists
#1

Hi Guys

I’m in the UK, and I’m considering the possibility of flying over to see Dr Shippen. I know that I might not get an appointment, but I’m thinking about trying.

Does anyone know if Shippen does initial consultations by telephone? I’d basically want to ask him: do you think it is worth me coming to see you?

Does anyone know if Shippen will work with you local doctor? I’ve heard about Crisler doing this, but not sure about Shippen.

Also, has Shippen managed to help any guys like us? I’ve read that he’s treated more than 30 post-Fin sufferers, but I can only find two or three stories on here by guys who have gone to see him, and they seem to have experienced mixed results.

I know Shippen is an eminent doctor and currently our best hope for treatment. But I’m getting the feeling from what I’ve read that even he can’t do too much for guys like us.

Maybe I should add that I’m suffering the usual post-Fin syndrome: crashed T, low libido, ED, fatigue.

Thanks very much for any help.

#2

Would recommend you call the office and get answers directly… unless a former patient is able to provide the info to you (if they had asked such things themselves).

#3

Thanks Mew; guess that is the quickest way to find out. But if anyone has any Shippen experiences that they haven’t already shared, then I’m all ears.

By the way Mew: can I be so bold as to ask why you haven’t seen Shippen or Crisler? Is it simply because you’re seeing a slow improvement without treatment? Or are you also unsure how much they can do to help?

If I’m treading on private ground here and you don’t want to answer, I understand.

Thanks.

#4

Have been dealing with my condition for some time now… but as Shippen and Crisler don’t have definitive answers for all this, haven’t reached the point yet (personally) of wanting to subject myself to a variety of drugs (yet) which may or may not give improvements, vs new side effects etc. Already been burnt once by Finasteride, don’t want to get burnt again.

I am still working on materials to contact potential researchers with (but at the same time, am trying not to let this post-Fin situation rule my life)… to hopefully get insight into where the problems might lie, and hopefully in-depth testing beyond bloodwork. Although I admit this is far-fetched (contacting researchers/getting help from them), again I’d rather exhaust all possibilities before resorting to treatments which may not even target the root cause of our issues – unless the root cause can be found beforehand.

So in that regard I have been patient with my situation, even though I despise it. Everyone is entitled to their personal opinion, timeline and how they want to deal with their issues post-Fin. At this stage for me, I am trying to generate awareness to hopefully get the help and answers we all seek.

#5

I hear where you’re coming from in reference to treatment. Part of me is keen to give clomid/tamoxifen a go; another part of me is deeply reluctant to start putting other hormone disrupters into my body.

Great work on the idea to contact researchers with a portfolio of material that may get them interested. I don’t think it’s as far-fetched as all that. Some young doctor out there could make his name by identifying the post-Fin syndrome, and publishing work on his attempts to figure out what is going on, and how to treat it.

Dr Irwig is one example of a doctor who has realised this. It’s a shame he’s not a little bit more open to advances from us beyond the official letter that he wants detailing our symptoms (I know that you emailed him, for example, and he didn’t reply). But I think we should keep trying with him; he obviously has an interest in finasteride and is coming around to the belief that it can cause permanant sides. I also wondered if it is possible to see him as a private patient.

I myself considered writing a letter to the official endocrinology body here in the UK calling on endocrinologists to recognise post-Fin sides, and to take up the challenege of figuring out what is happening.

Like you, I’m trying not to let all this rule my life. But if there’s anything I can do to help this side of the pond, just let me know (I think you’re in the USA or Canada?) I’m happy to make calls, write letters, contact endos, etc.

In the meantime, I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say keep up the great work.

#6

ScaredMale30, go to Dr. John Moran in London, he is a friend of Dr Shippen and works with him. He hasn’t really the same approach of the problem but could help you.

#7

Thanks very much Europe. I’ve found Dr Moran’s clinic and will give him a call.

Have you spoken to Dr Moran yourself? Do you know if he has seen any other men with post-finasteride sides, and what his treatment approach is?

Thanks.

#8

Yes, me for example :slight_smile:
I live in Switzerland and saw him one time in his clinic. Don’t know if he has had so many patients with post-fin side effects but has a lot of experience and always in contact with Dr. Shippen.

His approach is more careful than Shippen’s and he will priviledge soft medications before trying clomid for instance. Do some blood tests before going to the clinic. Hope you’ll recover rapidly!