A Call to Arms

[SWALE]

Time to rally the troops, Bro's.

As you all know, I am working very hard to promote Anti-Aging Medicine within my own community. There are a few docs in town willing to prescribe TRT, but no one who really knows what they are doing (but bless them, just the same!).

I have had some local gentlemen cancel appointments to come in for an evaluation because they either got cold feet, or their local PCP's told them, for instance, "If you take testosterone, it will give you cancer", or "If you are in the normal range, that is good enough. Here's your Viagra."

It is very frustrating for me personaly, and disastrous financially. Worst of all, the prospective patient lives at some unnecessarily compromised quality of health and happiness. The hill is VERY steep for me right now.

I think a problem for these gentlemen is that they just have no peers to ask about TRT and the benefits same has brought. I am thinking of assembling a team of volunteer TRT recipients who would be willing to have their email addresses listed, to answer a few questions should these gentlemen want to interact with someone who will honestly (good and bad) share their TRT experiences.

What do you guys think?

 

[gymrat1977]

I think that is a good idea. There are questions that I have, but I realize you don't have the time to answer them all. I plan on setting an appointment soon and would be willing to give my email to help others when the time comes.

 

[smitty4]

No problem at all! Feel free to give them my email address.

 

[DavidZ]

Why don't you just give them this website (and other groups such as the Yahoo HG2 group)?

I think lurking and/or participating in this website would be more effective than one on one contact in allowing men to get comfortable with TRT and understand its benefits.

 

[SWALE]

Thanks, Smitty. I knew you would step up to the plate to help others.

Gymrat--You will make a fine AllThingsMale.com guy.

DavidZ--Once again, you have made a very good point. However, I'm thinking a more private email, with direct interaction, may be more effective. Look how many guys lurk this Forum, and never even post to just say hello. But definitely hanging out here is a good idea.

If we are going to improve men's health, we are going to have to unite to do it. "The-Powers-That-Be" appear dead-set against it.

One of my favorite patients, a fellow who takes every opportunity to spread the good word about TRT and the good it has done him, was sent by his PCP (who, BTW, is on board with me) to an Endo two days ago for some extra help controlling his diabetes. He told me the Endo was "quite insulting" about the treatment I am administering to him, beginning with the fact his Total T was a whopping 377 (300-1000) when we decided to start him on TRT. She then assumed I did not properly evaluate potential causes of his hypogonadism (as if), and "did this Dr. Crisler even think to run follow-up labs". You all know the answer to that one. On the latter point, I am surprised SHE would know enough about TRT to run follow-up labs, since she still considers anything within normal range "just fine".

Compounding this patient's frustration was the fact she never actually looked at him during the interview, and completely ignored several direct questions he asked her.

BTW, this is a brand new Endocrinologist, looking to establish herself in the Lansing area.

Right after hearing about that, I had a gentlemen, who was scheduled to come in today for his initial Consultsation, call to cancel. He told me he had done some research on the Internet about TRT (a good thing, IMPO) who came across a letter from some Endo at Duke who blasts TRT. After a 20 minute conversation, he agreed to come in for an evluation. BTW, he also told me he loves to smoke, drinks every day, and loves to eat potato chips and such--and is not going to quit any of the three. Oooooh, I love a good challenge.

That is when it occurred to me that perhaps it would be helpful to assemble a group of good Bro's who would be willing to take a few minutes to directly help our half of the human race. Being a patient of mine is not a requirement. I guess not even a positive experience with TRT is, as an honest dialogue about TRT is the goal. Moreso, I am trying to get these guys in for COMPLETE Anti-Aging Medicine. TRT sometimes is just the "hook" to get them going on all the rest.

 

[jwtex]

Feel free to add my email. I would consider it only fair on my part to help spread the truth of what proper HRT can do for ones health and well being given the amount of help and counsel I have received from Dr C. and this board.

 

[peewee327]

count me in also swale

 

[pmgamer18]

You can add me to the list. I feel this is a good Idea on the E-mail I give my E-mail at WebMD on the Man to Man boards and got lots of E-mail from men that will not post on the boards. So yes they do go to the groups but never post. At the Hypogoadism2 group they have a links and files section full of info no one goes there I can tell by the questions some ask.
Phil

 

[smoker]

Count me in Swale.

 

[muslhead]

I got your back if you need me SWALE. Feel free to add me to the list
MH

 

[SWALE]

I knew you guys would come through. I feel it is important to have access to gentlemen who are not my patients, as well.

I would like to have about 25 guys on the list. It seemed to make sense to me to come to this Forum for this because you guys are on the 'Net more often and used to interacting here regarding this very subject.

 

[DavidZ]

Swale, while Im willing to support your effort, I dont think this approach will bear much fruit.

HRT is not for everyone. In fact, Id say its not for 98% of men.

HRT requires us to shut down our (albeit insufficient) hormone regulatory systems, and take over the task of regulating our hormones. HRT involves injections, gels, blood tests, tedious dosage titration, etc. Needless to say, most men would rather not get involved with all this stuff. And, from someone whos an advocate of HRT, I can say that it aint no picnic.

In addition, the current environment is hostile to HRT. With the negative publicity regarding womens HRT (misinformed, IMO), steroid abuse, cancer concerns, prostate issues, and a general disbelief in male menopause, doctors and their clients would rather stay away from it all. And I can't say that I blame them.

Sometimes bros email me with questions. If I were to engage in extended one on one conversations, I believe that I would be doing them a disservice. I email them an answer to their question, and then I ask them to post any further questions on the message board because, that way, (1) they can benefit from the knowledge of posters other than me, and (2) other posters can benefit from the ensuing discussion. Also, with the anonymity of message boards, theres really no reason to shy away from them. HRT is about taking control of your life back. If a guy cant post anonymously on a message board, hes probably doesnt have what it takes to grab the bull by the horns and take back control of his life.

I think you would be better off trying to market your services in the Detroit (I used to live and work there) and Ann Arbor (I went to school there) areas. With the larger (and more sophisticated?) population base, I think you will find more people receptive to using HRT. Have you considered opening an office in the Northwestern suburbs of Detroit?

 

[twb]

SWALE, I'm not one of your HRT patients (unfortunately), but I would gladly support your idea. Sign me up.

DavidZ, Any man that got to the state I got to would gladly take up TRT; needles and all, to feel like I do now. Spread the word and let people decide for themselves.

 

[DavidZ]

DavidZ, Any man that got to the state I got to would gladly take up TRT; needles and all, to feel like I do now.

That just means that you're in the 2%. I agree with you, because I'm in the 2%, too.

Spread the word and let people decide for themselves.

Yes, I have done just that. That's how I came to the conclusions I stated above.

 

[SWALE]

When properly tested, which means with a Bioavailable Testosterone, half of all men over the age of fifty are hypogonadal. That is substantially more than 2%.

And this leaves out the idea of health optimization, through hormonal optimization. On that point, why are we all working out, taking our vitamins, and trying to eat right?

 

[DavidZ]

When properly tested, which means with a Bioavailable Testosterone, half of all men over the age of fifty are hypogonadal. That is substantially more than 2%.

You are defining the group of men who could benefit from TRT. I am defining the group of men who are willing to shut down their hormone system and take over the regualtion of said system via shots, gels, blood tests, dosage titration, etc. The latter is a very small subset of the former, particularly in today's envirnoment which, for the variety of reasons I stated above, is hostile to TRT.

And this leaves out the idea of health optimization, through hormonal optimization. On that point, why are we all working out, taking our vitamins, and trying to eat right?

It's a question of means, not ends.

 

[earthdog]

Swale,

Count me in. I sent you an email with the addy to use.

 

[buck]

You are defining the group of men who could benefit from TRT. I am defining the group of men who are willing to shut down their hormone system and take over the regualtion of said system via shots, gels, blood tests, dosage titration, etc. The latter is a very small subset of the former, particularly in today's envirnoment which, for the variety of reasons I stated above, is hostile to TRT.

It's a question of means, not ends.

Hostile? Fearful may be more accurate. But I do agree with you. But it has to start some where. Look how birth control pills(female steroids) were viewed when they first became availiable. They were thought to be immoral and were going to damaage womens health. Now women take um like candy, with out a thought.

 

[DavidZ]

Hostile? Fearful may be more accurate.

Fearful is a good word to describe the current environment.

But fear can lead to hostility. Did you see Swale's strange email?

But I do agree with you. But it has to start some where.

I agree. But the question is what's the best way to go about it.

As I stated above, I don't think the one-on-one eamil approach will bear much fruit. That's my opinion. I could be wrong.

That's why I suggested that Swale tap the Detroit metro area. I think that's a better marketing stategy.

Look how birth control pills(female steroids) were viewed when they first became availiable. They were thought to be immoral and were going to damaage womens health. Now women take um like candy, with out a thought.

Today, women are reassessing HRT, including birth control pills.

 

[SWALE]

You make more good points, David. Herein lies our struggle.

I have talked to a couple of different docs about establishing a presence in the Detroit area, but nothing has worked out yet. But, yes, I'd like to spend a day each week seeing patients there.