Hi,
I am 40 years old and have had ED/hormonal problems for about 8 years. My original Dr. started me on Androderm which definitely helped, but caused testicular atrophy, so I took myself off. Within the past two years I was tested and found to have high Prolactin levels, 102 at the time, and an MRI showed no sign of a tumor. I have been seeing an Integrative doctor who is also into life extension, not covered by insurance but worth it. He has been treating me for low T levels but wtih very little success. We have gotten the Prolactin down to 60, but the T refuses to go up (currently at 207). Have been taking Clomid for about 2 months and just got some HCG which I am to start next week and see how this goes. I was seing an Endo who wanted me to take Cabergoline for the Prolactin, but I was wary due to being diagnosed with heart problems 2 years ago. The Endo insisted that Cabergoline doesn't cause any heart problems, but my cardiologist agreed with what I've read that it can cause mytrovalve prolapse. I asked him to give me Bromo instead, but he refused and told me that if I wouldn't take the Cab he wouldn't see me anymore.
Does anyone have experience with the difference between Bromo and Cab? Also, do you know of any natural solutions to lowering prolactin that I could try? I really need to get my Testo back up and don't want to go back on supplemention especially after the atrophy of my testicles that has already occured. Thanks.
I don't know the diff between the two drugs but there is one guy on this board that had good success with bromo. Your T won't go up because of the prolactin. The prolactin prevents the hypothalmus from sending GnRH to the pituitary so the pituitary can not send enough LH.
HCG should help if your testicles still work. Also if you supplement with T and take HCG at the same time you should have have much if any testicular atrophy. At some point you may want to do another MRI. If there is an adenoma it may have grown and also you can look for an ultra high resolution MRI that may find a small one.
Don't know about natural ways to lower prolactin...there may be some but I"m not familiar with it.
Thanks guys.....I've been tossing around the idea of taking the Bromo instead of the Cab and my current doctor (the Integrative one) asked me to hold off and see if the HCG has any results in this arena. From other posts that I've read it seems that it probably won't effect the prolactin and I'm thinking that I am going to have to go the route of taking something specific to lower it.
My testes still work, besides the rather low testosterone, so I think that I can still get my system in order. I appreciate the feedback.
Oh, Hayfarmer, think you are right about the MRI - it has been 2 years since I've had one.....think that I will check with my doctor regarding this.......
HCG won't help the prolactin but it may help get your T up. The prolactin still may cause problems though like ED and low libido.
On the MRI, they usually do them with and without a contrasting agent. I recently read some people have developed kidney failure from the contrasting agent. This scared be because I have had 3 MRI's now with contrast. From what I could tell the kidney issue only happens to people who already have kidney disease of some type. Still I mention it so you can ask your doctor about this when he orders the test.
I am definitely experiencing the ED and Low Libido problems, but not as much as when my prolactin was at 102 (am around 60 now). This is why I am thinking of taking the Bromo or Cab.
I go back to my doctor in a few weeks for bloodtests to check and see how the HCG is going (just started today). He has told me that the prolactin is out of his scope of treatiment and that I really need to see an Endo for this. So, am curently looking for another Endo, though I need one who is willing to go along with the treatment I am already doing.
Thanks for the info on the MRI, I will definitely keep this in mind when I have it done again.
Has anyone experienced any side effects from either Bromo or Cab? Like I've said, I am considering both of these and the side effects are a major concern for me.
I tend to be into natural medicine and herbs as much as possible, however, I've had a hard time tackling the prolactin issue from this realm. I had a really bad experience a couple of years ago with some drugs that were prescribed for a heart problem (I reacted very badly and almost died). Since then I have been very weary of taking any meds and tread very softly in that area. However, I do realize that for my health I need to take care of what is wrong and it all seems to go back to the prolactin and the possible adenoma. What can you tell me about the 'bad" or 'good' effects of taking the cabergoline?
Is .5mg twice a week too much? Thats what I've been taking, but everywhere I look people keep saying .25mg is fine.
Not at all, if that is what is prescribed. My guess,and that's all it is, is that the higher your prolactin the higher the dose (.5 x 2). It has a long half-life so even .25 mg once a week helps some.
[QUOTE=Ishwardas;3492823]Has anyone experienced any side effects from either Bromo or Cab? Like I've said, I am considering both of these and the side effects are a major concern for me.
On higher doses, that you probably wouldn't be prescribed, there have been heart valve problems. You might do a search with both drugs listed together in the search to find a link to a comparison. I am sure I have it but the last time I linked something it got blocked.
It also is reported to lower the refractory period after orgasm. That's what makes some men care less about sex right after sex, they are so relaxed and subdued. Some men with Dostinex find that this refractory period is lowered and can climax much more quicker, and the ejaculation may be more pleasurable. Just type in "Dostinex and refractory period" and see if that gets you there.
Just a tidbit I read-the rise in prolactin after orgasm is higher with a partner than it is by yourself, perhaps indicating sex with a partner is much more satisfying.
As with any drug, there is potential for sides. It isn't generally known what purpose Prolactin serves in men as far as I understand, but too high a level can be a problem.
Hello, I am the aforementioned guy on the board who had success with bromo. I take 2.5mg in the am and 5mg in the evening... I started out with 2.5 in the PM, then 5 then 7.5... I do not believe I have ANY sides at this point!!! You build a tolerance to it... initially I would wake up with headaches... that is about it... FYI Dostinex and Cab are the same thing... and I have read the same thing about heart issues. I have also heard that it is the case when used for Parkinsons becuase of a MUCH higher dosage than for prolactin problems... If I had a pre diagnosed heart condition I would not go near it... that is my opinion... The prolactin will def drive your T down... I had low T measured at 133 in late 2005. I started Androgel in early 2006 with NO increase... my prolactin was 40 and then I got an MRI to confirm and started bromo...my T shot up from 133, on androgel, to 750... The prolactin was def the problem and the bromo was def the solution....unfortunatly for me, I still need T, I now take shots, for some the bromo is enough...my current Dr says he thinks it depends on the location of the adenoma on the pituatary gland that conflicts with the area that secrets LH.. who knows for sure.... try the bromo....small doses to start...
also, in regards to natural prolactin inhibitors, I have heard that Chasteberry will suppress prolactin... but, you need to be realistic, if you are 60 - 100, I doubt it will help but you never know....
Thanks for the info...I am especially glad to hear from someone who is taking Bromo as I've not heard much about it, except that it has supposedly replace by Cab by most doctors. My T levels are currently around 200 and my doctor has just started me on HCG this week (which is VERY hard to get a hold of, by the way, at least where I live). He wants to see if this ups the T and in the process lowers the prolactin. But, he has also asked me to see an endocrinologist re: the prolactin. I will do a little more research on the two drugs (Bromo and Cab) before meeting with an endo.
I have read about the chasteberry, but don't think that it would be a strong enough inhibitor - I am going to ask an herbalist friend what she thinks as well.
Thanks for the info...I am especially glad to hear from someone who is taking Bromo as I've not heard much about it, except that it has supposedly replace by Cab by most doctors. My T levels are currently around 200 and my doctor has just started me on HCG this week (which is VERY hard to get a hold of, by the way, at least where I live). He wants to see if this ups the T and in the process lowers the prolactin. But, he has also asked me to see an endocrinologist re: the prolactin. I will do a little more research on the two drugs (Bromo and Cab) before meeting with an endo.
I have read about the chasteberry, but don't think that it would be a strong enough inhibitor - I am going to ask an herbalist friend what she thinks as well.
Please post what your herbalist friend says.... My endo had the same thougt, that low T caused the high prolactin...but that was not the case, it was the high prolactin that was driving the T down. what sucks is while they experiment with you, you feel like crap. what is interesting to me is this. why initially prescribe HCG or T replacment when prolactin is obviously a problem? Why not try the easier solution first, IMO... it is better to JUST take a pill once or twice a day, bromo, or once or twice a week, Cab, then the need to apply gel or patches or shots everyday or whatever??? There may be a valid reason but then again with Dr's you never know!!! they are def creatures of habit! Once they know of something, they usually do not want to stray from their comfort zone... I say that if you cannot get the HCG, then tell your Endo to try the bromo or cab... becuase in my exp with 1/2 pill in the PM my T shot up in a matter of days!!!! this will speak volumes!!! and if your symptoms, T and libido do not rise quickly then go off the pills and try the HCG!!!
You can get HCG over the internet too. I can not post links on this forum. Novarel is the name brand so if you want to try HCG I would go with that brand if you have a choice. But I agree with Jinxy, I think I would try the bromo first or in addition. I don't think trying HCG for a bit will hurt anything though until you get your anti-prolactin drug.
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Hayfarmer, I personally think that trying the prolacin inhibitor first is the best bet becuase high prolactin is a cause of secondary hypogonadism, so it is better to find the lesser solution to the problem then become dependent on HCG or T replacment and then wonder down the line when the prolactin is in check if you trully need the exogenous T and not just the anti prolactin meds...
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I did finally find HCG at a local pharmacy - they had ordered some for someone else and had to get a whole case so were very happy to sell it to me. However, After some searching on the internet, I finally found an online pharmacy that sells it much cheaper, so will go with them in the future. I do have to say that after only 2 shots of the HCG I did have more energy than usual, so it is definitely doing something - I didn't expect anything to happen so quickly. It wasn't an enormous difference, but I have noticed a difference. Have labs in about 2 weeks to check T levels on the hcg as well as prolactin levels, estradiaol, etc. Will keep you posted on this.
I am currently in the process of finding a good endo to get the anti-prolactin drugs. Will let you know how that goes. Will also post what my herbalist friend tells me after I talk with her.
Hayfarmer, I personally think that trying the prolacin inhibitor first is the best bet becuase high prolactin is a cause of secondary hypogonadism, so it is better to find the lesser solution to the problem then become dependent on HCG or T replacment and then wonder down the line when the prolactin is in check if you trully need the exogenous T and not just the anti prolactin meds...
Jinxy,
I agree that the prolactin inhibitor is the way to go. The only reason I said he could take the HCG until he gets a prolactin inhibitor is that HCG is not something that will shut down his HPTA or that he will become dependent on. His HPTA is already shut down due to the high prolactin. The HCG will just get his testicles going again and the sooner he does that the better. I suggest when he starts the prolactin inhibitor he stop the HCG. If after on the prolactin inhibitor for a period of time he discovers his T is not high enough then he could add back in HCG, or T replacement or both as the situation warrants.
In fact in his case the HCG first may enhance how fast the prolactin inhibitor works because his testicles are partially shut down. Studies have shown that when the HPTA is shut down the testicles are the part that are the slowest to restart. The hypothalmus/pituitary (assuming they are healthy) are the fastest to restart. So the HCG started now will give him a headstart.
