+ 1 Bad Reaction to Arimidex on TRT!!!!
I've been on a monitored and prescribed TRT regimen from a local clinic for about 6 months. Currently I am taking 200 mgs of testosterone enanthate weekly (100mgs Mon / 100 Mgs Thurs). I tend to aromatize heavy, so take 1mg of arimidex as an aromatase inhibitor weekly (.50mgs Mon / .50mgs Thurs).
This protocol has worked wonders for the most part - before I started my TRT regiment, my testosterone numbers were in the dumpster... I'm talking like the levels of an 85 year old man, and I'm only 37! Total testosterone was 227. Free testosterone was 5.8. Estradiol was 18.
I've always kept myself in excellent shape and have been lifting for years. I did quite a few cycles in my twenties, but always did proper PCT - in theory I bounced back, as I've had three children since my last cycle 6+ years ago... so fertility was never an issue. Whatever precipitated my gutter level testosterone range, it explains my atrocious mood swings, lack of mental clarity, night sweats, dreams being non-existent, social agitation, muscle atrophy, and all around lethargy. TRT remedied all that...
Now the drawback: Has anyone experienced negative reactions to arimidex? Several weeks ago my hearing has gotten constantly more disruptive until I now hear constant high-pitch ringing in my ears. Sudden noises like plates / glasses banging together or high range laughter starts ricocheting my brain against my skull. Overall, sudden sounds seem much more amplified. These symptoms seem to be classic indications of tinnitus and hyperacusis. Over time I thought things would subside, but its been weeks now with no situational change. I started to review online forums for women that are proscribed arimidex who have battled breast cancer, and many report the same problems with ringing in their ears as a secondary effect.
Applying Occam's Razor would be to quit taking the arimidex and see if the ear ringing goes away. But I am hesitant to do this and start getting virilization symptoms from resurgent estradiol because of no aromatase inhibitor.
In other words, damned if I do damned if I don't.
Stopping the TRT altogether is not in the realm of possibility. No way am I going back to being like a sluggish low testosterone walking dead man...
Suggestions? Anyone out there not tolerate arimidex well or have similar problems?
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I am having the exact reaction - exhausted mid day, restless sleep, and it all started when my doc recommended I take more Adex. I have emailed him to see about alternatives.
I realize this original post is very old... I am curious how the member sorted out the issue.
I agree with below. You need to talk with your doc.
On a non trt related note. I have fought sinus pressure for most of my adult life. Long before I started messing with AAS. I get many of the same symptoms you are describing. After dozens of visits with doctors. We found that my inner ears easily build up fluid that is suppose to drain into my stomach. Causes me headaches, sinus pressure, sensitive hearing and sensitivity to light. It comes and goes. We could never pin point one thing like allergies, a cold or sinus infection. The only thing that works for me is real Sudafed. With in an hour of taking it I start feeling way better. Benadryl also helps but makes me drowsy so its good before bed if I am having a bad night.
As far as trt goes. You could do an experiment if you truly believe it is your ai. Lower your test dose until you know longer need arimidex. Consult your doctor first!
I still am requesting your results, like E numbers from before and after. This info can be a great add to this community. Thanks, Amorphous Metal!
Here ya go - I'll just cut and paste this here:
Just recently dropped the arimidex a week before testing on 12/23/16. When I was on, my estradiol was 18. Got results back this Monday and it had spiked to 46. My total testosterone was 674 and my free test was 23 - thus the decision to move the dosage slightly upward to 240mgs/weekly. My doctor is an anti-aging practitioner and an advocate of optimizing for peak hormone performance and health.
I retest again in 2 weeks, so it will be interesting to see what 200 mgs/daily of DIM alongside a half teaspoon daily of grape seed extract powder has done in managing my E2 levels downward. If it is still in the 40's or has gone higher, I may request small incremental dosages of lerozole for trial as my AI. Arimidex gave me severe headaches and ear-ringing (tinnitus) on 1mg/weekly (.50mgs/split dosage).
So far haven't noticed any bloat, puffy nipples, extra hunger, lethargy or libido issues which are the textbook cases of higher creeping estrogen levels...
BTW - since stopping arimidex my headaches have gone away and the ear-ringing is slowly starting to subside.
Area-1255Most folk don't have no problem with Arimidex, so this must be unique to you.
On a side-note, its nice that you have such an open-minded (and diverse) Doctor.
Hopefully the DIM helps...
That nice open minded doc just upped my script from 200 mgs/weekly of test enanthate to 240mgs/weekly! Can't complain there!
Will draw bloods in 4 weeks to determine test levels and estradiol. We'll see then if the DIM is truly effective and doing its part... if not, maybe letrozole at tiny incremental dosage.
Update: My doctor pulled me off Arimidex altogether today and opted instead for a more holistic / natural approach with Indole-3-Carbinol or DIM @ 200mgs per day.
Not very familiar with DIM. Apparently it's a plant based estrogen suppressant. Anyone out there currently use it now or in the past?
The more I read up on Arimidex, the more I view it as a compound from hell:
http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=20541&name=ARIMIDEX&page=...
DIM is fantastic stuff. Has all the powerful estrogen suppressing results of arimidex without all the debilitating side effects. Putting something in my body that originates from cruciferous vegetables is a lot more reassuring that a pharmaceutical chem that has been proven to cause a laundry list of negative symptoms - especially when you consider a life-long, year-after-year regimen. Who wants to put arimidex into their system for TRT and then end up with osteoporosis or worse. No way.
I encourage anyone in a similar boat to research DIM as an alternative - stuff works great at managing estrogen and keeping negative aromatization at bay...
A quick read revealed:
just eat 2 lbs of cabbage a day for the same result.
Regular white button mushrooms have also been proven to reduce estrogen levels.
Interesting. Let us know how it is working out for you.
My best suggestion would be to see your endocrinologist, do not make any changes until you've done so. Let him know what you are experiencing and what you believe the cause to be. Aromasin has been an arimidex alternative, wouldn't hurt to ask your endo about that and other possible solutions. Best of luck man!
You need to see your doc. Don't be a barstool doc.
As the old saying goes work smarter not harder you could keep diagnosing yourself and changing things potentially making it even worse for you and your levels then you will end up at the doctors with him saying I didn't tell you to do this why didn't you just come see me in the first place. Go to your doctor there are probably even options through him you don't know about. My physical therapist had your same prom pen and his doc switched him to gel and it helped him but you won't truly know till you ask the guy you already pay for advice
Just tell your physician about the side effects. If you're body doesn't like Adex, there is always Aromasin
The side effects of aromasin seem equally nasty too:
http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=20753&name=AROMASIN
Maybe I should just try and lower my testosterone dosage to like 100 mgs/week and see if I can just skip the aromatase inhibitor altogether?
Less is more as the old saying goes...?
I would agree with the saying if you mean less self diagnosing and more consulting with your physician:)
Thats why you're paying them Sir. Let them be the professional.