I was taking DepoT shots for a year before my PSA went up.  I was seeing an
endocrinologist who was monitoring the injections... and yes, I was
administering them myself, as *many* people do as a treatment for low level
Testosterone.  BTW, low T levels affect *many* things, not just sexual.
Cardiac health is one other thing that is improved by normal T levels....
From what I understood this poster to be saying, *HE* was doing the same
thing.... by prescription... from his endo.... who was *not* his
urologist... and he forgot (heaven forbid that one would actually forget
something.... what a crime!) to tell his urologist about this when he got
the news that he has PCa.  Lots of men are on Testosterone Replacement
Therapy, btw, and *never* get PCa.... it is legitimate medical treatment.

As soon as my PSA went up, I stopped the shots... and a year later had a
second biopsy that found my cancer.  Perhaps the T shots had some effect on
the PCa and caused it to show up sooner than it would have otherwise... so
that may have been a good thing in my case.  I have had two reputable
urologists tell me that, after five years of undetectable PSAs, they would
consider having me restart the Testosterone therapy.  If that time comes,
I'll have to think long and hard about it... but it's a quality of life
issue for some of us.  Hopefully, in five years, they will know more about
the effects of T on PCa... But think of it this way.  If you had PCa and had
surgery.... and your T level was normal.... let's say around 550.... your
doctor does not castrate you when he does the surgery to *cut off* your
Testosterone production.  So you still live with Testosterone levels at
normal.  I, on the other hand, have low T levels.... in the 200s... and it
affects so many other things... in my case, depression.  What's the
difference in *you* having a normal level of T.... and me taking a shot to
get my T back up to a normal level, just like yours??

In any case, I didn't read that this poster was doing anything *illegal* or
*wrong* by giving himself injections under the supervision of a doctor.  His
only mistake was a *human* one.... he forgot to mention it to his urologist
when the guy told him he had cancer.  I remember the moment I was told I had
cancer.... and my head wasn't too clear on remembering much of anything at
the time.  Give the guy a break!

MikeH

Testosterone injections, androgel, and  testosterone patches are a
common treatment for low testosterone levels. I was being worked up by
my urologist for testosterone replacement, when my tumor was
discovered. He indicated that there was no clinical evidence that
testosterone replacement will cause prostate cancer, even those with a
familial predisposition for cancer. In addition the goal of
testosterone replacement is to return the individual to normal levels
of testosterone. There is evidence that HRT in a woman that have breast
cancer can accelerate that tumors growth. There is no such evidence in
prostate cancer. However, it may be prudent to avoid testosterone
replacement in men with a known prostate cancer.

Unfortunately, many people take a little knowledge about testosterone
and testosterone blocking treatment for prostate cancer and make their
own science. There is NO evidence that returning someone to NORMAL
testosterone levels will cause prostate cancer. A little knowledge is a
very dangerous thing as demonstrated by Wolfgang in this post.

This is a support group for prostate cancer, not a forum for you to
smugly sit in judgment on the behavior of others. Unlike your post, I
am sorry for you. It is better to have everyone thank you are a fool
than open your mouth (post) and remove all doubt.

Dan

Wolfgang,

My primary doctor perscribed testosterone 3 years ago as my levels were low.
I was on the patch for a year but was alergic to it so went on injections
of 2 ml once a month which gave a reaction peak that was not nice like
road rage for the first time in my life... quite an incredible experience so
I went for 1ml  injections every two weeks then my girlfriend started giving
them to me (nurse)  and later I learned how to do it myself and its no big
deal other than the mental block to overcome the first time or two.

I was seeing this urologist due to kidney stones... maybe its on my chart, i
dont know... when he told me i had cancer i was in a bit of a shock...a week
ago... and it did not occur to me to bring up the subject... till i was
driving home... i have an appt next week to go over my ct scan and will bring
it up with him then.... are you taking testosterone??  You seem to have an
anger thing... testosterone will do that... its chemical..not logical... a
subject on its own. Apparently high testosterne levels associated with PC.
Have you had your levels checked?  If your levels are high, apparently there
is a simple surgery for that.

thanks and rgds, ly