K9MAL

The PCT is after a steroid cycle, you are correct. An AI need only be used if your e2 levels go up or you're experiencing side effects like gyno. It isn't always necessary and the bodybuilder types are using lots more chemicals than you will be so they need to counteract more sides. Personally, I wouldn't leave my health in the hands of Erase Pro and would recommend a true prescription AI.

Read the "verified purchase" reviews on Amazon before you lay down your money: http://www.amazon.com/PES-Erase-High-Affinity-Inhibitor/dp/B007Y5KLZ8 Lots of 1 stars, negative reviews and some say it made their gyno worse. Keep in mind a lot of the bodybuilding sites are what's termed "bro science" and some things recommended can be worthless, dangerous and possibly just ludicrous. However, you can learn some very valuable information as well. TRT is for life. With that in mind you should get a real AI and not something marketed by a supplement company, in my opinion. If your doc won't work with you than go to an anti-aging clinic, they'll take care of you. Or do like I suggested and order from India, Canada or another country you feel comfortable with. I gotta get ready for an out of town road trip but I'll have my computer with me. If you'd like recommendations for an online pharmacy to use let me know and I'll give you a list of ones I know that are legit as long as that's ok to do on hadit.

Glad to hear you're having success! An AI is typically a prescription medicine so I'm curious to know what GNC is trying to sell you? I'll ask a few friends where they get their supplies and let you know.

I don't think it means anything denied. In fact, I don't think it means much of anything at all. I got rated 100% combined and they still have a TDIU case open on me.

There's nothing illegal about purchasing pharmaceuticals from India that I'm aware of. A very close friend of mine has ordered Clomid and Altraz from that company with no issue and I've read numerous reports of others doing the same. The only downside was it took about 2'ish weeks to deliver. The atrophy things is completely dependent on the individual. I've heard of some not experiencing anything while others complain about having raisins 3 months in. Time line wise, even if you experience some atrophy, HCG can bring them back to normal size, within a reasonable amount of time. Keep throwing questions and I'll do my best to answer. Everything I'm relaying to you is easily verifiable and is the most current protocol that is being used by doctors who are leading the field. Your PCP and a lot of docs go by old, out dated methodology that doesn't optimize testosterone availability, and give them the best results possible. Sorry if my response are brief... Got a lot of balls in the air currently but I'm happy to help.

Mood problems. To put it not so eloquently, acting kinda bitchy. The other big one is gynecomastia which you the typical signs are itchy or sensitive nipples that may become slightly puffy. If she blew off the idea of using an AI due to aromatase conversion she has no idea what in the hell she is doing, fact. Estrogen follows testosterone, fact. If she won't work with you it is possible to order an AI from India. I personally know people who have ordered and used Altraz with success: http://www.alldaychemist.com/altraz.html Recommended starting dosage if symptoms appear is .25mg which is 1/4 of a pill. It's strong stuff and probably won't be needed very often. If you do smaller, more frequent injections, then your need for an AI will be less due to not having the huge peaks in testosterone which will cause upswings in estrogen (e2 or estradiol). Running short on time but I'll add more later... Another option to add is HCG if you'd like to preserve testicle size and function. When you go on T shots for any length of time your testicles will atrophy, some more than others, and they will shut down production.

Every 2 weeks is typically going to cause issues. Think of giant peaks and valleys of testosterone, versus more frequent injections, and smoother rolling hills and dips. On top of that you'll typically need an AI (aromatase inhibitor) due to excess testosterone being converted to estrogen due to aromatase. I could go on if you're interested in more...

Awarded 10% for rectal prolapse. Explanation: "We have assigned a 10% evaluation for your rectal prolapse based on mild prolapse, occasional moderate leakage." Rationale for disagreeing: During my C+P, explained to the PA about frequency of 95% of bowel movements results in prolapse, which I believe meets the higher evaluation of 30% due to frequently recurring - "A higher evaluation of 30% is not warranted for prolapse of rectum unless the evidence shows symptoms are moderate, persistent, or frequently recurring." Tell them you want the set in stone definition of "occasional, moderate, persistent or frequently recurring." These are all arbitrary terms left open for interpretation by someone and they attempt to discern the meaning using their own prejudices and preconceived notions. xxxx that and xxxx the VA for using these non-medical, unscientific terms. The reason they do it is to deny, deny and deny. Fight'em! Don't give up!

Congrats!!!

Why do you say that? Was that your experience? I will be moving within about a year so I'll have to see what happens...

I see the neurologist twice a year and tell them how many headaches I've been experiencing and it's noted in my VA health records. Those reports along with keeping a "headache diary" is what pushed me up to 50%.

I spoke to the VA today and the lady said I'm scheduled for a review in February 2020. She said I do get commissary privileges but P&T wasn't in effect at this point. How do you appeal Chapter 35 benefits? I don't know even know where to get started with that type of appeal.

Thanks for the clarification, I thought that was considered schedular.

Should I submit a NOD for EED or is that a CUE? I'm thinking the NOD would be the easiest route if possible. I called the 1-800 pay number and scheduled a phone call back for Monday so hopefully they could just get it resolved, I'm doubtful of that though. No luck on the P&T. I checked the mail and got the official letter stating future exams would be scheduled... Hopefully that'll come in time. Thanks everyone!

It doesn't state anything about P&T on the letter. I looked at the disabilities tab and everything that got rated this go around got dated January 2013, when I filed, except my tinnitus which they put as September 2013 for some unknown reason. That last 10% got me to 100% so maybe that's why the pay out was lower than I expected. I'm trying to figure out what would be the right amount but it's confusing to me. Anyone know who I can contact to change this and find out what's going on? Thank you for the congrats!

FYI - Anyone in the future reading this should know that I did in fact get 50% for migraines. It is possible!

I joined Hadit in 2012 and had been rated at 60% since 2002. Prior to joining I had no idea that some of the issues I had were considered presumptive and tied directly to my military service. As of this morning I received a notice from my bank that a large sum of money had been deposited in my account and jumped right on ebenefits to find out that my rating has moved to 100% schedular! I haven't received an official letter so I don't know if it's P&T yet but I'm hopeful that it is. I also think the amount of retro that's been paid is far under what it's supposed to be. Will they send a breakdown of how they got their figures or am I just supposed to accept what's been proffered? Do they break it up into payments or is it typically an all at once type of deal? Without the Hadit members, the information contained within and hours on top of hours of research this wouldn't have been possible. I'll continue to try to help out here as much as I'm able and steer others in the right direction. I hope that each and everyone reaches their destination in the shortest amount of time possible and with the least amount of headaches. My sincere thanks to anyone and everyone who's helped me along the way!

My claim's been decided as of this morning... Maybe it does work after all.

Buck - I would ask for a referral to a urologist if I were you. I'm assuming your PCP is not an expert in the field and you should be talking to one. Cialis is an FDA approved treatment for swollen prostate and does not have the erectile dysfunction and testosterone side effects of finasteride. In fact, it does quite the opposite when you want it to, the ED part. http://www.webmd.com/men/news/20111006/fda-approves-cialis-to-treat-enlarged-prostate

I'm not sure of your specific condition but I do know that Cialis has been approved for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Coincidentally it will also help with erectile dysfunction at the same time. I'd say it's definitely worth checking out.

If you look at any of the anti-aging, TRT or bodybuilding forums you'll find a large population of finasteride victims who's testosterone levels have been shot and are experiencing ED and many other side effects. It's nasty stuff. Check out this study: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02255.x/abstract 94% developed low libido, 92% developed erectile dysfunction, 92% developed decreased arousal, and 69% developed problems with orgasm. The mean number of sexual episodes per month dropped and the total sexual dysfunction score increased for before and after finasteride use according to the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale.

What were your blood levels like on injections? I couldn't agree with you more about the PCP! We must have the same one or it's just rampant at the VA cause that's exactly how mine treats me. Last time he ordered blood tests and told me he'd see me in 6 months... Maybe, just maybe, you'd want to discuss the results with me when they come in versus waiting 6 months?!?

Are you aware of the numerous problems associated with finasteride? Many of the side effects are ones you're exhibiting such as depression, no sex drive, low testosterone. Do a quick search on "finasteride lawsuit" and you'll see countless many lawsuits against Merck, etc. You may be in line for a settlement if it's determined that finasteride is the case of your problems.

The other possibility is going on a short term run of Clomid (25mg for 90 days) to see if you can kickstart you're own testosterone production. Not sure if the VA would want to swing that since it's off label but many men have found success through that or by a low dosage every other day protocol of Clomid which keeps things running at a higher level.

My personal suggestion after many, many hours of research is to look at once weekly shots. There are several reasons for a more frequent protocol. E2 (estradiol), or estrogen, follows testosterone meaning that a large dosage shot will incur a large amount of estrogen in the body due to aromatase, which is testosterone covering to estrogen. You will also slowly whittle your way down to very low T levels and be riding a roller coaster of ups & downs. But, a once a week shot levels this out much more and there is far less swings. Many people are doing twice weekly shots to further smooth this out. Patches, gels, creams, etc. are expensive and don't work nearly as well as shots for most people, fact. Also, gels and such have a higher probability of cross contaminating other people with your prescription. Slather some on, cuddle with the wife, play with the kids, whatever... you'll be running the chance of administering it to others accidentally and that's no good. Pills are extremely liver toxic and are rarely used. Blood clotting can be mitigated by donating blood if hematocrit hemoglobin levels reach higher than normal on routine blood tests. I'd like to see hard science that testosterone, administered properly and at normal dosages, leads to heart attacks. I'd also suggest asking if they will administer or prescribe HCG to maintain testicular size and function. Along with that you may need an aromatase inhibitor (Arimidex) to reduce the possible effects of estrogen like gynecomastia if it gets out of hand. I could go on and on... Let me know what other info you need and I'll be happy to try to help.