His and Her Health

Hi guys,<P>(as soon as I typed the above my eyes filled up; oh boy)<P>I got home last night.<P>Dr. Goldstein diagnosed me with some kind of neuropathy. He said I have "hopeless loss of sensation in clitoris" but quickly corrected his use of the word "hopeless" because HE SAYS IT IS TREATABLE.<P>He totally discounts my theory about this problem being caused by my clitoris being so large due to the overdose/overuse of estratest.<P>He showed me pictures of other clitorises and gave me a lot of reassurance about mine being being NORMAL size. I'm still not totally convinced that its growth is not the cause of this problem because I know that it is about 3 or 4 times bigger than it was originally.<P>His reassurance and comments were wonderful though. ( couldn't help comparing this help and kindness with Dr. Berman's curt comment "I've seen worse" (and that's all she said after looking at my clitoris))<P>I couldn't convince Dr. GOldstein that there is no way that I could have lead posioning; he says I have symptoms (specifically the numbness in clitoris) and is testing me for this.!!! (who knows?)<P>I really expected to go to Dr. Goldstein just get the final word that my condition is permanent but instead I have HOPE. I can't explain how I feel but I bet a lot of you know.<P>Oh, he said my hormones are seriously messed up. I had faxed the same test results he was looking at to the Bermans (in case I needed a prescription re-fill from them; their nurse said no more re-fills without new test results) and I will have to follow-up just to see what Dr. Berman thinks of these same test results if she even looks at them.<P>I don't want to be negative right now because I am so happy but I must tell folks that I paid a fraction of what I paid the Bermans to Dr. GOldstein and feel much better about how I was treated (final results; who knows). The Bermans have their bag of tricks which they throw at you assembly line style; if it works great and if it doesn't they throw up their hands. Dr. GOldstein seems more knowledgeable and definitely gave my case more thought. He is a researcher.<P>The ONLY thing he said that was "doctor-ish" and rubbed me the wrong way was, "We really don't know that it has grown because I didn't see it." I said, "You can take my word for it." He said, "Oh that's right, you are the patient."<P>I figure he probably thinks I'm ignorant because of my southern accent. He told me a lot of basic things but I am glad he does that. If the first doctor had educated me just a little I wouldn't have taken the overdose of estratest for so long; then I really was ignorant.<P>He said a lot of things that were opposite of what Dr. Berman said and of course I'm very glad.<P>I hope you all are fine. I can't explain how I feel but it is a lot better than I expected to be feeling right now.<P>I'm happy and pretty shook-up at the same time.<P>Please overlook the negativity in this post because I am so happy. I do feel that it is only right to share some negative things with others seeking information and help as hearing about my experiences (good and bad)might benefit someone else. I just don't want to spoil my good karma though.<P>Enough rambling. <P>Thank you for your prayers and thoughts so much.<P>l<P>

I am glad you have hope. <p>[This message has been edited by lam (edited 26 October 2002).]

The trip to Boston was a lot of fun. I kept wishing my son could see a lot of the things I saw. We walked our legs off and used the subway which was amazing.<P>Dr. Goldstein told me his specific concerns regarding my lab values (I can't remember what he said well enough to relay it to you, though). I do remember that he said I have too much estrogen and discontinued the estrogen supplement I have been taking. Two of the things he was interested in on my lab results our local lab had accidentally ommited checking (bummer but not surprising). He also prescribed DHEA and andro-gel (I hope my local pharmacy can get the andro-gel for me.) The andro-gel is for testosterone replacement and I will discontinue the trouche prescribed by Dr. Berman. I am also to apply testosterone cream to my clitoris every other day; not to supplement my body's supply of it but to help restore sensation. On the alternate days, I am to use the EROS device. He also suggested that I buy the Ferticare vibrator however, it costs almost $400 so I need to find another vibrator that is good but not THAT good (any suggestions?)<P>He emphasized that I should take my medicines exactly as prescribed and stay in communication with him (by e-mail). <P>What do you think about all that???<P>Thanks.<P>l

I've heard the Eroscillator is pretty good; Dr. Ruth recommends it. It's over $100, but not over $200.

I<BR>The andogel is made by a pharmaceutical co and thus your pharmacy should not have a problem obtaining it. It is fairly new on the market and has been prescribed for men but drs are now prescribing it for women at a lower dose. The EROS is about $350 and I did not order it at first b/c I wanted to take one step at a time. I started with Viagra and later the EROS. In my case the EROS was the best purchase that I ever made. My ins. co did not cover it but some ins. co do . If you do not get results I recall that Urometrics will let you return it within 60 days.<BR>Ask Dr. Goldstein if he has another suggestion re: vibrators-$400 is alot of money but maybe he has a second best. He never put that item in my plan of care, but in my second visit we talked about them b/c I was interested . He gave me some ideas and brochure on what I might want to consider. I bought a less expensive one but it did not do a thing for me.<P>He will respond to your e-mails. He really means it when he says stay in touch by e-mail and he means business when he says take your meds as prescribed.<P>Also, I do have GREAT NEWS about me. I am now able to have orgams in less than 15 minutes-YAA!!! However, it took me 8 months to get to that point and following his plan of care. It was like going through physical therapy rehab. DO not give up.<P>I think what he has said in terms of the plan of care based on all the medical journals and abstracts I have read makes sense and I would give it a try. That is my opinion.<BR> It sounds like your visit worked out OK-as I stated before in the above post I just wanted to make sure. Thanks.

l, thank you for sharing the good news of your visit with Dr. Goldstein, and especially for the description of his helpfulness. I'll be eager for my wife, blossom, to read this when she returns in about ten days.<P>His specific attention to the clitoris and lack of sensation is really interesting to us and I think my wife would like to ask you more questions later.<P>You mentioned being negative, but I appreciate your honest and positive and attitude.<P>Best wishes,<BR>-Pilgrim

Glad to see persistancy can pay off. If you read my earlier post - I applaud you and also.......How does one get in touch with Goldstein?

So sorry for your bad experience. I know all too well how it feels to be treated by health care personnel as though you don't know what you're talking about. I wrote in a long essay to the head of Physical medicine here in the nursing home where I live. That the attitude is "What can a patient know?"and, I stand by that statement. My only exception is my gp,who as a woman, and a blonde,in the medical field probably has met that attitude herself!On the other hand, as a good friend of mine who used to be in sales tells me, almost daily, it seems, it takes many 'nos'to get a "Yes"I envy your being able to see so many specalislists and wonder if you could find someone, md, lab or agency which has dealt with lead poisoning issues who might direct you or doc to some helpgul data?

I'm so happy for you Iam. Sounds like you are doing well and thanks for the encouragement.<P>Oh I already had an EROS, just need a vibrator.<P>Dear Pegasusous (spelling??),<P>Did you say you live in a nursing home? If so I certainly know what you mean and doctors attitudes toward nursing home patients. I worked in a nursing home for six years (social worker/admissions person). One doctor told us we weren't watering our vegetables because he noted symptoms of dehydration in patients (I'm surprised he noticed). Thansk for commenting on my situation. I don't see how I could possibly have lead poisioning, though. Hope to hear from you again.<P>Take care everyone.<P>l<BR>

Sadened7<BR>If you plan on going, it may take a few months before you can get a first appt.<P><p>[This message has been edited by lam (edited 26 October 2002).]

I, I'm so glad you've received the care you deserved! Maybe with the new HRT you'll see some improvements. And at least he said that it was treatable regardless of whether sensation comes back on its own.<P><BR>Also what exactly is neropathy? What causes it and how is it treated? And what did Dr. Goldstein say about the Ferticare vibrator that made it better than your run of the mil novelty store vibrator?<P>Again happy to hear that your appointment went well and you haven't given up hope!

"I"<P>I have another question. How often do you have to go back? I was told by one of the other drs. in the dept he likes to follow his patients for between 18-24 months. I am assuming I will be done in about 8 months. Never thought I would be sad in NOT going to see a dr. I will really miss everyone. They have been amazing. Wish all drs. could be like that dept.

Dr. GOldstein said we will be communicating by e-mail and that I am to get lab work done here in 2 1/2 months and get results to him. I think he said it might be good if I went back to see him in a year or so.<P>As for the Ferti Care vibrator, it has a flat head, adjustable speed (you turn a dial) and it is very powerful. Dr. Goldstein said it is used on males that have spinal cord injuries to cause ejaculation for purposes of sperm collection. His nurse gave me a catalog of other vibrators, etc.<P>I don't know the dictionary definition of neuropathy but I do know that loss of sensation is a symptom. Diabetes causes neuropathy (often in feet). Lead poisioning can cause it. I think there are a lot of causes.<P>l

B12 deficiency is also a common cause of neuropathy that is often missed by MDs. Need serum B12 and folate to diagnose.

I, I'm so happy for you that you are having this new hope! I think lead poisoning sounds like a great possibility. HAve you checked the pipes in your home? The city's annual water report? It might be that you are getting lead in your water supply (or were) and this caused the damage! <P>I am now completely sold on Goldstein. If I can't get help locally (and I'm still trying that, waiting for my labs to come back), then I will try to Fort Wayne doctors, and if they can't help me, next stop Dr. Goldstein!<P>About the thing he said that rubbed you the wrong way...he seems to me to talk to a patient about their case as he would talk to a collegue about that patient's case. With a collegue, he might say, "Well, I can't be sure it grew, but this is what the patient says." But you ARE the patient. You're not just saying, "It's big, so it must have grown." There are women out there who don't ever look at their vulvas I did not look at mine for about 15 years, and when I looked again...WOW a lot changed! I didn't know it would ever look different than it did when I was five! <P>I do hope that your hormones get straightened out. It sounds like you have found that hope you never thought you would. Do you finally believe that it's not possible to lose clitoral sensation due to increased clitoral size? I hope so. <P>Things are really looking up for you post-hyst, and that is so wonderful. I always think of a hyst as being something that is going to cause nerve damage and suffering, but in your case, it really was needed and you seem so much better off! And the improvements are going to just keep on coming. One of these days, you are going to have that sensation back. I believe that. Maybe it will even be soon! You're always in my prayers, I. <P>You know, I was in terrible pain last night. I couldn't sleep because of my terribly swollen bump on my labia majora. And I prayed that it would get better enough so that I could sleep, and you know what? I woke up this morning and it feels so much better, and it shrank. I have never had such a directly answered prayer before! These things ususally last a long time, and this one...I should have written that in the "lately with me" post. <P>Wow, that is one expensive vibrator he wants you to buy! I wish I knew something about vibrators so I could direct you to a good one. I've heard the Higitigi (sp?) Magic Wand is supposedly "the best." But, this sounds better to me! That one is only like $70. I personally would love to try a more powerful vibrator, because the one I have...I actually tried to use it a few days ago. I thought maybe I would get some sensation with it if I just left it on. Well, when I was done I was completely numb! That's all it ever does for me. Hope it works better than that for you! of course I didn't invest in a great vibrator, just your standard variable speed, battery operated one. <P>I wonder, Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause anemia (I think it was B12) and also, neuropathy? So if you have anemia symptoms, then it's possible that that is the cause of the neuropathy. <P>Well, I don't know if this is terribly helpful, but hopefully it's at least reassuring. So strange my previous post here didn't show up. Must be a glitch in the system.