[GoingCrazy]

what else helps a lot for pois, anxiety and all these other conditions is  Rhodiola Rosea... Try It.

GC, tell us more about your experience with it.

If your like me and seem to get a rush of anxiety right after sex, try rhodiola rosea.  For me it makes me feel relaxed.  I'm also taking this now as a general supplement because for me if relieves brain fog, and I generally feel a lot smarter.  This can be because it balances certain chemicals in the brain.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/benefits-rhodiola-rosea.html

[underwater]

Aaron
Regarding inflammatory response post orgasm:
I get lower back pain and an irritating, slight burning in groin. Mine comes on 6-8 hours post "O". It's the last symptom to leave. For me it probably involves re-injury to tiny muscles. Then there is probably an inflammatory response that extends to my back. After watching this for 20 years, the trigger doesn't seem neurochemical, but it certainly may be the catalyst for an inflammatory response throughout the body which then becomes a larger neurochemical/autoimmune issue. I appreciate all the discussion re: POIS definitions, but for some of us there may be a significant neuromuscular component that plays a part also. For my body type, very wirey, parts of my body are constantly becoming irritated with "overuse". I am doing some experiments in this area presently. The frustrating thing with this feeling of burning/irritation is that it can last much longer than the traditional POIS period.
I spent $5,000 last year working on this symptom only. Sometimes it just comes on with stress, But its orgin goes way way back to orgasm/ejaculation; in my case probably an injury to soft tissue.

[Counterpoints]

A small adenoma was found on my pituitary.

[demografx]

A small adenoma was found on my pituitary.

Counterpoints, I hope that's controllable! Best wishes, CP.

[martin88]

Sorry to hear you have this Counterpoints, but at least you know it now. It seems your ACTH was high (normal high) for someone who has a high cortisol. Hope you'll update on what your doc is thinking.

[Limejuice]

A small adenoma was found on my pituitary.

My regards.

[Ambient123]

Counterpoints, I am very sorry to hear about your condition.

I suppose the only thing that can be derived from this news is that you may have found the source of your symptoms.

My condolensces are with you.

[Ambient123]

I intended to give my Day 3 report of my Tyrosine experiment, however in light of Counterpoint's news, i'm not sure i would feel right delivering the update to you all.

However, if people are okay with it, then i will provide the Day 3 update.

Thanks

Ambient

[underwater]

Counterpoints--
Best wishes to you. With this discovery, I hope and am confident that the right medications will provide the necessary therapy to control this condition and also provide relief for POIS. The news might sound disappointing, but I bet it opens the door to a lot better health in the future.
Sincerely,
Underwater

[demografx]

I intended to give my Day 3 report of my Tyrosine experiment, however in light of Counterpoint's news, i'm not sure i would feel right delivering the update to you all.

However, if people are okay with it, then i will provide the Day 3 update.

Thanks

Ambient

Ambient, thank you. I deleted my Day 1/ + endo post yesterday for that reason. I'll post Day 2 soon.

Counterpoints has contributed a lot to my success with his urging for testing and his upgrading of our forum.

[CertainlyPOIS]

A small adenoma was found on my pituitary.

sorry to hear the bad news.

[Counterpoints]

Thanks everyone.  I'm not sure if this is the cause of any problems, or not.  Apparently up to 10% of the adult population have an 'incidentaloma' on the pituitary (e.g. a tumor that does not affect anything).  However, from my cortisol levels, and my symptoms, I was already suspicious about a pituitary problem.  I don't think it's cancerous, Demo, so it should be contained.  It could be causing endocrine imbalances, though, and interfering with my physiological response to orgasm (which, like most here, is quite severely abnormal).

Ambient, and everyone else, please keep on with the updates: I would certainly rather you did that didn't!

I'll stay in touch.  I think the next step might be getting an ACTH level check near the pituitary, through sinus sampling.  I have yet to have a scan of the abdomen, which I think is important.  I think I should also get a scan of my prostate.  In my case, orgasm does not always cause symptoms.  It usually does.  And when it does, I've noticed a burning sensation in my prostate area, plus persistent pressure.  When it doesn't, I don't experience this. The burning usually sets in before symptoms, so usually I have some idea about whether or not I'll be symptomatic before I actually feel any symptoms.

Also, cortisol may not be solely responsible for my POIS symptoms.  The pituitary both regulates sexual response and cortisol levels... so something affecting the pituitary could affect both, and both could be somewhat independent. It's hard to say with certainty though.

Best,
CP

PS.  I remember pyropeach mentioning something (possibly?) similar on his pituitary?  Maybe if he reads this, he could provide some more info.

[nsf]

Counterpoints, I wish you quick, complete and painless recovery.

I have been following up my body responses post "O" and have been looking out for symptoms. I do have brain fog, worsened anxiety problems and high stress for few days after. I also have good amount of physical exhaustion and problems. The cortisol theory looks logical. Interestingly, I had come across an article that talks about "dormant virus" in the nerve endings that could wake up when immunity levels are low and cause various problems to the body. This seemed aligned to the physical symptoms I have had on POIS (Except that I could not see an explicit Shingles as in the article, but have had psoriasis attack few months ago). The attached link is: newbielink:http://www.painfoundation.org/ManageYourPain/Shingles/PhysicalMental.pdf [nonactive]

[Ambient123]

Counterpoints, since you insist that we carry on, i would be delighted to provide my Day 3 report on the Tyrosine Experiment:

TYROSINE EXPERIMENT

DAY 3

It is the third day of my Tyrosine experiment, in which i take 1g of Tyrosine every morning and note its effect on my POIS symptoms, which ususally peak at around day 2 and last until around day 5 or 6.

Update: Since the usual Day 2 peak occurred with fewer symptoms, I am glad to report that today, much like yesterday, has passed with fewer POIS symptoms.

Symptoms avoided on Day 3:  No depression
                            No suicidal thoughts
                            Brain haze (experienced on day 2) is clearing.
                            No social withdrawal
                            Improved self-confidence
                            No (or hardly any) fatigue.
                            Sense of humour restored

Symptoms which remain are:  Slight inability to concentrate
                            Focus seems somewhat low.
                           

However, it is possible that these symptoms are consequences of the consistently high tyrosine in my system. Does anybody concur?

To summarise, improvements on Day 2 continue on Day 3. I feel that tomorrow i may possibly be entirely rid of POIS symptoms, in which case the span of my symptoms would have decreased from 5-6 days, to 3-4 days.

As i previously mentioned, i feel that more could be done to improve symptoms more quickly.

Also, it is my suspicion that my remaining symptoms could be related to high levels of Tyrosine. What are your thoughts on this?

Thank you

Ambient

[underwater]

Counterpoints, I wish you quick, complete and painless recovery.

I have been following up my body responses post "O" and have been looking out for symptoms. I do have brain fog, worsened anxiety problems and high stress for few days after. I also have good amount of physical exhaustion and problems. The cortisol theory looks logical. Interestingly, I had come across an article that talks about "dormant virus" in the nerve endings that could wake up when immunity levels are low and cause various problems to the body. This seemed aligned to the physical symptoms I have had on POIS (Except that I could not see an explicit Shingles as in the article, but have had psoriasis attack few months ago). The attached link is: http://www.painfoundation.org/ManageYourPain/Shingles/PhysicalMental.pdf

NSF---
Very interesting. I've always wondered if there was such a thing as a "dormant virus" that may be triggered by orgasm. My symptoms "are allergy like", and I hate the burning in groin area and sore lower back. It feels like a direct autoimmune response. My anxiety also spikes with sweating and paresthesia. Do you have any burning or irritation in groin or lower back? Do you have any other allergic type response? You mentioned Psoriasis. This is interesting. How do you sleep? Have you tried any antibiotics?

[underwater]

Counterpoints--
You too mention a burning sensation in prostate. I definitely have this. It drives me crazy. It comes on post orgasm AND during stress!! In 2007 I had it on and off all year; also well into 2008. I suspect that arousal and orgasm cause inflammation. I've watched it happen many times. This is why I lean to theories like autoimmune and dormant virus etc.
My thinking has undergone a complete shift since Dec last yr. I no longer think about neurotransmitters, but instead inflammatory response. In my case, I think the inflammatory response triggers hormone issues etc. But to tell any of my doctors this idea? How could I even experiment with this? Take Advil? I'm nearly allergic to everything. Load myself with blackberries, blueberries and onions? I may have to remain abstinent the rest of my life, which- thank god-probably isn't all that long anymore. Still, I can't imagine finishing my 60's and 70's with no sex at all. Eighties, Okay--------Misery needs some humor I think---

[demografx]

I remember pyropeach mentioning something (possibly?) similar on his pituitary?  Maybe if he reads this, he could provide some more info.

I found the following and, hope you don't mind, I PM'd pyro to see if he can add anything to this:

I found this on wikipedia.org  - interesting: if oxytocin and prolactin are responsible for the refractory period maybe these chemicals are related to our symptoms....

Interesting idea tarkington as my own prolactin levels are slightly elevated due to a small (4mm) growth on my pituitary.   

[demografx]

Underwater,

You speak the agony language of POIS all too well! Keep the faith. I'm glad I did, though I don't know how, decade after decade!

[demografx]

Ambient, congratulations on the sustained improvement!

[demografx]

DAY 2: STILL A 'MIRACLE'!

After 30+ years' POIS agony, it's hard to believe that it's probably...finally over! According to my endocrinologist visit yesterday, I have little reason to believe otherwise.

Today is Day 2, and I feel terrific. No burning fingertips. No exhaustion. No severe brain fog. Just my silly old self.

Today, I rushed over to the piano to play. Got somewhat creative. That would NEVER, ever happen before.

The endocrinologist confirmed that my testosterone level increased, which I could "feel". It went from 166 to 255, a "low normal". If that doesn't go up by June, he might switch me to a "pump gel" to increase the dosage. Meanwhile I'm happy with it.

My endo is medically content with my testosterone + Levitra "cocktail" method of combatting POIS.

I wish everyone this same level of success! And you will find it if you don't give up. With this forum, we have all advanced phenomenally the state of understanding and possible cures for POIS. And they will continue progressing rapidly. Best wishes.

This is not medical advice. See your physician for the course of treatment that is right for you.