Hello,
To all those interested, I am 5 feet 6.25 inches tall (that quarter inch makes all the difference <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">), and I weighed in August approximately 122-125 lbs. I had hovered at that weight for approximately 4-5 years, going up and down, though averaging that weight. Anyway, in finding myself highly motivated, I decided to take a risk and overturn a rock that I had considered years ago, but was discouraged with road-blocks and dumb blank looks from the physicians. The issue I looked into was my IGF-1 (Immune Growth Factor-1) and my testosterone levels (free and total testosterone), which I knew both were low due to physical demands, infections and stress of the CF (common to CFers), and this had been confirmed by blood work, etc. So I decided to push and push hard on the topic of normalizing or exaggerating my IGF-1 and testosterone levels. CF doctors wouldn't discuss it, mostly due to their lack of familiarity, but also because there is a great taboo as it regards these hormones. AIDS and HIV patients get to use it these drugs for their therapy and it is covered by insurance, I figured why I shouldn't I benefit too. I think AIDS/HIV patients get more liberal and progressive physicians helping and willing to help them then we do. I sympathize with the patinets of AIDS/HIV, but the politics of the disease and the politics of helping its victums, allow its care to function outside the already broken system. No other disease that I have researched gets the same cutting edge approach to care. We should all have the same opportunity regardless of the disease to investigate and utilize what care is out there, and have insurance pay for it.
So, I found a doctor, a progressive doctor, who knew little about CF, but more than I about Growth Hormone and testosterone, though I do know much on the topics... and he treats AIDS and HIV patients. So I with little effort persuaded him to give me testosterone. He gave it to me on the understanding that I would eat more and exercise. I knew as he had stated that this stuff does not work at all unless you put 110% into eating like a fiend (I eat 3-4 cups of oatmeal in the morning, protein bars and gelcaps throughout the day, can of tuna and 3 cups of brown rice for lunch, and about 3-4 cups of spaghetti with two cans of tuna for dinner) and working out consistently and diligently, and working out hard, which I did. My lungs are at 44% (FEV1) so I had to use O2 to lift weights, and I could not do any aerobics because it is too hard on my body, but I can rest in between lifting sets, not so with aerobics (at least to get the intended benefit). For months I arranged my life to do what I had to take this risk. And the risk paid off. I now weigh 144 lbs. and my lungs are stable at 44% (I actually cough up more lifting weights than I do with my usual therapies.). My goal is to weigh 150-155lbs.
All the doctor did was jack my testosterone levels up to the high end of normal, because they were at the very low end of normal. Now my levels are strong and my Growth Hormone levels are up (without taking GH). With all the exercising and so forth my IGF-1 went up to the 50%, which is absolutely normal. It was low before.
I don't think this would work for women, but it will for men. I recommend that you search out a doctor that will run your blood work to determine if you are a good candidate for this one-of-a-kind therapy. There are risks, which I will not get into now, but if you are interested please send me a message and I will try to be of help.
Good luck.
Grendel
To all those interested, I am 5 feet 6.25 inches tall (that quarter inch makes all the difference <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">), and I weighed in August approximately 122-125 lbs. I had hovered at that weight for approximately 4-5 years, going up and down, though averaging that weight. Anyway, in finding myself highly motivated, I decided to take a risk and overturn a rock that I had considered years ago, but was discouraged with road-blocks and dumb blank looks from the physicians. The issue I looked into was my IGF-1 (Immune Growth Factor-1) and my testosterone levels (free and total testosterone), which I knew both were low due to physical demands, infections and stress of the CF (common to CFers), and this had been confirmed by blood work, etc. So I decided to push and push hard on the topic of normalizing or exaggerating my IGF-1 and testosterone levels. CF doctors wouldn't discuss it, mostly due to their lack of familiarity, but also because there is a great taboo as it regards these hormones. AIDS and HIV patients get to use it these drugs for their therapy and it is covered by insurance, I figured why I shouldn't I benefit too. I think AIDS/HIV patients get more liberal and progressive physicians helping and willing to help them then we do. I sympathize with the patinets of AIDS/HIV, but the politics of the disease and the politics of helping its victums, allow its care to function outside the already broken system. No other disease that I have researched gets the same cutting edge approach to care. We should all have the same opportunity regardless of the disease to investigate and utilize what care is out there, and have insurance pay for it.
So, I found a doctor, a progressive doctor, who knew little about CF, but more than I about Growth Hormone and testosterone, though I do know much on the topics... and he treats AIDS and HIV patients. So I with little effort persuaded him to give me testosterone. He gave it to me on the understanding that I would eat more and exercise. I knew as he had stated that this stuff does not work at all unless you put 110% into eating like a fiend (I eat 3-4 cups of oatmeal in the morning, protein bars and gelcaps throughout the day, can of tuna and 3 cups of brown rice for lunch, and about 3-4 cups of spaghetti with two cans of tuna for dinner) and working out consistently and diligently, and working out hard, which I did. My lungs are at 44% (FEV1) so I had to use O2 to lift weights, and I could not do any aerobics because it is too hard on my body, but I can rest in between lifting sets, not so with aerobics (at least to get the intended benefit). For months I arranged my life to do what I had to take this risk. And the risk paid off. I now weigh 144 lbs. and my lungs are stable at 44% (I actually cough up more lifting weights than I do with my usual therapies.). My goal is to weigh 150-155lbs.
All the doctor did was jack my testosterone levels up to the high end of normal, because they were at the very low end of normal. Now my levels are strong and my Growth Hormone levels are up (without taking GH). With all the exercising and so forth my IGF-1 went up to the 50%, which is absolutely normal. It was low before.
I don't think this would work for women, but it will for men. I recommend that you search out a doctor that will run your blood work to determine if you are a good candidate for this one-of-a-kind therapy. There are risks, which I will not get into now, but if you are interested please send me a message and I will try to be of help.
Good luck.
Grendel