Any doctors out there?

[Miles]

Are there any doctors out there?

If so I would greatly appreciate some answers concerning  my gynecomastia.
I am 70 years old and started taking nifedipine about 2 ½ years ago to control blood pressure. Although I believe this drug  can induce gynecomastia, this didn’t appear to be a problem in my case. However, 5 months ago I started taking omeprazole to obviate gastro-intestinal problems and now I have recently become aware of unmistakeable breast development. A cupped hand can now barely contain one of my burgeoning “breasts”.
My questions are:
1.      If I cease the medications, will my “breasts” fade away, remain in their current enlarged state or will the development continue?
2.      If I continue with the medication, will the development continue in the absence of surgical intervention (which I should like to avoid if possible) and, if so, for how much longer would it be likely to continue, and how much bigger can the “breasts” be expected to be when the development finally ends?
I await your responses with great interest.
Miles

[nonini]

You might also want to ask whoever is prescribing you those meds I think thats a beter idea than an internet forum, since you never know who is on the other side.

[Mr_Nip]

You might also want to ask whoever is prescribing you those meds I think thats a beter idea than an internet forum, since you never know who is on the other side.

I agree, but sometimes doctors in general don't understand or recognize gynecomastia when they're looking at it.  I would ask the doctor first, though, as suggested by nonini.  Maybe your doctor could put you on a different drug that would benefit you as well without the gynecomastia side effect.  

I have read several posts that suggest stopping a drug early in the development of gyne will result in the gyne slowly going away most of the time.  On the other hand, once gyne has been established for longer periods of time it is more likely to be permanent.  

[Hypo-is-here]

Why not get a referral from your gp to an endocrinologist (doctor who understands  the causes of gynecomastia) to check you out?  

If a drug is causing a problem then they might be able to find out how and why and also know what should be done in your given situation.

Any medication that causes gynecomastia has a method of action upon hormones or liver function etc (endocrine function) that results in the development of this condition.  An endocrinologist is your best bet and far more likely to help you than a regular gp who will know little to nothing about such issues.

One of your medications maybe causing an elevation of SHBG (something quite common in older men) lowering androgen status in some other way, be adversely affecting liver function, increasing estrogens etc.  

Very likely there is an endocrine mechanism of action for dramatic/rapid late onset gynecomastia and an endocrinologist maybe able to find out what it is and rectify matters one way or the other.

[Miles]

Thanks Nonini, Mr Nip & Hypo-in-here.
It has always been my intention to return to the specialists who put me on to the drugs in the first place but, in addition, I was hoping to get some input from this forum, seeing that it is specifically dedicated to the problem.
Miles