Author Topic: PHOTOS: Rebound XT work in progress  (Read 10808 times)

Offline shakamunya

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Photos as promised..................................................

Before: http://img193.echo.cx/img193/6928/gynobefore22rk.jpg

Current: http://img193.echo.cx/img193/383/resolution1zv.jpg


Age: 30
Type: Pubertal gyno (started at age 11, not overweight) mixed with excess estrogen-related fat deposit

I am currently NOT in a caloric deficit, this is not fat loss. These first photos are after 13 days of Rebound XT. I noticed the initial effects after 48 hours... some gland resolution after 5 days... and visible results after 13 days. Note how lopsided the results are so far. Kinda sucks.. the right has shrunk much more than the left. I'll take it though. If you're not seeing results, I would suggest a higher dosage schedule and also taking it with more fat.

First 3 days: 4 or 5 caps per day and then taper down. 1 or 2 in the morning, 1 in the afternoon, and 2 before bed.

YOU MUST TAKE IT WITH A FATTY MEAL and then also take flax oil along with it. I take 2 tablespoons of flax oil with each dose (30 grams) and with a meal containing fat. I've also started adding in 1/2 cup per day of ground flax meal for the lignan assistance.

Good luck. To all the naysayers who claimed a chemical couldn't reduce breast tissue... umm, yea... here are photos, and there are about 25 references on PubMed.

Offline milk_caps

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hey not bad results.

what is the deal with this stuff ?

who should and should not take it ?

what are the side effects ?

do you need any blood work done before using it ?

where can you get it  ?

how much ?

any links to info on it also..

anyways,    lookin' good bro  ;)

Offline shakamunya

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I'm not an expert, but I am an adult and I do my own research and make my own decisions. I would never recommend this to anyone under 21 without doctor supervision. It is a potent aromatase inhibitor-- meaning it blocks the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. Most people feel a slight boost from the extra T and some symptoms of low E.

I have had and will have hormone panel results done on my own-- I know my levels.


>> who should and should not take it ?

If you are under 21 or have an extreme case, I would not take it. If you have never done blood work or seen an endocrinologist to discover any possible underlying HPTA problems, I would not take it.


>> what are the side effects

Estrogen deprivation across your entire system. This can lead to sore joints from lack of lubrication and other minor things. You might also see signs of extra T, like oily skin, acne, etc.


>> where can you get it

Sorry, not advertising... you can Google it though. There are no good links discussing its use for gynecomastia that I can think of except for the various logs on bodybuilding sites.


Thanks for the good words!  ps... the photos make me look hyooooge... I'm really not... 193 lbs, 15 to 17% body fat now:

http://img172.echo.cx/img172/8371/139159rf.jpg (this is me with my nips tweaked, what I should look like)
« Last Edit: May 16, 2005, 07:47:55 AM by shakamunya »

Offline milk_caps

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again, not bad dude.

the main reason i asked was because my case is very similar to yours,

last year after some heavy working out on my chest, it stuck out a bit more. but for some reason it has seem to go back down a little (very weird)

but mine is about where your photos 13 days pic was.

i'm 22 and weigh about 175 so with the exception of 15-20 pounds the case is similar.

i'm in the process of hitting the protein and trying to bulk up a bit, (getting the arms,back, shoulders bigger)

Offline shakamunya

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I love it when clueless people tell you to 'hit the weights-- incline presses, work the upper chest' when all it does is make it stick out more. The more muscle you have and less body fat, the more they look like b1tch breasts and not just fat breasts.

If we are similar, I can tell you the way they look is closely related to your water level... when I was dieting down, I had dropped a lot of water and they looked much better. But now that I'm adding some mass, using creatine, and holding about 6 pounds more water, they looked much worse. So if you are working out hard, be aware that your water level will affect how bad they look at any one time.

With what you said, I would definitely give this a shot. Don't expect miracles, but 50% better is still awesome. From what I can see now, my left side still has a very large glandular mass underneath the nip. I was never sure how much was fat, but now my right side is just about normal, I can feel how much gland is really under the left. It isn't pretty... bigger than a golfball flattened.
« Last Edit: May 16, 2005, 08:05:39 AM by shakamunya »

Offline MacLeod

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Nice results!

Can you link those references, from pubmed ? I can't find them!   :(

Offline shakamunya

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WOW this is a new study I had not seen before. Published in 2004:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=14759718

Quote
Management of physiological gynaecomastia with tamoxifen.

Khan HN, Rampaul R, Blamey RW.

Professorial Unit of Surgery, Department of Surgery, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK. hamimi@dsl.pipex.com

AIMS: We aimed to confirm suggestions that tamoxifen therapy alone may resolve physiological gynaecomastia. METHODS: A prospective audit of the outcome of tamoxifen routinely given to men with physiological gynaecomastia was carried out at Nottingham. Men referred with gynaecomastia had clinical signs recorded, e.g., type (diffuse 'fatty' or retro-areolar 'lump'), size and possible aetiology. They were offered oral tamoxifen 20mg once daily for 6-12 weeks. On follow-up patients were assessed for complete resolution (CR), partial resolution where patient is satisfied with outcome (PR) or no resolution (NR). Success was either CR or PR. RESULTS: Thirty-six men accepted tamoxifen for physiological gynaecomastia. Median age was 31 (range 18-64). Tenderness was present in 25 (71%) cases. Sixteen men (45%) had 'fatty' gynaecomastia and 20 had 'lump' gynaecomastia. Tamoxifen resolved the mass in 30 patients (83.3%; CR=22, PR=8 ) and tenderness in 21 cases (84%; CR=0, PR=0). Lump gynaecomastia was more responsive to tamoxifen than the fatty type (100% vs. 62.5%; P=0.0041). CONCLUSIONS: Oral tamoxifen is an effective treatment for physiological gynaecomastia, especially for the lump type.



That is for Tamoxifen (nolvadex). You can find similar studies by searching for keywords gynecomastia, tamoxifen, raloxifene, exemestane, resolution, etc. While those are prescription drugs, you can get Rebound -- an analogue of exemestane, a powerful anti-E -- as a supplement. It IS self-medication and should be undertaken after significant research. Other studies:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=10651345

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15255840

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15238910

Quote
Some improvement was seen in 86% of patients receiving tamoxifen and in 91% receiving raloxifene, but a greater proportion had a significant decrease (>50%) with raloxifene (86%) than tamoxifen (41%). No side effects were seen in any patients. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of estrogen receptor action in the breast appears to be safe and effective in reducing persistent pubertal gynecomastia, with a better response to raloxifene than to tamoxifen. Further study is required to determine that this is truly a treatment effect.
« Last Edit: May 16, 2005, 09:28:13 AM by shakamunya »

Offline jc71

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  • Wilma, grab the lotion, we're going to the beach!
I didn't think your results were that obvious.  I had to look closely a 2nd time and yes it does look better but you still have gyne and even mild gyne sucks.

This is an interesting thread.  Keep taking it and post your pics.  "If" you continue to improve, i'm a believer.  Right now i'm a skeptic. I hope it works for you though.

Offline hypo

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Just to warn that excess use of anti estrogen or aromatase inhibitors can cause;

Lowered libido
Erection difficulties
Problems with stamina/lethargy
throw your thyroid function out causing an adverse effects to your metabolism (a sign of the latter is a sore throat)
bone problems and aches and pains.

Just be careful.

P.S

I must say I had much better results than that with Andractim, something that also has its issues and should be obtained from an endocrinologist as opposed to being self medicated.


 
« Last Edit: May 16, 2005, 12:03:10 PM by hypo »

Offline shakamunya

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Quote
I didn't think your results were that obvious.  I had to look closely a 2nd time and yes it does look better but you still have gyne and even mild gyne sucks.

This is an interesting thread.  Keep taking it and post your pics.  "If" you continue to improve, i'm a believer.  Right now i'm a skeptic. I hope it works for you though.


I realize my day-13 update results aren't a hugely dramatic difference like surgery-- but it has only been 13 days and I still have a good bit of fat and water to lose. I can't replicate the liposuction of surgery so quickly. If I were carrying less fat, you could see the results better... but I don't expect a $30 anti-estrogen pill to give me the same immediate results as going under the knife. I've said before, this is not a miracle pill... but it can give some relief.

I'm a major skeptic myself, but I'm also a believer in science. Those studies from PubMed aren't just pulled from thin air-- they show nearly full reduction or resolution in a majority of patients. In fact, that first one I quoted showed 100% results from tamoxifen when the patient had lump gynecomastia and not fatty (20 out of 20 with resolution).

I plan on finishing this cycle I'm on and then in a few months, doing it again-- except I will combine it with raloxifene (SERM + AI) for a total shutdown of estrogen. Run for 4 to 6 weeks, that should be a very effective combination. I have about 15 more pounds of fat to lose and after that, there should be nothing left.


>> I must say I had much better results than that with Andractim, something that also has its issues and should be obtained from an endocrinologist as opposed to being self medicated.

Well, now I know how you must feel when people say they don't see any difference in your photos. If you could see me in person or feel my boobs (I know you want to) you would be amazed at the difference. My right is nearly normal now and my left has a very obvious chunk of gland and pieces of that gland have started to shrivel. I can tell... I know my body, just like you know yours.

ps. I know you only repeat these same things for safety, but I will repeat what I've said elsewhere... I don't believe Andractim is the best choice. It may have been best for your condition, and I am thrilled you have a good endocrinologist that will support you and try things out. For many of us, that simply isn't possible to have or that sort of endocrinologist isn't available. Many studies, including the ones I quoted above, believe anti-estrogens and not anti-progesterones to be the most effective form of treatment.

Offline shakamunya

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addendum: I would say I've had 40% resolution on my right side and 10% resolution so far on my left--- that is why it may be difficult to see results in the photo. Frankly, I'm surprised that at my body fat level, I am getting visible results at all.

So for the majority of the photo, I look the same-- but you can clearly see the contour of my right side has changed noticably. If you could pinch the nip and skin behind it, you would feel the change for sure.

Offline hypo

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shakamunya,

Quote
Well, now I know how you must feel when people say they don't see any difference in your photos. If you could see me in person or feel my boobs (I know you want to) you would be amazed at the difference. My right is nearly normal now and my left has a very obvious chunk of gland and pieces of that gland have started to shrivel. I can tell... I know my body, just like you know yours.
Unquote

That is fair.

Photos sometimes do not tell the whole story/can be a little deceptive as sometimes they don't give a good idea of mass/volume.

Quote
I know you only repeat these same things for safety, but I will repeat what I've said elsewhere... I don't believe Andractim is the best choice
Unquote

It may or may not be the best product- certainly there is no proof at all that this is better.

Andractim has been shown to have proven results in controlled studies 75% reductions 25% resolutions) and its safety is also proven.

You don't even know the exact chemical composition of this product never mind its safety record.

But you pays money and you take your chances with self medication...rolling the dice.

I hope it works out for you even if I do not agree with self medication.

Quote
Many studies, including the ones I quoted above, believe anti-estrogens and not anti-progesterones to be the most effective form of treatment
Unquote

Your not taking an anti estrogen- (I though I had explained that?) and Andractim is not an anti-progesterone but the non aromatizable androgen dihydrotestosterone.

The way in which aromatase inibitors work is very different to anti estrogens and in fact the chemical composition means that there is even a great deal of difference between differing anti estrogens.

There are no studies on aromatase inhibitors in the setting of gynecomatia that I am aware of and there are not many studies on Tamoxifen actually at least not controlled studies involving useful numbers of patients.

If you are talking about Tamoxifen, yes some good results have been seen with it, even more so with Clomiphene Citrate but then there is also the rebound effect that can occur with both medications.

What I would be concerned with is the fact that you do not know what you are taking, what its side effects are or contraindication are or in fact understand how any of this stuff works.

You are playing a little game of Russian roulette-

As long as you know that- fine; like I said I hope you have good results.

P.S

I do understand what you are saying about the endocrinologist, but good endocrinologists can be found that are prepared to help medicate if that is your chosen option, you just have to hunt around a lot.

One last thing, do not combine SERM and aromatase inhibitors otherwise you will be in big trouble- that is a big no no.
« Last Edit: May 16, 2005, 01:48:31 PM by hypo »

Offline shakamunya

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I am not an expert and never claim to give expert advice or even educated advice. I'm simply reporting my results and people can take it the information as they want. You are entirely correct that I do not understand all of the mechanisms at work and this is risky self-medication-- I don't argue that at all. I'm sure I am misusing terminology but I do know the difference between AI and SERM; I am simply calling all of them "anti-estrogens" since that is their function, to bind or block the formation of estrogen. I am probably misusing the term, but I understand the basics.


>> I do understand what you are saying about the endocrinologist, but good endocrinologists can be found that are prepared to help medicate if that is your chosen option, you just have to hunt around a lot.

That is assuming a lot-----

1) not everyone lives in the United States or even a country with 1st-world medical practitioners

2) some people live with government sponsored health care which will not medicate or even give an appointment with a specialist unless there is a dire need

If I wanted to see a specialist, I would either pay over a grand to go to a private male health clinic or make an appointment with a plastic surgeon.


>> You don't even know the exact chemical composition of this product never mind its safety record.

Actually I do. It is 1,4-androstadiene-3,6,17-trione, also called ATD or 1-6 OXO. It is chemically very close to the prescription AI exemestane (aromasin). I think you would agree that most AIs have similar safety records and counterindications.


>>there are not many studies on Tamoxifen actually at least not controlled studies involving useful numbers of patients.

Not that many?  It took me 2 minutes to come up with the quotes I posted above. Those are some pretty solid studies, the latest one from 2004. I haven't tried tamoxifen yet myself, but I will be exploring raloxifene. I have done much worse 'chemical experimentation' with my body in my college years... and yes, I am an adult... so I take my chances.

I think if we sat down in person and had a beer, we would have an interesting talk and actually agree quite a bit. My circumstances right now prevent me from seeing a qualified endocrinologist----- which would be my first choice! -----but I feel I am intelligent and mature enough to make my own decisions about what is safe enough to try and what I shouldn't.

After seeing some of the butcher jobs done by "expert surgeons" posted here, I would say that elective surgery may be riskier than what I'm doing.

Offline shakamunya

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AI Arimidex vs Gyne: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15273427

Quote
There is also the potential for their use in men with conditions such as gynaecomastia or prostate cancer.


AI uses: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12605559

Quote
This ratio is controlled in vertebrates by aromatase; its gene expression can be inhibited in different ways, and this is crucial for the treatment of estrogen-dependent diseases such as breast cancer, or gynecomastia in males for instance. To reach this goal, new steroidal and non-steroidal inhibitors are continuously being developed, and some of them are used as first or second line agents.


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=11403901

Offline hypo

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shakamunya,

Quote
I am not an expert and never claim to give expert advice or even educated advice. I'm simply reporting my results and people can take it the information as they want. You are entirely correct that I do not understand all of the mechanisms at work and this is risky self-medication-- I don't argue that at all. I'm sure I am misusing terminology but I do know the difference between AI and SERM; I am simply calling all of them "anti-estrogens" since that is their function, to bind or block the formation of estrogen. I am probably misusing the term, but I understand the basics.
Unquote

You understand the inherent problems with self medication and yet you still decide to take the risks.  I do not agree with you or what you are doing but at least your eyes are open.

I should say that naming conventions are important otherwise you can get other people muddled up even if you do not become confused yourself.

Anti estrogens or SERMs Selective Estrogen Receptor Moderators block estradiol at the ER but do not lower it in the blood.  Aromatase Inhibitors lowers the actual blood level of estradiol.


Quote regarding endocrinologists
That is assuming a lot
Unquote

Actually it is not.  Firstly I am not in the US and secondly I am fairly aware of the picture of hormonal medicine in many, many countries- you would be surprised.

Thirdly there does exist the possibility of internet consultations and prescriptions, I know of men in the UK who are treated by endocrinologists in the US for example.

I said you don't even know the exact chemical composition of this product never mind its safety record.

To which you replied quote
Actually I do. It is 1,4-androstadiene-3,6,17-trione, also called ATD or 1-6 OXO
Unquote

Well if that is the chemical structure, which it may or may not be; you still don't actually know what any of that means.

I guess we have already spoken about the issue of making your own choices so there is not too much point laboring the issue.

Although I will say one thing....

You say quote
It is chemically very close to the prescription AI exemestane (aromasin)
Unquote

What do you think close actually equates to when it comes to altered chemical structure?

Methltestosterone is close in chemical structure to testosterone but it is outlawed across most of the world (oddly not in the US) because it causes liver tumors.

Now I am not saying that this bodybuilder’s compound is dangerous, but what I am saying is it has no proven safety record and could be dangerous- you certainly don’t know exactly what you are taking.

I said there are not many studies on Tamoxifen actually at least not controlled studies involving useful numbers of patients.

To which you said quote
Not that many?  It took me 2 minutes to come up with the quotes I posted above. Those are some pretty solid studies, the latest one from 2004
Unquote

I say it again no there are not many studies.  

Not controlled studies involving serious numbers, which is a pity.  Studies into Tamoxifen were around twenty years ago and typically involved no more than ten patients, now we see them and they are still involving single numbers or tens of patients- not really good enough.

There is promise though and if used by an endocrinologist I think it is perfectly acceptable.

But then you are not taking Tamoxifen so?

The reason I do not like people self medicating Tamoxifen is because A) 8% of all gynecomastia sufferers have an underlying liver problem and 1% of all gynecomastia sufferers have Renal problems and Tamoxifen can exacerbate liver and Renal problems.

So that is 9% almost 1 in 10 people who if they self medicated Tamoxifen could end up with problems.

Another problem is that because Tamoxifens effects cannot be measured in the blood there is no way to follow its effects with pathology and so it is easy to over dose and leave yourself and reduce the effects of estradiol too much causing thyroid problems lethargy, lowered libido erection problems etc

Another issue with Tamoxifen is the rebound effect.

You see anyone who has an underlying condition;

That is people poor androgen to estrogen ratios, the people with liver or kidney problems, people with thyroid problems etc etc

25% of all people with gynecomastia have an underlying cause.  Well with all of those people once Tamoxifen has been withdrawn the STILL relatively high estradiol level will still be well relatively high, but it will now be able to access the ERs and that means re-development of gynecomastia.

Quote
I think if we sat down in person and had a beer, we would have an interesting talk and actually agree quite a bit. My circumstances right now prevent me from seeing a qualified endocrinologist----- which would be my first choice! -----but I feel I am intelligent and mature enough to make my own decisions about what is safe enough to try and what I shouldn't.
Unquote

Yes we could chat and have a beer without a problem.

A pity your circumstances do not allow you to see an endocrinologist as I feel that would be far better for you.  It is your prerogative as to what you do.

One of my concerns is even if you have a degree of success and of course I hope you do and even if you have no problem as to any side effects, it doesn’t mean that this will be the case for others and on the side effect front that is my BIG concern.

Quote
After seeing some of the butcher jobs done by "expert surgeons" posted here, I would say that elective surgery may be riskier than what I'm doing.
Unquote

There are issues with all treatments and that includes surgery- nothing is 100%.

That said I feel surgery is a far better option than self medication as long as you have a good PS (the money- obviously) and a good check up prior from a good endocrinologist.

On the anastrozole study-   It included four people; I do not consider that to be statistically of any use whatsoever- neither would most involved in the medical field.

I personally know more people and results than that study, I have been prescribed anastrozole in the past and it did virtually nothing, whereas I had a significant reduction with Andractim the reverse of your situation.

If you were to take a study of four people seriously, I would say that it was less successful in treating gynecomastia than Andractim was in controlled studies involving serious numbers of patients and you are taking a very similar substance by all accounts.

You have my thoughts- genuinely good luck anyway.

P.S

I would be interested to see your pathology before and after.


 

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