Just a rant about what gyne has done to me

[Again]

I am 33 years old.  I have drug induced gyne.  When I was 27 I started on a drug for addiction called subutex, and I also started on daily valium 20mg.  Subutex is an opioid (which are known to cause gyne) and valium also causes gyne.  I did not ever have one trace of gyne before I started these drugs, and the gyne started about 6 months after I started on these drugs. 

Little did I know that the drug Subutex would be 100 times more addictive than the drug I was on previously, oxycontin.  I am stuck on this drug cannot get off it.  When long time users of this drug stop using it, there is a period of acute withdrawal that lasts for 2 months, followed by post acute withdrawal (PAWS) that lasts up to 2 years.  So the point is that I have tried and tried to cut back slowly and cannot cut back at all.  I'm stuck on the drug.

As I stayed on the drugs (prescribed), my gyne started and keeps getting worse.  I am married and my wife and I had a child almost 4 years ago.  I have never taken her swimming or been on any family vacations to the beach (how could I explain not going out to the beach).  In the past 5 years it has gotten so bad, I don't even like going out to places without a jacket on.  So in the summer time I am pretty much stuck at my house.  I lost my job due to severe depression (which is common from long time subutex use).  I stay at my house all the time.  When my daughter goes swimming I can't go with her.  I avoid taking my shirt off in front of her and keep the house freezing cold so I can wear long sleeves. 

This drug induced gyne has just wrecked my life.  I look like a female when I take off my shirt.  I have no friends anymore, not 1.  I lost them all because they all go to the river (like I use to do) and wakeboard.  Just hang out at the river. 

I realize that things could be much worse.  I could get cancer and there are people suffering much more than me.  But my situation is that I live life as a hermit because of gyne.  I have tried the compression vests, they are torturous here in the south in the summer time.  Plus I need to be able to take my shirt off.  It's just killing me.  I didn't know where else to take this.  Is anyone else in a situation like I am?  Obviously if you are reading this, then you probably are.  I feel sorry for all of you, I would not wish gyne on my worst enemy.

 

[scrabble]

TBH, you're in a worse position than most as you say you're now addicted, you lost your job 'cos of depression, not to mention you got gyne which I'm sure was not on the side-effects list? I'd contact a medical lawyer if you have the finance, and try win some big settlement... I'm not sure how well a doc is going to help you in this... you'll need one to ween you off the drugs, another to check your hormons, and possibly another for a gyne op...

[jojo82]

I am 33 years old.  I have drug induced gyne.  When I was 27 I started on a drug for addiction called subutex, and I also started on daily valium 20mg.  Subutex is an opioid (which are known to cause gyne) and valium also causes gyne.  I did not ever have one trace of gyne before I started these drugs, and the gyne started about 6 months after I started on these drugs. 

Little did I know that the drug Subutex would be 100 times more addictive than the drug I was on previously, oxycontin.  I am stuck on this drug cannot get off it.  When long time users of this drug stop using it, there is a period of acute withdrawal that lasts for 2 months, followed by post acute withdrawal (PAWS) that lasts up to 2 years.  So the point is that I have tried and tried to cut back slowly and cannot cut back at all.  I'm stuck on the drug.

As I stayed on the drugs (prescribed), my gyne started and keeps getting worse.  I am married and my wife and I had a child almost 4 years ago.  I have never taken her swimming or been on any family vacations to the beach (how could I explain not going out to the beach).  In the past 5 years it has gotten so bad, I don't even like going out to places without a jacket on.  So in the summer time I am pretty much stuck at my house.  I lost my job due to severe depression (which is common from long time subutex use).  I stay at my house all the time.  When my daughter goes swimming I can't go with her.  I avoid taking my shirt off in front of her and keep the house freezing cold so I can wear long sleeves. 

This drug induced gyne has just wrecked my life.  I look like a female when I take off my shirt.  I have no friends anymore, not 1.  I lost them all because they all go to the river (like I use to do) and wakeboard.  Just hang out at the river. 

I realize that things could be much worse.  I could get cancer and there are people suffering much more than me.  But my situation is that I live life as a hermit because of gyne.  I have tried the compression vests, they are torturous here in the south in the summer time.  Plus I need to be able to take my shirt off.  It's just killing me.  I didn't know where else to take this.  Is anyone else in a situation like I am?  Obviously if you are reading this, then you probably are.  I feel sorry for all of you, I would not wish gyne on my worst enemy.

 

You have a bigger problem than gynecomastia. You have an addiction problem. You need to get that solved before worrying about being able to take your shirt off at the river.

[Again]

Easier said than done.  I am on 8mg of subutex.  When I try to wean off and move down to 6mg I totally lose the ability to sleep.  I can make it a week with not 1 second of sleep before I have to go back up to 8mg so I can get relief/sleep.

But the gyne is just horrible.  I cannot wear a t shirt and walk from my house to my car without being really nervous about somebody seeing me.  It's killing me along with the other crap.  Drug addiction, gambling addiction.  All things I brought on myself but I was 15 when I first started drinking/drugs and really had no control back then.  I just don't know what to do.  The thought of me sitting in a house from age 33 until I die, with no friends, is the most depressing thing in the world.  But it is my reality thanks to addiction and gyne.

[Again]

TBH, you're in a worse position than most as you say you're now addicted, you lost your job 'cos of depression, not to mention you got gyne which I'm sure was not on the side-effects list? I'd contact a medical lawyer if you have the finance, and try win some big settlement... I'm not sure how well a doc is going to help you in this... you'll need one to ween you off the drugs, another to check your hormons, and possibly another for a gyne op...

I responded to the other poster in my post above.  I don't know how I can win any settlement at all.  Buprenorphine (subutex) is taking over methadone as the "opiate addicts savior" according to doctors.  The drug is horrible.  It has caused severe depression, taken every ounce of energy I have away, and turned me into a person that I was not before.  We bought a new house 7 years ago (wife works) and there is probably 12 holes I have punched or kicked in the walls because of these severe mood swings the drug puts me in.  It has changed the way I look (aged me about 15 years in the past 5 years), and given me one of the worst cases of gyne I have ever seen.  But I wouldn't win a dime if I took this to court.

[jojo82]

Easier said than done.  I am on 8mg of subutex.  When I try to wean off and move down to 6mg I totally lose the ability to sleep.  I can make it a week with not 1 second of sleep before I have to go back up to 8mg so I can get relief/sleep.

But the gyne is just horrible.  I cannot wear a t shirt and walk from my house to my car without being really nervous about somebody seeing me.  It's killing me along with the other crap.  Drug addiction, gambling addiction.  All things I brought on myself but I was 15 when I first started drinking/drugs and really had no control back then.  I just don't know what to do.  The thought of me sitting in a house from age 33 until I die, with no friends, is the most depressing thing in the world.  But it is my reality thanks to addiction and gyne.

It's likely your gynecomastia is being aggravated by Buprenorphine, which has been shown to reduce serum testosterone levels. As I said before, your problem is addiction. You need to be in a rehabilitation center. You are not going to wean yourself off of Buprenorphine, especially if you've taken it long-term.

[hatemymoobs]

I'm saddened by your story, but it feels familiar. Your situation sounds worse than mine, but similarities exist.
I'm an alcoholic. I've battled quitting for a long time. I've finally gotten it under control and haven't had a drink on more than a few occasions this year. Before that it was every night a few drinks.
Right now I'm addicted to Xanax. (prescribed for anxiety) and I'm psychologically hooked on benadryl for sleep.
I'm depressed, like you, and probably would have lost my job too if I didn't work for a family business.

Your addictions are much worse than mine- and I really hope you get help because as you know addiction is not fun and will destroy your life. Get that under control buddy and take one day at a time.
The gyne sucks as we all know on here. Try to get your addictions under control- see a psychiatrist who specializes in addiction and see if he can help. Once you get off the meds that cause gyne see if it gets any better and if not, start seeking treatment for that.

It may be a long journey before you're back to how you felt before, but with support on here, a good set of doctors, and your loving family- you will get through it. And what better reason to motivate you than your daughter??

I have a son- who I'd love to take swimming at a public pool. Before he was old enough to learn to swim I didn't care much. I'd just wear clothes to hide it. Well I'm tired of it- so like you I'm seeking treatment.

Don't let drugs, addiction, or even this benign health condition ruin your life. YOU are in control. Its tough- but you can get your life back. We're here for you. All the time.

Good luck.

[fedex]

I got developed gyno from taking a bottle of superdrol and probably aggravated it even worse by taking daily doses of pepcid ac. I cannot advise on addiction other than that i was hooked on cigarettes and just went cold turkey and kicked the habit. It was very tough, but like another member said above, you are in control even if it does not feel that way.

Since developing gyno i have become depressed, self conscious, wear jackets, and all the other crap that comes with gyno. Thank goodness that my girlfriend is supportive - tell your wife exactly how you feel and ask for her support and patience. Make it your goals that you will kick your addiction, save $ for surgery, and work toward them - once you start going forward again you will feel better. Also, get your hormone levels checked because they could be out of whack, i know mine probably are with the added mental stress. Keep on telling yourself it will get better and do something about it. You can do it!

[Again]

Thank you guys for the support.  I feel for everyone who suffers with this affliction.  I am going to try to wean off the Subutex but much easier said than done.  I can't go to a detox center.  Those places are for drugs like heroin, alcohol, cocaine, etc. that have short detox times.  People go in to the detox facility and just stop the drug.  They are sick for a few days to a week and then they get better.  If I stop subutex cold turkey I would be sick for a month to 2 months, and then have something called PAWS (post acute withdrawal syndrome) for a year to 2 years.  It is because subutex (like methadone) has a very long half life, so if you are on it long term you brain has not "fired" normally for that whole time.  Whereas a heroin addict of 5 years takes heroin everyday, but then it wears off and his brain starts "firing" a little bit every day.  My brain has not functioned normally for almost 6 years.  I am very educated on drugs and detoxes of drugs.  Here is an expert in the field talking about how hard it is to get off subutex.  Most people who get on it stay on it for life.  He claims it is the hardest drug in the world to stop once you have been on it for a long time.  I believe him because I have tried to just cut back and suffered immensely.  But I will continue to try I guess.  Thanks again guys.

Oh well I can't post a link to another web site.  Sorry.  If you google "dr scanlan suboxone" and click on the link that has "guinevere gets sober" on the first page it will take you to the article I was going to link.