brianpain33
08-07-2008, 04:35 PM
Well everyone I found out the results of my blood work and guess what everything was normal except for my testosterone results.
MY TESTOSTERONE LEVEL = 176 BARE MINIMUM NORMAL IS 280
I guess everyone including Ex was right about pain meds effecting your testosterone. I am going to be starting on testosterone replacement therapy with the ANDROGEL. It's no wonder that I am experiencing chronic severe fatigue and tiredness. Please everyone pray for me that this Androgel works for me and I don't have any negative side effects.
brian
MY TESTOSTERONE LEVEL = 176 BARE MINIMUM NORMAL IS 280
I guess everyone including Ex was right about pain meds effecting your testosterone. I am going to be starting on testosterone replacement therapy with the ANDROGEL. It's no wonder that I am experiencing chronic severe fatigue and tiredness. Please everyone pray for me that this Androgel works for me and I don't have any negative side effects.
brian
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forginon
08-07-2008, 04:53 PM
Well, just imagine - your level is twice what mine was.
Now mine is in the 500s. I got a new nickname, but I can't share it in mixed company...:cool:
I bet you'll see some real improvement in your psyche and your energy, amongst other things...:D
steve
Now mine is in the 500s. I got a new nickname, but I can't share it in mixed company...:cool:
I bet you'll see some real improvement in your psyche and your energy, amongst other things...:D
steve
cherish1
08-07-2008, 11:33 PM
Wow! No wonder you feel like crud! Here's hoping you don't have too many side effects from the Androgel!
Executor
08-07-2008, 11:56 PM
Hi Brian.....Let's look on the bright side....At least now we know that there's a documented, legit reason for feeling so crudy. I think you'll find HRT to be a really good thing. Who knows, you may not need your anti-depressants down the road. It is well documented that low T can cause depression.
One thing that I need to correct you on.....280 is not barely normal...It is LOW. 280 is the T level of about a 70 year old man. I would encourage you research normal ranges by age group. Conversely, Steve's level of around 500 is where you need to be. In fact, most progressive HRT Docs today recommend that you should be in the upper third for your age group.
What dose of Androgel did he start you on? 5G or 7.5G? Ideally, they should monitor your levels every 6-12 months to ensure that you aren't too high, or that it's in fact working. You should know that with Androgel, it works like a charm with almost everyone initially, but with a fairly large %, the levels drop @ some point due to transdermal thickening, which effects absorption. You won't notice any difference, and is not recognizable to the human eye, however it's just enough to effect absorption. Thus, patients either need to change application locations, or move to shots. Some Endos feel that the transdermal thickening is body wide.
Good luck with the HRT....I think you'll feel like a new person in about 2 weeks.
Take care,
Ex
One thing that I need to correct you on.....280 is not barely normal...It is LOW. 280 is the T level of about a 70 year old man. I would encourage you research normal ranges by age group. Conversely, Steve's level of around 500 is where you need to be. In fact, most progressive HRT Docs today recommend that you should be in the upper third for your age group.
What dose of Androgel did he start you on? 5G or 7.5G? Ideally, they should monitor your levels every 6-12 months to ensure that you aren't too high, or that it's in fact working. You should know that with Androgel, it works like a charm with almost everyone initially, but with a fairly large %, the levels drop @ some point due to transdermal thickening, which effects absorption. You won't notice any difference, and is not recognizable to the human eye, however it's just enough to effect absorption. Thus, patients either need to change application locations, or move to shots. Some Endos feel that the transdermal thickening is body wide.
Good luck with the HRT....I think you'll feel like a new person in about 2 weeks.
Take care,
Ex
123dietdrpepper
08-08-2008, 01:16 AM
And we pay the docs the big bucks....who needs them when we have all us intelligent cpers on this board!! :jester:
Executor
08-08-2008, 03:14 AM
Please everyone pray for me that this Androgel works for me and I don't have any negative side effects.
I probably should have included this in my first response, but forgot...The only real "side effect" is that when one first starts HRT, you can experience a little bit of a "rush" or accelerated heart rate....It's the hormone revving up your engine so to speak. Most only experience this for a day or two, then it subsides.
Best time to apply is early AM, which mimics your natural T production. Once you start getting early AM erections, you'll know you're @ the right dosage.
Good luck.
Ex
I probably should have included this in my first response, but forgot...The only real "side effect" is that when one first starts HRT, you can experience a little bit of a "rush" or accelerated heart rate....It's the hormone revving up your engine so to speak. Most only experience this for a day or two, then it subsides.
Best time to apply is early AM, which mimics your natural T production. Once you start getting early AM erections, you'll know you're @ the right dosage.
Good luck.
Ex
brianpain33
08-08-2008, 04:14 AM
Well I went to pick up the Rx at the pharmacy and I was asking the pharmacist a bunch of questions since I am worried about starting it. Then I say how much is it just to make sure that the price I saw online $25copay was accurate. She comes back and tells me $45 copay:confused: It turns out it's not Androgel, it is some new form of testosterone, don't remember the name of it but it's fairly new on market so of course no generics. I said no I am not paying the $45 copay since I have already spent $145 this week on copays for prescriptions. If I can save $20/month when I am really have A LOT of expenses & debt then that is what I want. I don't need the latest and greatest cream on the market. Sorry I got off track there:mad:
My pharmacist is going to call my doctor tomorrow and ask them if prescribing Androgel would be alright and save me some money in copay. You know the doctor's are not the ones paying for these prescriptions.
OK, breath, breath, count from 3 to 1. Alright I am back and relaxed. I was just so ready to slap that gel on my skin and rub it and let's get to feeling better. I just want to feel better and more like a normal person with lots of energy, no depression, blah, blah, blah.
I will keep you posted about this and hopefully it gets taken care of tomorrow.
brian
My pharmacist is going to call my doctor tomorrow and ask them if prescribing Androgel would be alright and save me some money in copay. You know the doctor's are not the ones paying for these prescriptions.
OK, breath, breath, count from 3 to 1. Alright I am back and relaxed. I was just so ready to slap that gel on my skin and rub it and let's get to feeling better. I just want to feel better and more like a normal person with lots of energy, no depression, blah, blah, blah.
I will keep you posted about this and hopefully it gets taken care of tomorrow.
brian
forginon
08-08-2008, 03:17 PM
And we pay the docs the big bucks....who needs them when we have all us intelligent cpers on this board!! :jester:
You got it sister...
All we need are DEA licenses and numbers and we're off and running...:D
Until we kill off the first patient that is. I prefer just helping folks at my level. I really would not want the responsibility of being a doc. Too much risk. Thank God for those that have the willingness to be doctors, however.
steve
You got it sister...
All we need are DEA licenses and numbers and we're off and running...:D
Until we kill off the first patient that is. I prefer just helping folks at my level. I really would not want the responsibility of being a doc. Too much risk. Thank God for those that have the willingness to be doctors, however.
steve
Executor
08-08-2008, 10:50 PM
It turns out it's not Androgel, it is some new form of testosterone, don't remember the name of it but it's fairly new on market so of course no generics.
If it's not too much trouble, could you find out (maybe call the pharmacy) and see what it is....I'd love to know.
BTW, I think you are making a good decision...Androgel works just fine.
Thanks.
Ex
If it's not too much trouble, could you find out (maybe call the pharmacy) and see what it is....I'd love to know.
BTW, I think you are making a good decision...Androgel works just fine.
Thanks.
Ex
brianpain33
08-09-2008, 12:10 AM
If it's not too much trouble, could you find out (maybe call the pharmacy) and see what it is....I'd love to know.
Ex
I found out that it's called TESTIM. My pharmacist was able to contact the doctor and have him call in the Androgel. I went and picked it up tonight and put it about an hour ago. I know it says you should put it on in the morning but the pharmacist said it shouldn't be a problem as long as I put it on the same time every day. I will have to see what time of the day is going to be the best. If it causes any insomnia then I will put it on in the mornings.
brian
Ex
I found out that it's called TESTIM. My pharmacist was able to contact the doctor and have him call in the Androgel. I went and picked it up tonight and put it about an hour ago. I know it says you should put it on in the morning but the pharmacist said it shouldn't be a problem as long as I put it on the same time every day. I will have to see what time of the day is going to be the best. If it causes any insomnia then I will put it on in the mornings.
brian
Executor
08-09-2008, 12:22 AM
Your pharmacist told you incorrectly. Testim is not a new drug. In fact, Androgel is newer and more advanced. Testim was one of the first and doesn't work very well. You will do much better on Androgel. Good thing you switched. Feedback on Testim has not been good.
Thanks for replying....I thought maybe there was something new in the pipeline, but I guess not.
Regards,
Ex
Thanks for replying....I thought maybe there was something new in the pipeline, but I guess not.
Regards,
Ex
Sunnycal
08-10-2008, 03:44 AM
My husband (age 58), who has RSD, and is on methadone, Wellbutrin, Flomax, Cymbalta, and Lyrica, among other things, has a testosterone reading of 53. He tried Testim, and didn't see any results, and didn't like it because it was messy and made him sweat terribly. He tried several shots but didn't see any results either. I wonder if it was because it is so low and would take longer to see any difference? Would the Androgel work differently?
Sunny
Sunny
Executor
08-10-2008, 10:45 AM
Yes, Androgel is completely different....Much better than testim, IMO. Androgel comes in two forms....(1) Packets, which you cut open and apply the entire contents....Sort of like an oversized ketchup packet....And (2) A Pump bottle. The pump is better IMO because you can pump the # of depressions indicated on the bottle for your particular script....Very clean, easy, and quick. The Androgel dries on your body within 30-45 seconds....It's alcohol based, so it dries really fast.
Good luck....I would go back and see my Doc, or a different one. 53 is dangerously low. Low T can have many more effects on the body besides sexual. Low T causes depression, high BP, and a slew of other things. T protects the heart against cardiovascular disease.
Take care,
Ex
Good luck....I would go back and see my Doc, or a different one. 53 is dangerously low. Low T can have many more effects on the body besides sexual. Low T causes depression, high BP, and a slew of other things. T protects the heart against cardiovascular disease.
Take care,
Ex
Mod08
10-08-2008, 11:19 PM
uwsguy
Your post has been moved to the Men's Health Board. Always start a new thread for your own questions/problems.
Thank you.
Mod08
Your post has been moved to the Men's Health Board. Always start a new thread for your own questions/problems.
Thank you.
Mod08
rgs915
06-22-2009, 10:37 AM
I was on androgel when my T was 400s, then Testim when it was 200s. Some things improved but the atrophy as disturbing. any successful Clomid users out there?