I started Androgel today

[Caver101]

I had TC a little over 5 years ago and after finding this site ask my Dr. about my T levels. He was very open and added a T level to my blood work. It came back at 257. He said it was in the normal range - I asked what was he calling normal, he said the lab called anything from 170 to 760 is normal. I told him that what I had read for a 29 year old healthy male should be from 400-700. He was open and did some research and agreed that we should try 2.5 of Androgel. If that does not work he said that he is going to refer me to a endocrinologist.

So today is my first day on Androgel. I rubbed it on my shoulders. How long did it take for you guys to feel any different. Dr said maybe as long as a week before I notice anything and if nothing was different after a week to double the dose. I go back in three weeks to get my T levels checked again.

Any advice for a nOOb??
________
Hyde Park Residence 2 Prathumnak

[MRM]

For me (I'm on 10g of Testim daily), I never had depression or any problems like that. Even when I was only on 5g of Testim and had low testosterone, I still felt OK. My fiancee noticed my libido wasn't what it used to be.

It still isn't what it was before the surgeries, but it's much better now. My testosterone is in the 700 range. For me, the biggest bummer is sex doesn't feel the same as it did, I think becasue some nerve endings were cut during the surgeries.

My only overt symptoms that might have been from low testosterone were a couple nights sweats. Those haven't happened since.

[Caver101]

Been a wild day!

Rubbed it on around 6:45am (2.5mg). By 9am I felt like I had gulped down an entire pot of coffee (like a SUPER caffeine rush, to the point of almost having a buzz). I felt jittery (hyper) I guess is the best way to describe it. By 10am I had to take some aspirin for a headache. Had a chicken wrap from "Chick-a-Fill" and approx. 25-30oz of water for lunch (12pm). Took aspirin again at 1pm due to the headache still not going away. Now at 5:10 pm I feel like I am crashing or something. I feel tired (& I do not work a physically demanding job). Headache is still present...........

Can not wait for Saturday's application

questions:
Does it take a week or so for your body to "adjust" to the new levels of T?

Similar beginning side effects with anyone else?
________
COLORADO MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES

[kurt Hansen]

Hi MRM
I`m on 5g testim a day. Why did you go from 5g to 10 g and do you feel
any better and do you worry about the side effects such as more red blood cells from taking a high dosage

[Don]

I have heard that it takes 7-10 days for your body to adjust to having rising or normal levels of testosterone... It has been living with subpar levels for so long your body doesn't recognize what normal is... I had the jitters,hyper feeling for the first few days also--actually to the piont where I had trouble sleeping for the first 2 weeks... Just like anything else it's going to take a while for your body to adjust. In a week or so you'll lose the uncontrolable urge to crush beer can across your forehead!!!!!!

[Caver101]

Haven't had the urge to crush beer cans yet

Gonna ride the 2.5 dose for a while to see if anything changes.

I felt like I did before I started taking it on Sunday, in other words - I felt no change from the meds on Sunday. And today (Monday) I feel no affects as well. I go back on 6/2 for blood work. Is there anyway to slowly get off of this stuff? Or am I stuck on this for life? (I really HATE taking meds)

Thanks for the replies guys!!
________
Michele

[MRM]

Hi Kurt and Caver101--

I went from 5g to 10g because my testosterone was low with only 5g of Testim each day. I lost both testicles within 3 weeks so I don't make any testosterone of my own.

I get a liver function test every couple months. My billirubin (?) levels are slighlt elevated, but all other liver tests are normal, so the doctor is not concerned.

Honestly, I hadn't even heard about the side effects you mention. My understanding is the risk of side effects is low as long as you keep testosterone levels within the normal range. Since I don't make any testosterone on my own, it's unlikely my levels would get too high. The risk of eventual heart or bone problems is alsmot guaranteed if I don't take Testim.

And sorry, Caver101, but you'll probably be on testosterone for life. It only takes an extra couple minutes a day. It's not any bigger a hassle to me than shaving.

[huckchef]

if you have to take it for life it will become just as routine as brushing your teeth or putting on deoderant(if you do these to begin with)!!! it will take several days to adjust to the new meds. i was a little jittery myself but it soon went away and has been one of the best decisions i've made as far as HRT!!! hang in there, it will be good!!!

[Stacy]

My husband is on 10mgs a day and has no side effects. His endocronologist is world renowned (Hospital of University of PA) and indicates there are no problems with taking it long term. The only time men have a problem is if they're older men just taking it to boost libido. They are doing a very long range study now to see how in the very long run men should handle the dosage, in other words, should they start to rachet down the dosage as they get older. Plenty of time for that I guess! My husband also used to complain a bit about having to apply it every day, but like someone else said, you get used to it just like brushing your teeth.

[Caver101]

Well......I noticed about zero changes with the 2.5 and the Dr told me to up it to 5 a day. Been doing that since the weekend. I go in for a blood test on Friday. Still feel pretty tired by the time 5pm roles around in the afternoon. Seems like with the 5 dose I can feel a little different (improvement) one day and like crap another. Like a roller coaster I guess. Anyone else have these ups & downs??
________
lesbians Webcams

[huckchef]

i only had a few days of irregularities once i switched to the andro. i had them very often with my injections though! you were only a single ampute...right? i had a double dose and the 7.5 seems to be working well. i would think since these problems are still occurring you would need to up the dose. you have had it for enough days to see a difference. i would try the 7.5(6 pumps daily) and see. its not gonna hurt you short term to try it. give a few days and see what happens. i bet you see a big change!!! my thoughts and prayers, brian!

[MRM]

Once you get the dosage right, the ups and downs should subside, although nothing is exactly like what your body used to produce. I never had any lethargy.

Let us know how you're doing.

[Caver101]

Thanks guys.

Went to the Dr. on Friday to check my T levels, test will not be back in till this week sometime. I just hate to over medicate and will wait till the test is back to see what my level is before I up the dosage any more. My wife is a RN and I can get the T level checked for pretty much nothing and will check it on a reg basis.

Yep, single amputee, "ol'righy" went to be with the Lord on 10-19-2001, R.I.P. my good little friend. Just me and "lefty" now

When I started my doc put me on the 2.5 packets. Now I have the pump coming (be here on Tuesday) and that should be much easier/cleaner/quicker.
________
Cellin

[waknspirit]

started androgel

Hey all-

To be upfront right away, I haven't had testicular cancer, but due to low T-levels was just started on a-gel, and this is about the only decent forum I have found on it.

I've been on it 3 weeks, and while my t-levels were so low after 3 blood test that the skeptical dr's at the downtown hospital put me on 2.5g of a-gel, I cannot say I have noticed a single change. From what I've read online and on other posts, I'm surprised - I'd have thot I'd get some surge of some kind- but I have applied it correctly every day consistantly, and notice nothing so far.

I went in for a blood test again to see where my T-levels are (find out in a week) and they may up the dosage from 2.5g, but I really expected a difference of some kind.

I'm glad the mystery is finally over though, my labido and erections literally dropped/plummeted over a 1-2 week period. I used to jo 6-7x a day, for a while i didn't for days at a time after. Now on the a-gel i have some labido, but nothing like before.

Anyway have any input on this- I've heard for some men it take 3 mos for a-gel to really take effect? I just find it odd that something that shuts down in just 2 weeks can take 3 mos to kick-start.

jp

[huckchef]

personally i don't think it will take that long. sounds as though you need more dosage. what are they saying is the cause of your low T levels? are you seeing an endocrinologist? i saw results in matter of a couple of days when i switched to androgel but i was getting a somewhat a proper dosage by injections before the switch. i don't know if that would of sped up the process or not!