I started Androgel today

[Ecoastguy]

Question about Androgel

I started Androgel about 3 days ago. I take 5mg with those single packets. Before I was prescribed this I was taking alot of different meds for bipolar and switched meds like crazy within a 2 month period. Was hhospitalized for bipolar a large part of my life but most affected by depression. I started seeing a new doctor who has a great reputation and has helped a friend of mine who also has bipolar. Anyhow he took me off most the meds I was on and prescribed stuff like fish oil,vitamin d3 and gave me a shot of b12. I also take 100mg lamictal that is used for bipolar but the 1 pill is really a next to nothing dosage. He also prescribed me adderal with was switched from concerta to give me a boost in the morning. I ended up switching to adderal because he doucle my concerta and it could not be refilled within the month. I just wasnted something so I would not go without. I also take a very low dose of valium..2mgs. Before I even started seeing this doctor no other doctor had me tested for low t which was low..not too sure the number. Before I saw the new doctor I also had started tingling in my hands. right hand is worst..IT's just the two outer fingers though that I have the tingling and little numness in. Could it be from going off all those mental illness drugs or low t that I have the tingling? I am a worry wort and 36 yrs old. I am just looking for answers and not even sure I want or how I would handle if they are bad. Can anyone tell me if they know anyone that has had bipolar or depression that androgel has helped. I don;t notice a change really but I was told to wait for a month before noticing any results. I don;t feel any side effects so far so I'm greatful for that but the tingling scares me and the medical doctor doesn;t seem to concerned with that..Sorry about my spelling if.

thank you..This is a great forum and lucky to have found it. Please if you have any insight I would love to hear..

[Caver101]

Well, got my test back and with the 5mg dosage it went from 257 IIRC to 329......WOW, really big jump ( ). Started on 7.5 dose on Tuesday morning. Not that I really feel that much different, think I just drank too much coffee this morning - 2 cups v/s none usually. The fatigue from riding my bike quite a few miles the past few days is really catching up with me I guess
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CamillaH

[huckchef]

i personally was tired alot, depressed, lack of concentration, weight gain, loss of muscle mass, bad moods alot. when i first started HRT, i was doing the injections and within a coupl of days of switching to the gel i saw immediate results in my energy levels increasing, happier, and started to see aloss in body fat. i started the gel in january/february(i can't remember exactly) and also i was exercising 4-5 times a week but i dropped about 40lbs to date. i am at 250 now and 290 in january. i know it has helped my metabolism. all in all, it has been a 360 degree turn around. you will just be more of the person you were before. whether it was 5 years ago or five months. you will just feel better about yourself and life in general!!!

[waknspirit]

They haven't said what they thought the cause was of my low t-levels, just that with some men it can drop rapidly in their 30's out of the blue. I've been going to Northwestern Memorial in Chicago, which is highly rated, so to this point I've trusted what they've been doing...

They also said at my last blood drawing that they start on the lowest dosage and up it if needed, sounds like it needs to be up from what I'm gathering. It stinks, my concentration and motivation have been so bad the last 9 mos while regular dr's just told me I was 'depressed' that I finally wound up losing my job the day after I was diagnosed- you gotta laugh at it though.

What are the common positive effects of a-gel when you feel it 'kick in'?

A friend of mine I found out is also on it for 3 years now, he said he lost alot of fat and gained a good bit of muscle within a short amount of time, I haven't noticed that or any physical or mental changes thus far.

[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!

[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

[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.
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Cellin

[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.

[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!

[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??
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lesbians Webcams

[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.

[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!!!

[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.

[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!!
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Michele

[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!!!!!!