I tried Androgel, but after a while I started getting incredible rashes. Then I was switched to andropatch, but that just concentrated the rash. What’s worked best for me are ethanthate injections administered by my wife (I truly am in awe of those of you who can self-inject). But my endocrinologist also supplements this with Striant, which is a strange medication. You put the “pill” on your gum, and it slowly dissolves throughout the day. At first I found the sensation strange, but after a while I didn’t notice it at all. It helps level out the ups and downs I get from the injections.
I would recommend talking to an endocrinologist instead of a urologist about these issues, as they have more training and understanding of hormone levels. Also – it may be very important to determine why you have low test. For me, it turned out that I have a small growth on my pituitary, which blocks the secretion of leutenizing hormone. This results in a total shut down of testosterone production, but also gave rise to concerns that the growth could have been malignant (which it was not). As a result of this, however, I have no problem with my insurer picking up the full tab for my injections and Striant, and the results have been great.
Hi,
I have triesd AndroPatch 2.5mg for 8 days but noticed any improvement. I got it on prescription from my doc. I tried it last year for 2 months and i did notice the improvement immmediately. Should i be more patient ?
[quote]lowlow wrote:
Hi,
I have triesd AndroPatch 2.5mg for 8 days but noticed any improvement. I got it on prescription from my doc. I tried it last year for 2 months and i did notice the improvement immmediately. Should i be more patient ?[/quote]
Yes. Hormones take a long time to truly effect the body. With Androgel, I was told it would take several months to notice a difference, which I guess I eventually did.
I’m a 45 yo teste cancer survivor.
I was fine until about 44 when my last testes dropped in production.
Anxiety
Became short tempered.
Low body hair (not a problem)
Foggy Thinking.
Slow reaction time in sports
Lack of drive.
Performance issues.
I started using androgel at 7.5mg a day.
the exact same day the anxiety went away.
Three days later I was woken up with an erection. My drive came back with a vengence (not just erections- the feeling of your entire body reacting to someone you are attracted to).
After 12 months.
I’ve grown chest hair.
My performance is pretty heroic (back and abdomen wear out first).
Easy going- no anxiety.
I feel good on 7.5. My reading indicates there were slightly less issues (irregular test results) at 7.5 than at 5 and 10.
Anyway-- in my case the results were extremely quick.
One other point- after my experience- I REALLY suspect low testosterone as an underlying cause of late life alchoholism. The anxiety was horrible and the only way I could reduce it was drinking- I could see where that would have lead after a few years.
[quote]maxo-texas wrote:
I’m a 45 yo teste cancer survivor.
I was fine until about 44 when my last testes dropped in production.
Anxiety
Became short tempered.
Low body hair (not a problem)
Foggy Thinking.
Slow reaction time in sports
Lack of drive.
Performance issues.
I started using androgel at 7.5mg a day.
the exact same day the anxiety went away.
Three days later I was woken up with an erection. My drive came back with a vengence (not just erections- the feeling of your entire body reacting to someone you are attracted to).
After 12 months.
I’ve grown chest hair.
My performance is pretty heroic (back and abdomen wear out first).
Easy going- no anxiety.
I feel good on 7.5. My reading indicates there were slightly less issues (irregular test results) at 7.5 than at 5 and 10.
Anyway-- in my case the results were extremely quick.
One other point- after my experience- I REALLY suspect low testosterone as an underlying cause of late life alchoholism. The anxiety was horrible and the only way I could reduce it was drinking- I could see where that would have lead after a few years.[/quote]
Hey tex,
from what Ive read pretty much everyone with one testicle ends up hypogonadal at a young age. Usually the one picks up the slack, but as the years advanced, past 30 and into the 40’s, help is needed.
Statistics show 50 percent of men over 50 are hypogonadal, and thats for people who never had cancer. There is an urban myth going around, that I believe is probably true, that Lance Armstrong has been on doctor perscribed HRT since his ordeal as well.
Great to hear your doing great. How is your estradoil?
[quote]maxo-texas wrote:
I’m a 45 yo teste cancer survivor.
I was fine until about 44 when my last testes dropped in production.
Anxiety
Became short tempered.
Low body hair (not a problem)
Foggy Thinking.
Slow reaction time in sports
Lack of drive.
Performance issues.
I started using androgel at 7.5mg a day.
the exact same day the anxiety went away.
Three days later I was woken up with an erection. My drive came back with a vengence (not just erections- the feeling of your entire body reacting to someone you are attracted to).
After 12 months.
I’ve grown chest hair.
My performance is pretty heroic (back and abdomen wear out first).
Easy going- no anxiety.
I feel good on 7.5. My reading indicates there were slightly less issues (irregular test results) at 7.5 than at 5 and 10.
Anyway-- in my case the results were extremely quick.
One other point- after my experience- I REALLY suspect low testosterone as an underlying cause of late life alchoholism. The anxiety was horrible and the only way I could reduce it was drinking- I could see where that would have lead after a few years.[/quote]
I too have been a heavy drinker to control anxiety throughout most of my life. Now after 19 years of suffering, I had my T levels tested and I was LOW.
I recently have switched from IM injections to Androgel and even more recently my doctor increased the dosage from 5 to 7.5. It feels like it’s beginning to have a positive effect on the anxiety levels also.
Over the years, doctors have put me on just about every known antidepressant and anti-anxiety drug to control the panic and anxiety. I have a strong suspicion that both the alcohol and the meds contributed to lower T levels which worsened the actual problem!
Thank god I had my T checked and am hopefully on the road to a better quality of life with less anxiety.