Androgel

[tr_80504 (imported)]

Just looking for some input from those with experience. My endocrinologist is strongly advising me of the benefits I would receive from TRT, for me that seems counter productive to me after all I went thru to become a eunuch. I have some bone loss already and most all the normal side effects (nothing I cant live with).

She would like for me to use 2.5 grams per day and what I would like to know is about how long does it take for you to notice the effects and how long does it take for it to get out of your system? I really don't want to see any part of the old me.

[Uncle Flo (imported)]

When I use Androgel it takes effect very quickly. When I apply it in the evening I feel some effects by morning, it took a little longer, and repeated daily applications, before I felt the full range of results. It takes a few days for Androgel to work it's way out of your system. I think the shorter the time you use it, within limits, the quicker it goes away. If you use Androgel in the pump dispenser bottles it is very easy to control the dosage so that you are comfortable with the results. --FLO--

[paring (imported)]

I don't know how long you've been castrated. I used anti androgen for 8 y. and I loved being asexual but when I switch job from office work to field work I couldn't do men work anymore, I was already feeling the sides effects of castration and it was unbearable. when I stopped anti androgen my T level remained at 100 while it should have been at 200. I was still impotent. My doctor prescribed me Androgel 5 or 10 gr. a day. At 5 gr., after few weeks, there was no improvement so I use 10 gr. a day now. Thanks god my libido never returned to what it was before the anti androgen. You shouldn't worry to much about your libido. Best thing to do is try and see how it goes, At 5 gr. I was still impotent and no desire for sex.

[clysmaniac (imported)]

TR-

My urologist suggested TRT when we met to set up things for my orchiectomy. It took some time to get the meds (Testim) because our insurance can use a central pharmacy and mail, so I started using it 10 days before my surgery. At that point my T had been low for years and libido, erections, etc non-existant. I had the greatest irony in that when I awoke the morning after I was castrated, I had my first morning erection in several years. So I'd say a week to 10 days should be in the ballpark.

Over time I have decreased the T amount to only 2.5 gr every other day or two. I can't really feel the difference if I miss a day or the day when I put it on but it does effect the blood level of T depending on which day the test is done. The dose is low enough so I still have negligable libido but has allowed my bone density to go from -0.1 back up to +0.7 as it does help calcium being absorbed.

The great thing about the transdermal gels (Androgel, Testim, etc) is that you can readily control it and adjust the dose as you see fit. My thought is that you should give it a try and find out for sure where you are most happy. If you don't react well to it after a couple weeks, you can decrease the dose and try a lower level or even stop it entirely. I enjoyed experimenting with it and then objectively feeling how different level made me feel, knowing that the changes were directly the result of testosterone.

[mrt (imported)]

TR-

My urologist suggested TRT when we met to set up things for my orchiectomy. It took some time to get the meds (Testim) because our insurance can use a central pharmacy and mail, so I started using it 10 days before my surgery. At that point my T had been low for years and libido, erections, etc non-existant. I had the greatest irony in that when I awoke the morning after I was castrated, I had my first morning erection in several years. So I'd say a week to 10 days should be in the ballpark.

Over time I have decreased the T amount to only 2.5 gr every other day or two. I can't really feel the difference if I miss a day or the day when I put it on but it does effect the blood level of T depending on which day the test is done. The dose is low enough so I still have negligable libido but has allowed my bone density to go from -0.1 back up to +0.7 as it does help calcium being absorbed.

The great thing about the transdermal gels (Androgel, Testim, etc) is that you can readily control it and adjust the dose as you see fit. My thought is that you should give it a try and find out for sure where you are most happy. If you don't react well to it after a couple weeks, you can decrease the dose and try a lower level or even stop it entirely. I enjoyed experimenting with it and then objectively feeling how different level made me feel, knowing that the changes were directly the result of testosterone.

Before I went on Injectables I used Androgel and WOW... One day off made me a total SOB. I would snap at people and sit there thinking "What is my problem?" Then I would remember I forgot the Androgel and would have to sit there biting my tongue. I ended up bringing one of the old "packets" to work and had it ready for an emergency. Ha! Great on the post op erection. Testosterone doesn't always fix ED so your one of the lucky ones.

[mrt (imported)]

Just looking for some input from those with experience. My endocrinologist is strongly advising me of the benefits I would receive from TRT, for me that seems counter productive to me after all I went thru to become a eunuch. I have some bone loss already and most all the normal side effects (nothing I cant live with).

She would like for me to use 2.5 grams per day and what I would like to know is about how long does it take for you to notice the effects and how long does it take for it to get out of your system? I really don't want to see any part of the old me.

2.5 gm is a very low dose and I doubt you will see much from it other then the health benifits. I would go goofy but I'm not a happy camper in the Eunuch level.

[Losethem (imported)]

I prefer Androgel over Testim (the odor is quite different), and I now use injections. I want the Androgel back but I need to wait on that until I get some oher things sorted out first.

The gel works pretty quick to bring back the 'ole male sexual desire and characteristics, but I was on a 7.5g per day dose. I know a guy that was on the 2.5g per day dose and he was able to function sexually, but it took him a bit of time to do it. Often he would not want to initiate sex, but would enjoy it if someone else did. So he wasn't asexual, but wasn't overly driven.

If you need to dose up to be manly, it's easy to do with the gel. Just keep in mind that if you use the gel you should not take a shower, get wet, or sweat for 4-5 hours after you apply the gel.

Go ahead and try the 2.5g dose. I'm speculating you'll end up much like my friend did on that dose as he was about the same age as yourself. Still, your reaction will depend on how your body metabolizes the medication.

--LT

[feedback (imported)]

I have been using androgel for years. I have been using1.25 grams a day for a couple of years and don't seem to have had any bone loss. At that dose I don't have any erections and pretty much don't even think about sex. If I use 2.5 grams I can preform sexually with lots of stimulation but it takes a long time. The nice thing about Androgel is you can easily change the dose to suit your needs. Give it a try. At low doses it won't bring out the beast in you.

[tr_80504 (imported)]

From what I am hearing I think I will give it a try. I will try 2.5 grams a day and see how I feel. It doesn't sound like the beast will come back. besides the health benefits would probably be worth it. Also 65 dollars for 90 days isn't to bad. I will give it a try and let you all know what I think.

Just wish the left side swelling would go down.

Thanks for all the input.

Terry

[mrt (imported)]

Wow all this talk about normal levels of Testosterone creating a beast? I am temped to change my "not black or jewish but working on it" to simply "The Testosterone Beast"