Why I started (then stopped) testosterone injections

[hermespan]

At 53 I found a book by one Dr. Morgentaler titled 'Testosterone for Life'. It detailed the common middle-age symptoms of primary hypogandism, and I suspected that this described my state: difficulty making decisions, low energy, depression, increased body fat, and several sexual problems (e.g. low libido, EDS, reduced pleasure at orgasm).

 

At 55 I had my bloodwork down and the results confirmed my suspicion: I had the testosterone level of a female slug. So, over to Bumrungrad for first a short acting (5 weeks?) testosterone, then for 7-8 months on Nebido, a long lasting T (which I had shipped from Switzerland as it is not yet approved in my home country). Bum has the cheapest price on Nebido in Thailand. Don't ask me why.

 

First, the positives. T injections work. Psychologically, physically, sexually. Immediately. I was much hornier, enjoyed sex more, was more confident, more decisive and happier, plus my percentage of body fat reduced (I was going to the gym and swimming regularly so my weight remained constant although I lost a few notches in my belt).

 

But the downsides...

 

1. Oily skin. All over my shoulders and back

 

2. Testicle shrinkage. This is what scared me. I am talking halving in size, so small I thought they would disappear into my groin at orgasm. The body said, 'no more use for you guys anymore' and they stopped being T factories. Very disturbing.

 

So, my endocrinologist in the west prescribed a drug that boots the testicles back into gear. But *those* had side effects: horrible constant itching at the hair folices. What was he going to do, prescribe yet another pharamecutical for the side effects of the side effects? And they lasted only four days, so dosage and frequency would have to be adjusted. As I lived in the only Anglo nation in the world hanging on to monopoly socialist medicine (no private care to speak of) I wasn't going to wait six months to see him when I got back in the west. and he wasn't on holidays

 

BTW, I am pleased to report that after 3 months the god eggs are back to normal. All it took was stopping T injections.

 

In addition, and although the company's research doesn't publish this, I trust my body better...

 

3. Heart arythmia. True, this became apparent before T injections. But they got worse and more frequent.

 

4. Anxiety attacks. Ditto.

 

5. Body hair growth. OK, so what? But I am not Italian and I don't like having a hairy back and belly. Could be a coincidence, but I count on anecdotal evidence when it is my own.

 

After I stopped testosterone injections I went back to Bumrungrad and instead of seeing the 'helpful' urologist, I made an appointment with an endocrinologist, a total in-a-rush bitch. She said there was no point doing baseline tests for hormones until six to eight months after Nebido has been stopped, sometimes up to a year. I expressed my horror that the injections might have turned me into a Frankenstein monster and asked why the doctor hadn't told me this. Her answer? "Because he DOESN'T KNOW".

 

Add to the above factors that one becomes essentially a drug addict, so I am not impressed by the medical and pharmaceutical industries based on my experiences with testosterone. Heroin is very effective too.

 

I am giving a year to exercise, proper rest, hydration, plus two traditional remedies (high quality ginseng extract and tongkat ali/pasak bhumi) to see if I can get my T levels up to 80% of the artificial way. If I fail I will consider going back on the expensive, simple and lazy way.

[philobert]

Interesting read. As I am in my mid 50's as well I've experienced some of the same.

 

I'm not much for taking any drugs with the exception of vitamins.

 

I could never understand why some guys would take anything that negatively affected

their precious boys.

 

cheers

 

bert

[Davie Duke]

Your HPTA shut down, and your E2 was probably high. HCG will prevent nut shrinkage, and Arimidex will keep E2 under control. Get regular blood tests for testosterone and E2 in addition to tests for hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. There is a Farang doctor on Pattaya Thai that handles testosterone therapy. http://www.dr-olivier-clinic.com/index.php

Edited August 23, 2012 by Davie Duke

[bigbill340]

This was a nice suprise! I thought it was going to be another 'roid' head stating that it was not cheating and just a helping hand.

 

I'm sorry to hear that you have had some trubles with your health, it must suck when you feel tired and have a low libido plus the others!

 

Lets hope that the natural methods will work better for you than the T injections!

 

 

Bill

[No Moss]

Yeah, you need ot watch your hemoglobin level. Fortunately, CBCs (complete blood counts) are cheap. If your hemoglobin is over 18, you're taking too much testosterone. Also, take a PSA test (Prostate Specific Antigen), which isn't so cheap--it's a test for cancer of the prostate. Testosterone would be like kerosene on a fire if you had prostate cancer.

 

Good things to do for your erectile "efficiency"? Exercise, lose weight, limit alcohol, especially beer, use Cialis or Viagra, and date cute young women. Nothing works like testosterone, but it has its drawbacks.

[Backscuttler]

Regularity of injections depending on the ester could also effect your skin. You need to maintain stable levels so consult a doc. If your test levels are up and down then your e2 will be also. HCG will stop the boys from shrinking

[oldfu]

If it aint broken dont fix it.

 

Medical doctor is person who passed approved medical educatition and I was married to one for 10 years and not impressed at all by any medical doctor.

[Backscuttler]

If it aint broken dont fix it.

 

Medical doctor is person who passed approved medical educatition and I was married to one for 10 years and not impressed at all by any medical doctor.

If it is broken or starting to break find a specialist who knows what they are talking about. Burying your head in the sand never fixed any problems. There are good doctors and bad doctors, the same as in any walk of life.

[MaiKowJai80]

i watched this yesterday...it was on youtube in the right hand panel after i'd listened to some music

 

the guy in the grey has been on the bob marley's i reckon, i lol a few times watching this but the pair seem ok and might actually talk some sense?? idk 555

 

the fella wearing the wig made me laugh it then shows shots of him looking proper gay 555 very zoolander esque but as i say there might be some good tips in there

 

 

 

it reminded me a bit of the xfactor audition of mysterious girl for some reason 555

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DS51V6kB6Q

...give it a watch worth a laugh and they might be onto something

[Davie Duke]

I just finished a clean compound(squat - bench - dead lift) cycle, with mild cardio and minimal dirty carbs. I lost fat, gained power, lean muscle, and morning wood is much better, I had to rest for two weeks after completion, and now I will do a 3 month high(12-15 rep) medium cycle. This eliminates the mental and physical stress of competing with myself, while mainlining muscle mass, moderate strength, and naughty massage boners!

[Backscuttler]

i watched this yesterday...it was on youtube in the right hand panel after i'd listened to some music

 

the guy in the grey has been on the bob marley's i reckon, i lol a few times watching this but the pair seem ok and might actually talk some sense?? idk 555

 

the fella wearing the wig made me laugh it then shows shots of him looking proper gay 555 very zoolander esque but as i say there might be some good tips in there

 

 

 

it reminded me a bit of the xfactor audition of mysterious girl for some reason 555

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DS51V6kB6Q

...give it a watch worth a laugh and they might be onto something

 

These are young guys who should naturally high levels of test in there bodies. Will they still be spouting the same message when they get into there 40s 50s and beyond when their natural test production will fall off a cliff? Somehow I doubt it. They talk like they are some sort of experts yet one openly admits that he has only just started training his legs. No doubt their intentions are good. Didn't we think we knew it all when we was their age? Now I know I didn't know it all, in fact I knew fuck all! Just my opinion :-)

Edited November 29, 2012 by Backscuttler