Anybody else successful with testosterone?

[poiseidon]

Hey demo, I'm asking you but I hope this is useful for others too.
I might be wrong. But I have the feeling that you're the only one among us who tried successfully TRT. I relate that to the fact that it requires lots of exams and a willing doctor to follow you. I mean it's not like buying some vits hoping they work. That stuff is actually dangerous to handle with no supervision. Provided you found somewhere to buy it without prescription. And is expensive. But I do feel that that is the path for me. And if others have been successful means they don't hang around here too much.
I read that best way to naturally increase T is to exercise. Especially the arms. In fact it has been a period I'm doing daily push ups under a high protein diet regime and symptoms are less strong. So if what I said before means anything my body started producing more T than usual.
I want to give a try. I shall contact all the endocrinologists I can and see if I can find someone willing to hear me. And if I find someone, if he/she 's OK with it, I will report back name and place for the benefit of other ITALIAN poiser.

Now what I really need to know is:

1 What are the arguments that would work best with the doc. I mean, every doctor hates patients who tell them what is their problems and what to do about it but I need to explain at least the whole thing going straight to the point, since no one knows a damn about it. And I would like to be as the most specific as possible on WHY I came to him and WHAT is the theory of T deficiency about.
2 What values convinced your endocrinologist that TRT was the right choice for you?
3 What is your current dose, brand, and posology
4 How long it took for you to find the right balance?

THKS demo

[demografx]

Hey demo, I'm asking you but I hope this is useful for others too.

Thanks, poiseidon!

I might be wrong. But I have the feeling that you're the only one among us who tried successfully TRT

I think there are at least 6 other reported successful TRT cases. If you review the historical forum links below you will find the names in a few posts:
http://tinyurl.com/mmvwsn2

The above link shows over 2,000 Google results of TRT-and-POIS historical forum posts, going back to 2007. So it's a good repository of added TRT info that is not shown in this exchange between you and me.

Example from a 2010 post:
TESTOSTERONE-POIS SUCCESSES

Green
EDS
Nova
Demografx
Animus
Dave23

Also, please check B_Jim's and Pyropeach's reports and compilations.

I relate that to the fact that it requires lots of exams and a willing doctor to follow you. I mean it's not like buying some vits hoping they work. That stuff is actually dangerous to handle with no supervision. Provided you found somewhere to buy it without prescription. And is expensive. But I do feel that that is the path for me. And if others have been successful means they don't hang around here too much.

All true above. Even with my HMO insurance, the co-pay is steep. As to successful cases, some people have stayed on to share their experiences. At least for a while.

I read that best way to naturally increase T is to exercise. Especially the arms. In fact it has been a period I'm doing daily push ups under a high protein diet regime and symptoms are less strong. So if what I said before means anything my body started producing more T than usual.

In my case, I could never exercise enough to build up to the testosterone levels my body needs to combat POIS. But that's me; it might work for you!

I want to give a try. I shall contact all the endocrinologists I can and see if I can find someone willing to hear me. And if I find someone, if he/she 's OK with it, I will report back name and place for the benefit of other ITALIAN poiser.

Great! That's what we need here: resource sharing.

Now what I really need to know is:

1 [and 2: "What values convinced your endocrinologist that TRT was the right choice for you?"  are answered together]. What are the arguments that would work best with the doc. I mean, every doctor hates patients who tell them what is their problems and what to do about it but I need to explain at least the whole thing going straight to the point, since no one knows a damn about it. And I would like to be as the most specific as possible on WHY I came to him.

It was recommended to me by a medical research expert that I find a university endocrinologist. They are more open to research, and thus more open to POIS. I found this to be true.

On my first visit I was prepared for skepticism, so I brought Waldinger's 2002 study, threw the papers on his desk so he could read them, and pointed out that the co-author is an endocrinologist -- Dr. Dave Schwartz, Netherlands. That seemed to work to bring his skepticism down. He ordered a full hormonal blood testing.

My true diagnosis of "POIS" could not circulate effectively within the hospital bureaucracy and lab system, so we "tested for hypogonadism" (similar malady to POIS, except that the former is chronic, while POIS is only related to sex and orgasm events). However, putting "POIS" down on hospital forms as the complaint would be unwise, it could set off an "odd" alarm: POIS is not to be found anywhere in endocrinology texts!

Sure enough, my free testosterone reading was...very low! Enough to warrant prescribing testosterone.

WHAT is the theory of T deficiency about.

Clueless!!!

Seriously, that's why we've raised $33,500: so medical experts can tell us what's going on! Today: NO ONE KNOWS. And not just with testosterone. Every "success" with POIS has been a shot in the dark. But we're growing up and finding as much medical help as possible so the world can be rid of this life-sucking monstrosity called POIS.

3 What is your current dose, brand, and posology

Androderm patches, mfg by Watson Pharma, two 4mg patches applied daily = 8mg daily (365 days), Sometimes more, sometimes less, continually experimenting. Also Rx contributors to my POIS amelioration arsenal include Levitra, and controversial mood meds (I have also experimented with Adderall and Lorazepam, all under medical supervision -- with some success).

4 How long it took for you to find the right balance?

Still working on it

THKS demo

Welcome. Any time! And my sincerest best wishes to you for a POIS-free life!

[poiseidon]

I quote it here too for completeness. (I 've just realized that in the last couple of hours I've been spamming non stop )

Hey demo!
A quick update about my pursuit of endocrinologists. I contacted 15 "respected" and private ($$$$) endos.
Here's the result: 9 didn't even reply, 5 thought I was crazy and the last one was really interested in the whole thing.

He was really chilling and easygoing, I was his last patient and we talked for a couple of hours. I told him everything, about Waldinger, about the forum, about your successfull therapy. And then he said "THE Internet is a great invention" (he was quite old) when I told about the research grant.
He was willing to help but he made his point saying that going through TRT at my age (26) could make more damage than relief in the long run. Especially with this research that may give more answers in a year or two.
He basically told me to be to wait. "You waited 26 years now wait for one more and don't make stupid things in the meanwhile".

So I think I might listen to him.

[demografx]

poiseidon, yes, at age 26, TRT could conceivably mean HAVING NO CHILDREN if you do TRT.

At your age (and this close to NORD answers)...I am HAPPY that you are listening to this endocrinologist!

[demografx]

Hey demo!
A quick update about my pursuit of endocrinologists. I contacted 15 "respected" and private ($$$$) endos.
Here's the result: 9 didn't even reply, 5 thought I was crazy and the last one was really interested in the whole thing.

He was really chilling and easygoing, I was his last patient and we talked for a couple of hours. I told him everything, about Waldinger, about the forum, about your successfull therapy. And then he said "THE Internet is a great invention" (he was quite old) when I told about the research grant.
He was willing to help but he made his point saying that going through TRT at my age (26) could make more damage than relief in the long run. Especially with this research that may give more answers in a year or two.
He basically told me to be to wait. "You waited 26 years now wait for one more and don't make stupid things in the meanwhile".

So I think I might listen to him.

poiseidon, yes, at age 26, TRT could conceivably mean HAVING NO CHILDREN if you do TRT.

At your age (and this close to NORD answers)...I am HAPPY that you are listening to this endocrinologist!

[poiseidon]

THKS DON 

[demografx]

 

[b_jim]

I have a study showing the effect of 75gr of glucose on testosterone. It causes a decrease of 25% !! of the T level during the test (30 minutes to 2 hours. The 30minutes delay is important for me)  .
I think it's the best explanation to my Pois. After orgasm, 30 min after a meal rich in carbohydrates, I have hot flushs/sweats (no fever, so probably its not inflammation as I tought).
I quote wiki :

Hot flashes in men could have various causes. One is a possible sign of low testosterone.[21] Another is andropause, or "male menopause"

[/u][/b]

I know it sounds strange but once again i have experimented the "fish effect". A large amount of salmon and working in the sun reduced my Pois symptoms.

[Dante88]

Hey, you guys should check out my posting in the Auto-Immune section regarding "Histadelia-High Brain Histamine". I am interested in hearing what you guys think...it's been pretty quiet over there. Where is everyone?

Also, I wanted to comment on TRT.

I have been considering TRT because my levels are very low. My Free Testosterone has been around 7-11 pg/mL and my Total Testosterone hovers around 400 ng/dL. I'm 25 years old.

There are ways around the side effects of TRT (i.e. infertility). There is a drug called HCG that is supposed to be taken at low doses (100 IU to 250 IU) every other day or in some cases every day. It basically maintains the functioning of your testicles. HCG taken with Testosterone injections/patches/gels and at proper dosages will negate the testicular atrophy that anyone on TRT or a steroid cycle is prone to. There is a catch though. HCG is thought to desensitize the leydig cells in the testicles...which basically means that if you take a high enough dosage for long enough, it can lower the functioning of your testicles. From everything I have read, the key is to keep your dosages low. For me TRT is my next step if my Histadelia regimen doesn't work. If I was to start tomorrow, I would do Testosterone Cypionate injections 200mg per week (divided into 3-4 injections per week), and 100 IU of HCG every day and then take the weekends off. I might also throw in an aromatase inhibitor if estradiol became a problem. HCG stays in the system for 8 days, so you don't have to worry about shrinkage on the off days. I plan on having children at some point and I think this is a good way to keep that option open.

I tried HCG monotherapy almost 2 years ago at 500 IU 3x per week for 5 to 6 months. My T levels elevated out of the ranges...but so did my estradiol (female hormone, similar to what DHT is for men). I got seriously bloated and had very puffy nipples. The key to getting rid of the high estradiol is to keep the dosages low. Remember that HCG is just as suppressive to the pituitary as exogenous testosterone...i.e. it shuts your pituitary down. The reality is that once you start something like this and you are on it for a good amount of time...you are probably on it for life. I slowly weaned myself off of the HCG and my levels are back to where they were pre HCG.

I urge you to read this protocol by Dr. John Crisler regarding TRT.

http://thinksteroids.com/articles/testosterone-replacement-therapy-recipe-for-success/

[LegatoMan]

I have been considering TRT because my levels are very low. My Free Testosterone has been around 7-11 pg/mL and my Total Testosterone hovers around 400 ng/dL. I'm 25 years old.

There are ways around the side effects of TRT (i.e. infertility). There is a drug called HCG that is supposed to be taken at low doses (100 IU to 250 IU) every other day or in some cases every day. It basically maintains the functioning of your testicles. HCG taken with Testosterone injections/patches/gels and at proper dosages will negate the testicular atrophy that anyone on TRT or a steroid cycle is prone to. There is a catch though. HCG is thought to desensitize the leydig cells in the testicles...which basically means that if you take a high enough dosage for long enough, it can lower the functioning of your testicles. From everything I have read, the key is to keep your dosages low. For me TRT is my next step if my Histadelia regimen doesn't work. If I was to start tomorrow, I would do Testosterone Cypionate injections 200mg per week (divided into 3-4 injections per week), and 100 IU of HCG every day and then take the weekends off. I might also throw in an aromatase inhibitor if estradiol became a problem. HCG stays in the system for 8 days, so you don't have to worry about shrinkage on the off days. I plan on having children at some point and I think this is a good way to keep that option open.

I tried HCG monotherapy almost 2 years ago at 500 IU 3x per week for 5 to 6 months. My T levels elevated out of the ranges...but so did my estradiol (female hormone, similar to what DHT is for men). I got seriously bloated and had very puffy nipples. The key to getting rid of the high estradiol is to keep the dosages low. Remember that HCG is just as suppressive to the pituitary as exogenous testosterone...i.e. it shuts your pituitary down. The reality is that once you start something like this and you are on it for a good amount of time...you are probably on it for life. I slowly weaned myself off of the HCG and my levels are back to where they were pre HCG.

I urge you to read this protocol by Dr. John Crisler regarding TRT.

http://thinksteroids.com/articles/testosterone-replacement-therapy-recipe-for-success/

Excellent link. Thanks for sharing!

[VSmasher]

Hey demo, I'm asking you but I hope this is useful for others too.
I might be wrong. But I have the feeling that you're the only one among us who tried successfully TRT. I relate that to the fact that it requires lots of exams and a willing doctor to follow you. I mean it's not like buying some vits hoping they work. That stuff is actually dangerous to handle with no supervision. Provided you found somewhere to buy it without prescription. And is expensive. But I do feel that that is the path for me. And if others have been successful means they don't hang around here too much.
I read that best way to naturally increase T is to exercise. Especially the arms. In fact it has been a period I'm doing daily push ups under a high protein diet regime and symptoms are less strong. So if what I said before means anything my body started producing more T than usual.
I want to give a try. I shall contact all the endocrinologists I can and see if I can find someone willing to hear me. And if I find someone, if he/she 's OK with it, I will report back name and place for the benefit of other ITALIAN poiser.

Now what I really need to know is:

1 What are the arguments that would work best with the doc. I mean, every doctor hates patients who tell them what is their problems and what to do about it but I need to explain at least the whole thing going straight to the point, since no one knows a damn about it. And I would like to be as the most specific as possible on WHY I came to him and WHAT is the theory of T deficiency about.
2 What values convinced your endocrinologist that TRT was the right choice for you?
3 What is your current dose, brand, and posology
4 How long it took for you to find the right balance?

THKS demo

Exercise increases cortisol. Cortisol lowers testosterone. So I don't think exercise increases testosterone. The best natural way to increase testosterone is with Tongkat Ali and zinc..