Thinking of giving up

[dano79]

I'm seriously thinking about giving this whole treatment thing up. I've seen five doctors and I'm still no better off. All I've gained is hassle and medical bills.

I've been on 5mg of gel since May and have seen NO RESULTS. Its October now, and my dosage is just now being increased to 7.5mg. I seriously doubt that will help me either.

I have a lot of respect for all of you guys, and what you all have been through. I'm just not sure how much of this I can take. Being 26, with sexual difficulties for the last five years is a serious burden to bear.

Now I have also recently been given a script for viagra. I tried it and it works. However, I still have no libido, and most importantly my penis still has little feeling in it. Why go thorugh all the trouble getting an erection, if you can't even enjoy having one.

Every doctor I have talked to about this sensitivity issue has said they have never heard of anything like it and don't know what to do. I don't know what to do either. Will testosterone alone improve the situation, any supplements. I'm at a complete loss.

Anyway..... I've been thinking about all of this for the last hour and now I'm depressed

[Axl]

Hi Dano,

I can understand your feelings completely. I have (had) given up too, 7 months ago. I was completely depressed at that time. (As a proof: see my old post on the UK andropause forum here below) But then my GP convinced me to try one more endo, and to do one more test. Now 7 months later, I have found treatment. I am not completely "cured", but at least I am taking small steps towards a solution that I can live with. You know: I have come to learn that it is impossible to give up: a diabetic just can't say: "hey, I'm fed up with being ill, I give up my illnes and treatments"......neither can we..........

Take a break....and go for it again when you feel you're up for it. Good luck!

xxxOLD POSTxxx
Andropause Forum UK. :

Last post: I AM GIVING UP
From: Axl_HH
Date: 20/02/2005

Comments
I'm 31 yrs old, but I have the looks of a teenager. I have no facial hair, very little muscle mass and a female-like fat distribution (fat on hips and belly). I have also noticed that my blood lipids are so bad that there clogging up my veins.

Here are some results: 8/SEP/03 Testo: 198 ng/dl 5/JAN/04. Deca-Durabolin injection by my GP. One 50IU en 3x 25 IU injected IM. 21/APR/04: testo: 195 ng/dl and low to low-normal LH and FSH. 23/JUN/04 (during the HCG treatment that started on 22/APR/04): testo: 455ng/dl. 22/SEP/04 (after the HCG treatment for 4 months at 1500IU every 5 days): Testo 295 ng/dl - SHBG under the minimumvalue. 20/JAN/2005: T 225 ng/dl = 7,8 nmol/l - SHBG 13 nmol/l (15-48 nmol/l) - LH and FSH at the bottom of the minimum range. My Growth hormone is 0,2 uU/ml (should be slightly below 11 uU/ml) with an extrememy low IGF-1 6,14 nmol/l (11,6 - 51,9).

The only thing I can say is that, after 2 yrs of medical exams, my symptoms remain unchanged: depression, always tired, not able to get something done, low sex drive, i have no facial hair, practically no musclemass, reumatic pains in my arms and knees, etc.

My endo still has not decided on giving me a proper treatment. He says I am NOT hypogonadal. He thinks it might be Chronic Fatigue Syndrom. DuuuH, with these testo-levels, wouldn't YOU be "fatigued" all the time??? Can somebody explain me why he is still hesitating? Please do NOT refer to the AACE guidelines: I know them by heart, nowadays. What is wrong with me? Why is it so difficult to get my T-levels in the 600ng/dl range??? My endo sent me to a psychologist in stead of helping me with my T-levels...He says my free testosterone is high enough. But then again: if his numbers look OK to him on paper, why am I feeling tired and depressed all the time and why does my body resemble the body of a teenager?? This is one of my last posts in this forum. I am going to see the doctor this week. I'm giving up...if they can't give me a proper treatment after 2 yrs of blood examinations, so be it. I am done with doctors and endo's............Good luck to you all..............Axl_HH

[maxzax]

Dano,

Don't give up, you could take a break if you want, but this is your life and you only get one shot at it, and you owe yourself to live the best life you can. I have heard of others having sensitivity issues until they get their hormones corrected, I think its a pretty issue amoung people suffering from hypogonadism, altho it doesn't occur for everyone. You could do a search on this forum, and Im sure you'll find others have had similar problems, if you not, I know I read of people on the H2 forum, who have had sensitivity issues.

You might also want to try shots instead of gels if gels aren't working for you, differnet people have differnet results with each, also there are different types of shots stanton (I forget the spelling) has the least amout of conversion to E, I read somewhere before. Also pmgamer who posts frequently couldn't get his libido until he was on T for 7 months, so things may not happen over nite.

What are your levels at btw?

Hang in there!

[tres]

i am not a Dr. but i can tell you from alot of experience, yes testosterone can increase seneitivity . when i am low i can have sex for an hour (still feels great) but when i am on test shots (patches are bullshit) the sensation is 2x.

I had thought it was only me then i had read hi T or even could be the combo of increased Tand E CAUSE THIS... DONT GIVE UP ..i am not big on TRT at all, i think too many steroid users think trt is the answer (me included) cause we didnt let the body recover. B ut for a guy with your problem get on cyp. i t will work. give it 2 week ...i would like to hear back.
also if swale is not if your area i have a dr. here in fl. or i am sure the other guys here can send u to the right guy. get on shots!

[mranak]

Have you posted your lab numbers somewhere? Have you gotten assays for total estrogens and estradiol? And DHT?

[James23]

I wouldn't get this guy hyped up on shots. I'm the same age, and have the same proble, and shots were just as useless as the gels. Even with T at optimal ranges -- and even with free T any where from the optimal range to 400% the higest normal (my body keeps SBGH low.)

[dano79]

I am unsure what my ranges are from my last test, but my Total T score was about 350 and my Free T was well within the normal range. Everytime a doc sees the free t level, they say thats the only score that matters and are hesitatant about giving me more Testoterone. I have a test score from several years ago that states my Total T level at 850. The last E test I had was before I started the gels and it was at 22. I asked my doct to be retested. I have not seen or heard any results yet.

Has anyone with these sensation issues, successfully been able to have sex? I have been avoiding sex for several years now, and I think that is adding to my problems. Viagra works, but things are just not that enjoyable. Since I'm young, I should be out dating and such, but I haven't because of these problems. How have any of you dealt with this issue?

[usufruct]

Dano,

Are you circumcised? That could be the major part of your sensitivity issue. It was for me. By the time of my mid-20s the gland had calloused and I basically could not feel anything. I also had low test which was a double whammy.

[BDATI2D]

Dano,

I too am dealing with this problem. My problem only started about 9 months ago. It was my wife who really brought it to my attention. My libido completely dropped off, my erections where less firm, and I too had noticed a loss of sensation as time went on. And yes, I was still able to make love to my wife, just took longer, which wasn’t an issue for her.
I have been on T shots since about the last part of July. 100mg weekly. I am just now starting to notice a difference in sensation and firmness. My libido is also starting to improve. But I am still not where I used to be. I know I need to be patient because it isn’t going to come right back.
I know how you feel about giving up. Dealing with Dr’s. is a pain in the ars. I feel like I have had to fight at first for everything I had done. My GP tried to tell me it was in my head. My Urologist finally knows now that I have been educating myself on this problem and is working with me. I had to go see and Endo Wednesday, and I was surprised at what she said. She tried to tell my symptoms weren’t from low T. In fact she tried to tell me the symptoms I had weren’t even the symptoms for low T. I wanted to say, have you read the Endo guidelines for treating Hypogonadism, but I didn’t. I need to have an MRI done on my Pituitary to check for a tumor and need her to approve it, so I need to stay on her good side for now.
Just from what I have read, most Dr’s. just don’t want to deal with this or don’t know how.
If it wouldn’t have been for this forum and Dr John’s guidelines, and all the great supportive people here, I would still be in the dark.

And my depression comes and goes, but it’s a lot less frequent than it used to be. But I can’t give up. I have a loving wife (who actually enjoys having sex a lot). And I don’t plan on growing old gracefully. I’m only 38, have 2 kids, and have a lot to look forward too as you do also. You are young. You’ll find a Dr. to help you. Be assertive, the squeaky wheel gets oiled trust me. If you don’t feel the one you have now is helping you, find a new one. I know that’s not what you want to hear, but you are the customer! ! !
If you’re like me you just want to feel whole again (and I will, no matter what). If you need a break take one, but don’t give up. Everyone here is supporting you and if you need to talk, everybody here will listen.


Dave

[MANWHORE]

I really hate to say this in the mens health forum but GET SOME TREN .. ummm prescribed to you that is. That stuff is just amazing with sexdrive and alot of other things

[dano79]

What is TREN?

[Bob Smith]

Originally Posted by dano79

What is TREN?

It is something that would have no legitimate medical use and as far as I know, has never been approved in the US for human use. Tren is trenbolone. It was produced for humans most recently in France, but even that ended about 5-10 years ago. Currently, a form of tren is used in cattle production to increase weight, thereby increasing selling price.

[SPE]

Tren? Seriously? I did a cycle of tren once, probably about 5 years ago. Here is what I can tell you about tren:

Strength: Holy Crap
Acne:
Libido: See above

This is a steroid that has NO place in TRT. Sorry, but it just doesn't. Believe me, it has it's place! It's just not here.

[dano79]

Thank your for all of your replies, I'm feeling a little better today...
Just to follow up on a few comments...

I hope to see if the gels work, because shots are not covered by my insurance. Are vials of testosteorne expensive (how much would i be spending a month?) Are they more likely to benifit me more than the gels?

Also on test results, I had a test done several years ago that shows my T level was 805 in a range 241-827. My levels are now at about 350 on the same scale. But my free T is in the normal range, So "everything must be ok" blah blah blah.

Also, since I'm now just throwing everything out in the open. I am suffering from testicular atrophy, which is expected. But I'm also suffering from penile atrophy as well. I have not lost much when erect. But when I'm flacid, It is considerably much smaller and shriveld up (like ive been in the pool all day) I used to be much fuller when flacid.

[Weatherlite]

You'll spend about $18 a month on test cyp. YEP! It's about $90 a bottle and there should be 20 doses in there.