Gel vs. Injection and other Testosterone Questions.

[casey8736]

1) Does anyone know how much slower the gel works compared to shots? ( i know changes are different for every person, but I'm just looking for the difference in a broad sense)

2) Are there preventative measures i can take to avoid hair loss?

3) Will testosterone bring the migraines back that i had when i was going through female puberty?

4) and to anyone that is on testosterone, what did your body feel like immediately following your first shot or application? (as in the reaction to it entering your system)

Thanks!!

[Ratchet]

4) and to anyone that is on testosterone, what did your body feel like immediately following your first shot or application? (as in the reaction to it entering your system)

This is the only question I can answer, but I felt nothing different when I took my first shot. I actually have never really felt anything before, after, between shots. I take them bi-weekly and many have said they experience a "down" right before their next shot that way. But other than the occasional muscle twitch, muscle soreness after the shot, nada.

[Julie Marie]

According to my doctor, gels are a waste of money.

[Wes]

I was on T-gel for about 8 months...and during that time I barely noticed any changes. My voice dropped only a smidgeon..I didn't grow anymore facial hair or start looking much different. That monthly thing didn't go away either which was a major downer..Next time I go back on T, I am going to insist on the shots!

[dmx]

4) and to anyone that is on testosterone, what did your body feel like immediately following your first shot or application? (as in the reaction to it entering your system)

No different whatsoever.

[RyGuy]

4) and to anyone that is on testosterone, what did your body feel like immediately following your first shot or application? (as in the reaction to it entering your system)

nothing. before most people start hormones they think they are going to feel some like warming energy entering their bloodstream or angels are going to sing or something but mostly, if you didn't know, you could have just been given a measles vaccine.

[Epi]

Gel has to be applied daily onto your arms and it costs significantly more than injections.

[RyGuy]

Gel has to be applied daily onto your arms and it costs significantly more than injections.

and doesn't do anything, from everything i've seen and heard

[Epi]

and doesn't do anything, from everything i've seen and heard

It does but not that quickly.  I hear of cis-gendered men using it more to supplement for low testosterone levels.

[wheat thins are delicious]

angels are going to sing

lol

After my first shot my throat did get sorta tight but that might have been from smoking a lot that day (I was nervous)

[xAndrewx]

4) and to anyone that is on testosterone, what did your body feel like immediately following your first shot or application? (as in the reaction to it entering your system)

Not really I get shaky but it's because I'm a bit of a needlephobe and happy because I managed another successful shot

As for the gel check out youtube there are some guys out there who've done vids. Have to agree with the others I don't see much change from the guys on it. It's slower so it seems

[Electric Wizard]

The only thing I noticed with my first shot is that my leg felt really warm. It was like a wave of heat came over my leg, but I believe that was to do with the muscle. Other than that, nothing really. It's injected into the muscle, so it's slowly released. It's not like an intravenous injection where it acts right away.

Gels aren't generally used since they're local acting. Having it absorbed by the skin, as opposed to injected, is not nearly as efficient, so you don't get as much. They're also significantly more expensive than injections.

[Nemo]

As for the gel check out youtube there are some guys out there who've done vids. Have to agree with the others I don't see much change from the guys on it. It's slower so it seems

Yeah, I'm one of them - and I experienced quite rapid changes at first, considering it works slower. But then my ovaries were FUBARed so that helped spike the T levels and, therefore, the effects. Once they went I had to double the intake, before getting switched to shots - not the usual bi-weekly, mind you; I'm on the 3 monthly Nebido shots ^_^

So, as to question 1) I'm the wrong person to ask. As for the others:

2) There's posts scattered around here about Rogaine and other such treatments - I hear rosemary oil is a good natural alternative.
3) As I told someone else, if something disagrees with you it's bound to have a negative effect. That's about all I can offer *shrug*
4a) On gel: I shivered and coughed. Because the gel is cold and reeks of ethanol XP My ovaries freaked out the next day as they started twinging more than usual, but then they weren't exactly healthy to start with.
4b) 1st Nebido shot: My arse started to really hurt after the shot as the oil worked through the muscle. Walking home was fun; I needed to rest every so often, and my usual fast pace was slowed to a crawl. Not to scare you, some people have been fine on it, but that was just my experience.

Mind you, I have noticed that over a week since that shot it's already working pretty fast compared to the gel. So maybe that's your answer.

[brandnewman]

2) Are there preventative measures i can take to avoid hair loss?

You can ask your doctor about medications. I've heard Finasteride is a good one, but I haven't asked my endo yet.

3) Will testosterone bring the migraines back that i had when i was going through female puberty?

I've heard that testosterone can cause headaches but I have not experienced this.

4) and to anyone that is on testosterone, what did your body feel like immediately following your first shot or application? (as in the reaction to it entering your system)

I had a metallic taste in my mouth for a few minutes the first time. Other than that, I felt elated, but that's more psychological than physical

[sneakersjay]

Gel has worked fine for me.  But then, I have had a hysto since 1 month on T.  I started passing after 3 months on T.


Jay

[bcv]

i've been on the gel for a little over 3 months. its 30$ for me for over a month worth without insurance and i'm on 70mg/week, so i don't think its that expensive. so far minor hair growth, very minor voice change, and some muscle changes in upper body. i didn't feel anything the first time i put it on, nor do i ever.
part of the deal with the gel is once you put it on (i put it on my thighs) you have to let it "soak in" for awhile. a lot of people seem to put clothes on immediately after which i guess can rub a lot of it off.