Hello!
So I've been on T-gel for almost 3 weeks now. I'm starting the injections tomorrow. Not sure about the dose yet. Need to talk to my doctor about that. So far the results have been disappointing. Call me impatient but I wanted something concrete.
So far what I've noticed is that I'm sweating a lot more. Not to pleasant but not horrible. My metabolism has risen and I've lost some weight. I'm thinner now then I've been for years. About 145 lbs and I'm 5'10". My confidence has risen which is a blessing. My brain feels more calm not so scattered? It's hard to describe. That's about it. Perhaps my dick is a bit bigger but that could just be wishful thinking.
I'm really hope the injections do a bit more than the gel did. I know there are different types, brands?, of T. Which one is recommended most highly?
Don't worry-- I've been on T a little over a month and I didn't start noticing any significant changes until the past week or so. Of course, I'm on cream, so injections will probably be faster. It'll come though. ;D
The first changes for me were zits and scratchy voice and I definitely noticed an increased drive!
I also had a hysto a month after starting T (gel also) and not sure if that helped changes or not. I'm still noticing changes almost 2 yrs later.
Enjoy the process.
Jay
P.S. Your partner is doing well with this? I think I missed that post.
Injectable forms usually take effect far quicker.
Different types have different pros and cons. Which are you considering?
Jay, my partner cares about our marriage and our commitment. I am very lucky to have that in him. He is actually bi-gendered but unfortunately in the closet with it. He plays the martyr to his family a bit, which annoys me. But if that's how it has to be right now so be it.
Ryan, you see I really don't know about the different types. If you have any information would you mind sharing it? I'd like to go to the doctor tomorrow informed. Better results that way for sure
T will change you. Some guys it is slower than others but it will change you. 3 weeks in is not very long, just be paitient.
Having watched the FTM talk (my andro wife uses T, I wanna know what is going on) I have noticed that HRT is fickle. It is completely a YMMV type of thing.
As for which T to use it all does the same thing in the long run. Sevan went with the shots (T. Cypionate) over the gel (Testim) mainly for convieniance. Puting on a cream or gel daily can tend to crimp ones style. You need to put the T on clean skin and avoid sweating it off for the first two hours. Then you should wait for it to completely dry before dressing. Blah thats a pain in the ass. With the shots it is a simple mater of 1 day a week its a shot in the ass and s/he is on hir way. Some dudes only get a shot ever 2 weeks so that could be a less agravating way.
I was going to post a link to a comparison of three diferant injectables but I cant seem to find it. (sorry)
I am on Testim and no one told me about the sweating thing. Wonderful. lol I normally put it on in the morning and then ahead for the gym. I'm sure I got a some but perhaps not as much as intended. Fortunately I didn't have to pay for it. Ah well the shot sounds much more convenient.
Testim is messy and greasy and takes forever to dry but it never seems to, even with a fan. I developed a rash after using it for 2 months. Back on androgel, but that wasn't absorbed properly and my T levels were low (which is why we went to testim in the first place). Doc is reluctant to use shots on me (don't know why) - maybe because I had a hysto already? IDK. If my T levels dropped, we won't really have a choice. Not that I want shots (I don't) but I just want to make sure my T levels stay normal.
Jay
Jay, I had a hysto and am on shots, Sustenon.
Injectables shouldn't be a problem after having a hysto. Just means that you'll probably need a lower dose and more thorough monitoring at first.
One of my friends had a hysto and is back on injections after androgel failed him miserably -- same endo. But I think he had a huge fight about it. I'll have to ask him. But he had more issues with the gel than just poor absorption.
It may be my only option if my T levels are low again (and I'm thinking they might be just because my drive has tapered off since the switch, and was insane on testim!).
Jay
Sustenon and T. Cypionate. Noted. From what I've seen lurking around Sustenon seemed to be preferred.
My sex drive has yet to increase but that's fine. It was very high to begin with.
I could be wrong but I don't think Sustanon is licensed in the US.
Oh really? Is it dangerous in some way?
Not at all, it's just that whoever approves medicines in the states has not approved it yet. Same with Nebido.
Weird. Sustanon and Nebido are the only injectables I've ever seen used in the UK!
I think I heard of someone who was on Cypionate in the UK but he was prescribed it years ago and was having trouble sourcing it now. And I saw a bloke on youtube who's just switched from testogel to Enantate in the UK. But yeah mostly sustanon or nebido.
Has anyone tried the patch? I'm a huge needle-phobe and my insurance will cover the patch (but not the cream or gel).
Ah yeah, Alex is on Enantate. Forgot about him.
The patch tends to cause skin irritation from what I've heard.
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Changes come faster for some guys and slower for others. I've only had one shot and been on T for 13 days and already my voice has dropped for the first time. But for some guys its takes at least a month for the voice to drop.
What I've noticed so far is that my junk is bigger, the voice, easier to build muscle, increased thirst/appetite, maybe faster metabolism, different orgasms, change in taste/smell...some other things...
If you think about it, the shot injects the T into our muscle so its like BAM...and stays there. The cream is only on the surface, so the changes won't be as pronounced. WIth the shot you'll most likely notice quicker changes.
Oh, and I'm on cyponiate.
I notice on most the discussions I read about the varieties of T there is always a lot of Transdermal (gels, creams, patches) testosterone bashing, mostly from people who have never used it before. It doesn't annoy me as such, it's just that the positives of it are sometimes ignored.
I'll admit that it's not uncommon for guys to not notice any major changes for the first month or so, this is because it takes time for the T levels to build up. And for some putting it on everyday can be inconvenient, or just not suited to their lifestyle.
What I like about using testosterone gel is that I get none of the highs and lows associated with injections. I don't need to worry about who's going to do my next shot or doing it myself. I find it very reassuring that my T levels are pretty much identical to the levels of the average cismale.
Testosterone really is YMMV and everyones body uses T diffently. I just wanted to stick up for the transdermals ;D.
Oh just for the record I've been on Testogel for approx. 4months.
I have to admit I do like the cream, although cream seems easier to apply than gel (it only take like 2 minutes to dry instead of an hour and I don't have to use as much). I don't have to worry about technique in giving the shot or disposing of the needles or anything. My T levels are constant, like Greg said. I also sort of want the effects to come on slower. I'm in no hurry. Cismales take several years to go through puberty, I don't see the need to rush through it as fast as possible. There is also research that the singing voice turns out better if the voice changes more slowly, and I'm willing to slow down my changes to perserve as much as possible of my singing voice.