Can I post now?

[Strat1900]

Hi all,
I'm a 52 year old that could have been the poster boy for the pre-HRT treatment commercials. Libido was okay at best but a half of a viagra kept me in the game. Finally went to the Dr. and the best of two blood tests revealed a 280 T-level. Started androgel 1%. After about a week, the mental fog cleared. About another week energy and give a hoot was on the rise. In another 3-5 days I was hornier than Hogan's goat and had the performance to match. Then, it all started to decline. Mental clarity is still pretty good, but now energy and give a hoot are at pre-androgel levels. The love life has taken a big hit. While I still have a willingness I hardly call it desire and now a whole viagra barely does the trick and sometimes not at all.
I called my Dr. who is actually a PA and ran all this by him. He basically told me to suck it up until I had been on the androgel for a full 3 months as it could take that long for everything to stabilize and then we'll redo blood tests and see what's going on. I've been on the androgel for 2 months. From my own research, I'm thinking maybe my estrogen levels may have skyrocketed because along with all the negative stuff above I actually feel more emotional...sometime weepy even. But, my medical professional is sticking to his guns and won't change anything till I do new blood tests in about a month. Because of my insurance switching doctors/group is not really an option.
Did anybody else have an experiance similiar to this? Did it get better? What did you change to fix it? This not only sucks for me, but my darling wife seems to think she is somehow responsible for all this and we all know that is far from reality. I appreciate any info you may have.

Strat

[kelkel]

It's normal to have that "rise" and then your body normalizes or searches for homeostasis. You definitely need to monitor your E2 level with a sensitive assay. If it gets to high you can have libido issues. Give it some time and don't let it get in your head. Look into low dose daily cialis as well. There are many positive benefits to it beyond the obvious. Caveat, if your BP runs low do not take this.

[MickeyKnox]

Just to add to kel's sound advice, i have experienced exactly what you've just described. And i found that my Estrogen levels were too high and effecting my erections, libido, and mood.

Once i had them under control, my morning wood returned immediately and i felt better. So i believe that you are correct in your assumptions. However, as Kel has suggested, try to work through it until your next set of bloods. Tampering with your endocrine system now may only serve to complicate things since you're being cared for by a doctor who seems to be interested in finding a solution and getting you on the right track.

Good luck Strat, and please keep us posted with your upcoming results.

[Strat1900]

Gentlemen, thank you for your replies and support. I did in fact have my blood work re-done but it takes a 7-10 days to get the results back…tomorrow will be 7 days. My situation is about the same on all accounts but overall mood and the ED may be actually worse. My confidence has definitely taken a hit so it all, is in fact, already “in my head”. When I talked about this with my HCP I mentioned the sensitive assay for E2 but I’m not sure that’s exactly what he requested. Will the results be that far off I didn’t get the sensitive assay? It just takes so long to get the results and then make another appointment to see him…my quality of life is at an all-time low right now and the waiting sucks. I’m so ready to be better.

On another note, how expensive is the low-dose, daily Cialis? I don’t think my insurance will cover it (they’re super stingy with Viagra) but maybe it would be worth it coming out of pocket. Thanks again guys.