just started TRT

[Mike Dura]

Just at 150 mgs a week. Doc wants to see blood work before introducing HCG and Anastrozole. I took my first shot yesterday. It feels as a fog lifted from my brain. My mood feels improved and I feel more focused. On occasion I feel a chill and this morning I had serious diarrhea. This may have nothing to do with the drug. My improved moods might be a placebo effect but I don't think so. No change in libido yet. Maybe in a week or two. I'm excited and I'm looking forward to taking advantage of the treatment by getting into shape. My blood pressure is slightly high but it will lower with the weight loss. I'm 225 pounds and pretty portly.! Waist may be up to 37". I think I'd be lean if I diet down to about 165 pounds. It will take about 6 months. I know what I'm doing. It's going to be perfect! . The last time I got into shape was 2010. I'm really looking forward to the process. At the end of my project, I'll look completely transformed.

[Mike Dura]

I'm 45 years old. I've been prescribed the standard test cyp. I'll keep you guys abreast with the process and before and after pics.

[kelkel]

Hi Mike. Good to see a long time member. "Just 150" is actually a good size dose. Your doc really has no reason to not start you on HCG at the same time. You're going to shut down anyway and it would make for less titrations down the road. Glad you feel better, placebo effect or not right! It really takes time for all the positive effects to occur so patience is necessary.

I would ask your doctor to switch you to a twice per week injection protocol where you split your dose in half and inject every 3-4 days. Essentially less injected at one time = less spike in E level. If you're carrying extra BF right now you'll tend to aromatize easier. This will help. Goal is to not have to use an AI whatsoever if possible.

When it comes to BP take a look arginine to help:

Arginine To Lower High Blood Pressure - Arginin For Hypertension - YouTube

Also consider asking your doc for low dose daily Cialis at 5mg x 2 per day. Not for issues downstairs but it's actually one of the healthiest things a man can take and will again help to lower blood pressure.

[Mike Dura]

Thanks for the advice and the encouragement!

[Ryanmcd]

Thanks for the advice and the encouragement!

Don't do 100 things at a time, Just stick with the 1 shot a week for a few months and see how it goes. Everyone always wants to add 100 things in at the start and all it does is make you have no idea what is doing what, people have been doing fine at 1 time a week for 10+ years myself included I would say down the road TRY the 2x a week and see if it matter and the SUB Q / HCG CIA etc but at 1st just do the 1 shot 1 time a week.

Also the Cialis is going to cost about $20 a day and it can cause other issues, just do the cyp for now.

[kelkel]

Don't do 100 things at a time, Just stick with the 1 shot a week for a few months and see how it goes. Everyone always wants to add 100 things in at the start and all it does is make you have no idea what is doing what, people have been doing fine at 1 time a week for 10+ years myself included I would say down the road TRY the 2x a week and see if it matter and the SUB Q / HCG CIA etc but at 1st just do the 1 shot 1 time a week.

Also the Cialis is going to cost about $20 a day and it can cause other issues, just do the cyp for now.

Can't argue with what your saying Ryan, but if BF% is an immediate issue then a twice per week protocol will help with the aromatization process. It's simply better in that aspect. But, to each his own and whatever works, works! It has to fit your lifestyle.

The majority of insurance plans cover cialis. Tell me, what other issues will it cause? The only negative to using it would be if you had low BP. Other than that the list of positives goes on and on. Improved blood flow, nitric oxide booster, approved by the FDA for prevention and treatment of BPH, etc.

[bass]

welcome to the dark side Mike!

[Cmoore]

welcome to the dark side Mike!

Mike, I started trt 7 weeks ago. It started at 160mg per week. I was starting to lose faith until I had my 6th shot. It's like a light turned on. I'm more focused, I can work a ten hour day and still have energy to drive an hour home, put the twins to bed, and I still have enough gas in my tank to hit the garage for a solid hour of motivated work out. So glad you're feeling the benefit already. Good luck getting back into shape my friend, I'm sure you'll do well.

And by the way, after my 6 week labs they raised my dose to 170mg.

I'd like to ask about doing twice a week injections like the other member said, any input guys?

[Ryanmcd]

Can't argue with what your saying Ryan, but if BF% is an immediate issue then a twice per week protocol will help with the aromatization process. It's simply better in that aspect. But, to each his own and whatever works, works! It has to fit your lifestyle.

The majority of insurance plans cover cialis. Tell me, what other issues will it cause? The only negative to using it would be if you had low BP. Other than that the list of positives goes on and on. Improved blood flow, nitric oxide booster, approved by the FDA for prevention and treatment of BPH, etc.

I just don't know his total health and if he has eye issues he can wake up not being able to see out of 1 eye like what someone posted over at Dr John's forum. I know it's rare but what if he has glaucoma and started to take it and lost his vision? I know it's all what if's but knowing 0 about someone's health I will always error on the side of caution and have been using internet forums now for over 20 years and it has good / bad info so I just try to play it safe.

But yes I do like cialis and do not see any issues with it but if you have glaucoma or are on nitrates it can make you blind or kill you and that we do not know from his posts.

[kelkel]

Understood. Everything here is "opinion" only and should always be discussed with your personal physician. Some side effects, as posted above can occur but are extremely rare. If you want to be scared, read the potential side effects to vitamin C.

[kelkel]

I'd like to ask about doing twice a week injections like the other member said, any input guys?

Well, it allows for more stable serum testosterone levels and can lessen the need for an AI, which should be everyone's goal.

[Ryanmcd]

Understood. Everything here is "opinion" only and should always be discussed with your personal physician. Some side effects, as posted above can occur but are extremely rare. If you want to be scared, read the potential side effects to vitamin C.

lol so true, but again you have no idea on who is on the other end reading this stuff, lots of people read things on the internet and believe it over what a doctor says I just don't to read a post about someone getting screwed up on something when I was only trying to help as you are doing the same.

[kelkel]

lol so true, but again you have no idea on who is on the other end reading this stuff, lots of people read things on the internet and believe it over what a doctor says I just don't to read a post about someone getting screwed up on something when I was only trying to help as you are doing the same.

You mean it's not true if it's on the internet? Shiat!

But yes, we need to hope guys keep advice/opinions in perspective and do their own research as well as present it to their doctor.

[kelkel]

Ryan one more thing and sorry to hijack Mike. Re my Vit C comment I remembered this clip. It's short but you can FF to around 1 minute if you like. It's from the documentary "Bigger, Faster, Stronger" which is well worth watching if you have not.

Vitamin C is more harmful than steroids - YouTube

[Beethoven]

I mentioned the daily cialis to my Doc and he is of the opinion why use it if you're already on test. He thinks about the flushing or other sides. I'm going to work on him some more once I get dialed in. Still think I would do better on a slightly higher dose of test.

[2Sox]

Hi Mike. Good to see a long time member. "Just 150" is actually a good size dose. Your doc really has no reason to not start you on HCG at the same time. You're going to shut down anyway and it would make for less titrations down the road. Glad you feel better, placebo effect or not right! It really takes time for all the positive effects to occur so patience is necessary.

I would ask your doctor to switch you to a twice per week injection protocol where you split your dose in half and inject every 3-4 days. Essentially less injected at one time = less spike in E level. If you're carrying extra BF right now you'll tend to aromatize easier. This will help. Goal is to not have to use an AI whatsoever if possible.

When it comes to BP take a look arginine to help:

Arginine To Lower High Blood Pressure - Arginin For Hypertension - YouTube

Also consider asking your doc for low dose daily Cialis at 5mg x 2 per day. Not for issues downstairs but it's actually one of the healthiest things a man can take and will again help to lower blood pressure.

Mike, Best wishes on your new journey. I've found that this is the best place to be to discuss things that concern us and to ask questions. But you know that already.

I agree with Kel's advice completely. I don't think you have to wait to split your dose and neither do you have to wait to begin hCG. In fact, I'd advise you get on both immediately - for the reasons Kel made clear. I can't state that emphatically enough. And it doesn't hurt to keep your stones from shrinking to the size of, well....little pebbles.

I'm also not sure why Ryan is so concerned about your taking low dose Cialis. It's my understanding that all these PDE5 inhibotors were first discovered completely by accident while they were being used to treat high blood pressure! Suddenly guys being treated for high blood pressure discovered that there was a bulge in their pants where they hadn't seen one in quite awhile. FYI, I'm on BOTH tamsulosin (a.k.a. Flomax) and Cialis, 10mg/day - both of which lower blood pressure and both of which are contraindicated to take together. But they are great for BPH and ED. My urologist had no issues at all writing for this. But this is a decision you and your doctor make together.

As has been said, these are all suggestions based on personal experience - but we all have to make the final decision as to what course to take.

[trikydik]

Welcome to the club... I am on 150 as well. One thing I recommend is to keep an eye on the cholesterol.

[jomamma007]

you can get cialis from the site sponsor for dirt cheap.

Also, personally by day 6 my levels have fallen tremendously, so 2x week does have benefits for most, aside the fact that it will lower aromtisation.