Strange side effect: Feeling flat, emotionless.

[evilbones76]

Hey guys. I have been on TRT (Gel, 1.5 packets) for just four weeks, yep that long! I’m secondary hypo (going for MRI in 3 weeks), my test levels were 6.7 n/mol prior to starting TRT. I have to say, yes I felt rough with a lack of energy, lack of sex drive, flabs around chest and stomach – BUT, I was happy in my mind. The low T did not affect my mood, I was able to excited about stuff, I had natural adrenaline. I was able to laugh and feel good about stuff.

Flash 4 weeks on, and apart from a crash on week 3 my body feels ok, gym sessions are going well. Libido is ok, however I still feel tired though with some type of brain fog. My body has now shut down natural test production (balls are shrinking) and is now relying on TRT. Here is where the problem lies.

I do not feel happy. I seem to have lost a “spark”, I seem to have lost my excitement for life, my motivation, my happiness – I cannot get excited about anything! It appears as if my dopamine receptors are not working – there seems to be lack of “reward” for thinking of something happy. I feel flat! I normally always get somewhat excited thinking of what game I’m going to play at the weekend, what I’m going to be doing. It gets me through the week at work; but now, nothing. Everything appears to be dull.

Is this normal? I mean, there is no way I can go through the rest of my life like this – feeling nothing. The only time I feel good is in the gym or having sex. The rest of the time its “meh”.

My head feels different as if there is a blockage when trying to think about something fun, could this just be my body/brain reacting to the exogenous chemicals of TRT? Or could it be that the natural testosterone (what little I had) was taking care of the dopamine reward receptors, which now do not seem to be firing.

Do you feel happiness? Do you get excited about stuff? Do you feel flat? Did this happy the first few months of TRT, does this go after your body “adjusts”. I honestly think I would prefer the symptoms of low T, rather than go through the rest of my life without feeling excited or happy again – to feel emotionless is awful.

I’m sure you have read this from Dr. Mariano, (EDIT: cannot post links under 25 posts, but do a search on Dopamine and TRT in google)

I quote:

“Over time, however, with increased dopamine signaling, dopamine receptor production is reduced back to a normal amount. Dopamine, as the reward signal, the feel good signal, can't be elevated for a prolonged period of time excessively, without problems occurring. It no longer becomes a reward signal if it is elevated for a prolonged period of time. Tolerance, through receptor reduction, occurs.”

Now, could this be the issues. I’m sure it’s a lack of dopamine in my body at the moment which is causing this strange side effect. Chemicals do affect me strongly (think its because I spent most of the 90's bashing gear at raves!) – within the first week I felt an extremely euphoric high. My first week felt great, that was because of a mixture of natural T levels, and the exogenous TRT. But now the exogenous TRT has taken over it feels as if my dopamine levels have not returned.

I’m only 4 weeks in, so stopping TRT now would not be so bad. I think I can get my levels up to about 8 nmol naturally, which I could live with I suppose.

Still, this is the first month, and I know this is a big change to my body – I’m more than willing to put up with any side effects, just as long as this one issue goes away. But, I just cannot swap a happy mind, for a happy body.

I think I should just wait and see, 4 weeks is nothing really.

Would like to hear from anyone else who has similar “flat feelings” and did they go.

Thanks

[PistolPete33]

I don't have the answers you're looking for and I'm on T-injections so it's different. Most here will tell you the gells suck and to switch to injections. I've been on for 20 months now and never happier. My mood is so much better and I get more excited about the little things. I hardly get angry anymore and everything in my life has gotten better since starting TRT. I'm sure others will chime in with better advice.

[evilbones76]

Hey Pete, thanks for the response.

As I crashed on week three, I had communications with my Endo and she agreed to put me on Nebido. I have the prescription sitting here. But, I have blood test on my 5th week, so I was going to stick with the Gels till then. I know Nebido is a rollercoaster until you get the dosage/frequency right, which I'm not looking forward to. I would be happy on the Gels if I didn't have this strange side effect. It's like the Gels/TRT are or have changed something in my head, my thought process and moods have changed. I'm not in a bad mood as I'm a calm happy person; which is why this lack of excitement, motivation and general enthusiasm is concerning.

[xcraider37]

Hey guys. I have been on TRT (Gel, 1.5 packets) for just four weeks, yep that long! I’m secondary hypo (going for MRI in 3 weeks), my test levels were 6.7 n/mol prior to starting TRT. I have to say, yes I felt rough with a lack of energy, lack of sex drive, flabs around chest and stomach – BUT, I was happy in my mind. The low T did not affect my mood, I was able to excited about stuff, I had natural adrenaline. I was able to laugh and feel good about stuff.

Flash 4 weeks on, and apart from a crash on week 3 my body feels ok, gym sessions are going well. Libido is ok, however I still feel tired though with some type of brain fog. My body has now shut down natural test production (balls are shrinking) and is now relying on TRT. Here is where the problem lies.

I do not feel happy. I seem to have lost a “spark”, I seem to have lost my excitement for life, my motivation, my happiness – I cannot get excited about anything! It appears as if my dopamine receptors are not working – there seems to be lack of “reward” for thinking of something happy. I feel flat! I normally always get somewhat excited thinking of what game I’m going to play at the weekend, what I’m going to be doing. It gets me through the week at work; but now, nothing. Everything appears to be dull.

Is this normal? I mean, there is no way I can go through the rest of my life like this – feeling nothing. The only time I feel good is in the gym or having sex. The rest of the time its “meh”.

My head feels different as if there is a blockage when trying to think about something fun, could this just be my body/brain reacting to the exogenous chemicals of TRT? Or could it be that the natural testosterone (what little I had) was taking care of the dopamine reward receptors, which now do not seem to be firing.

Do you feel happiness? Do you get excited about stuff? Do you feel flat? Did this happy the first few months of TRT, does this go after your body “adjusts”. I honestly think I would prefer the symptoms of low T, rather than go through the rest of my life without feeling excited or happy again – to feel emotionless is awful.

I’m sure you have read this from Dr. Mariano, (EDIT: cannot post links under 25 posts, but do a search on Dopamine and TRT in google)

I quote:

Now, could this be the issues. I’m sure it’s a lack of dopamine in my body at the moment which is causing this strange side effect. Chemicals do affect me strongly (think its because I spent most of the 90's bashing gear at raves!) – within the first week I felt an extremely euphoric high. My first week felt great, that was because of a mixture of natural T levels, and the exogenous TRT. But now the exogenous TRT has taken over it feels as if my dopamine levels have not returned.

I’m only 4 weeks in, so stopping TRT now would not be so bad. I think I can get my levels up to about 8 nmol naturally, which I could live with I suppose.

Still, this is the first month, and I know this is a big change to my body – I’m more than willing to put up with any side effects, just as long as this one issue goes away. But, I just cannot swap a happy mind, for a happy body.

I think I should just wait and see, 4 weeks is nothing really.

Would like to hear from anyone else who has similar “flat feelings” and did they go.

Thanks

Get the blood work, you have pretty much answered your own question with the crash comment. When on the gels, you feel good for a short time , then as you stated you crashed, more than likely your T levels are still low, get blood work then adjust as needed. I wouldn't over think this one too much.

[kelkel]

Get the blood work, you have pretty much answered your own question with the crash comment. When on the gels, you feel good for a short time , then as you stated you crashed, more than likely your T levels are still low, get blood work then adjust as needed. I wouldn't over think this one too much.

Agree. Patience is needed here. All this takes time. Your body did not get in this dilemma overnight and it won't be corrected quickly either.

[evilbones76]

Hey guys. Yes. I'm aware that time is most likely a factor here, and that I should wait for these symptoms to clear up. I have read a lot of posts stating that TRT made them feel "flat" regardless of the amount of time. Some have been on a year or so and had to come off due to losing all motivation; not saying that would happen in my case. But if I was to stop, now would be the best time.

I have blood tests results incoming so will see what they say and report back when I actually have something more concrete to bitch about.

Thanks

[kelkel]

If they remained "flat" continually then there was probably something amiss with their protocol or some other underlying issue.