Anxiety

[bk13332]

I'm about ready to explode! I've been trying for two days to get a friggin post put up here and it keeps being rejected...

I just started my TRT at 60 mg IM per week. I'm two weeks in and the anxiety is unbearable. I do take an anti-anxiety med and upped the dose to compensate but it doesnt seem to be working. I'm hoping the anxiety will subside within a few days? Both my Endo and Psy think the Tst isnt causing the anxiety but I think it is as I havent changed anything.

I started another thread previsouly on Subclinical Hypothyroidism which will have my blood tests prior to TRT. If I decide to stop with the Tst would a PCT be in order since I've only done 120 mg total?



any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

[steroid.com 1]

Low DHEA can cause this to happen...among a ton of other things.

Try supplementing 50mg of both DHEA (micronized) and Pregnenolone.

[bk13332]

Thanks gdevine,

I had a well written story with good details but it kept being rejected for some reason. I'll check out your suggestions.

[Brazensol]

Seems to me when I first started posting here that any time I put in the name of a medication it would not post. Once I got to either 35 or 50 posts it was no longer a problem.

[Mario L]

It does act funny when you have a low post count. Just be sure to copy your lenthy threads you write so you can copy and paste them just in case.

[Bonaparte]

There's no way that 60mg of test itself is causing anxiety. That's half of what most guys take just for HRT, and testosterone (even in high doses) very rarely causes anxiety.
This is probably all in your head, since you're thinking about how you're on steroids and whatnot.

[juice2012]

Could the conversion of T -> E be causing a spike in his anxiety?

[steroid.com 1]

Could the conversion of T -> E be causing a spike in his anxiety?

Not really.

It's not uncommon for DHEA levels to tank; supplementing can rid the anxiety if that's the cause.

So many things can cause anxiety like a very low carb diet.

[Vettester]

BK, sorry to hear all of this is happening with your new protocol. I may have missed another thread with your info, but have you already posted up your lab results, stats, and other details leading up to your TRT assignment? I'll look through your previous results, but I'd really like some background on you before I make too many suggestions.

[steroid.com 1]

Here's a good easy to read article on low DHEA levels and anxiety:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/54...nxiety-in-men/

[jamotech]

I'm about ready to explode! I've been trying for two days to get a friggin post put up here and it keeps being rejected...

I just started my TRT at 60 mg IM per week. I'm two weeks in and the anxiety is unbearable. I do take an anti-anxiety med and upped the dose to compensate but it doesnt seem to be working. I'm hoping the anxiety will subside within a few days? Both my Endo and Psy think the Tst isnt causing the anxiety but I think it is as I havent changed anything.

I started another thread previsouly on Subclinical Hypothyroidism which will have my blood tests prior to TRT. If I decide to stop with the Tst would a PCT be in order since I've only done 120 mg total?



any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Now your on trt, and anxiety is back... deal is you have a problem with anxiety and meds are only a mask that dont always work. Id agree with your endo and psychiatrist, your having anxiety about starting trt.

[bk13332]

TSH = 4.57 0.10 – 5.50

LH = 1.8 1.0 – 12.0

Vit D = 54 20 – 79

Total Test = 497 250 – 1100

Free Test = 83 35 – 155

Tri-iodothyronine 105 Range 50 - 170

FSH 1.5 Range 1.4 - 18.1

LH <1.0 Range 1.0 - 12.0

Ferritin 300 Range 22 - 365

Estradiol <50 Range <50

[bk13332]

Im currently on Lam ictal. (just put them together) it is used off label for anxiety as I could not tollerate the SSRIs nor did I want to go down the Benzo path.

[bk13332]

Sorry guys for the multi post but again my detailed answer is being blocked (I'm trying to follow the rules but dont know what it is Im writing that is wrong?) Anyway, I had read on-line the anxiety med I am taking can be negated by oral contraceptives in females and reduce the serum levels to almost zero. I consulted with my doc but they all said not to worry with the Test. However, my Psy had me increase the dosage to see if that helped.

I do want to say that my anxiety is not in my head (hell I hope not...) I dont want to go into too much detail but in 2010 I was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of 20+ years in my chosed profession. My pysical symptoms that come and go are hot flashes then chills and shakes. Myl legs have felt like they were going to give out on me. These all led to panic/anxiety attacks despite my mental focus and response.

Gdvenine, oddly I have been on a low carb diet the last few months. I dont know if that is a contributing factor or not but it is interesting.

[bk13332]

I know my TSH is high and I have been diagnosed with Hoshy's. My Endo put me on Synthroid but that made things worse and I felt like crap. She wouldn't do Armour but instead just wanted to keep an eye on my level and if it gets any higher we can re-treat.

[jamotech]

Sorry guys for the multi post but again my detailed answer is being blocked (I'm trying to follow the rules but dont know what it is Im writing that is wrong?) Anyway, I had read on-line the anxiety med I am taking can be negated by oral contraceptives in females and reduce the serum levels to almost zero. I consulted with my doc but they all said not to worry with the Test. However, my Psy had me increase the dosage to see if that helped.

I do want to say that my anxiety is not in my head (hell I hope not...) I dont want to go into too much detail but in 2010 I was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of 20+ years in my chosed profession. My pysical symptoms that come and go are hot flashes then chills and shakes. Myl legs have felt like they were going to give out on me. These all led to panic/anxiety attacks despite my mental focus and response.

Gdvenine, oddly I have been on a low carb diet the last few months. I dont know if that is a contributing factor or not but it is interesting.

I dont think anyone intended to mean that the anxiety is in your head... its not! You suffer from a real and increasingly common condition. However thinking that your anxiety is now being caused by adding test into your system is only in your head, and it sounds like your docs agree, as he/she is upping your dose in response! They are trying do prove it to you, which should help subside your anxiety.

[--->>405<<---]

funny this thread is up cuz im dealing with anxiety as well. funny though if u think about it isnt anxiety always "in ur head"?

when i started test a yr ago i had anxiety (which i got from my mom) and after awhile it subsided. as far as E2affecting it i think i saw somewhere one elevated E2 symptom is anxiety. when mine climbed higher i know i got it (anxiety) and think that may be why im experiencing it now cuz im trying to dial it in and it may be elevated.

anxiety sucks!

[dhickey]

I have crazy anxiety since starting T replacement. I've had it in the past, but not in awhile and not this bad. I'm on 100mg twice a week for 5 weeks now. Doc was planning to lower dose and add AI if needed at two months. Sides were too much to handle after week 2 or 3, so I tested E on my own. It was 70pg/ml (6-46)! Adding an AI now to see if it helps.

I wouldn't stop the treatment, but I also think it would be silly to completely rule out some sort of connection.

[tripperdogg]

I agree, anxiety sucks big time. i have had issues since i was about 16. sometimes medicated sometimes not. I have not started any treatment yet for low test, dr. appointment in Dec., but hoping that mine doesnt increase. Currently taking a small dose of paxil ed. Seems under control now . Just feel alittle dopey at times and dont know if its the anxiety med, low t or high iron from my hemochromatosis.Good luck with your internal struggles guys, anxiety is a bitch.

[HRTstudent]

Dr Crisler is really big on pregnenolone for anxiety. It does seem to have some anecdotal support as well. its safe, cheap, and seems to work for some. I recommend you check it out.

While going on testosterone, it is normal for your testes to shut down. This means that many hormonal paths may be blunted or shut down. We don't exactly know everything that happens. That's just where we are in medicine, and why it is quite literally, a practice. Supplementing pregnenolone is supposed to help "back-fill" those hormonal pathways that get shut down when you start TRT.

There are many products out there, but the ones with the best reputations seem to be micronized-lipid-matrix formulas as well as compounded transdermals.

It is, IMO, worth trying.

[BuzzardMarinePumper]

No matter what the doctor says Xanax or Clonopen will fix you right up ! BUT is 60 days you will be a slave to a pill and when normal returns you still have to tkae the posion or your body will give you fit and you will go into deep , deep depression GOOD NEW is at leaset for me I am only 2 weeks into TRT and I have cut my 8mg of Xanax all the way down to 3 mg a day. and my Oxycodone from 6 10mg a day down to 3 or 4 . I will be clean in 4 more weeks and I have had no ski crawling and no personality altering in a negative aspect . My test was so low some women have higher test than me (78) I think just the slightest amount of test was all I neede to act like a ballsy man again and I have not been grumpy either

[--->>405<<---]

dad gummit man u were scripted 4 xanax bars per day? what did u have a job at a mattress testing facility??

[devildog1967]

Im currently on Lam ictal. (just put them together) it is used off label for anxiety as I could not tollerate the SSRIs nor did I want to go down the Benzo path.

Lamictal will not cause anxiety as its a mood stabilizer . ask you phyc for diazepam and that will help on top of the other meds your on problem solved . TRT will help and not hinder .

[BuzzardMarinePumper]

dad gummit man u were scripted 4 xanax bars per day? what did u have a job at a mattress testing facility??

I see 1 of us is wrong and since I was taking them / am let's hope I am correct as a complement to you. Now I went through some scitt in the marines but either I posted up wrong or you are wrong which would mean you don't know all that much abaout Xanaax 1mg is a Blue 1 street talk and I am perscribed 8 a day and lets just say when I went throught the divorce 10 years ago I have always bee wound kinda tight . Well my spring broke and I tried to beat my ex wifes boy friend to death and damn fat ass would not die . He weight 350lbs ad she was just dating him because she knew from before we got married I liked to fight and had had jobs as bouncers.. He spent 3 weeks in hospital and before we went to trial I got ran over by a truck and when I went to the Judge she said it would cost to much to keep me in jail so I got 10 yrs probation, I was 42 and held court in 03 I got a few more ths to go and the xanax keep me calm . . . . . but be clear I am as clear as a bell and noral when taking them , it's when I don't that you don't want to be arounf me. I am down to 3 Mg a day and sweet as sugar

[BuzzardMarinePumper]

Lamictal will not cause anxiety as its a mood stabilizer . ask you phyc for diazepam and that will help on top of the other meds your on problem solved . TRT will help and not hinder .

Diazepam = Valum lots of luck on that one they have almost stopped scripting that one going the way of the q-lude xanax hurts TRT big time ! !

[BuzzardMarinePumper]

dad gummit man u were scripted 4 xanax bars per day? what did u have a job at a mattress testing facility??

You probably know more than me ? But I am under the impression that a (Street name Bar) is 5mg or 5 x 1 mg which is what I am on and it takes 5 of the blue 1mg to = a 1 5mg Tot - um - pole / Bar ? Either way if you take them to party with them that is a different story usually 1 mg and a couple of beers will put many 180 lb college kids on their butt ! They are bad news . But the Valium family is just as addictive and will have even worse side effect if taken with alchol which neither is supposed to be taken with alchol and I think that is why some D.A.'s do Also Xanax is not supposed to be taken with grapefruit it increases their strength ! I never thought 19 tears ago when thw doctor perscribed them rhat they change tky whol4 way of thinking !

Would atavan not be a better choice and not sp adictive as Xanax or Valum and still take the edge off ?

[MyteeJ]

If I'm not mistaken Valium is in the same category as benzos and Kilonopin is definitely a benzo.

As Buzz stated, you can become a slave to them in a short time so they are not something to take lightly.

IMO - the sleeplessness and restlessness that I had when I started my protocol lasted ~ 2 weeks.

I also have a history of anxiety issues but I didn't resort to anything to take the edge off aside from melatonin for sleep.

[TennTarheel]

You probably know more than me ? But I am under the impression that a (Street name Bar) is 5mg or 5 x 1 mg which is what I am on and it takes 5 of the blue 1mg to = a 1 5mg Tot - um - pole / Bar ? Either way if you take them to party with them that is a different story usually 1 mg and a couple of beers will put many 180 lb college kids on their butt ! They are bad news . But the Valium family is just as addictive and will have even worse side effect if taken with alchol which neither is supposed to be taken with alchol and I think that is why some D.A.'s do Also Xanax is not supposed to be taken with grapefruit it increases their strength !

Ok, let's clear this up: a "bar" or "totem pole" is a 2mg Xanax. Lol Anything like this should be the LAST resort. They will seriously take a hold of you very quickly if not careful. I've seen it way too many times and its awful. You think you have anxiety now? Try detoxing yourself from Xanax cold turkey and you will be living a nightmare. Been there

[--->>405<<---]

Ok, let's clear this up: a "bar" or "totem pole" is a 2mg Xanax. Lol Anything like this should be the LAST resort. They will seriously take a hold of you very quickly if not careful. I've seen it way too many times and its awful. You think you have anxiety now? Try detoxing yourself from Xanax cold turkey and you will be living a nightmare. Been there

^^this.. 1blue = 1mg
1 "bar/totem pole" = 2mg

8mg = 8 blue or 4 bars i guess u never got scripted the bars.

never been addicted physically to xanax and from the sounds of it im glad. nor do i take them anymore. never been scripted xanax either. ive lost several days in a row due to xanax in my day.. one day when i was in my 20's i took a xanax bar and drank a couple 22's (oz beers) on the way home from work with the fellas and had to do my cardio which was a 3-mile run. it felt like my feet were made of concrete blocks! LOL i think i made it like 3/4 mile.

[bk13332]

Been there done that with the Klono. The benzos work but require more and more. I quit and didnt do it properly and suffered horrible withdrawls. I wont go down that path again.

I started Pregnenolone Micronized this week. it seemed to work great (placebo maybe) but yesterday I was back to the real bad anxiety. However, in all fairness I have had some un-related personal stuff this past week as well that may have made it worse.

[J DIESEL3]

bk13332 I also get anxiety from time to time and i know it really sucks!

When I first started trt my doctor had me on to high a dose and injections every other week!Also he would not script me for any AI and my e2 went up big time!When that happened I got anxiety really bad and almost stopped trt for good.Soon after that I found this awesome forum and got a new doctor and got myself fixed up.

One thing I did start many weeks back was dhea and it has really helped my anxiety big time!! ( thanks gd!)
I tried dhea over a year ago but soon went off because it increased my anxiety way more..The reason why is because I started on way to high of a dose and had very low blood levels confirmed from my bw.I had no idea that if your system was running low that it could spike anxiety if you didn't start out on a low dose.Once again thanks gd.

Anyway this might be something you want to try after you see how the pregnenolone works for you.

[TennTarheel]

How low did you start? 25mg/day?? I have just started taking it at 50 a day, but its only been three days. I am anxiety prone and don't want to bring any on if I can help it.

[J DIESEL3]

Yes Tenn 25 mg a day should be fine..

I did 25mg per day and didn't have any problems at all.Last time I could feel my anxiety coming on after 3 to 5 days of using a larger dose.

Remember Tenn it really happens more with people that have low levels of dhea. I think that you would have had some issues by now.Are u low?

[BuzzardMarinePumper]

^^this.. 1blue = 1mg
1 "bar/totem pole" = 2mg

8mg = 8 blue or 4 bars i guess u never got scripted the bars.

never been addicted physically to xanax and from the sounds of it im glad. nor do i take them anymore. never been scripted xanax either. ive lost several days in a row due to xanax in my day.. one day when i was in my 20's i took a xanax bar and drank a couple 22's (oz beers) on the way home from work with the fellas and had to do my cardio which was a 3-mile run. it felt like my feet were made of concrete blocks! LOL i think i made it like 3/4 mile.

PLEASE ! Let me make this VERY CLEAR ! Probably TMI and some will think bad of me no matter what I say but the truth is not always pretty ! This point in my life was not a choice I made. in 02 I was ran over by a truck and also , when only 6 mths earlier I had been hit with divorce papers. I spent 4 days in ICU and My family by my bedside expecting me to die any moment Well I woke up. I was moved to a privated room and I was one morphine and Dalota alternating every 2 hours, the meds were regulated but not with a computer like they are today. I was in such pain the nurses would fudge a little and give me my shots early as opposed to waitng the full 2 hours.

Oh Condition I broke "al"l my rib, punctured my right lung, Compound fracture/break of Capula (Collar Bone). Crushed to the point of where they described it as gravle my lower scapula (right shoulder blade)& 3 fractured at the to portion on this big bone, Cracked my pelvis on both sides and had to have a new Pelvis Cup built for left Pelvis and left hip implant, Bruised my liver ? Split my spleen and over a 3 month period had 5 pints of blood and 1 blood clot hit my lung

(Welcome to my nightmare)

I was offered hospis and I went nuts they had to sedate me. . . . Plobably a funny sight seeing a 42 year old man who can barly do anything beside have limited use of my left arm throw a carzy fit ! Fooled all of them with determination and the grace of GOD ! I was in phycial therapy 3 mths later to their surprise and not at all a surprice to me. They would dope me up with pain meds and send me to PT so I could learn to walk feed myself and matain self hygine when in the bathroom. You talk about learning the meaning of humble. . . when you use a bed pan for 3 mths you learn to be thanful for the VERY simple things in life that men take for granted.

Well durig this 4 mth stay 3 in the hospital and 1 in PT I was expected to die . They were just medoracrate doctors at best. I had DVT when I had the acccident and these Camel jockey doctors were going to "FIX" my DVT issue and gave my to much blood thinner (Warfrin Rat posion) and I almost bleed to deat internally had a huge purple pool internally all along the side ok my body that I leaned to when I splept, looked like a huge bruise. Got 2 pints of blood that day and another a couple of days later. + I got 1 or 2 when blood count was low sorry I can't remember.

Well I was having nightmares to the point they would wind up sedating me I would cry screanm, cuse, and throw things. So .5 mg of Xanax and yes and Valium and these stopped ; pls plus super ambein to make me sleepfor 8 hours stratight.

I come home to a hospital bed and my parents home . My wife was dating and called and said for me not to think we were getting back together but she wanted to make sure my Insurance was made out to her incase I died so our 3 children were taken care of. My parents had to buy a new phone I beat that one to pieces ! However that was very king and thoughtful of her

I go to the Pain managment Clinic my 2nd day home and I had left the hospital on 100mics of a Fentynal pach ( high Dose they start at .25) I go to the pain clinic ( not a pill mill) and they up my fentynal to the point that I fall asleep right in the middle of a sentence, 3 different muscel relaxers I don't remember all the names but my Druggie friends kewn all of them . Through if all I never took any other pain meds stronger than demirol, in addition to the Fentynal and Xanax 3 x a day.5 mg Orange. I got to reading on the internet and found that Fentanal was used with mainly Hospis care and no reason fro discontinuing this med ( in other wise just take it until you dye) ! Well next month at Pain managment they up my Fentynal 25 mics. This med doesn't make you high it just stops the pain. So here I am 43 on Hospis meds and at home at my then 72 year old parrents home penneyless and by the Grace of God no desire of sucide

I had 3 children to get well for and help them grow up. I took myself off of Fentynal .25 mics at a time and full blown with drawals each time and the only med given was something to help prevent a heart attack ? Sorry I can't remember the name. I got clean of that in 8 months because after a withdrawal secession it was hard to knowingly make my self do it again . . . . but I did. I over the next 2 years had 5 more surgerys and had spinial tap and managed to keep the class III drugs to Xanax and a Pain meds., I came off all the muscle relaxers . . . I refused oxycotin. As time went on the biggest worry I had was blood clots to my lungs ( I have had 8 hit my lngs in the past 8 years) I'm still here by the mercy of God and 2 torn rotator cuffs and as of recently a knee replacement needs completed but I can't afford it.

All the while the xanax dose rises slowly but obviously consistant untill about a year ago I refused an increase and they warned me it would not be pleseant and I said so be it I'm done with this B.S. ! Not to mention weight gain and Type II dibeties .So with now a rigth hip implant on the horizion and 2 torn rotator cuffs and after 10 year starting to have pain from my left hip implant additionally my right hip joint also and sever joint pain I start the road of opiates. ......I get on line and figure out what I am going to do not sucide but for a quality of life in the future and . . . . . . . . . . . . TRT Now ony 2 weeks in I am functioning and down to 3 mg of Xanax and 3 to 4 10 mg of oxycodone.

I guess I was so low I only had up to go and TRT has caused me no anxicity and made me a happier person. My goal is to be clean in 4 to 6 week !

No doubt some ppl on this forum will view me as a druggie ? Hey but as a 53 year old US Marine and a Father of 3 who got shot in Loas when the war was over SHHHHHH we wern't there and we were helping the * * * *ers with food at a Red Cross Humanitarian aid station in 1980 about 3 valleys over from Bin Tet in NVN , but we were in Loas ! Sombody fogot to tell that Latotion and Cambodian patrol party the war was over shot me in of all places the same dame Right lung as I got punctured in the crash.

To those who call me a druggie all I say is walk a mile in my shoes, I am a survivior ! I am still a man , and I am a father to my children who think I am the most ammazing person in the world. I fought in Court Pro Se for their rights, and I have matained a presance in their lives and they knew and know now I was the one contsant they could always count on and they knew and know I am by their side wether they are right or wrong. My love for them is unwaviering and unconditional ! So I could care less what ANYBODY wants to label me By the grace of God I am alive and a Father with a purpose in life and now with TRT I will be a better man in the days to come . . . . . not so much for me as for those 3 children that never ask for 2 crazy adults to get a divorce.

They are my heros and they are the true surviviors !

[bk13332]

Yes Tenn 25 mg a day should be fine..

I did 25mg per day and didn't have any problems at all.Last time I could feel my anxiety coming on after 3 to 5 days of using a larger dose.

Remember Tenn it really happens more with people that have low levels of dhea. I think that you would have had some issues by now.Are u low?

I was looking into DHEA and was going to start at 10 mg per day. I thought I had heard Dr Crisler mention on a Podcast that DHEA wasnt a good idea for anxiety just the pregnenolone. I may have mistaken what he had said. Tarheel, let me know what you go with and how it works for you. I'll probably pick some up tomorrow.

[TennTarheel]

I actually didn't have my DHEA checked, but from what I've gathered, since my test is so low, my DHEA is probably lacking as well. I've been taking the 50mgs for three days now, but am taking 25mg starting today. I am going to get it checked when I get my next labs to start HRT

[TennTarheel]

Buzzard, nobody on here ever called you anything. Ya gotta quit being insecure man. FYI, fentanyl can get you extremely high. It is the strongest opiate there is. And with your clotting issue, shouldn't that be of major concern to you and your doc on HRT ??

[J DIESEL3]

I'm just going to stay at 25mg per day for a month then up it to 50mg.
I will be at 3 weeks in 2 more days and all is good on the 25mgs

Yes Doc Crisler did mention the use of pregnenolone at a dose of 100 mg per day to help with anxiety.
It probably would be a good idea to start low and work up with this also.
Sometimes people can have bad reactions even on low doses from what I have be reading...
I will probably just stay with the dhea for now and add the pregnenolone in a few weeks.

[TennTarheel]

J, what other effects did you get from DHEA besides the help with anxiety?

[J DIESEL3]

Hey buzzard I'm sure no one here will judge you man,everyone has Problems and you have been through some sh-t!

TennTarheel really brings up a good point about your clotting issue and trt..