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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jimmyboy on February 14, 2007, at 14:44:33
Have been taking a topical testosterone cream for a month or two. In the last 3 weeks I have started exercising again ( treadmill and lifting weights). I have noticed that I am gaining muscle like I never have before and in a short time. Does anyone know if the testosterone could have this effect?
I have been working out for years and I have never gained muscle like this.. its great , I guess, but kind of weirds me out too. Thanks
JB
Posted by Tom Twilight on February 14, 2007, at 15:14:57
In reply to Topical testosterone - is this why im getting big, posted by Jimmyboy on February 14, 2007, at 14:44:33
Wow topical test sounds good to me!
How did you get hold of it? Was it prescribed by a doctor, what are the dangers and side affects?
Does it help with mood?
I'm currently taking Test boosting products and they seem to be really helping!
Posted by Jimmyboy on February 14, 2007, at 15:55:06
In reply to Re: Topical testosterone - is this why im getting, posted by Tom Twilight on February 14, 2007, at 15:14:57
Yes, it was prescribed by a CFS doctor I saw several months back. My testosterone was somewhat low for someone my age, but not that low.. and he prescribed it anyway.
Honestly I never really noticed that it had an effect on my mood one way or another, only side effect I ever noticed was a headache when I accidently put too much on one day. ( Although , I know you shouldn't take it if you have prostate problems) Really the only thing I have notcied is that I am quickly gaining a major amount of muscle since I started lifting weights again.
I would say that I have gained as much muscle in 3 weeks as I normally would in 2 1/2 to 3 months normally. Maybe its not the testosterone .. but .. I am pretty sure its not anything else I am taking ( Lithium, tianeptine, adrafinil).
JB
Posted by notfred on February 14, 2007, at 16:01:32
In reply to Topical testosterone - is this why im getting big, posted by Jimmyboy on February 14, 2007, at 14:44:33
One of the major effects of testosterone is to make it easier to build muscle mass.
Posted by Reggie BoStar on February 14, 2007, at 16:07:07
In reply to Re: Topical testosterone - is this why im getting, posted by Jimmyboy on February 14, 2007, at 15:55:06
I started taking the topical gel last January, but had to stop when I started having problems with urine retention. I had reacted that way to different meds last year and had to be catheterized twice. I wouldn't recommend it.
It could also be caused by Lamictal in my case. My MD told me to stop the testosterone first, and if that didn't clear things up, we'd go for reducing the Lamictal. Who knows, I may be back on testosterone in a few weeks.
I did notice increased energy and motivation after only two weeks. With me these things can be placebo, since I'm so suggestive. Normally I assume a drug won't work, which kills any placebo effect. This time I assumed it would work, because after all, it is the right hormone for us.
All that was a very roundabout way of asking if you've noticed any problems urinating. I don't mean a complete blockage like I had, just slower and a little more difficult to get started. Those were always the first signs for me.
Anyway, best wishes and continued good luck with it,
Reggie BoStar
Posted by Jimmyboy on February 14, 2007, at 16:27:32
In reply to Re: Topical testosterone - is this why im getting » Jimmyboy, posted by Reggie BoStar on February 14, 2007, at 16:07:07
Reggie,
No, I have not noticed any problems with urinating, but I know that is a common symptom of prostate problems and that testosterone makes that alot worse.. not to try to scare you or anything , but , have you had your prostate checked?JB
Posted by michael on February 14, 2007, at 17:33:35
In reply to Topical testosterone - is this why im getting big, posted by Jimmyboy on February 14, 2007, at 14:44:33
It would certainly seem to be the testosterone. That's a large part of why men are typically bigger/stronger than women. (testosterone is kind of like the "male" couterpart of the "female" hormone estrogen)
> Have been taking a topical testosterone cream for a month or two. In the last 3 weeks I have started exercising again ( treadmill and lifting weights). I have noticed that I am gaining muscle like I never have before and in a short time. Does anyone know if the testosterone could have this effect?
>
> I have been working out for years and I have never gained muscle like this.. its great , I guess, but kind of weirds me out too. Thanks
>
> JB
Posted by NYCguy on February 15, 2007, at 12:05:40
In reply to Topical testosterone - is this why im getting big, posted by Jimmyboy on February 14, 2007, at 14:44:33
That's great, JimmyBoy. You might want to get checked to see if you T and Free-T levels are still in the high end of the lab range, just to be safe.
BTW, are you using Androgel or Testim or something else, like T from a compound pharmacy? Also, do you apply it at night or in the morning?
Posted by DG77 on February 15, 2007, at 12:56:45
In reply to Re: Topical testosterone - is this why im getting, posted by Tom Twilight on February 14, 2007, at 15:14:57
I've been using Androgel for about 8-9 months. It does seem to make me a little stronger in the gym, although the difference isn't dramatic. One benefit that does stand out is that I don't seem to be nearly as susceptible to injury. For example...before the Androgel, I started having problems with my rotator cuff which forced me to alter my workout routine to one that was less effective. Those problems persisted for a few years until I started the Androgel, after which they went away. Can't be a coincidence.
Tom Twilight - just out of curiosity, what test boosting products are you taking? I never found any that were effective. While Androgel has obviously helped me, I suspect that boosting the body's natural production of test is a better way to go if it can be done.
Posted by alohashirt on February 15, 2007, at 20:37:15
In reply to Re: Topical testosterone - is this why im getting, posted by DG77 on February 15, 2007, at 12:56:45
I had tried all of shots, Testim and the patch when I had a secondary (pituitary) deficiency. The injections were mnost effective, the patch was least. The Testim smells like a horse slaughterhouse.
I put on a lot of muscle and have had no injuries in the time I worked out and took testosterone supplementation.> I've been using Androgel for about 8-9 months. It does seem to make me a little stronger in the gym, although the difference isn't dramatic. One benefit that does stand out is that I don't seem to be nearly as susceptible to injury. For example...before the Androgel, I started having problems with my rotator cuff which forced me to alter my workout routine to one that was less effective. Those problems persisted for a few years until I started the Androgel, after which they went away. Can't be a coincidence.
>
> Tom Twilight - just out of curiosity, what test boosting products are you taking? I never found any that were effective. While Androgel has obviously helped me, I suspect that boosting the body's natural production of test is a better way to go if it can be done.
>
Posted by Reggie BoStar on February 15, 2007, at 22:47:05
In reply to Re: Topical testosterone - is this why im getting » Reggie BoStar, posted by Jimmyboy on February 14, 2007, at 16:27:32
Hi jimmyboy,
Yes, I have it checked at least every other month. I also had a Urologist run an endoscope up the urethra last year when I was being catheterized. He didn't see any obstruction from the prostate. It's all in the sphinctors, which are slow to open when I'm on certain meds. In fact, he had a little trouble getting the endoscope into the bladder because of that.As far as the frequency of the Prostate exams goes, the reason it's done that often is that I'm actually going in for regular lipids and liver enzyme checks. The latter is because I'm an alcoholic. My liver is fine, but he's checking me to make sure I haven't relapsed. At my age I could very easily cause some permanent damage there if I keep relapsing.
He's a great doctor. So are my urologist, neurologist, psychiatrist, and therapist. I'm in good hands.
Thanks for asking about that. You're right, that has to be watched, especially now that I've been fooling around with Androgel.
Take care,
Reggie BoStar
Posted by NYCguy on February 15, 2007, at 22:50:21
In reply to Re: Topical testosterone - is this why im getting » Jimmyboy, posted by Reggie BoStar on February 15, 2007, at 22:47:05
My Endro mentioned this to me last time we met. A new delivery system. This seems like it would be easier than the ketchup packets that Androgel comes in now. I agree with the previous poster, Testim does smell rank!
Posted by Jimmyboy on February 16, 2007, at 14:14:48
In reply to Re: Topical testosterone - is this why im getting big » Jimmyboy, posted by NYCguy on February 15, 2007, at 12:05:40
I am using a compund pharmacy out of Colorado that the CFS doctor always uses. I usually apply it in the morning right after I get out of the shower. I will probably only use it until I run out of this pump, b/c like I said it hasn't helped with anything , other than getting bulkier..
JB
Posted by Reggie BoStar on February 16, 2007, at 22:57:13
In reply to Has anyone tried the AndroGel pump?, posted by NYCguy on February 15, 2007, at 22:50:21
A friend of mine has used both versions of Androgel and says the pump is a lot easier to use.
If I can ever go on it again, I may request the pump this time.
Take care,
Reggie BoStar
Posted by itsme2003 on February 21, 2007, at 0:35:42
In reply to Re: Has anyone tried the AndroGel pump? » NYCguy, posted by Reggie BoStar on February 16, 2007, at 22:57:13
Just a little info:
1) Supplemental test will help you develop muscle mass more rapidly subject to the two following limits.
a) Espescially if you have worked out in the past and have not worked out for a while and start working out again at about the same time as you begin using the supplemental test.
b) You will rapidly gain muscle mass back to the level of peak fitness that you have previously had and go just a little beyond that. To become really muscle-bound takes levels of test much higher than you will get with the usage of something topical.
2) Supplemental test will help you gain muscle when you exercise because that is the nature of test. Supplemental test will also help you gain muscle because it allows you to do more reps of an exercise because it allows you to do more reps before feeling pain. This also increases your risk of injury for the same reason, so it's important to do more warm-up and stretching than you would otherwise do. Again this effect is small compared to what the users of real gear would encounter.
3) If you have been unable to gain muscle in recent years due to low test levels then start to use T-gel then you may be able to gain back to levels that you had when you were younger. However, if you stop using the T-gel then you will lose most of those gains, although if you work really hard you can keep some of the gains.
4) Serious users of gear usually laugh at T-gel. I am not a user of gear.
5) As with everything in life, these things I've said generally apply, but there are probably some exceptions.
6) Be aware that T supplementation causes testicular shrinkage. The more T you use the more shrinkage that occurs.
This is the end of the thread.
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