Anyone here on Testosterone Therapy?

[JonBoyOhBoy]

I have low T. I'm currently on Testopel which is testosterone pellets inserted under the skin every 3 months. I read that testosterone replacement therapy can worsen sleep apnea. I am concerned about this. And I also have to donate a pint of blood every 3 months because my RBC and hematocrit run high. I read that is a side effect of testosterone but can also be cause caused by Sleep Apnea!
Would like some input

[emt_271]

I'm on Androgel for low T. I don't think it worsened my Apnea - I wish I'd had the sleep study done about 5 years ago! I've been on Androgel about 2 years ans haven't noticed/tested with any side effects - other than the expected

[Goofproof]

I'm on Androgel for low T. I don't think it worsened my Apnea - I wish I'd had the sleep study done about 5 years ago! I've been on Androgel about 2 years ans haven't noticed/tested with any side effects - other than the expected

I too cam now on Androgel 1.62%, two pumps daily, it has returned my levels to normal. I had tried patches 2@ 4mg daily, they did NOT bring the levels up enough, plus they wouldn't stay on, and burnt the Devil out of my skin. I worry about the chance of increased Cancer from using it, but XPAP use is unaffected.

It seems to make me a little stronger, and hair grows wild, it seems to make my insulin work stronger, but I seem to be gaining weight at a higher rate. maybe the same thing that makes the insulin work better is more mussel to burn fuel, Mussel weights more than fat. Jim

[sickwithapnea17]

it's supposed to worsen sleep apnea, but once when I took a dose I slept well that night on the asv. I have asthma and diabetes so I hope it helps that, just got an abscess

[2flamingos]

I have been on TRT since 2009, about one year after I was dx with OSA. I started with injections, then Androgel packets, Androderm patches, and now Fortesta gel (4 pumps daily).

To be honest, I have not noticed a lot of physical differences - my state of mind/well being has gotten better and maintained, but thats about it Hasn't effected my OSA - in fact, my numbers are better today than before TRT.

[tbone421998]

I'm on Androgel for low T. I don't think it worsened my Apnea - I wish I'd had the sleep study done about 5 years ago! I've been on Androgel about 2 years ans haven't noticed/tested with any side effects - other than the expected

+1

[Slartybartfast]

You know, they say castrated animals live longer. Well, the male ones, anyway. Maybe low testosterone isn't such a bad thing. The really scary thing is that upping testosterone can accelerate BPH and the growth of undiagnosed prostate cancer, so your PSA should be checked regularly, as should your prostate. I understand there's a new-fangled "digital" prostate exam now. What will they think of next?

You've got to paddle your own canoe, but as for me, I wonder about the risk/benefits of messing with the natural order of things.

[Suddenly Worn Out]

I have low T as well and have been diagnosed with low T since the early-mid 2000s. I recently was put back on testosterone after I complained about the side effects of TRT. Im on Androgel 1.62% and it spikes the crap out of my APAP pressures. Off TRT, my 95th percentile will typically be, oh 12 to 13. On TRT, my 95th percentile will be no lower than 14, often going up to 15 or slightly above 15.

TRT has a lot of side effects. Before TRT, my RBC count was slightly below normal and my hemocrit was borderline low. I will see what they are after I get rechecked at the end of October.

I admit I really dont like taking TRT, BECAUSE of the serious side effect profile. Quite frankly I think the stuff is dangerous even when medically monitored as I am.

Id never do TRT without an APAP or autoBipap. Straight CPAP, forget it.

Eric

I have low T. I'm currently on Testopel which is testosterone pellets inserted under the skin every 3 months. I read that testosterone replacement therapy can worsen sleep apnea. I am concerned about this. And I also have to donate a pint of blood every 3 months because my RBC and hematocrit run high. I read that is a side effect of testosterone but can also be cause caused by Sleep Apnea!
Would like some input

[Thetoolman]

I am on injections. I get a shot every 2 weeks. It has been 4 years now getting injections. Before that I had some little tubes full I rubbed on my chest. Every day.I never noticed any thing has changed. Except my blood tests say that my diabetes and testerone are both under control

[ywp]

just found out my t level was 197 (normal 300 too 1000) been on axiron lotion for 2 weeks. No change on my auto bipap or my sleep.

First day it wiped out my morning brain fog. been fighting the brain fog for 4 years with bipap.No other effects noticed. Hoping it will reverse the fatigue and bring back some strenght. And maybe hold down a job if I ever find one. Just 54 with no other medical problems I know of.

[ywp]

wanted to add the question. The SA reduces the REM sleep which reduces the T levels. But takeing the T is suppose to increse the SA. Seems to be a complex control loop?

I had thought proper pap treatment would increase the REM and T levels?

[Goofproof]

wanted to add the question. The SA reduces the REM sleep which reduces the T levels. But taking the T is suppose to increase the SA. Seems to be a complex control loop?

I had thought proper pap treatment would increase the REM and T levels?

An unproven statement, in this thread "T" had little or no increase in SA, Many things can be blamed but proof needs to be made before it becomes fact. I had proper SA treatment before low "T" was found. Low "T" happens as we age, causing loss of muscle, making us weaker. Getting low "t" levels to normal prolongs quality of life, if we don't get Cancer from it. Test levels and test for Cancer. Jim

[JonBoyOhBoy]

My T levels before Testopel were under 200. Now I'm up around 950. I get the pellets implanted under my skin every 3 months. My PSA last check was .04
The morning erections have returned and I feel much more normal on T.
The only side effect I have is it raises my RBC and Hematocrit so I have to donate blood regularly.
When I was on the gels I could never get a stable blood level.

I'm not sure why SA is listed as a side effect of T

[KenH]

I have not noticed any difference. I was on T shots. Had to take time to go to the Dr office wait pay $55. Tried the Axrion. What a pain. That stuff is like water. Runs all down you. I got my general Dr to let me do my shots at home. I do 100 mg every week. Nice and even. No big roller coaster when you get the shots every two weeks

[Suddenly Worn Out]

I dont like Androgel. Ive been on both Androgel 1% and Androgel 1.62%. They both suck. Also tried Testim. Testim sucked too. They all fade out on me, leaving me worse off than I felt before I started them. Maybe injections will make a difference. I have heard that all the gels are weak and some guys dont absorb them well. I dont notice anything positive from TRT, except the first week or two Im on them I feel better. After that first week or two it goes downhill. Maybe it shuts down what little T Im producing naturally and then aromatizes to estrogen? I am speculating there. All I know is my pressures go up some on the TRT and I feel generally awful on them.

Ive always been a pretty gruff, masculine guy btw. Even off TRT when my levels were low. Just very fatigued most of the time and no libido.

Eric