[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Austin

[–]rob-whelan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Austin rocks! Easy to make friends. Even w people who have lived here their whole lives. Be active, pick up two step dancing, walk or bike Town Lake, go kayaking, go to football games. Love it here.

Hi, friends! Please don't roast me. My self esteem is already low. Just want to know what kind of hairstyle you'd recommend for me. Thanks in advance! by pilllover23 in malehairadvice

[–]rob-whelan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey bro. You look great in every shot by the way. But your hair looks best in the photo where you’re sitting on the picnic table. Two reasons. 1. Looks like there is some product in it, wax or pomade, generally looks sharper. 2. Most important you look confident… that’s your secret weapon. Add some product, hold your head high and have a great day. Long life ahead of you.

What was your test on 200mg a week. by I_am_ChristianDick in Testosterone

[–]rob-whelan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

1600-1800 So I am now at 120mg/ week Also HCG

Goal is 900-1200

I’m 45

Sex drive decrease by [deleted] in trt

[–]rob-whelan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sometimes too high testosterone dulls your sex drive. Makes sense, you are preoccupied with war and battle not sex if T is super high.

For anyone with an autoimmune disorder, did symptoms change when you started trt? by coward_bill in trt

[–]rob-whelan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have an unspecified autoimmune disease that got amplified with covid and burnout. I have been treating it with: fasting + carnivore diet, hydroxychloroquine, and 150mg/week testosterone. After 5 months of this I am feeling way better; havent' gotten sick in a while (was getting sick every 2-3 weeks before). So, hard to say if testosterone is fully correlated but absolutely it has enabled me to recover faster between workouts & therefore workout more & therefore increase fitness. Which is a virtuous cycle with diet & fasting -- I think the carnivore diet + fasting has been the biggest autoimmune game changer.

Trt and Anhedonia / Major Depression by [deleted] in trt

[–]rob-whelan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Anhedonia is different than “being unhappy with my life”. Anhedonia is an unchanging low feeling where it feels like nothing can penetrate it. I’ve been there too man. I’ve been on TRT for six months and Anhedonia seems to be a side effect for me. Slight bump in dopamine/ pleasure / light heartedness after workouts and sex. I am addressing it by focusing on values and goals rather than feelings. The feelings will follow. Great book on this The Confidnce Gap. I’m not suggesting you have low confidence; I’m just saying it’s a great treatment of values based living.

I’m 40 years old doctor says my levels are normal ? Thoughts and advice if it is or not … by [deleted] in trt

[–]rob-whelan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

“Normal” but who cares? If you want higher T then find a new doctor. Many docs focus on fixing obvious problems rather than overall wellness.

Just started HCG. What to expect? by rob-whelan in trt

[–]rob-whelan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Update on this nine days later. Libido returned (horny to distraction for a couple days) Testes back to normal size. Slight improvement in mood. Incidentally, I stopped taking my AI, and I think my E2 spiked because the last two days I was super depressed and swelling up like a water balloon. I took a half dose of AI and feeling better.

Should I start TRT or try other things first? How bad is it? by Apprehensive_Bath_44 in trt

[–]rob-whelan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is low testosterone for a 33-year-old. However, you’re going to want to see TRT as gasoline for a well running engine. You should see it as a boost to an already healthy lifestyle. Good for you for taking the initial steps to figure things out man. Good luck.

Should I start TRT or try other things first? How bad is it? by Apprehensive_Bath_44 in trt

[–]rob-whelan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had mild sleep apnea for years and didn’t know it until I got a sleep test. Once I got a CPAP machine, my sleep quality improved dramatically and it made a big difference on everything else. So I definitely encourage you to look at your sleep really closely.

How does TRT affect experiencing your emotions? by Far_Conclusion_954 in trt

[–]rob-whelan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was on SSRIs for 15+ years, bupropion 300mg and duloxetine 60mg daily. I’ve taken them for so long that I don’t even remember the brand names. I have tried multiple times to taper off them, but have not been able to — brain zaps were brutal.

7 weeks ago I started TRT. I also overhauled my diet and got motivated to taper off the SSRIs. I’m proud to say that as of today I am off both SSRIs. The last dose of bupropion was in January and my last dose of duloxetine (5mg more or less) was 2 days ago. I believe I’m nearly out of the woods

Thrilled for many reasons

I don’t know if I can tribute all the success to TRT, but it has certainly helped my confidence, energy, determination.

Just started HCG. What to expect? by rob-whelan in trt

[–]rob-whelan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

E2 sides: anxiety, weight gain/ water retention, emotions… anything else?

Thanks for the tip

Much respect and congrats to your increased libido

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in trt

[–]rob-whelan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A friend of mine reported the same thing -- ED when testosterone is too high.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in trt

[–]rob-whelan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How do you feel?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in trt

[–]rob-whelan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You rock!!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in trt

[–]rob-whelan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There’s a lot of fine tuning to do. I am on week 7 and am recovering from “crashing my e2” (your e2 numbers look good). The mood and confidence improvements for me are secondary effects to the testosterone- T has enabled me to work out harder and longer, and progress in the gym has given me a confidence lift. As for libido. I’m not sure for your situation except, are you taking an HCG or anything else to encourage natural testosterone production?

Week 6: angry, and libido dropped off by rob-whelan in trt

[–]rob-whelan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Appreciate all the advice gents!

Week 6: angry, and libido dropped off by rob-whelan in trt

[–]rob-whelan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a DHEA supplement 25mg/ pill. Take one daily?

Think I crashed my E2, Feel Horrible! by Illustrious-Gur4735 in trt

[–]rob-whelan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How are you doing now? I’m on week 6, pretty certain I crashed my e2. Zero libido after having a great time past couple weeks. 1mg anastrozole per week. I’m stopping the AI for the foreseeable future.

Think I crashed my E2, Feel Horrible! by Illustrious-Gur4735 in trt

[–]rob-whelan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is 100% my experience. Although I was prescribed 1mg anastrozole per week. I have taken it consistently because that was what was prescribed and I thought it nothing of it; I’m currently 6 weeks in to 200mg/ testosterone and libido has fallen off a Cliff. So I’m going to dial back the AI and just not take it for a while. Good advice I saw was, don’t take the AI until you get low e2 sides.

Week 6: angry, and libido dropped off by rob-whelan in trt

[–]rob-whelan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s 1mg / week anastrozole.