I've been off for 1 1/2 years

[archive_Lift Or Die]

After being "on" most of the time for the better part of 5 years and on and off for 5 years before that, I've been natural now for around 1 1/2 years. So there is about 10 years of gear use with the early years being a learning period. I quit using for a number of reasons but mainly I just wanted to give my body a break. I turn 35 in a few months.

For the past year, I haven't felt like myself. It was a gradual thing that built up over time but I noticed it wasn't getting better. My energy levels were very low, workouts were exhausting, strength and stamina low, libido very low and just an overall low feeling of well being.

I suspected my Test levels might be low so I went to the doc to get a check up. She dismissed my suggestion to check for Test levels and was quick to write me a script for Zoloft. She said it was all in my head and also said I was suffering from depression. I explained to her that I do not feel depressed and I felt horrible when I was on Zoloft before. (she put me on Zoloft a few years ago when I had trouble sleeping - I felt like a zombie on it and never took it again)

So I went to a new doc and got a second opinion. This new doc I'm guessing is in his mid to late forties and in exceptional shape. We talked a bit about diet and exercise and he is very knowledgable. This doc is a big fan of wind sprints and moderate weight training.

He did a full check up and bloodwork. When the bloodwork came back everything looked good except my Total Test levels were low at 289ng/dl. From what I've researched, the average should be between 300-1000ng/dl. He didn't check for Free Test levels, why I don't know. First thing I bring up is HRT which I learn he is not a supporter of. He tells me if someone tested as low as 200ng/dl, he still probably wouldn't put them on HRT. "Great" I thought. Another doc that's quick to point out the dangers of steroids but quick to dismiss the positives. I never told him I used gear in the past for this very reason.

After some back and forth bickering, he finally decides to write me a script for Androgel. He then tells me the dangers and how he'll have to moniter me closely and blah, blah, blah. I think he would have had a stroke if I told him in the past I've used a gram of Test a week stacked with all kinds of other goodies.

So I have to go back in a month and do some more bloodwork to see where I stand and if my Test level goes up at all. The Androgel is a messy hassle and I'd much rather get a script for some Test but for the time being I don't have much choice.

Its just so hard trying to find a doc that's knowledgable about HRT and not so biased about what they hear on the news. I was thinking about asking him for a referal to see an Endocrinologist but I don't know if the Endo will be any more open mined than he is.

On another note, I told my dad how I was feeling and how the doc started me on Androgel. Now my dad never knew about my gear use in the past and I didn't tell him now either. He tells me that him and my uncle both also have had low Test levels for years now and both are on Androgel (59 and 62 yrs old). This is the FIRST time I've heard of this from him. I just wonder if this is something hereditary or just all old guys like them have normally declining Test levels.

[archive_Farmer]

lift or die, I've been off for 2 yrs now, due to buisness failure and going to nursing school (new career). I also have felt pretty low for a while now (i'm 42)I think you may be on to something, as soon as I have the cash I'll be checking into test therapy and spending more time in the gym too!

[cantgetlayed]

I've been off for several months myself, still wasn't feelin right so I picked up some tribulus last night, and i woke up with a boner so I was happy as a clam. As soon as I feel normal I'm sure I'll jump back on, that's just how I do it.

[Monster]

Remember... youre giving your body "a break" from something it needs that you arent producing like you did when you were a virile 20 something.

I think that youre feeling that your body needs a break from testosterone may reflect your true feelings about AAS and its safty, i.e. in your heart you may be questioning how safe it is. But thats neither here nor there...

I think youve come to the conclusion that you are in "male menopause", which someday I hope will be acknowledged as a legitimate condition. We're trained to accept that as we get older we get slower, fatter, lethargic, and lose that zest for life. All we need to do is return our bodies to the hormonal condition that they thrive in, and that can be done through hormone replacement therapy.
Im 6 years continuous on, and Im the better for it. Louie Simmons has been on 30+ years now and is still going strong. If youre over 30 its something to seriously consider, and if youre over 40 it something that you would be foolish not to embark on.
Take back your youth!
Do not go gently into that good night...

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[archive_Bchemist]

The above echoes why I'll never come off 100%. There's just no point, logically speaking. When I come off, all I think about is when I can go on again. I believe that I do far more damage due to the stress (and cortisol) of coming off than I could ever do with low-dose "maintenance" cycles.

I'd rather have 70 quality years "always on" than 100 "normal" years.

[archive_Ulter]

It's great to see Farmer and cantgetlayed hangin around again.

Mr Nobody loves his gel. Not sure exactly how he uses it but he's always going on about it.
It should actually help you if you don't want to cycle. There are docs that will give you test but you have to look pretty hard to find them. It took me 2 years to find one in Orlando.

[archive_Lift Or Die]

Farmer - If you have medical insurance, it will cover the HRT. (that is, if you're diagnosed with low T by your doc) Good thing for insurance because the Androgel is expensive and there's no way I'd ever pay for low dosage stuff like this myself. I do have a co-pay like most do with office visits and scripts.

Monster - the male menopause you speak of is just now beginning to be recognized by the medical community. They're calling it "andropause". Problem is, its hard to find a doc that's educated on the issue of HRT. Trust me, I would have no problems staying on a low maintanace dose for the rest of my life (but something a little stronger than the androgel). The problem is the whole underground legality of obtaining the gear. Is this something I, or all of us can continue to do and get away with for another 5 or 10 years? 15 years or more? Then there's those of us with significant others who will never understand, or even try to understand why we do what we do.

Ulter - I've read how Mr. N has also used androgel. I believe he applies it to his foreams and inner thighs where absorbsion rate is greater. I've just been using it on abs and upper shoulders.

[archive_Farmer]

Lift or die, no I don't have insurance right now maybe in the spring. I'll say this though I fell much better on test, not just strong and potent stuff but I have a better attitude about everything,I don't get angry or frustrated as much and I just fell all around better, skin, eyes, apetite, less aches and pains(anyone know what I mean?).

[archive_Ulter]

Everyone here knows what you mean.

[archive_the truth]

Monster said it best--we often keep cycling on and off as a kind of knee-jerk response even if we are now older and have low test levels.

I made the decision five years ago to stay on because I couldn't deal with the crash while getting my HPTA back online. I did cycle off about two and a half years ago, using the d-bol bridge method, and, although my ultimate recovery was delayed, my test levels were fine at the end. I just don't like to deal with going off anymore though.