POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: jm1953 on December 19, 2009, 03:36:41 pm
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Hi Members and Happy Holidays:
I have had wasting syndrome for quite sometime, since 1999. The miracle for me have been testoserone/nandrolone injections, 1 cc of each every two weeks. My primary HIV doctor, even my hematologist feel I can not live without.
I was just told by a friend your body will rebuild testosterone on itself, but it can take up to six months. I have pretty low levels now even on therapy, but within the normal range. He also said, without referencing any studies, that wasting may go away if these therapies are completely stopped. I have been told by a doctor a while back your body will begin reproducing testosterone on it's own when it is retrained to do so after a month to six months of stopping testosterone replacement therapy. I don't know the long term effects without nandrolone.
It would be nice to not have to receive injections every two weeks, and to not worry about two less substances among many I'm putting in my body. But I do not want to waste in the meantime. I go to the gym, try at least three times a week, and eat well, but I have a high metabolism and can drop 5 pounds in a day.
Just wondered if anyone has tried stopping for good and what result it had with wasting, muscle mass, weight gain, etc.
Thanks,
Jeff
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I'm not sure about the reversing of wasting but there were some recent questions to Dr. Gallant about T levels and HIV and also about stopping T replacement and he suggested the following:
In people who are diagnosed with hypogonadism while sick with advanced HIV disease, things often improve with antiretroviral therapy, and it's often possible to stop testosterone replacement. However, this can not be done suddenly, since the testicles stop producing testosterone when it's given as a medication, and it can take them awhile to get working again. It's better to wean off the testosterone by gradually decreasing the dose, and then recheck levels several months after stopping it altogether.
It seems that the weaning would be easier to do with the gel rather than the injections. Although I guess you could continue the injections but with a lower and lower dosage until you are weaned off of it.
LINK:
http://www.hopkins-aids.edu/q_a/patient/recent_questions/low_testosterone_caused_by_hiv__.html?contentInstanceId=507642&siteId=7151
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I have been poz for at least 10 years and my doc says it has alot to do with HIV meds and that proceure where they inject into areas of face is really good and long lasting but as one gets older testosterone drops so the chance of reversing while stopping testosterone is not likely, my view. The gel is a good idea to wean off, also
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I stopped testosterone injections after four years and my numbers are normal now.