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Author Topic: What else can I try?  (Read 7869 times)

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Offline metekrop

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  • Is time running fast for you.
What else can I try?
« on: August 08, 2012, 09:50:53 am »
I have erection problem starting just recently.  I tried androgen gel and Viagra for about three months both doesn’t seem working. I am feeling extremely bad.  I checked with my doctor who told me that my testosterone level is very low. It looks that the HIV made totally devastated my testosterone.  What else can I try other than stopping the my med which I wouldn’t do.  Just need any advise.
Diag.on 12/8, 2000, CD 440 VL 44K, No Meds
12/08 - 2/09 CD< 50 & VL >500k hosp'z.
St. Atripla - 7/09 CD 179, VL 197k
10/09 CD 300 VL U
3/10 468 U
8/10 460 U
12/10 492 U
3/11 636 U
8/11 530 U
1/12  616 U
7/12 640 U
12/12 669 U
5/13 711 U
11/13 663 U
4/14  797 U
10/14 810 U
4/15 671 U
10/15 694 U
3/16 768 U
8/16 459 U
2/22 780 U
8/31 940 U
2/26 809 U
8/18 882 U
3/28 718 U
8/15 778 U
2/25 920 70
8/11 793 U
2/22 690 U
6/8 834 U

Offline Rockin

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Re: What else can I try?
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2012, 06:04:51 pm »
I have erection problem starting just recently.  I tried androgen gel and Viagra for about three months both doesn’t seem working. I am feeling extremely bad.  I checked with my doctor who told me that my testosterone level is very low. It looks that the HIV made totally devastated my testosterone.  What else can I try other than stopping the my med which I wouldn’t do.  Just need any advise.

HIV messes up someone's natural production of hormones? Never heard of that.

Offline buginme2

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Re: What else can I try?
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2012, 09:29:12 pm »
HIV messes up someone's natural production of hormones? Never heard of that.

HIV is known to have an effect on hormone levels.  Low testosterone is a common effect of HIV, both those on meds and those who are not. 

Met, your doctor should do a complete work up and if your testosterone levels are low there are replacement options available for you.  If the andro gel  is not working your doctor can prescribe injections also.

However the use of any testosterone product should be closely monitored by your dr
« Last Edit: August 08, 2012, 09:33:44 pm by buginme2 »
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Offline LiveWithIt

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Re: What else can I try?
« Reply #3 on: August 09, 2012, 01:04:51 pm »
Talk to your doctor about getting testosterone injections.  I have a friend who is HIV positive and lost his ability to produce T because of a major depression and now takes the shot and has no problem getting or staying hard.
Pray God you can cope
I know you have a little life in you yet.
I know you have a lot of strength left.

Offline Rockin

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Re: What else can I try?
« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2012, 11:26:03 am »
Bloody hell, what else can this fucking virus NOT do?

Offline Ann

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Re: What else can I try?
« Reply #5 on: August 10, 2012, 11:44:47 am »
It can't go out and get a job - I wish mine would already. >:(
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Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline Jeff G

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Re: What else can I try?
« Reply #6 on: August 10, 2012, 12:03:47 pm »
It can't go out and get a job - I wish mine would already. >:(

But its a stimulus for the economy and the pharmaceutical industry so you are doing your part !
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Offline Common_ground

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Re: What else can I try?
« Reply #7 on: August 10, 2012, 12:06:38 pm »
But its a stimulus for the economy and the pharmaceutical industry so you are doing your part !
Haha lol
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Offline Ann

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Re: What else can I try?
« Reply #8 on: August 10, 2012, 12:16:40 pm »
But its a stimulus for the economy and the pharmaceutical industry so you are doing your part !

True, but I'd just as soon have a second paycheck coming in to the house. Someone always seems to divert my stream of the trickle down economy into their own irrigation project and I'm left high-and-dry.


;D
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: What else can I try?
« Reply #9 on: August 10, 2012, 12:16:40 pm »
Is it safe to assume that you aren't on any anti-depressant which can cause this issue?
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline metekrop

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Re: What else can I try?
« Reply #10 on: August 14, 2012, 03:32:49 pm »
Talk to your doctor about getting testosterone injections.  I have a friend who is HIV positive and lost his ability to produce T because of a major depression and now takes the shot and has no problem getting or staying hard.

Thank you LiveWithIT for your advice. 

I will ask my doctor if that could be my next resort.  I don't have depression of any kind.  I am thinking that a medicine like Viagra is a very big deal in counteracting erection problem.  But it is not.  If there is an injection or other, I will be TRRRAYING, my friend.  I can’t imagine life without doing that sweet stuff.
Diag.on 12/8, 2000, CD 440 VL 44K, No Meds
12/08 - 2/09 CD< 50 & VL >500k hosp'z.
St. Atripla - 7/09 CD 179, VL 197k
10/09 CD 300 VL U
3/10 468 U
8/10 460 U
12/10 492 U
3/11 636 U
8/11 530 U
1/12  616 U
7/12 640 U
12/12 669 U
5/13 711 U
11/13 663 U
4/14  797 U
10/14 810 U
4/15 671 U
10/15 694 U
3/16 768 U
8/16 459 U
2/22 780 U
8/31 940 U
2/26 809 U
8/18 882 U
3/28 718 U
8/15 778 U
2/25 920 70
8/11 793 U
2/22 690 U
6/8 834 U

Offline Mishma

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Re: What else can I try?
« Reply #11 on: August 14, 2012, 06:48:57 pm »
Have you tried all the available concentrations of Androgel? They usually start you out with the smallest dose. I think the highest concentration is 1.62%.
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Offline metekrop

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  • Is time running fast for you.
Re: What else can I try?
« Reply #12 on: August 15, 2012, 03:53:57 pm »
Have you tried all the available concentrations of Androgel? They usually start you out with the smallest dose. I think the highest concentration is 1.62%.

Yea, it may be.  But, I don't know when the right concentartion is.  The med I am using come in boxes for a month use.  I used for one month and half.  But has showed me zero effect so far.  When would you say it is the right concentration, if you know it.  If I need to take more I can order and take it upto when it is going to be the right.  The med itself says "androjel 1.62%".  Does this signifies of the concentration level?
Diag.on 12/8, 2000, CD 440 VL 44K, No Meds
12/08 - 2/09 CD< 50 & VL >500k hosp'z.
St. Atripla - 7/09 CD 179, VL 197k
10/09 CD 300 VL U
3/10 468 U
8/10 460 U
12/10 492 U
3/11 636 U
8/11 530 U
1/12  616 U
7/12 640 U
12/12 669 U
5/13 711 U
11/13 663 U
4/14  797 U
10/14 810 U
4/15 671 U
10/15 694 U
3/16 768 U
8/16 459 U
2/22 780 U
8/31 940 U
2/26 809 U
8/18 882 U
3/28 718 U
8/15 778 U
2/25 920 70
8/11 793 U
2/22 690 U
6/8 834 U

Offline buginme2

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Re: What else can I try?
« Reply #13 on: August 15, 2012, 04:14:58 pm »
Was the Androgel prescribed by your doctor or is it something youve just decided to do on your own?
Don't be fancy, just get dancey

Offline metekrop

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  • Is time running fast for you.
Re: What else can I try?
« Reply #14 on: August 16, 2012, 08:42:20 am »
Was the Androgel prescribed by your doctor or is it something youve just decided to do on your own?

It is prescribed by my doctor. She even prescribed Viagra, as well.  She said if the androgel is not working, try the viagra.  I tried the viagra first just out of curiousity and took some three pills.  Then I stoped it and started the androgel.  Now after one month and half I came to know that both are not working.
« Last Edit: August 16, 2012, 08:44:20 am by metekrop »
Diag.on 12/8, 2000, CD 440 VL 44K, No Meds
12/08 - 2/09 CD< 50 & VL >500k hosp'z.
St. Atripla - 7/09 CD 179, VL 197k
10/09 CD 300 VL U
3/10 468 U
8/10 460 U
12/10 492 U
3/11 636 U
8/11 530 U
1/12  616 U
7/12 640 U
12/12 669 U
5/13 711 U
11/13 663 U
4/14  797 U
10/14 810 U
4/15 671 U
10/15 694 U
3/16 768 U
8/16 459 U
2/22 780 U
8/31 940 U
2/26 809 U
8/18 882 U
3/28 718 U
8/15 778 U
2/25 920 70
8/11 793 U
2/22 690 U
6/8 834 U

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: What else can I try?
« Reply #15 on: August 16, 2012, 10:46:55 am »
Why don't you discuss with your doctor whether or not the next step is to see a specialist?
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline QuietGuy

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Re: What else can I try?
« Reply #16 on: August 16, 2012, 04:46:07 pm »
I rarely post, but this is something I have some experience with.

Brief background...
HIV + diagnosis in 2007, on meds since 01/2008, undetectable since 08/2008.
No "low T" diagnosis, but had a groin injury while playing ice hockey when age 14...resulting in lasting circulatory damage causing what we now today politely call "ED".

I have been using alprostadil in its various forms (Muse, Caverject, Edex, etc) since 1997.  The Muse is the pill that you insert in your urethra (too much pain and only about 60% effectivity for me) and the Caverject and Edex are the injectable forms of alprostadil.

As I have said, I have been using this since 1997 so I have some experience with it.  It works wonders and will permit those that otherwise do not respond or can't take Viagra, Cilais, etc or who don't care for the vacuum pump (actually had a friend who fitted men for whom the pump had been prescribed by their urologists, so it too is a valid option...just be certain to have it professionally fitted for best results) to achieve a full erection.

There is no need to suffer from the inability to achieve an erection and not have a "normal" (whatever your normal is... ;)) sex life.  The injection needle is of a small gauge, similar to an insulin needle.  There is either no pain or just a small pinch when injecting yourself (and that's only as you penetrate the skin).  It is a small price to pay to enjoy a fuller sex life than you might be experiencing now.

Side effects that I have experienced include some minor bruising at the injection site, the occasional injection that doesn't result in an erection sufficient for penetration (<5% of the time I'd say...usually because you don't quite get the injection in the right spot) and the occasional prolonged injection of about 3 hrs (trust me, while the thought of staying hard, for prolonged periods of time may seem advantageous for some especially "randy" men, I can assure you that somewhere after the 2.5 hr mark, it becomes tiresome and somewhat painful).  In spite of the side effects, I wouldn't give this drug up for anything!!

So I understand the frustration of not being able to achieve an adequate erection (I lived this way for 24 yrs before this drug was listed for this purpose)!  I can assure that you do not have to live with this and an experienced urologist will be able to help you.  I would ask your HIV doctor to refer you to a urologist that he or she knows to have experience, compassion and understanding in this area.  I am not, nor do I profess to be a doctor and suggest that this is a solution for everyone (or even the OP with his "low t"), but it IS a valid option for those who other options don't work adequately (for example viagra and cialis only result in adequate erections for me about 1/3 of the time due to the nature of my injury).

As far as those who say "I could never stick a needle in my (insert your favorite penis euphemism here)...trust me, you CAN learn to do it and it won't bother you one whit (however, you might not want to demonstrate it to your new found bf on your first night together)!  And I must say, it surely helped to have an attractive male nurse teaching me my first injection (I sooo wanted to do a good job and make him happy)!!

Please do not suffer feeling that there is no means for achieving a reliable erection!!

By posting this, I hope to dispel some of the mystery and fear of injection based medications for achieving erections.  I hope someone out there finds it helpful and useful.



« Last Edit: August 16, 2012, 04:53:27 pm by QuietGuy »

Offline metekrop

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  • Is time running fast for you.
Re: What else can I try?
« Reply #17 on: August 21, 2012, 12:47:34 pm »
Why don't you discuss with your doctor whether or not the next step is to see a specialist?

Yes, my next step is to see my doc.  But first I need to consult friends around. 

QuietGuy...Good advise but still I need to see a specialist.  You are right it is very nasty not to have erection when you needed to.
Diag.on 12/8, 2000, CD 440 VL 44K, No Meds
12/08 - 2/09 CD< 50 & VL >500k hosp'z.
St. Atripla - 7/09 CD 179, VL 197k
10/09 CD 300 VL U
3/10 468 U
8/10 460 U
12/10 492 U
3/11 636 U
8/11 530 U
1/12  616 U
7/12 640 U
12/12 669 U
5/13 711 U
11/13 663 U
4/14  797 U
10/14 810 U
4/15 671 U
10/15 694 U
3/16 768 U
8/16 459 U
2/22 780 U
8/31 940 U
2/26 809 U
8/18 882 U
3/28 718 U
8/15 778 U
2/25 920 70
8/11 793 U
2/22 690 U
6/8 834 U

Offline QuietGuy

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  • Posts: 5
Re: What else can I try?
« Reply #18 on: August 23, 2012, 03:09:36 pm »


QuietGuy...Good advise but still I need to see a specialist.  You are right it is very nasty not to have erection when you needed to.

You are welcome!!

I hope others found the "story" helpful also!

Cheers!

"Quiet"

 


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