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Author Topic: New Numbers and Hello Androgel!  (Read 5869 times)

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Offline WillyWump

  • Member
  • Posts: 7,367
  • EPIC FIERCENESS!
New Numbers and Hello Androgel!
« on: October 30, 2009, 07:23:48 pm »
First results today after switching to Prezista/Norvir/Truvada 2 months ago:

CD4 - 678 (highest ever)
Vl- 460 (getting there)
Percentage - 30%!!!

So yes, I'm quite pleased with this combo. I guess the first week of throwing up was well worth it :) I love the nice jump in CD4 and percentage.

and, as always, Doc pisses in my cereal with something bad to take away from the appt. She said my Testosterone was really low (23)...hmmm maybe that's why I would rather knit a shawl than to watch porno or chase men. So she prescribed me Androgel to rub into my shoulders every other day. I don't know anything about this Androgel but I know Ive seen several posts on it here so I will have to re-read those.

hugs to all
-Will

*edited for ghettoness, changed "Dint" to "Dont"*
« Last Edit: October 30, 2009, 10:00:02 pm by WillyWump »
POZ since '08

Last Labs-
11-6-14 CD4- 871, UD
6/3/14 CD4- 736, UD 34%
6/25/13 CD4- 1036, UD,
2/4/13, CD4 - 489, UD, 28%

Current Meds: Prezista/Epzicom/ Norvir
.

Offline GNYC09

  • Member
  • Posts: 702
Re: New Numbers and Hello Androgel!
« Reply #1 on: October 30, 2009, 07:29:58 pm »
Wow, very good news-especially your percentage.  Can I borrow a few percentage points? ;)

It's interesting your Testosterone was at 23 and you weren't feeling lusty because I feel the same but just found out my (total) T-level is almost 620.  So naturally my doctor won't prescribe any Androgel for me  :-\

Offline bmancanfly

  • Member
  • Posts: 786
  • Medicare For All !
Re: New Numbers and Hello Androgel!
« Reply #2 on: October 30, 2009, 09:12:27 pm »
Congrats on the great results.  And, wow, that's a really low T number.  Good luck with the Androgel.
"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt."

 Bertrand Russell

Offline rondrond

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,729
  • 22 years HIV+ yet a yard could be the death of me
Re: New Numbers and Hello Androgel!
« Reply #3 on: October 31, 2009, 02:22:49 am »
Congrats on you new numbers and 'getting your shoulders rubbed'

Why would you rub it in your shoulders, when you want it to work farther south?
"I'm not done yet"....Glen Campbell

"I may not be exactly where I want to be, but I sure as Hell am not where I was"
Wynnona Judd

Diagnosed/HIV
1993
AZT
Norvir
1994-2001
Crixivan/Epivir/Zerit
No Meds for 7 Years

04jul07/DVT-right leg/Bi Lateral PE's     
16oct08/DVT-left leg
Aug09 Diagnosed: COPD

05may2015
Un-detectable
Tcells 700
44%

Offline ByTheBay

  • Member
  • Posts: 26
Re: New Numbers and Hello Androgel!
« Reply #4 on: October 31, 2009, 02:28:48 am »
These are great numbers!  I am on the same combo (Prezista/Norvir/Truvada) and after the first two weeks, it is a very easy combo to tolerate (one time per day, with food).  I did my first labs since starting meds today and hope to have good results to post.  Congrats Will !
3/12/2009 Tested Negative
5/22/2009 Tested Negative
9/17/2009 Tested Positive
9/25/2009 CD4 53  (10%) VL 57,305
9/28/2009 CD4 62  (7% )  VL: 57,305
10/3/2009 Started Truvada/Norvir/Prezista/ Septra/Bactrim and Rifabutin
11/02/2009  CD4  67 (15%) VL: 626
12/21/2009  CD4  56 (10%) VL: Undetectable
03/22/2010  CD4  46 (10%)  VL: Undetectable
06/23/2010 CD4 61 (13%) VL: Undetectable

Offline veritas

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,410
Re: New Numbers and Hello Androgel!
« Reply #5 on: October 31, 2009, 05:52:28 am »

Willy,

Good numbers !

Androgel is easy to use. All the info you want is here:

http://www.bing.com/health/article.aspx?id=articles%2fgs%2fpages%2f1%2f595-252.htm&br=lv&q=androgel&FORM=K1RE

v

Offline Buckmark

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,643
  • Would you like to tie me up with your ties, Ty?
    • Henry's Home Page
Re: New Numbers and Hello Androgel!
« Reply #6 on: October 31, 2009, 11:07:28 am »
Will,

Sounds like great numbers.  I've never had a CD4 or percentage that high.  Not that I'm complaining, because I'm fortunate to have remarkably good health after 20+ years with HIV (knock on wood).  I do find it interesting how everyone's bodies react different to the HIV and the various medications.

Who will be rubbing the androgel on your shoulders?   ;)

Cheers,

Henry
"Life in Lubbock, Texas, taught me two things:
     One is that God loves you and you're going to burn in hell.
     The other is that sex is the most awful, filthy thing on earth and you should save it for someone you love."
- Butch Hancock, Musician, The Flatlanders

Offline Inchlingblue

  • Member
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  • Chad Ochocinco PETA Ad
Re: New Numbers and Hello Androgel!
« Reply #7 on: October 31, 2009, 11:44:02 am »
Androgel should be applied on the abdomen, shoulders and upper arms area (I prefer mainly the underneath area of the upper arms as opposed to the outer part, for better absorption). It's important to wash hands afterward.

When I first started using it I was applying it every night, 7 nights a week and my T levels shot up very high (which is not good), the doctor even commented "You must be walking around with a hard-on all the time." (only when I was 17). I've now adjusted and apply it about 2-3 times a week. I do it at night before bed because it was recommended as being the optimal time. The mornings are when T levels are naturally highest because they have been rising throughout the night so applying it before bedtime is in sync with nature's natural rhythms.
« Last Edit: November 01, 2009, 01:24:58 am by Inchlingblue »

Offline onemoretime

  • Member
  • Posts: 142
Re: New Numbers and Hello Androgel!
« Reply #8 on: October 31, 2009, 02:46:07 pm »
i went from 130 count to 600 after a 4 weeks on androgel
08/04 diag 490 cd4 vl 50,000
10/25/05 436 50,513 hvb 1.1 billion
12/13/05 truvada sustiva
02/16/06 742 und, hpb 63,000
04/27/06 740 und hpb 60,000
01/05/07 458 und hvb und
03/08   470 undetectable still on atripla. Non smoking (chantex)
08/08 cd4 550 undetectable hiv, Hep B UND. Atripla
06/09  cd4 444, vl undetectable testo 130
09/09/09 CD4 687 46% UND  Testo 213 started androgel
10/12/09 cd4 682 46% und testo 597
01/12/10 cd4 842 48% und testo 434
041010 cd4 693  53% testo 492
100410 cd4 568 48% testo 523
012711 cd4 523 hcv 56 testo 596
083011 cd4 280 Hcv/HIV und
042912 cd4 158 hcv /hiv und, was on hep c for 11 months. do have ssdi filed and getting LTD
061912 cd4 151, bactrum, hep c and hiv und
071712 cd4 287 52% HIV HCV und
112012 cd4 520

Offline WillyWump

  • Member
  • Posts: 7,367
  • EPIC FIERCENESS!
Re: New Numbers and Hello Androgel!
« Reply #9 on: October 31, 2009, 05:00:17 pm »
Thanks for the congrats all regarding my numbers!

Regarding the Androgel, Thx Veritas and Inch for the info. After reading through all the info and Androgel's own website Ive come to the conclusion that I should apply it to my abdomen for best results, Doc said shoulders but I'm going to trump that. The only draw back is having a slimy abdomen for a few minutes, but hey it wouldn't be the first time ;)

For Buck- Have Androgel will travel... you can rub it anywhere you like (wow, it's working already).

-Will
POZ since '08

Last Labs-
11-6-14 CD4- 871, UD
6/3/14 CD4- 736, UD 34%
6/25/13 CD4- 1036, UD,
2/4/13, CD4 - 489, UD, 28%

Current Meds: Prezista/Epzicom/ Norvir
.

Offline Trace67

  • Member
  • Posts: 37
  • Live, Love, Laugh!
Re: New Numbers and Hello Androgel!
« Reply #10 on: October 31, 2009, 08:18:03 pm »
Androgel does work. I have been on it for 5 months. My Testosterone levels were around 200 and now they are about 490. I use it every other day and  I have noticed an increase in my energy level and my libido. Good luck. Hit me up if you have any questions about it.

Offline rioz

  • Member
  • Posts: 54
Re: New Numbers and Hello Androgel!
« Reply #11 on: November 02, 2009, 12:05:49 pm »
I use Testim Gel. I found it very uncomfortable appling it to my shoulders as it dries somewhat sticky.  I now apply it to my trunk laterals (directly below the armpit to just above the waist. Just wait for the difference in energy and mood.

Oh, and no one should be rubbing it on any part of your body, it is absorbed through the skin and can have very negative effects on others.

Best wishes for all,

Richard
Living with HIV since 1985
Living with AIDS since 2007

Truvada, Lexiva, Norvir, Levothyroxine, Testim, Sertraline, Crestor

Offline WildcatCC

  • Member
  • Posts: 91
Re: New Numbers and Hello Androgel!
« Reply #12 on: November 03, 2009, 12:57:38 pm »
I too had low testosterone levels and started with Androgel. Mind you I have excellent insurance but was still shocked at the cost. I tried it for 2 months and my levels improved though not dramatically. When speaking of this with my ID doc, she recommended getting a shot vs. the gel.

So for 12 weeks (1 shot every other week for a total of 6 shots), I would walk downstairs to my doc office and have the nurse give me the shot (I happen to work in the hospital where my doc is - lucky me except if I've pissed off a nurse and they take it out on my ass!).  Oh the humility. I have to recall what day my appointment is so as to be sure to wear underwear that day lest get a reputation.  :o

I've noticed a significant improvement in my Test-level, my energy and, um, well, let's just say Big Jim and the Twins are liking the shots better then the gel. :P
Apr  08 - Diagnosed
Apr  08  cd4 8, vl 150k
Meds: Prezista/Norvir/Truvada
June 08 cd4 250, vl 1600
Aug  08 cd4 275, vl 450
Meds: Atripla
Nov  08  cd4  386, vl 255
Jan   09  cd4  415, vl 2100 (spike?)
Feb   09  cd4 460, vl 212
May   09  cd4 515, vl 1200
Aug   09  cd4 717, vl 1535 % 23
Sept  09  cd4 535  vl 1710 % 18
Oct   09  genotype shows mutation. Discussing w/ ID Doc
Nov  09   cd4 480  vl 650   % 19
Dec  09 genotype slight mutation to Epivir and Retrovir
Jan 10   cd4 508 vl 250 (21%)  low vitamin d - on supplement 2000 iu/day
Mar 15 Change to Isentress and Truvada
May 5 cd4 498 vl 1485
June 16 cd4 550 vl undect!!!! (finally dammit)

 


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