[QUOTE=sizematters]
A little history first. I have low T for which I am taking Androgel but the best results has only put my in the low range of where I am supposed to be. Add to this problem is a heart condition caused by a virus and then I fell in December and completely ruptured my quad tendon. I am still in rehab for the quad tendon surgery and it is still painful to bend. All of this combined caused me to start have a difficult time with erections. I mentioned it to my doctor and asked to try an erectile dysfunction drug like Cialis or Viagra. He refused because he was afraid of a dangerous drop in blood pressure. I mentioned that my BP normally runs around 120/75, which is not in the low range, and asked if I could at least try a low-dose to see if it would help without causing dizziness. Again, he refused so I had to resort to getting something on line.. I am 53 which is old to some of you but I am not ready to give up sex yet. (And hope I never will.)
I used about 2 1/2 pumps. (The first pump dispensed less than the other 2) It worked well last night and is the first good erection I have had since November. :)
By the way, I did not experience any dizziness at all.
[/QUOTEYou left out of your history what meds you are on or have for your heart condition. There is a great risk of low BP associated with V&C in combination with certain drugs. BP too low equals fatal! If you are on nitrates, or carry nitroglycerine for angina, you should not use V or C. Ask your doctor why he or she specifically declined, and check the internet for drug interactions. Even if there are none, your doc understands your heart problems and is probably right. You could always get a second opinion..
I have tried Androgel, it is just testosterone mixed with alcohol based hand cleaner. It allows the drug companies to charge 10 times the price of testosterone injections (which I now use). Androgel has such a short half life that it is gone in the late afternoon if you put it on in the early morning, if you sweat too much etc.. Are you having mood swings// depression late in the day? Androgel is GONE. Injections once a week deliver the test much more evenly.
If I were you, I would stop the V or C until you know why your doc is worried about low BP. I was on two dif BP meds at once, and still got scrips for V and C. You must have some other problem.
As far as ED goes, I am in my 50s also, and want sex, need sex, and get it almost everyday.. Doctor’s orders LOL he says it keeps the prostate clean.. Best scrip I’ve ever had..
Until you find out why your BP is at risk for being too low, try more Androgel later in the day if you are going to have sex at night. Not too late, or you won’t sleep. Try a jelly cock ring, great for maintaining an erection even while using V/C. Yohimbe works real well, and is normally associated with raising BP, the opposite of your problem, you may want to discuss that with your doc. Yohimbe also gives me freaky orgasms.With your muscle injury, you definitely want to get you test numbers up, as it helps build / repair muscle. Ask your doc to up your dose, or switch you to injections. You also want to check your free T levels, and estradiol levels as T aromatises to estrogen, raising T has side effects that some docs are well versed in, some others though are just writing scrips for Androgel, and ignoring the rest of the puzzle.
Read up at steroid dot com they have lots of info and well explained even if you aren’t a body builder (I am not either).
Search here also, as I think there are a few threads about low T.
Good luck, and be careful until you know for sure..
PS You only have 8 posts since 2005, I thought my count was low, you should get the “Super Lurker Award” ;-)
Thanks so much for your response.. I guess I am a “SUPER LURKER” :)
Meds: Omeprazole 40mg once a day
Furosemide 40mg 1 every day
Spironolactone 25 mg once a day
Lisinoprin 10mg per day
Carvedilol 25mg twice a day
Klor-Con 10meg 750mg one every other day
Condition is dialated cardiomyopathy likely caused by a virus. My ejection fraction is now up to 50% (low was 40%) Angina is not a concern nor is clogged arteries. Even though I do not eat right, I am blessed with a good cholesterol level.
I have asked a couple times for testosterone injections and his basic concern is that the testosterone levels would be too inconsistent.. He was afraid of high readings causing rage and the lows causing problems too. He also had concerns about me coming in so often for injections. I asked if I could be taught to do the injections myself.. He thought about it for a minute and than said it was not a good idea.
I have tried taking Androgel at different times of the day but it did not seem to help my problem. I lost total interest in sex for awhile and trust me, it’s not due to a lack of interest in my wife.
I am not a body builder.
Doc does not seem to take suggestions very well. I would consider changing doctors or getting a second opinion but I am from a fairly small town and hate to offend my long-time doc and then try to find another one that is not one of his acquaintances. They all seemed insulted when I changed to a heart doc out of their network and I was questioned often by it.
