25 Y.O Considering TRT, struggling with symptoms

[SpiceWeasel]

Hey, first of all, I'll start with saying how these past two years have been absolute hell.

I'm 5"8, muscular and generally in shape. I used to work out regularly until I just had to give it up because of the symptoms I experienced.

I've always had issues with mood/depression but never problems with libido and erections. I did have an orchitis infection when I was 18 and was treated with old school hormone destroying anti psychotics due to a very very bad misdiagnosis. (Chlorpromazine) this treatment only lasted 2 months until I realised how wrong the doc was. (Bipolar misdiagnosis)

I know my depressed self, it never sapped my libido or gave me erectile issues. These issues have lasted a solid two years now, with very little changes.

Generally, I don't find guys/gals attractive any more (yes I'm bi, don't hold it against me) porn triggers no response, ED is profound and tends to prevent masturbation, sometimes I can get by though ejeculate amount seems unaffected. Refractory period is usually a week to two weeks.

I don't think about sex at all anymore and the absence of the thoughts, or rather that 'spark' when you think sexually, purposefully or involuntarily, distresses me greatly.

I've also in this same time frame, lost a lot of my sense of smell and have experienced severe brain mush/fog.
To the point my psych is considering ADHD treatments.

So after two years of fighting the docs and them being very very reluctant to help in any way, I'm considering self administration of TRT.
I've had my levels checked three times and each time the doctors wouldn't tell me my numbers (I've been told that's illegal here in the uk)

I've got one more appointment, this time with a doctor who is close to the family. He's helped a lot people in my family with some pretty 'out there' treatments. My plan was to be straight with him and tell him I'm planning to buy my own supply and self administer TRT.

I don't want supraphysiological levels of T. I just want to function like a man again. This has been very distressing. I was an extremely sexual person for whom sex was a part of my identity.

Did any of you guys experience problems similar to mine? Did your drive and erections come back when you started TRT?

Sorry if guys like me have posted before, my history is pretty weird/unique I felt and I couldn't really find the answer I was looking for in the heinous amount of stickies.

Thanks for reading

Feel free to ask any questions

Posted this from my phone so apologies if this is over-paragraphed

 

[Vince Carter]

We have a couple of guys with us from the UK maybe they'll see this and offer advice from the unique UK angle.

 

[CoastWatcher]

Welcome to Excelmale. Are you willing to go outside the NHS? Private treatment is available in the UK in the private system.

 

[SpiceWeasel]

From what I've seen, the male health clinics are quite pricey but it's something I have considered.

It's not impossible to go down that road, but it would be difficult. If I can get my bloods tested frequently by my new NHS doc (assuming he agrees to monitor me) I'm hoping I can simply acquire my own meds.

The price for a single consultation at a male health clinic is approx 3 months supply of sustanon + AI

It's frustrating to be put in this position. It's impacting my ability to get my feet off the ground. It's making college work v hard. (I'm doing fitness + health, with a progression to a physio degree, so lots of physical activity)

 

[Vince]

What types of meds are you on now. Are meds causing your symptoms?

 

[johndoesmith]

I don't think you mentioned anything about what your levels are. I understand that the doctors didn't tell you your levels, but you don't even know if you're low testosterone. Yes you may have all the symptoms, but that doesn't necessarily mean you're low.

You need to get those tests from those doctors. Look up the law regarding your test results and call those doctors offices and demand it.

Or get this other doctor to run tests and use those, but telling a doctor you're going to self administer when you don't even know if you're low is not a good idea.

I may be wrong about this, but I see no mention of lab results, or even anything suggesting you're low OTHER than symptoms.

 

[SpiceWeasel]

Apologies, I have had lab work done 3 times over like I said and the doctors didn't say whether things were good or bad.

I have an appointment next week so hopefully I can get my results printed off, will update the thread asap.

The only med I currently take is pregabalin, 25 - 50mg for better sleep, currently considering tapering off though.

 

[CoastWatcher]

By the way, it is NOT illegal for a patient in the U.K. to get copies of their lab tests. At least,it wasn't when I lived there. Contact the NHS if you are blocked in this way and ask for their help. Consider this - imagine you are preparing to travel for an extended time out of country. If you need regular blood work, you have every right to know what your levels are so as to assist the doctor where you are traveling. You got fobbed off.

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/thenhs/records/healthrecords/Pages/what_to_do.aspx

 

[SpiceWeasel]

I think you misunderstood, I was saying it was illegal for the doctors to refuse to give me my bloods.
They were being really 'funny' with me when I asked for my results. One doctor flat out said he didn't want to tell me my T results because I'll 'obsess' over them. Felt like a pretty weak way of saying "it's low, but I don't want to have to treat or refer you"

I phoned my GPs surgery and I got the admin to make a request for printed results (costs a few £ but it's not much) and they will have all my previous test results prepared for me to collect for Friday hopefully, if not it will be Monday.

 

[CoastWatcher]

I think you misunderstood, I was saying it was illegal for the doctors to refuse to give me my bloods.
They were being really 'funny' with me when I asked for my results. One doctor flat out said he didn't want to tell me my T results because I'll 'obsess' over them. Felt like a pretty weak way of saying "it's low, but I don't want to have to treat or refer you"

I phoned my GPs surgery and I got the admin to make a request for printed results (costs a few £ but it's not much) and they will have all my previous test results prepared for me to collect for Friday hopefully, if not it will be Monday.

One of the things you'll find as you go along is that you have to be your own advocate. After all, if you obsess, you obsess. It's your body and your life. Information gives us power; a lot of doctors aren't interested in empowering their patients. Welcome to the first steps on the TRT highway.