Hi All - I am going to be as brief as possible but would appreciate the feedback. I have done almost a year's worth of research on TRT. Talked to people who have been on it for years, at the beginning of their journey and samples of everyone in between. I have watched and read hundreds of hours of articles, videos, etc. See, I am not considering TRT because I have low T. As a matter of fact, I had my blood work done through a clinic and my levels are normal (On the lower end but still normal) but I still have the option to start. Let me explain.
I am a 47 year old male. I was a pretty good athlete throughout my youth. I have always been a gym rat, not body building per se but have a decent physique and have never waivered. My cardio could be better but I will get to that in a few minutes. After leaving high school, I went to college for a spell but it wasn't for me. I started working at a factory that involved a lot of heavy lifting. 9 years later (age 27) I was in rough shape. I had pretty much destroyed my lower back and was in extreme spasm and pain. I was given the choice of a 3-level fusion where they would fuse my L-5, L-4 and L-3 both anterior & posterior as well as 6 titanium screws with bone graphs taken from my hips to complete the fusion. I had an 11-hour surgery January 4, 2001 and was put on massive doses of Oxycontin and Percocet for as long as I wanted. I was told my recovery would take 10-12 months. Since I was a younger guy and previous athlete, I did everything they told me to do and ultimately tested my fusion early and walked, walked, walked. However, I got severely addicted to the pain killers (This was before they knew Oxycontin was literally turning people into zombies) and eventually, I needed to surrender and go to rehab where they told me that I was lucky I had a strong heart as the doses I was taking should have killed me months earlier. So, I kicked the habit successfully, along with any alcohol and never looked back. I have been sober for almost 18 years. During this time period, I got into the weight lifting again but realized I needed to change the way I exercised. I started cycling longer distances and eventually worked my way up to 40 mile bike rides. About 3 years ago, I was playing indoor soccer and felt some discomfort in my thoracic region. I got nervous and after 17 years of not seeing my original surgeons, I made an appointment and went back. They were stunned. The surgery that I had done had a lifespan of 11 years. They told me that after 11 years, the upper discs start to degrade as they are now bearing the brunt of the fused vertebrae. They took some x-rays and said my fusion was still holding very well and that what I was doing, I should keep doing it.
About a year and half ago, I noticed quite a dramatic reduction in my motivation, strength, energy, libido reduction. What I was used to lifting began to decline and I find myself in a situation that has caused me to research TRT. I had my blood work done and like I mentioned, in the normal ranges. But, I wasn't investigating TRT for this reason. I was investigating this is a potential alternative to any further surgery as I feel that if I ever need a second surgery to fuse more of my spine, my quality of life would be dramatically reduced and I could possibly become incapacitated. I am experiencing muscle issues where the graphs were taken and that also has me concerned.
So, here is my thought after all this research. If I were to pursue TRT it would be to potentially alleviate all of the reasons/symptoms I mentioned above but also, I would be "experimenting" with being able to increase bone density while being able to add, or continue to maintain, muscle growth which will translate into my never (hopefully) or at least for the foreseeable future, needing further spine surgery. I don't smoke, my BP is fine, I have slightly elevated Cholesterol (hereditary) but that is about it. Pretty healthy diet, I eat some shit on the weekends but nothing outrageous. The only medication I take is Naproxen. The clinic I am engaged in is willing to work with me for the protocol I would like (smaller more frequent dosing, etc. trust me, I have done the research on dose, HCG attempt to never use an AI unless if absolutely needed, etc.) and they will provide me with PCT should the first 6-months either not work for me or things go wrong and I need to come off. I understand that I would be messing with healthy hormones. I understand that even if I did come off, my normal production may not return to my normal levels. I understand the risks, at least on paper, and I am still leaning towards moving forward because again, this route for me, knowing what I went through 20 years ago, could be the tool that I need to essentially hold or even possibly completely stave off any further surgery. Mind you, there are a few studies (just a few) that I found which does support the bone density results I would be hoping to benefit from. I do have the other symptoms of low T but knowing my levels are normal, I don't have another explanation.
I guess what I am asking the forum is this, as the present trajectory, this could become problematic or worse within the next 5 or 10 years for me. Right now, the lesser of two evils is for me to experiment with testosterone and get my levels up to benefit from the increased bone density, muscle growth and the other residual symptoms (low libido, motivation, energy, etc.) and go down this path. I know my body well. I am losing this battle albeit slowly and the thought of another back surgery and opiates are something I am simply not willing to accept and scares me enough to try Testosterone. I am trying to think of any pertinent information that might help folks comment but that's all I got at the moment.
Thank you in advance and I appreciate any forthcoming comments.
I am a 47 year old male. I was a pretty good athlete throughout my youth. I have always been a gym rat, not body building per se but have a decent physique and have never waivered. My cardio could be better but I will get to that in a few minutes. After leaving high school, I went to college for a spell but it wasn't for me. I started working at a factory that involved a lot of heavy lifting. 9 years later (age 27) I was in rough shape. I had pretty much destroyed my lower back and was in extreme spasm and pain. I was given the choice of a 3-level fusion where they would fuse my L-5, L-4 and L-3 both anterior & posterior as well as 6 titanium screws with bone graphs taken from my hips to complete the fusion. I had an 11-hour surgery January 4, 2001 and was put on massive doses of Oxycontin and Percocet for as long as I wanted. I was told my recovery would take 10-12 months. Since I was a younger guy and previous athlete, I did everything they told me to do and ultimately tested my fusion early and walked, walked, walked. However, I got severely addicted to the pain killers (This was before they knew Oxycontin was literally turning people into zombies) and eventually, I needed to surrender and go to rehab where they told me that I was lucky I had a strong heart as the doses I was taking should have killed me months earlier. So, I kicked the habit successfully, along with any alcohol and never looked back. I have been sober for almost 18 years. During this time period, I got into the weight lifting again but realized I needed to change the way I exercised. I started cycling longer distances and eventually worked my way up to 40 mile bike rides. About 3 years ago, I was playing indoor soccer and felt some discomfort in my thoracic region. I got nervous and after 17 years of not seeing my original surgeons, I made an appointment and went back. They were stunned. The surgery that I had done had a lifespan of 11 years. They told me that after 11 years, the upper discs start to degrade as they are now bearing the brunt of the fused vertebrae. They took some x-rays and said my fusion was still holding very well and that what I was doing, I should keep doing it.
About a year and half ago, I noticed quite a dramatic reduction in my motivation, strength, energy, libido reduction. What I was used to lifting began to decline and I find myself in a situation that has caused me to research TRT. I had my blood work done and like I mentioned, in the normal ranges. But, I wasn't investigating TRT for this reason. I was investigating this is a potential alternative to any further surgery as I feel that if I ever need a second surgery to fuse more of my spine, my quality of life would be dramatically reduced and I could possibly become incapacitated. I am experiencing muscle issues where the graphs were taken and that also has me concerned.
So, here is my thought after all this research. If I were to pursue TRT it would be to potentially alleviate all of the reasons/symptoms I mentioned above but also, I would be "experimenting" with being able to increase bone density while being able to add, or continue to maintain, muscle growth which will translate into my never (hopefully) or at least for the foreseeable future, needing further spine surgery. I don't smoke, my BP is fine, I have slightly elevated Cholesterol (hereditary) but that is about it. Pretty healthy diet, I eat some shit on the weekends but nothing outrageous. The only medication I take is Naproxen. The clinic I am engaged in is willing to work with me for the protocol I would like (smaller more frequent dosing, etc. trust me, I have done the research on dose, HCG attempt to never use an AI unless if absolutely needed, etc.) and they will provide me with PCT should the first 6-months either not work for me or things go wrong and I need to come off. I understand that I would be messing with healthy hormones. I understand that even if I did come off, my normal production may not return to my normal levels. I understand the risks, at least on paper, and I am still leaning towards moving forward because again, this route for me, knowing what I went through 20 years ago, could be the tool that I need to essentially hold or even possibly completely stave off any further surgery. Mind you, there are a few studies (just a few) that I found which does support the bone density results I would be hoping to benefit from. I do have the other symptoms of low T but knowing my levels are normal, I don't have another explanation.
I guess what I am asking the forum is this, as the present trajectory, this could become problematic or worse within the next 5 or 10 years for me. Right now, the lesser of two evils is for me to experiment with testosterone and get my levels up to benefit from the increased bone density, muscle growth and the other residual symptoms (low libido, motivation, energy, etc.) and go down this path. I know my body well. I am losing this battle albeit slowly and the thought of another back surgery and opiates are something I am simply not willing to accept and scares me enough to try Testosterone. I am trying to think of any pertinent information that might help folks comment but that's all I got at the moment.
Thank you in advance and I appreciate any forthcoming comments.
