recent low T dx: ?'s re: DHEA vs Androgen gel?

[Guest guest]

I'm a 60 year old guy and have recently been tested and found to have low (240)

serum T.

I Have Parkinson's Disease (PD). (DX'd 2/08, 54 on PDRS)

I do not seem to have the usual sexual dysfunction symptoms of Low t, but do

experience depression and fatigue, which I had previously chalked up to the PD.

I am still very active, training 6 days/week, eat a great diet, and drink only

filtered water.

My Doc prescribed Androgen gel 1%, 50 mg packets for me. Though my insurance

paid for it with just a $3 co-pay, I was shocked to find a 30 day supply is ~

$190.

Not wanting to start taking a medication I wouldn't want to pay for out of my

own pocket (just starting Medicare 1/1/11 and am cautious of the Medicare donut

hole,) I did some research and found DHEA, which I have been taking for two

weeks. (My Doc knows about this and is totally OK with it)

I am going to have my T levels retested in a few months.

Here's my questions:

1 Has any guy here taken DHEA time release, 50 mg pills for Low T? If so, what

has your experience been (benefits & negative side effects?), and how does it

compare with using Androgen gel, if you have? The more specifics you can give

about the benefits vs negative side effects, the better.

2 In what ways has using the Androgen gel helped you, specifically? Since I do

not have sexual dysfunction symptoms, I am especially interested in how it

effects your overall mood and fatigue.

If it has enhanced your mood and lowered your fatigue, please give a before &

after rating 1-10. (examples: mood BEFORE Androgen: 4, NOW 9; fatigue BEFORE: 8,

NOW: 4)

If anyone is interested, I'd be happy to share my experience with taking DHEA.

As I said, I've been using it for 2 weeks, cycling on 6 days & off 2 days.

I am (maybe incorrectly) assuming the risks of prostate cancer & heart issues

are approx the same for either the gel or DHEA.

Thanks for your help.