Low Testosterone: What are the options? UPDATE:Testosterone megathread (Page 443 of 443)
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Originally Posted By HappyCamel: @300BR I use a pen auto-injector, 31g 8mm in the vastus lateralis (but my thighs are fat-free so it's IM). The pens cartridges take a bit over 3ml...so I fill the 3ml cart once and it lasts me a month and a half before I need to fuck with a single syringe again. As he said delts are pretty easy but I don't like reaching across my body @HappyCamel Now you have my attention. I used autopens to inject Enbrel for four years and that was a breeze compared to EOD 25mm deep. Do you have a link to these? I assume the needle part is disposable? Are they expensive compared to normal syringes/needles? Any/all info appreciated and thank you! |
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Originally Posted By 300BR: @HappyCamel Now you have my attention. I used autopens to inject Enbrel for four years and that was a breeze compared to EOD 25mm deep. Do you have a link to these? I assume the needle part is disposable? Are they expensive compared to normal syringes/needles? Any/all info appreciated and thank you! Originally Posted By 300BR: Originally Posted By HappyCamel: @300BR I use a pen auto-injector, 31g 8mm in the vastus lateralis (but my thighs are fat-free so it's IM). The pens cartridges take a bit over 3ml...so I fill the 3ml cart once and it lasts me a month and a half before I need to fuck with a single syringe again. As he said delts are pretty easy but I don't like reaching across my body @HappyCamel Now you have my attention. I used autopens to inject Enbrel for four years and that was a breeze compared to EOD 25mm deep. Do you have a link to these? I assume the needle part is disposable? Are they expensive compared to normal syringes/needles? Any/all info appreciated and thank you! https://www.daropep.net/product-category/ready-to-use-pens/ And these are the tips I use for oils. If you wanna go deeper, you can get 1/2" 12mm if you go down to 29g   Failed To Load Product Data So there's an initial sunk cost but frankly it's cheaper than quality insulin syringes long term. And it's convenient and fast. |
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Originally Posted By HappyCamel: @300BR I use a pen auto-injector, 31g 8mm in the vastus lateralis (but my thighs are fat-free so it's IM). The pens cartridges take a bit over 3ml...so I fill the 3ml cart once and it lasts me a month and a half before I need to fuck with a single syringe again. As he said delts are pretty easy but I don't like reaching across my body Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Originally Posted By SWIRE: Originally Posted By 300BR: Bumping this question as it might have got missed last night. Originally Posted By 300BR: I am currently pinning 35mg Thigh IM Test Cyp EOD with 25ga 1" needle. About 33% of the time I hit a nerve or get deep muscle pain. Gemini is suggesting that I switch to an insulin syringe and inject Sub-Q. Is this AI bullshit or is this a viable option for me? It's not AI BS. It will work. A 27 gauge 1/2" works ok, takes 45 seconds to 1 minute to load. The only difference is the absorption rate between IM and Sub-Q is different, sub-q is slower absorption but same long term results. There are other IM locations that you can use an insulin pin. I use deltoids, nearly painless with an insulin pin, and now to ventral glute. There are diagrams at this link of where those spots are. https://remotephcmanuals.com.au/document/37364.html @300BR I use a pen auto-injector, 31g 8mm in the vastus lateralis (but my thighs are fat-free so it's IM). The pens cartridges take a bit over 3ml...so I fill the 3ml cart once and it lasts me a month and a half before I need to fuck with a single syringe again. As he said delts are pretty easy but I don't like reaching across my body |
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Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Gensupen (side button) and Convipen/Gansulin (end button) are the only two auto styles. He has carts on his site as well, but I ordered 100 carts from AliExpress for around $30 lol. He has a telegram where he announces restocks. https://www.daropep.net/product-category/ready-to-use-pens/ And these are the tips I use for oils. If you wanna go deeper, you can get 1/2" 12mm if you go down to 29g www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1F5WZQF So there's an initial sunk cost but frankly it's cheaper than quality insulin syringes long term. And it's convenient and fast. What is your process for loading the cartidge and getting proper dose? You use a secondary syringe with a large ga needle??? Not sure how this works... or do you load the cartridge and dial the dose? And with quad flexed I have about 8-10mm of pinched loose skin. So 4-5mm to muscle??? Is that enough for 8mm?? And which cartridges do you order to insure sterile??? |
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Originally Posted By 300BR: What is your process for loading the cartidge and getting proper dose? You use a secondary syringe with a large ga needle??? Not sure how this works... or do you load the cartridge and dial the dose? Originally Posted By 300BR: Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Gensupen (side button) and Convipen/Gansulin (end button) are the only two auto styles. He has carts on his site as well, but I ordered 100 carts from AliExpress for around $30 lol. He has a telegram where he announces restocks. https://www.daropep.net/product-category/ready-to-use-pens/ And these are the tips I use for oils. If you wanna go deeper, you can get 1/2" 12mm if you go down to 29g www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1F5WZQF So there's an initial sunk cost but frankly it's cheaper than quality insulin syringes long term. And it's convenient and fast. What is your process for loading the cartidge and getting proper dose? You use a secondary syringe with a large ga needle??? Not sure how this works... or do you load the cartridge and dial the dose? |
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Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Vent needle (or syringe with plunger pulled) in skinny head of cart. 3ml 27g full of test pulled from vial into skinny head of cart as well. Throw cart in pen. Attach needle tip and dial dose as needed until cart runs out. Tons of videos on YouTube, very popular for peptides, initially designed for insulin and HGH. Just search how to use peptide pen in YouTube. I'll check it out. OK to IM if questions??? This sounds like the way.... |
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Originally Posted By 300BR: I'll check it out. OK to IM if questions??? This sounds like the way.... Originally Posted By 300BR: Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Vent needle (or syringe with plunger pulled) in skinny head of cart. 3ml 27g full of test pulled from vial into skinny head of cart as well. Throw cart in pen. Attach needle tip and dial dose as needed until cart runs out. Tons of videos on YouTube, very popular for peptides, initially designed for insulin and HGH. Just search how to use peptide pen in YouTube. I'll check it out. OK to IM if questions??? This sounds like the way.... |
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Originally Posted By M4DUDE: I fought with this and it was multi-pronged. 1. High sodium diet. I was eating \ drinking way too much sodium. (I was a sucker for chex mix, cup-o-noodles soup, and liquid IVs in my water bottles.) 2. Food intolerances. I have a couple food intolerances that probably contributed. 3. Drinking enough water. Not gatorade (see 1), not soda, not coffee, water. I think the T is an aggravator in the background somehow but it wasn't really the T. I was laser focused on my E2 initially because I assumed that was the issue but nope. Thanks for the reply. I'm definitely starting to suspect 2 and 3 are probably on my list. After the surgery I was on a very specific and restricted diet since they had stapled my intestines back together. That was completely the opposite of the clean eating I'd been on prior to the surgery. It's taken a while to get back on the clean diet wagon but I'm starting to make progress in that area. I've since had a visit with my ortho and he said for sure the tendons are red-hot pissed right now and I basically need to avoid activity and ice them daily for about a month until they calm down and then I start rebuilding with PT. I figure it will probably be at least 6 months or more before I can be back to lifting in the gym 
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Originally Posted By -Obsessed-: This Accutane is no joke. Borderline torture with how dry my lips are.  I was on it a long time ago. It works it sucks but worth it if you've got cystic acme. Watch your liver levels, it plays hell with liver and lipid levels. |
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote."
Necessity is the plea for every infringement of freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.
Necessity is the plea for every infringement of freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.
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VA finally approved me to see an Endocrinologist. Oct 23 we will see what an actual Dr thinks of me moving around with my numbers for the past year... Attached File Attached File 57 year. |
Been called many things: Asshole, hey you, Boats and a few others. The one I cherish is when a Marine called me "Doc"
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Originally Posted By 300BR: Thanks @SWIRE. Yeah, also according to ai, this is to my advantage as I am rate sensitive... so the flatter the curve the better for me, hence the EOD thing. I will give this a shot (no pun intended.  )Originally Posted By 300BR: Originally Posted By SWIRE: @300BR It's not AI BS. It will work. A 27 gauge 1/2" works ok, takes 45 seconds to 1 minute to load. The only difference is the absorption rate between IM and Sub-Q is different, sub-q is slower absorption but same long term results. There are other IM locations that you can use an insulin pin. I use deltoids, nearly painless with an insulin pin, and now to ventral glute. There are diagrams at this link of where those spots are. https://remotephcmanuals.com.au/document/37364.html Thanks @SWIRE. Yeah, also according to ai, this is to my advantage as I am rate sensitive... so the flatter the curve the better for me, hence the EOD thing. I will give this a shot (no pun intended. )1ml luer lock syringe Amazon $19 on amazon 27G 1.25" luer lock needles $6 medical-and-lab-supplies.com exel or nipro McKesson Clave Vial Spike $1.51 medicaleshop.com The spikes are better than the adaptors Put vial spike in Vial, fill syringe in a second, put needle on and inject. You leave the vial spike in the vial. Have wife or GF inject in upper outer quadrant of glute or self inject in delts, traps, lats, chest. |
"You got to lick it, before you stick it."©
What would you die for? Unlikley for the average dipshit. Most people just ain't worth it.--drjarhead
I'm SNARKY with the moderator
What would you die for? Unlikley for the average dipshit. Most people just ain't worth it.--drjarhead
I'm SNARKY with the moderator
I got my latest labs and my FNP freaked out because my trough Free T and Total T are "too high". 26 and 892.  And then I told her I was pinning EOD and she basically told me I was outside guidelines and she would not treat me if I do not fall in line.Is Defy a good option? I'm sure this is buried in this thread somewhere. That is who Gemini came up with. I need someone to listen to my history, approve my protocol and go away. I have T. I have syringes and needles and I have labs taken 2 weeks ago. I do NOT want to pay every month to join someone's club who needs me to come in and stick me with a needle. |
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Originally Posted By 300BR: I got my latest labs and my FNP freaked out because my trough Free T and Total T are "too high". 26 and 892. And then I told her I was pinning EOD and she basically told me I was outside guidelines and she would not treat me if I do not fall in line.Is Defy a good option? I'm sure this is buried in this thread somewhere. That is who Gemini came up with. I need someone to listen to my history, approve my protocol and go away. I have T. I have syringes and needles and I have labs taken 2 weeks ago. I do NOT want to pay every month to join someone's club who needs me to come in and stick me with a needle. My PCP just calls in my rx and my wife injects me only time my doc has a problem is if my hematocrit gets to high she worry's about a stroke |
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Originally Posted By JosephTurrisi: My PCP just calls in my rx and my wife injects me only time my doc has a problem is if my hematocrit gets to high she worry's about a stroke My PCP allows me to inject as well, but she is chasing numbers and protocols that are outdated. I need someone that will not cost me any more than necessary, work with me, be open minded about treatment. |
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Originally Posted By 300BR: My PCP allows me to inject as well, but she is chasing numbers and protocols that are outdated. I need someone that will not cost me any more than necessary, work with me, be open minded about treatment. Originally Posted By 300BR: Originally Posted By JosephTurrisi: My PCP just calls in my rx and my wife injects me only time my doc has a problem is if my hematocrit gets to high she worry's about a stroke My PCP allows me to inject as well, but she is chasing numbers and protocols that are outdated. I need someone that will not cost me any more than necessary, work with me, be open minded about treatment. |
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Just a general question for some of you guys. I started TRT around a year ago. Tried the implanted pellets at first, they lasted around 4-5 months. After that, I really didn't feel much different or change (even though my numbers had increased)....so I wasn't about to let them cut me open and inject 12+ of those things into my side again....just way to invasive. So I went with a compounded cream. I've been on that for around 6 months now. My numbers are good (I think around 800...don't remember off hand).......but the one thing I've noticed, and it's actually got me a little concerned, is how much weight I have lost. I'm 6' 6" and started TRT at around 240lbs. Not a fatty, but not what I would call fit. After I started the cream, I've steadily been losing weight. got on the scale this morning and I'm 211 lbs. I haven't started working out any more than I used to, and I really didn't use to much, but my appetite is much smaller.....I probably eat portions that are half the size as before. Is that kind of weight loss normal on TRT? I'm getting ready to email my doctor and talk to them about it, but I just wanted to see what you guys have experienced. I'm scheduled for my blood draws next month, but all of my other ones have looked great. I'm not complaining...I like the new look, I just want to make sure something's not wrong and my body is shutting down or something  |
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Originally Posted By 300BR: I got my latest labs and my FNP freaked out because my trough Free T and Total T are "too high". 26 and 892. And then I told her I was pinning EOD and she basically told me I was outside guidelines and she would not treat me if I do not fall in line.Is Defy a good option? I'm sure this is buried in this thread somewhere. That is who Gemini came up with. I need someone to listen to my history, approve my protocol and go away. I have T. I have syringes and needles and I have labs taken 2 weeks ago. I do NOT want to pay every month to join someone's club who needs me to come in and stick me with a needle. I’m interested in this, I went to Ageless Men’s Health, and it’s OK, but they seem to focus on numbers, not how I actually feel. I want to reduce overall costs, too. I need to pay more attention to this thread! |
Now she's making $15 an hour as a 'tard wrangler with a degree in women's studies... - tommytrauma
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Ended up going on TRT and have now been on Zepbound for a 6 weeks. 100mg TRT IM. Split 50mg Sunday and 50mg Wed. I’m also down 10lbs in the past 30 days. Before TRT I was at 274ngl and now at the trough I was 590ngl. That was with pinning my Sunday shot but waiting until Friday for after the blood draw. Didn’t seem to bother me any. I think I’m at week 15 now or so. I want to reverse my vasectomy in early 2027 and have more kids with my wife. Maybe that’s just the extra test talking lol. But in all seriousness my plan with my doctor is to get some more weight off (got another 40lbs). Then come off TRT for the procedure and attempting to conceive. All is well on my end. Never really felt like Superman or anything. I’d say a solid 10-15% improvement overall. |
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Originally Posted By Mercworx: Ended up going on TRT and have now been on Zepbound for a 6 weeks. 100mg TRT IM. Split 50mg Sunday and 50mg Wed. I'm also down 10lbs in the past 30 days. Before TRT I was at 274ngl and now at the trough I was 590ngl. That was with pinning my Sunday shot but waiting until Friday for after the blood draw. Didn't seem to bother me any. I think I'm at week 15 now or so. I want to reverse my vasectomy in early 2027 and have more kids with my wife. Maybe that's just the extra test talking lol. But in all seriousness my plan with my doctor is to get some more weight off (got another 40lbs). Then come off TRT for the procedure and attempting to conceive. All is well on my end. Never really felt like Superman or anything. I'd say a solid 10-15% improvement overall. With how low your test is, maybe try HCG mono therapy until you're done having a kids, especially if you don't want to risk it taking forever/IVF depending on your age when the next kid window rolls around. |
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Originally Posted By HappyCamel: You did that backwards. Go get a sperm test now and freeze sperm if the quality is still sufficient. People can regain fertility coming off TRT, impaired fertility is not always permanent, but not only will you feel like shit coming off, it may take time and great expense (HCG, FSH, ECT). We just conceived our 3rd, first ON TRT, but I religiously ran 500iu HCG EOD since starting TRT. And we had a miscarriage and chemical pregnancy since November, IMO due to DNA fragmentation on my end (obviously motility and morphology was still sufficient to get fertilization, luckily in my case). So went from 2 kids literally on first try, to almost a full year of trying with 2 no-goes to get the 3rd, but I never came off... With how low your test is, maybe try HCG mono therapy until you're done having a kids, especially if you don't want to risk it taking forever/IVF depending on your age when the next kid window rolls around. Thank you for providing this insight I’ll definitely look into your recommendations. Edit: Set up call with my doctor to discuss HCG. I had a vasectomy when I started this and he never recommended HCG. Hopefully there is still time. I regret the vasectomy |
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Originally Posted By Matthew_Q: I’m interested in this, I went to Ageless Men’s Health, and it’s OK, but they seem to focus on numbers, not how I actually feel. I want to reduce overall costs, too. I need to pay more attention to this thread! Originally Posted By Matthew_Q: Originally Posted By 300BR: I got my latest labs and my FNP freaked out because my trough Free T and Total T are "too high". 26 and 892. And then I told her I was pinning EOD and she basically told me I was outside guidelines and she would not treat me if I do not fall in line.Is Defy a good option? I'm sure this is buried in this thread somewhere. That is who Gemini came up with. I need someone to listen to my history, approve my protocol and go away. I have T. I have syringes and needles and I have labs taken 2 weeks ago. I do NOT want to pay every month to join someone's club who needs me to come in and stick me with a needle. I’m interested in this, I went to Ageless Men’s Health, and it’s OK, but they seem to focus on numbers, not how I actually feel. I want to reduce overall costs, too. I need to pay more attention to this thread! I had my interview with the PA at defy and they are pretty much hands off with regard to numbers.... symptoms are preeminent. SO FAR.... they have been awesome to work with. |
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Originally Posted By imq707s: Just a general question for some of you guys. I started TRT around a year ago. Tried the implanted pellets at first, they lasted around 4-5 months. After that, I really didn't feel much different or change (even though my numbers had increased)....so I wasn't about to let them cut me open and inject 12+ of those things into my side again....just way to invasive. So I went with a compounded cream. I've been on that for around 6 months now. My numbers are good (I think around 800...don't remember off hand).......but the one thing I've noticed, and it's actually got me a little concerned, is how much weight I have lost. I'm 6' 6" and started TRT at around 240lbs. Not a fatty, but not what I would call fit. After I started the cream, I've steadily been losing weight. got on the scale this morning and I'm 211 lbs. I haven't started working out any more than I used to, and I really didn't use to much, but my appetite is much smaller.....I probably eat portions that are half the size as before. Is that kind of weight loss normal on TRT? I'm getting ready to email my doctor and talk to them about it, but I just wanted to see what you guys have experienced. I'm scheduled for my blood draws next month, but all of my other ones have looked great. I'm not complaining...I like the new look, I just want to make sure something's not wrong and my body is shutting down or something Guy I work out with was 285-290 when he started TRT 2 yrs ago. Hes in the 240s now, not doing anything with his diet. Everybody I have talked to, just 25-40 lbs if they are too heavy. I started 4 weeks, I am hoping for 20-25 lb drop; 245 now . Its not a diet thing with me, tracked everything I ate for over a month to make sure I wasnt eating more calories than I thought. |
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Originally Posted By Mercworx: Thank you for providing this insight I'll definitely look into your recommendations. Edit: Set up call with my doctor to discuss HCG. I had a vasectomy when I started this and he never recommended HCG. Hopefully there is still time. I regret the vasectomy Originally Posted By Mercworx: Originally Posted By HappyCamel: You did that backwards. Go get a sperm test now and freeze sperm if the quality is still sufficient. People can regain fertility coming off TRT, impaired fertility is not always permanent, but not only will you feel like shit coming off, it may take time and great expense (HCG, FSH, ECT). We just conceived our 3rd, first ON TRT, but I religiously ran 500iu HCG EOD since starting TRT. And we had a miscarriage and chemical pregnancy since November, IMO due to DNA fragmentation on my end (obviously motility and morphology was still sufficient to get fertilization, luckily in my case). So went from 2 kids literally on first try, to almost a full year of trying with 2 no-goes to get the 3rd, but I never came off... With how low your test is, maybe try HCG mono therapy until you're done having a kids, especially if you don't want to risk it taking forever/IVF depending on your age when the next kid window rolls around. Thank you for providing this insight I'll definitely look into your recommendations. Edit: Set up call with my doctor to discuss HCG. I had a vasectomy when I started this and he never recommended HCG. Hopefully there is still time. I regret the vasectomy  They would never reccomened HCG cause the whole point of the vasectomy is to prevent pregnancy. It sounds like you should have a conversation with both your wife and your doctor. All of these things have time-frames and implications, on your end and hers. |
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Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Sorry I'm talking out of my ass, you can't get a sperm count nor freeze sperm because you got a vasectomy They would never reccomened HCG cause the whole point of the vasectomy is to prevent pregnancy. It sounds like you should have a conversation with both your wife and your doctor. All of these things have time-frames and implications, on your end and hers. Sorry I see my HCG comment was dumb lol. Of course he wouldn’t recommend it since I had the vasectomy. I really think I’m just regretting the vasectomy. We had 3 kids back to back to back and felt like we were done when we weren’t. I will chat with him. Wonder if they would bother with HCG if the intent is for a vasectomy reversal. The vasectomy reversal clinic I was talking to in Utah said they have done reversals with men in TRT for a variety of reasons. Issue being they cannot test for sperm to see if there is a blockage and another technique is needed or not. Edit: really realizing how retarded it is to have gotten a vasectomy, start TRT and then decide we want another kid. I’ve basically taken all these steps you take when you definitely don’t want more kids. |
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Originally Posted By Mercworx: Sorry I see my HCG comment was dumb lol. Of course he wouldn't recommend it since I had the vasectomy. I really think I'm just regretting the vasectomy. We had 3 kids back to back to back and felt like we were done when we weren't. I will chat with him. Wonder if they would bother with HCG if the intent is for a vasectomy reversal. The vasectomy reversal clinic I was talking to in Utah said they have done reversals with men in TRT for a variety of reasons. Issue being they cannot test for sperm to see if there is a blockage and another technique is needed or not. Edit: really realizing how retarded it is to have gotten a vasectomy, start TRT and then decide we want another kid. I've basically taken all these steps you take when you definitely don't want more kids.
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Originally Posted By 300BR: I had my interview with the PA at defy and they are pretty much hands off with regard to numbers.... symptoms are preeminent. SO FAR.... they have been awesome to work with. Thanks for the comment, I'm going to look into them! |
Now she's making $15 an hour as a 'tard wrangler with a degree in women's studies... - tommytrauma
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On TRT, you need HCG https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbMYhwyxuJp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== |
"You got to lick it, before you stick it."©
What would you die for? Unlikley for the average dipshit. Most people just ain't worth it.--drjarhead
I'm SNARKY with the moderator
What would you die for? Unlikley for the average dipshit. Most people just ain't worth it.--drjarhead
I'm SNARKY with the moderator