That was a very philosopical and intellectually stimulating well written personal AS anecedotal report, which most newbies can make informed decisions from, as can I.
I have been training for 8+ years and am still contemplating the use of AS, even though I have decided I will do my first cycle sometime this year. Over the years, I have acquired almost a thousand pieces of research [i.e. medical studies, books (i.e. By Bob Goldman 1986 etc.), reports (Look at any number of credible and well known medical journals) both internet and in the library], which I started acquiring in 1995, when most of these boards were not around. I am still doing daily research even though I have finally decided I am going to do my first cycle of Deca alone.
SO THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON IMPARTED FROM THIS POST [BUMP!] IS THAT ONE MUST CONTEMPLATE THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS AND THINK CAREFULLY AND CRITICALLY BEFORE THEY USE AS OR EVEN THINK ABOUT USING AS. IT IS A GAME OF EXCELLENCE THAT COMES WITH ITS OWN CONSEQUENCES WITH SHORT AND LONG TERM DRAWBACKS, AS WELL AS BENEFITS THAT JUST CANNOT BE ACQUIRED NATURALLY [Note: no unbiased medical journal studying AS has ever claimed that natural training can be matched with AS. If they claim the former they are deceitful and misleading or/and they manipulated their study data by improper dosage and regimen of AS used. This is not to say that results cannot be obtained naturally---Since starting weightlifing in Nov 1996 to Sept 1999 I went from 165 to 224lb until MVA = 59lb NATURALLY [WITH SUPPLEMENTAL USE].
SO DON'T THINK PROGRESS CAN'T BE MADE WITHOUT IT, HOWEVER KEEP IN MIND WHAT JASON MEULLER HAS POINTED OUT!!!
*MY 2 CENTS
I PRACTICE WHAT I PREACH!