Protecting vulnerable joint - smart cycle or no cycle?

[victory_has_defeated_u]

How do I protect my sternoclavicular joint if I run a test only cycle? (bearing in mind the increased collagen synth from other compounds)

Test E @ 500mg/week, from my reading there should be an increase in GH which should allow for some degree of protection for joints but I have an underlying issue..

As a teenager I always had a sharp pain around my right collarbone when doing push ups etc (martial arts background)
After dropping martial arts the pain stayed for a year or so, an MRI revealed that a section of my sternoclavicular joint was missing
There were no answers as to whether this was congenital or caused by erosion over time. The pain eventually just went away with time..but would come back every now and then randomly for a few weeks.

I have been training in the gym now for 4 years with a one year break in-between due to illness (travel - gastrointestinal)..
Since I started training that collarbone pain has never come back until recently - I am the biggest I have ever been and have just completed 2 months of 5x5..I already had a light deload during that training cycle and also took a week off gym after it.

On cycle my strength would increase, so I would up the weight, but the risk of injury increases..and the issue of joints keeping up with muscle..
Would the compromise not just be to run a lower dose of test (250) with EQ to help collagen synthesis?? My hope is that could potentially eliminate the issue altogether whilst giving me some decent gains.

Height: 6"
Weight: 210lbs
Around 15% bf
Nutrition is already in check

I also stay away from NSAIDs as it will affect gains, and I am aware that I can get a local steroid shot into the joint to treat for potential inflammation & pain but there is some risk involved due to major vessels in that region..For those who will recommend Orange Triad or glucosamine it's not an option for me at the moment due to sourcing issues at my location.

If the best advice is to stay away from cycles or try giving it more rest then that's fine but I'd appreciate explanations as opposed to one-liners. Thanks guys!

 

[Rumpy]

You didn't say your age, but I'll assume the best and just move on.

I'm sure others will disagree with me on this, but this is my opinion, so do with it what you will.

I would start your cycle as planned, run test at 500/week for about 4 weeks. In 4 weeks you'll have a good sense of how it feels and how you react. Assuming everything is good, add in NPP at about 400/week for the rest of your cycle, pin it EOD. NPP is the short ester version of Deca, I recommend it for first time use because it will clear your system within a few days, so if you have any problems with it you can just stop and be done with it.

 

[enzo321]

I would avoid flat bench, squat, and maybe even dead lift if I was in your situation. I would also sacrifices weight for more reps.

Cortisol shots would cover the symptoms during cycle, but you'll continue to induce injury if you over do anything.

Don't expect miracles, but I would supplement with...

1)Glucosamine
2)Chondroitin
3)Methylsulfonylmethane
4)Fish Oil

 

[Frank White]

You didn't say your age, but I'll assume the best and just move on.

I'm sure others will disagree with me on this, but this is my opinion, so do with it what you will.

I would start your cycle as planned, run test at 500/week for about 4 weeks. In 4 weeks you'll have a good sense of how it feels and how you react. Assuming everything is good, add in NPP at about 400/week for the rest of your cycle, pin it EOD. NPP is the short ester version of Deca, I recommend it for first time use because it will clear your system within a few days, so if you have any problems with it you can just stop and be done with it.

Agree with Rumpy...i've seen quite a few guys adding deca merely for its joint protection properties, and to be honest, will probably be part of my next cycle. As Enzo said, as you strengthen, dont be so quick to stack the weight excessively. Good luck!

 

[enzo321]

It's generally not advised, but Deca Durabolin can relieve joint pain; just an FYI. Hope you find the right path in life; chronic pain has to suck Ron Jeremy dick.

 

[enzo321]

Oh I see you guys already mentioned Deca.

 

[Rumpy]

Deca takes about a month to build up and a month to clear, NPP is the short ester version.

 

[Rumpy]

I would also sacrifices weight for more reps.

Agreed. I do 3 X 10-12 on everything. I don't lift anything I can hit at least 8 rep with anymore otherwise my joint hurt more than my muscles, and take a lot longer to recover.

 

[victory_has_defeated_u]

The travel is career related, based in asia at the moment and it would be easy to get blood work done here etc.. I'm a little paranoid about record keeping.

Thanks for the input guys, do you run something alongside NPP to combat progesterone? I was trying to avoid deca because of it's reputation for shut down/hard recovery.

Heavy Squats and Deads are what helped me put on the most mass.. I can see how the deadlifts would have put extra strain on the joint though..
I generally do a warm up set and then 3 x 8-12 on everything.. and if it helps my push/pull strength is balanced, as is my posture

I actually am stronger on higher reps, which is why 5x5 helped pack on more mass. If the compromise for the joint is higher reps I could just stick to that as Rumpy says

I brought the fish oils with me out here, been taking them, the Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSM is hard to find here or a complete rip off.. even in UK with the new tax on supplements prices have gone up or the strengths are low compared with what I found in the USA

 

[Rumpy]

do you run something alongside NPP to combat progesterone?

I've always run about 1/4mg of prami ED with it along with adex just to be safe. I've never had any sides from it, but I've also never done bloods while on it to see where things really are.

 

[bushleaguechew]

Why not try a peptide such as tb500? Many on this forum have used it to help with their injuries, even long standing ones. I just started a 6 week regimen to try to get some relief to my achy elbows.

 

[Rumpy]

Why not try a peptide such as tb500? Many on this forum have used it to help with their injuries, even long standing ones. I just started a 6 week regimen to try to get some relief to my achy elbows.

Has it helped? I have to admit I know nothing about it, but my elbows are mad at me right now.

 

[bushleaguechew]

Has it helped? I have to admit I know nothing about it, but my elbows are mad at me right now.

It's only been two days. My elbows felt better today after a heavy chest day yesterday. Could also just be in my head. I have a thread in the peptide section where I'll be updating results.

 

[Rumpy]

It's only been two days. My elbows felt better today after a heavy chest day yesterday. Could also just be in my head. I have a thread in the peptide section where I'll be updating results.

Thanks, I'll keep an eye on it

 

[victory_has_defeated_u]

*cycle removed*

 

[insatiable1]

I have never run test/ I am a girl so kind shoudnt, But I just finished my first cycle of Anavar (var) and I have over-flexible crappy joints, and they didnt feel any different on cycle

 

[enzo321]

I have never run test/ I am a girl so kind shoudnt, But I just finished my first cycle of Anavar (var) and I have over-flexible crappy joints, and they didnt feel any different on cycle

Hard to compare women to men as women generally have a shitty skeletal system; make such you have your calcium

 

[victory_has_defeated_u]

No cycle would have a direct effect on joint flexibility or hyperextension, maybe indirectly through development of tight muscles or unbalanced agonist/antagonists.. but thats a different concept to what I'm trying to tackle with my joint; my joint is already compromised as opposed to just being at risk due to flexibility

 

[insatiable1]

Hard to compare women to men as women generally have a shitty skeletal system; make such you have your calcium

Ya I take orangetriad so I am good





And op I would stay away from whiny, I have heard it dries out your joints judt for future awareness

 

[CanAmBrah]

Why not try a peptide such as tb500? Many on this forum have used it to help with their injuries, even long standing ones. I just started a 6 week regimen to try to get some relief to my achy elbows.

Just finished my 4th week of TB500 for a bad shoulder and elbow. I did 6mg per week. I've seen doses recommended from 4-10mg per week
I swear, I started feeling relief in my shoulder after the 1st week (I believe it also has some anti-inflammatory properties to it). And now there is barely any pain at all when I lift, chest days there is still some discomfort, but whereas before, it would hurt the next day too, now there is no constant tenderness whatsoever. Just took the last 6mg two days ago, and haven't worked out the last two days as I've been busy at work trying to get ready for vacation.
This was also planned, did the TB500 knowing I'd be raking about 2 weeks off from the gym. Hoping that seals the deal. Might do 2mg/month for a bit as a preventative/therapeutic dose for 6 months, as I will also be doing a blast when I return from vacay.

Edit: it seemed to do less for my elbow/forearm, but I also started wearing one of those tennis elbow bands at the same time, and it is much improved.