Testosterone Enanthate only cycle - 1st in 14 years of training on/off

[randy841]

Elevated LDL and low THS levels

Visited doctor on Feb 3, 2011 to follow up on blood test results

LDL levels are elevated = 6.4 (Bad cholesterol)

Total levels for cholesterol levels were 6.2 (if i remember correctly, will request photocopy next time to leave any doubt out). This was not the worry.

However this was:

THS levels were very low (thyroid levels)
Could this be the cause of the ongoing pumps, since the body is not metabolizing the food properly?
NOTE: Pumps/pain are no longer a problem to the point where they are debilitating, except left leg (even w/ that i limp around).

He suggested i start w/ 30mg daily of synthroid. Before starting synthroid, i gave him my past history of hypogonadism and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in my mid 20's, so we both agreed lets see a endocrinologist before we go any further.

At this time did not mention my T/E usage @ 500mg wkly. Did tell him that i gained about 30lb in the last 2months and that it makes me feel better w/ the addition of testosterone boosters.

However, since a another requisition form is sitting w/ free testosterone, FSH-LH, T3, and T4 checked off, i will be forthcoming as i may need Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for the rest of my life. I can supplement whatever i don't get from docs, myself. Anyways, no worries may get a cheaper deal on test going for $35/10cc, last time i checked at Shoppers Drug Mart. Walmart prices are pretty close too. I doubt they will give more than Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) usage.

 

[randy841]

Visited doctor on Feb 3, 2011 to follow up on blood test results

LDL levels are elevated = 6.4 (Bad cholesterol)

Total levels for cholesterol levels were 6.2 (if i remember correctly, will request photocopy next time to leave any doubt out). This was not the worry.

However this was:

THS levels were very low (thyroid levels)
Could this be the cause of the ongoing pumps, since the body is not metabolizing the food properly?

He suggested i start w/ 30mg daily of synthroid. Before starting synthroid, i gave him my past history of hypogonadism and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in my mid 20's, so we both agreed lets see a endocrinologist before we go any further.

At this time did not mention my T/E usage @ 500mg wkly. Did tell him that i gained about 30lb in the last 2months and that it makes me feel better w/ the addition of testosterone boosters.

However, since a another requisition form is sitting w/ free testosterone, FSH-LH, T3, and T4 checked off, i will be forthcoming as i may need Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for the rest of my life. I can supplement whatever i don't get from docs, myself. Anyways, no worries may get a cheaper deal on test going for $35/10cc, last time i checked at Shoppers Drug Mart. Walmart prices are pretty close too. I doubt they will give more than Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) usage.

Last visit was 1 week after cycle started.

Visit to doctor on Dec 3, 2010 also indicated LDL levels were slightly off, however THS was abnormal then too. Hence, i was given another requisition to confirm, which was a follow up above on Feb 3, 2011

At the time of the blood test i was still on Cytomel (87.5mg was max dosage for 3 days) end of Nov for 21 days. The last day of T3, i started T/E. Before that had done Clenbuterol for 21 days (max dosages for 3 days was 150mcg). I tapered on/off both for 21 & 21 days. T3/Clen usage, i did not mention to doctor.

On a side note. Both clen and T3 made me feel like $hit. Did not take taurine w/ clen, hence cramping uncontrollable. On T3 w/ the good comes the bad unless using a anabolic substance i.e. test, i would not touch it next time w/out some type of AAS. I have done both once before, strength and muscle mass drops along w/ the body fat and weight.


Not sure if T3 usage causing present low levels of THS or T/E itself, as i've read T/E can do that to some individuals.


Also checked blood pressure Jan 24, 2011 (evening) it was average 133/81 after 4 tests.

Heart rate after 4 tests average = 87

 

[randy841]

have you found out exactly why the extreme pumps? had this in my cycle of test e also and had to cut the much loved leg workouts short a good bit of times. the taurine and pot helping? I def have to find a way to get rid of or even suppress the pumps a good bit, I love/have to work legs...

Not sure of exact reason bro. Since i have never had these in all my years of workout, before this 1st cycle initiation Nov 25, 2010. It is definitely the pumps/pain from T/E + likely diet changes. Secondly once on T/E, the nutrition -- especially vegetarian diet also comes into question. W/ regard to the vege diet, i may be the only anomaly here ironically as i like to post anomalies following my workout logs. Presently, i don't know of one other weightlifter/BB who is vegetarian. Plus only on cycle does one really find out what they are lacking in their nutrition. On my 3rd week of Taurine/Potassium (no magnesium yet), i have definitely noticed a difference w/ the addition of more stretching and warm up sets.

Thursday i did Stairmaster for 10m, no problems. Usually i have to stop or slow it down to the lowest level. I still feel the pumps in the back/pain, which was most bothersome before. Now only thing left is my left leg, below the knee on the lateral side- above the ankle. Makes me limp on leg days.

On my first week of Taurine/Pot, i was doubtful it was gonna help, but it definitely has. One more thing i did was, add back all the salts i cut back in my cooking.

If you are still experiencing pumps, i'd suggest when you first start do a few extra sets of warmup. I used to do only one or two sets, now i do a few rounds on different machines/free weights, it really helps. Especially anything to alleviate the compression in the spine. Start w/ pull ups/chin ups and extensive stretching. For me it was a combination i'd have to say that helped w/ the pumps/pain. Before i was also kind of neglecting stretching, since i was so pumped all the time i could hardly touch my toes or do any of the numerous stretches i normally did. Even while on Taur/Pot now, if i don't stretch properly plus warm up, pumps still come back. So i'd say go for the combination of all of the above "to suppress the pumps".

As far as the pain in your joints, etc-- that's the whole reason Im planning on adding eq to my next cycle...and hopefully repair these tendons a lil bit...see if you can get a hold of some-possibly a small dose of deca or anavar. Anavar will also keep you hard and promote lean muscle mass and keep you far from any bloat.

Tx for the tips bro.

About 20mg Anavar enough daily for the hardness & promoting further lean muscle mass?

Hearing more and more about eq also helping the joints, up until a few weeks thought only Deca helped.

Still following. Don't let back on the gas now. If anything floor it and push harder to finish out. As always, train hard!

Definitely bro. Tx for the encouragement & words of wisdom. I felt more than a few times that i lost my mojo last few weeks.

Hardest thing is not doing a cycle, but keeping up & following through fully.

 

[randy841]

Going into 11th week on T/E 500mg

Thursday Feb 3, 2011 evening trained Legs/Tri's

No Aspirin/Ephedrine/Caffeine prior to workout like usual

10m Stairclimber interval level 5. Had no problems. A few weeks back, after a few minutes had to move it (before that had to stop after a few minutes) down a few notches because of the pump/pain in lower back and pump in legs.

Did not use belt for any of the exercises. Prior to T/E, i only used belt on the heaviest movements. Today wanted to see how well Taurine/Pot + diet changes (addition of more salt) helping pumps/pain. Had absolutely no problems, except lateral side of left leg, limping last few weeks post completion of squats.

LEGS
Smith Machine squats
1*195lb*10 reps
3*285lb * 8, 8, 10 reps
No problem w/out belt.

Leg press
4* 6 45lb plate each side * 8-10 reps - metal to metal - focusing on the upper quads w/ closer stance

Leg Press (calves)
4* 6 45lb * 6-10
right after leg press

Leg extensions
4*160-190lb * 8-10 reps - going for contraction, not weight. Over the years, nothing has helped my knee pain as much as the leg extensions.

Leg curls (lying down)
4*130-50lb 8-12reps
again going for contraction by doing drop sets

Standing calves
4*240>110lb * 6-10 reps
Much better contraction then sitting down machine + stretch. Lately b/c of the pump on left leg been avoiding this. To fully utilize calf muscle sitting and standing both must be used. Again stretch is key.

TRI'S
Close grip bench
1*185lb *10
3*205lb *7, 8, 8 reps
Left elbow a lot better than last week. Could hardly push 185lb for more than a few reps last week.

Lying down skull crushers
1*70lb *12
3*90lb * 8-10 reps

Dips (not weighted)
4*8-12 reps

No abs

Post workout usually always do 1 set of chin ups/pull ups (8-10 reps) to decompress the spine. If there are pumps/pains, it greatly alleviates it. If that doesn't do the trick, a few wks back, i would also do hyper extension (at 180 angle = horizontal - the 45 angle machine does not help) w/ 45lb plate & then body weight.

 

[randy841]

11th week Thursday Feb 10, 2011

Sat Feb 5, 2011

Trained Back/Tri's
Back/Shoulders routine i am finding is too much overload on the body. So changed up routine on Saturday for the next 10 weeks. Still sticking w/ 3 days & 2 body parts per session, 4th day if i can.

20m StairMaster. Interval level 5. Definitely felt the pump/pain on the back, but soldiered through.

BACK
Pull-ups (not weighted)
4*8-10 reps

Behind the neck pull-downs
4*150-110lb *6-10

Cable Rows (close grip)
4* 210-180lb*7-10 reps

Bent over rows (wide grip)
2*185*10
1*205*10
2*225lb*8
Had to start using belt here, started feeling pressure on back

Dumbbell Pullovers
4*95>125lb *7-12 reps

Dead-lifts
1*225lb *10
2*315lb * doing 10 reps just a breeze after coming down from higher weight
1*365 *5
1*405lb *2 (Focus after 400lb on 1RM)
1*425lb *1 Fairly easy
Haven't done this in 2 weeks, so will not go all out at once. Will spread the heavy threshold over the coming weeks.

TRI'S
Cable Push-downs
4*40-70lb*8-12
Just for the pump. Very nice pump comes along easily, much more so than the bi's.

Overhead cable
4*60-80lb *8-10

No abs

Anomalies
One day the body leans down, the next day feels watery. On a good night, can see the top 2 abs and abdominal cavity lining fairly visible from a side angle. On a bad day, just a 1 pack. I suppose a normal part of test only cycle. Not using any anti estrogen's/aromatase, just 500mg T/E wkly to see a purely physiological and physical response. Last 2 weeks, i am starting to add more cardio, minimum 10m for each workout. Will up the cardio in the coming weeks. I am holding the body-weight/strength gained near the peak. About 5-7lb off from peaks on body-weight, while strength on bench has stagnated, squat same, w/ new personal best on dead-lift Saturday.




On the lateral side of the nipples is the skin supposed to be soft? Or is that a mild case of gyno? Or just fat accumulation>?

Dec 26 was the last time i felt gyno symptoms, took 20mg Nolvadex right away, and problem was gone. Now looking at chest doesn't look like gyno. However when felt/pressed on the lateral side of both sides of the nipple compared to the rest of the chest area, it is a little softer.

Welts on lower leg are persistent, especially noticeable w/ wearing socks all day. Other than than water look on the face nearly gone, & abdominal area, but still comes back from time to time.

 

[randy841]

19th shot r-glute was scheduled for early this morning Feb 8, 2011. Running behind. This is the 4th instance.

I find even if i fall back 1 day, i start to feel a little different and tingling sensation around the chest area.

 

[randy841]

Preacher curls killed the elbows, especially left arm.

Feb 7, 2011
Trained Shoulders/Bi's

20m StairMaster. Aerobic setting. Session killed back within first 3 minutes, both pain and pumps. Had to lower level to 3 (from 5) right away. Easier doing interval setting, as it allows for 1minute rest.

SHOULDERS
Behind the neck presses (supersetted w/ preacher curls)
5*135>185lb 6- 10 reps

Standing Military presses
3*135lb * 4-5 reps
This was a struggle due to the left elbow, w/ pain starting from the wrists to elbow to shoulders. Normally doing this w/ 175lb for 5-6 reps easy.

Barbell upright rows
4*135lb*8 reps

Cable Front/Lateral raises
4*30-40lb *8-10 reps

Shrugs (supersetted w/ rear delts)
4* 4 45s + 1 35lb plate * 6-10 reps

Machine Rear delts
4*110-90lb *8-12 reps

BI'S
Preacher Curls (standing apparatus)
2*75lb *10 reps
2*95lb *8 reps
The sitting bench is easier i find on the elbows, much easier. Same motion, but easier for some reason. Slightly different angle i think, w/ more thicker pad supporting arms.

Dumbbell curls
4*40lb *8-10 reps each

Cable EZ-Curl Bar
4*95>75lb *8-10 reps


Abs
Leg raises *2 sets * 25 reps


Was thinking of throwing in 1CC of deca wkly for the pain, the next 10 wks. But don't want to simply mask the pain and cause further damage, will lay back a little if i have too. I know where i went wrong today. Anyways let bygones, be bygones i suppose. In the 3rd inning now, don't want to stop here.The game must go on.

 

[randy841]

Switching Test - adding Anavar?

next two weeks.

Test Enanthate to Cypionate

May add Anavar also 20mg daily

10 more weeks to go

Although the weight of the enanthate is 1 atom lighter than the cypionate, some swear by Cypionate. Due to being one atom lighter, enanthate has more testosterone per mg. Lets see how that treats me. So far so good on T/E.

 

[randy841]

Feb 7, 2011
Trained Shoulders/Bi's

20m StairMaster. Aerobic setting. Session killed back within first 3 minutes, both pain and pumps. Had to lower level to 3 (from 5) right away. Easier doing interval setting, as it allows for 1minute rest.

SHOULDERS
Behind the neck presses (supersetted w/ preacher curls)
5*135>185lb 6- 10 reps

Standing Military presses
3*135lb * 4-5 reps
This was a struggle due to the left elbow, w/ pain starting from the wrists to elbow to shoulders. Normally doing this w/ 175lb for 5-6 reps easy.

Barbell upright rows
4*135lb*8 reps

Cable Front/Lateral raises
4*30-40lb *8-10 reps

Shrugs (supersetted w/ rear delts)
4* 4 45s + 1 35lb plate * 6-10 reps

Machine Rear delts
4*110-90lb *8-12 reps

BI'S
Preacher Curls (standing apparatus)
2*75lb *10 reps
2*95lb *8 reps
The sitting bench is easier i find on the elbows, much easier. Same motion, but easier for some reason. Slightly different angle i think, w/ more thicker pad supporting arms.

Dumbbell curls
4*40lb *8-10 reps each

Cable EZ-Curl Bar
4*95>75lb *8-10 reps


Abs
Leg raises *2 sets * 25 reps


Was thinking of throwing in 1CC of deca wkly for the pain, the next 10 wks. But don't want to simply mask the pain and cause further damage, will lay back a little if i have too. I know where i went wrong today. Anyways let bygones, be bygones i suppose. In the 3rd inning now, don't want to stop here.The game must go on.

In light of the pain experienced in Mondays workout - elbows/shoulders. I cannot solely blame the preacher curls. I may have been right to call off behind the neck shoulder presses the last few months. Hindsight is 20/20.

However, adding behind the neck shoulder presses the last 3 weeks, i have seen a dramatic difference in the shoulders & especially trap muscles. They are wider, thicker, w/ better 3D dimensions. Add to that behind the neck pull downs.

 

[Deerawk]

It might sound stupid, but how often and how well do you stretch? I get shoulder and elbow pain often, and lower back pain due to years of hockey and hamstring tightness, and have a rotator cuff impingement in my right shoulder. I began using P90x's 1hr stretch routine every night and it'd done wonders, more so than any physio or chiropractor has done in 2 years. I do the yoga video on my off days also. I know it sounds stupid, but stretching is so vital when lifting heavy and often and so many people ignore it beside a few light 10 second stretches during and after working out.

...Just throwin it out there. Great journal though, keep it up!

 

[randy841]

It might sound stupid, but how often and how well do you stretch? I get shoulder and elbow pain often, and lower back pain due to years of hockey and hamstring tightness, and have a rotator cuff impingement in my right shoulder. I began using P90x's 1hr stretch routine every night and it'd done wonders, more so than any physio or chiropractor has done in 2 years. I do the yoga video on my off days also. I know it sounds stupid, but stretching is so vital when lifting heavy and often and so many people ignore it beside a few light 10 second stretches during and after working out.

...Just throwin it out there. Great journal though, keep it up!

Not stupid at all bro, since i started the cycle i blew up like a fish. After the first 2 weeks into week 8 i could hardly put my socks on sitting. I don't have no belly by the way. I literally blew up around the shoulders/chest area and had abdominal protrusion due to the water bloat. I nearly lost all flexibility to the point where it was hard to grab my legs for stretches or doing overhead tricep stretches. Even now the flexibility is coming back, but no where near where i would expect it off cycle. I used to blow up the same on Creatine/Glu, but not to the same degree.

I will definitely look into the P90 stretches. Thanks!

 

[randy841]

19th shot completed

Right glute Feb 9, 2011 (2:06am)

No problems - 1 drop of blood each time after pullout. Been using 22g 1.5" since 1st shot. Btw, i saw a little blood inside the top of the syringe post pullout. May be just due to the pressure created during aspiration. This is the 2nd or 3rd instance.

Finally, aspirating is becoming second nature. Before that, forgot more than a few times.



Upon waking at 8am - till now (1pm) having having some serious back pumps/pain. Not sure if this more the case on the day following the shot. I am sure never to miss 2000mg Taurine and 500mg Potassium daily. Got better for a few weeks, now even during Mondays workout i felt pain/pumps.

Got to do a follow up blood test for TSH (Thyroid levels)- very low as noted in one of the above logs. Plus also free testosterone, FSH-LH, T3, and T4 checked off on requisition form pending endocrinologist appointment.

Although just doing a cycle now after being off Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for a few years (last completed in 2005/2006), may have to do this for life. For that reason as indicated in earlier logs, this may be a high Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) dosage than a cycle, but still seeing beneficial effects. During the last trial of HRT, i stopped due to frustration with 2 different doctors.

Since even 1cc wkly stops endogenous test, i'd rather be on a above average Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) dosage rather than just replacement therapy as most seek. Strength levels are where i was when i was 19-21 or above, body composition is getting there. The body fat % may be higher due to low test and low TSH. Low test effects everything physiologically, as well as physically.

 

[Deerawk]

Start stretching! Especially throwing around big poundages like that your probably one big knot lol. I'm no expert, but try to take at LEAST 20mins a few times a week to get some good stretches in, especially shoulders, chest, lower back and hamstrings. Since stretching all my lower back pain is gone and I can now incline bench (relatively) heavy without getting workout ending shoulder pain. Bench, Squat, Deadlift and Bent Row have all increased.

I've seen pics of Franco Colombu ham stretching 6inches past his foot!

 

[randy841]

Start stretching! Especially throwing around big poundages like that your probably one big knot lol. I'm no expert, but try to take at LEAST 20mins a few times a week to get some good stretches in, especially shoulders, chest, lower back and hamstrings. Since stretching all my lower back pain is gone and I can now incline bench (relatively) heavy without getting workout ending shoulder pain. Bench, Squat, Deadlift and Bent Row have all increased.

I've seen pics of Franco Colombu ham stretching 6inches past his foot!

Yaa, definitely gotta start doing that. I planned on doing it a few weeks ago. Still feel like "one big knot" lol. . When the fascia tissue is stretched thoroughly is when the next level of growth starts.

Bro your original unedited post made me laugh.
"Especially being an older dude (no offence) throwing around big poundages like that your probably one big knot lol"
Did you just call me a old fart? ...LOL ...

 

[randy841]

11 weeks on T/E today Thurs Feb 10, 2011

Wed Feb 9, 2011 evening trained Legs/Chest

Pre-workout
20m elliptical machine. Aerobic setting - level 5. Done w/ no problems.

LEGS
No squats - not feeling it today

Leg press
1* 5 45s each * 10
3* 6 45s *8 reps metal to metal
First time in 11wks since being on T/E did i hear cracks in knees doing this. Other than that no problems - no pain or anything for that matter.

Calves (sitting)
3*3 45s + 1 25lb plate * 8-10 reps
1sets * 3 45s * 12 reps
Feeling tightness in legs and pain on lateral side above ankle. Did extensive stretching - did not help. Post workout cardio - felt nothing.

Leg extension
4* 130-170lb * 8-12 reps

Leg curls
4* 110lb * 10 reps

CHEST
Incline Bench press
Tried 1 plate each (135lb)- too much pain in elbows/shoulder... left it after trying a few reps. Why aggravate it? Will save the mojo for next week.

Smith Incline Machine
2* 180lb * 10 reps
2* 230lb * 8 reps

Smith dip like machine
4* 1 45each + 1 25lb * 10 reps

Finished just w/ 2 chest exercises. Need to rest.


No abs

Cardio - 15m bike - random setting. No problems w/ pain/pump.

BW w/ clothes/shoes on 239lb and change.

 

[randy841]

Upon waking at 8am - till now (1pm) having having some serious back pumps/pain. Not sure if this more the case on the day following the shot. I am sure never to miss 2000mg Taurine and 500mg Potassium daily. Got better for a few weeks, now even during Mondays workout i felt pain/pumps.

W/ reported symptoms of back pain/pump earlier in the day, no problems during Wednesday evening Legs/Chest workout or post workout. Albeit, did not push self as hard. Nevertheless, when the pain/pump game is on -- 20 or 100lb feels the same. Felt little tightness, that went away during workout.

 

[randy841]

In light of the pain experienced in Mondays workout - elbows/shoulders. I cannot solely blame the preacher curls. I may have been right to call off behind the neck shoulder presses the last few months. Hindsight is 20/20.

However, adding behind the neck shoulder presses the last 3 weeks, i have seen a dramatic difference in the shoulders & especially trap muscles. They are wider, thicker, w/ better 3D dimensions. Add to that behind the neck pull downs.

Am i still trying too find Waldo?

Another culprit is heavy dead-lifts during Saturdays workout. They caused serious elbow pain in one reported instance logged above. It literally killed the elbows the week after. Physiology in play? Something to do w/ the fact that the muscles are getting stronger faster than the ligaments/tendons have time to adapt too pushing around big weights.

 

[Vulgarity]

Okay, I'm caught up...I just read it all! I'm loving this blog!!! Keep it up!!!

~Vul

 

[Deerawk]

Haha! Don't know you well I didn't know if I would offend you or not!

It literally killed the elbows the week after. Physiology in play? Something to do w/ the fact that the muscles are getting stronger faster than the ligaments/tendons have time to adapt too pushing around big weights.

Quite possible, does the pain in your elbows refer through your triceps and/or shoulders? The pain could definately be a shoulder injury referring through your arm. Sorry if I'm clogging up your log, just tell me to shutup. I can PM you some shoulder stretches that might help if you want.

 

[randy841]

Okay, I'm caught up...I just read it all! I'm loving this blog!!! Keep it up!!!

~Vul

It's like a novel eh