+ 1 Time for a reset
I have hernia surgery scheduled for May 13th, originally planned for July after finishing my bulk, but two hernias starting to protrude have put too many limitations on my lifting to wait that long.
Since March 1st I've been running a progressive cycle, starting at 200mg test/100mg NPP and working up to 400mg test, 300mg NPP, and 200mg Mast. The NPP has been treating me well with minimal side effects - the one exception being sleep, though it's hard to pin down exactly which compound or combination is the culprit. I've put on 12 pounds since March, which I'm realistic about, likely mostly water and some fat. (I can definitely see and feel more fullness in my chest and shoulders). I also jumped calories from 2,200 to 2,800 per day, with the increase coming almost entirely from carbs on a high protein, moderate carb, low fat setup.
With surgery 20 days out, I've already dropped the NPP and Mast and am tapering back to 100mg test. Post-surgery, I plan to stay on low-dose TRT while I take a serious look at my sleep situation.
Which brings me to the bigger issue - I think running heavier compounds over the past two years has accelerated my sleep apnea. I was on basic TRT (100mg/week) for 11 years and slept reasonably well by comparison. To be fair, I was also an unhealthy 31% body fat fuck back then, so it's not a clean comparison. One would think I would have had bad sleep apnea at my heavier weight, instead it has gotten worse as I leaned out and got more muscular. Either way, I've thrown everything at the sleep problem, supplements, prescription meds and nothing has worked.
At some point I need to make peace with where my body is and just stay consistent: train hard, eat well, stick to TRT. I've got a solid Primo stash and could run another test + Primo cycle down the road, but if I can't sort out my sleep, it's probably off the table. Health has to come first.
My key issue will be to retain as much muscle as possible post-surgery. I really love lifting and I have to be restrained on rest days to not go into the gym. I am hoping to keep this passion post surgery.
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Speedy recovery brother!
Sleep is my biggest problem as well. I eat clean, train hard, maintain blood work… I’ve had sleep problems for years, on and off cycle. A lot of it has to do with my military time.
I’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea but I can’t sleep with that fucjing mask… catch 22. I’ve tried anti-histamines, over the counter meds, etc. CBD/THC is a hit or miss. Sometimes I sleep really good, other times I just lay there high af. Doctor is about to try trazadone but I’m afraid of the dependency traits. The one thing that consistently works is alcohol, that option is out as well…
The whole scenario just sucks.
I can relate. I have hated CPAPs - I am on number 2. They dry me out even though I try to adjust the humidity. So I know I am running low on oxygen and it wakes me up. So my theory has been, I will keep up the gear until I figure out this oxygen issue and if I still have issues, then I will focus on reducing PEDs. The issue is I can't seem to get my oxygen worked out. So regardless, this surgery gives me the opportunity to limit the variables and test things out.
One of my coworkers has like 8 kids and struggles with getting sleep. Completely fucks his gains. Otherwise the guy is dialed in. But that sleep depravation taxes him hard.
Thanks for your service man. Sorry about ur sleep struggles.
My wife been on 20mg of trazadone daily. Been a mix bag of working for her. Sometimes it keeps her a sleep and at times it doesn’t. I would say she doesn’t feel dependent on it. She been considering to stop taking it lately.