-1 Took a long time off and apparently turned 40 too
Hey guys... new to the forum.
Been probably 6 years since my last cycle. Always kept it basic (test C/deca), with plenty of time between runs.
Went from 140lbs before gear to 225lbs at the heaviest at 6’. Bean pole to mean swole.
Since the long pause, turned 40... shirt sleeves loosened, pant waist tightened, and I’m starting to feel the effects of aging as well.
Looking into maintaining a TRT type dose year round and blast one time per year. I have never really had any issues with side effects or ran any PCT or cycle support ever. I’ll be turning 45 next month.
Has anyone else on here had similar experience and or taken a long break from gear and had similar results as in the past with similar dosing? I was getting to the point before the long break where I was thinking of changing compounds due to my body “getting used to” the same stuff. And with the amounts I would have to pin also not wanting to fill my muscles up like brine in your thanksgiving turkey.
Thanks in Advance.
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So, you are here looking for endorsement of running a 'TRT type dose' - this particular forum is for guys ON TRT and usually doctor prescribed - but you are just going to run what you hope is a TRT type dose without consulting a doc/endo and you are looking for guys to sign off on that - so - yeah - you are looking for co-signers.
Wow! Send up another red flag indicating your ignorance of running cycles.
You are 45 and talking shit like a 20 year old abusing steroids. SMFH. Another tosser. There are lots of other sites that will sign off on your irresponsible behaviour.
Respect your opinion.
However-
Contrary to what you think, I wasn’t looking for anyone to sign off on anything. I was curious about how such a long time off was going to effect the cycle. Would it be like I never did it before, or like I never stopped.
I did initially contact a dr and my levels are/were low, also I have ran my own labs once since making this post. All is well.
Some guys are sensitive to sides and some guys aren’t. I just happened to be one that used to not be sensitive. I’m not saying it was smart to not have those safety protocols in place in the past, and hey- we all live and learn right. There was just not enough information readily available for me then like there is today and I took a reckless approach in the past. That was stupid. Reason I’m here now.
Thanks for your comments ... insults maybe could’ve been saved for school yard, but I ain’t mad at ya.
I’m the new guy, and It’s easy to do right? Karma should be awarded when you’re trying to actually help a guy out. That’s what you were doing after all wasn’t it?
You took a month to reply? Whatever. Here's your Karma back.
Haha. I’m a busy guy.
I really do respect everyone’s opinion and advice on here. Number one reason I decided to post this at all. You guys have much more experience than I do.
Things I’ve learned about the long break and coming back in. It’s like starting over... to a point.
I knew I was going to be running TRT based on my visit to the Dr, but also knew that I would have a few months where I was “on” per year based on my goals in fitness and for the sport I compete in.
What I used to experience when younger, on the same dosages, is similar but with more sides. Being older my body really does process the compounds differently, and so I am trying to pay attention to labs and how I feel to gauge what will work -vs- what will still work but I don’t want to deal with how it makes me feel. In that regard it’s like starting the experiment over again like when I first started.
I also learned reading somewhere on here that the term for guys like me is: prescribed TRT but moved away from supervised treatment. Or something like that.
I’m following protocols, just choosing to do it on my own based on several factors.
Not saying that’s right or wrong, but it’s the path I have chosen to take.
Thanks again to everyone that chimed in.
It's all good. Perhaps I misread/misinterpreted your original post. Seems like you have got it all figured out. Good attitude too: +2. Keep us posted.
I've pretty much been on and off like you AAS years ago. Now I TRT and blast. You should have no troubles doing a well thought out cycle and then PCT.
Thanks bud
To answer your question I have not taken a break like that, (as in letting myself go), but I’m not really sure what a break would have to do with anything. Like will you be able to bounce back?
If your diet and training are right you’ll bounce back. Given your age I second the fellas below. Insurance covers TRT if you need it.
If you don’t need it medically, then you’re a big boy and will make ur own decisions, but if you go with your plan know that you’re going into it for life. You’ll be a slave to the needle til the day you die. Some people are ok with that and some aren’t. Some think they are and then find out they aren’t. That’s a shitty place to be in.
Good luck.
Appreciate your response.
Speaking to the gear, not diet and training..
It’s been determined I need to get on TRT already. My insurance unfortunately won’t cover it.
My income will, but the rate is ridiculous and I’m not interested in cream or pellets.
I know I’ll have to listen to my body and labs to ultimately dial it in.
I was more curious that after such a long time off, if it’s going to be like starting over or starting right where I left off.
Even with decent breaks between cycles seemed like I was building a tolerance before.
I’d imagine with that long of a break I’d pretend you were starting from scratch. Don’t start high. There’s an argument that there’s no such thing as tolerance (we never “get used to” the test our body makes), but even if there is you don’t have the same tolerance you did when you were using. Pretend you never touched the stuff and start on the low end.
I’m not encouraging self TRT, but if you do at least be safe. make sure to get bloods every month the first 5-6 months and then at least every 8 weeks after that when you have everything down pat. They should know you by fucking name by the end of the year at labcorp (or quest). Then go to the doctor if anything is off. Find a good one if you can that you can be honest with that cares about your health. I have a dr that knows everything I do and will look at my bloods “off the books” and help guide me. He doesn’t condone it but he’d rather I stay safe at least. I go in for a lot of “check ups”.
Privatemdlabs.com is who I use and their prices are great and there are labcorps everywhere. If you’re on a low dose and nothing is going wrong, you can get away with the female hormone panel, but I’d get a full blown big ass panel with lipids, thyroid, and the whole 9 at least twice a year. If thyroid or lipids are ever off DO NOT SELF TREAT! That shit is serious and your insurance will for sure cover it.
If you were some kid I would not be saying any of this (and I still don’t want to encourage anyone to self TRT) but you’re a fuckim grown up and I’d rather you at least do it as safe as you can if you’re gonna do it anyway (although there’s no real safe unless it’s under a good doc).
Just be careful brother you obviously wanna stay healthy for your family.
Solid advice. I appreciate it.
I was shopping for a lab couple weeks ago and pretty much already decided to err on the side of overkill when it comes to which tests to have done.
Also found that some packages had redundancy with others depending on where you go. I feel like it’s worth the added cost for the piece of mind.
Agreed that’s a great outlook to have. They have a ton of packages now. I specifically requested a hand full of the new ones, so I thought that was pretty cool.
Sounds like you were relying on the drugs to do the work for you.
Not food and gym.
Gains and losses are made in the kitchen.
If you are having trouble with getting old then I would go see a doctor let them prescribe your test. Learn what the right foods and work outs will do with legit trt.
haha. you’re not wrong... I did get complacent.
Diet did go to shit. Training spiraled to eventually being non-existent.
It happens.. But obviously I didn’t gain 85lbs by gear alone so don’t assume I’m an idiot. Also the things you mentioned had nothing to do with my actual question and everything to do with your assumptions.
Sincerely... thanks for looking out, but the wake up call on diet and training came long before my decision to get back on the gas or even make my first post on here. I’m not some kid asking about his first cycle, and I’m also not an expert.. but thanks for imparting the wisdom.
Good advice, I second the rec's.
Running a trt dose year round unsupervised at your age just doesnt make any sense.
Actually went to a concierge clinic and not paying the 2K for for 3 months of cream. Got good baseline and will be getting labs at least twice per year. Which I never did in the past.
My question is not weather steroids are bad, weather I should be on TRT or not, etc
My original question was basically- has anyone taken a break similar to mine and what was your experience.
I know ultimately the labs, results, and how I feel will tell me all I need to know.
I guess I can predict how this is going to go for you. If it were so easy to manage hormone based therapy, physicians wouldn't need to spend the time and money on education, not to mention all the continuing education to stay up to date on the latest practices.
It's okay, I used to think I was a special snowflake too.
Maybe he was looking for a co-sign. Seems if he has the answer then I wonder why he asked. Yes we are all doing these things yes it is frowned on here to self prescribe. Plus who would rec' a person start gear at 140 6'. Yes impressive to gain 85 pounds. I've seen guys do that with out drugs. The most recommended thing here is to build a natty base before drugs. If the ability to have the energy , keep muscle and recover. Then prolly needs actual dr prescribe trt. Unless the insurance won't cover it because they don't see a need. But again we are all grown ups(most of us, most of the time) and can make our own decisions
Ok, I may have not worded my original post right or something. No co-sign request here. I actually had a legitimate question about taking a long break, that I never presumed to have an answer for.
I appreciate everyone looking out for me, and I want to believe that is why I am getting some responses like this. But there is also a reason I chose this over 40 group to post this in, because we are all mature enough and have probably had enough life experience to have earned our spot. Didn’t expect to get treated like someone who hasn’t been down this anabolic road (so to speak) before.
My insurance is good, but it will only ever take you so far. They will cap at a certain dosage and as we all know “optimal level” is subjective term. Reason I went to a concierge clinic and that comes with a steep price tag but individual tailoring. I am not an actor trying to make weight for a role, nor do I have any desire to be bent over for something that I already know the cost/value of. Bleed me a little on creams first and if that doesn’t work, injections. No thanks. The price tag was little over $2,000. For first 3 months of trying to get it dialed in. Too long and too much in my opinion.
I’d rather be honest with my GP, and get labs done at an independent myself. Risks are understood, diet isn’t perfect, and have been easing back into the training portion for a while now. Not starting from scratch, just starting over after a long break.
Thanks to all who have taken the time and responded.
Haha..
This guy... entire forum driven by guys selling, sourcing, idea-sharing, and self prescribing exogenous hormones and he wants to write me a referral.
I don’t know, maybe we started off on the wrong foot.
And to think I waited for several years to even join this forum.