overgain's picture
overgain
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First cycle advice fo someone with chronic illness

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This is probably going to be a bit long and definitely weird. TL;DR at the end.

I'm 32, female, 170cm, 65-67kg about 21-24%BF. been lifting very seriously for 3.5 years and was a runner before. I've had wonderful periods of being extremely happy with myself and my training. Being able to keep progressing in the gym, lifting heavier, learning more and more about biomechanics and perfecting my form, while seeing my body adapt. Unfortunately, that stopped.
I've had PCOS and was on birth control pills for about 10 years straight which kinda ruined me. In recent years I was diagnosed with Cronh's disease and had an issue with a copper IUD that gave me chronic heavy metal poisoning. Fun. It ruined all my gains, fucked up my immune system and ability to recover and messed up my thyroid. Even more fun!
It took about 1.5 years and maybe 11 different doctors before anyone connected all my horrible symptoms to the IUD and I had to removed in Feb 2019. I've been doing amazingly well since, getting better on every front and am now off of all meds. I've joined an amazing new gym, , have no stressors or any big commitments apart from getting myself back to health and focusing my attention on my training.
The problem is that months and months of inflammation with no immune system, several injuries that wouldn't heal because of the toxic issues, no ability to recover, plus being prescribed all kinds of not-fun-steroids left me weak, with terrible muscle imbalances and what feels like an inability to progress.

My blood tests are perfect in terms of organ function, my cholesterol is beautiful, but I have low testosterone and no sex drive. I've done my research and I really want to do a Var cycle.
My doctor is actually totally cool with it, said it can in theory solve my issues, also said she's happy to do any monitoring or blood work I want, but won't prescribe it since she has no experience with it.

I know I'm a totally weird case, so it's hard to give any advice, but you've all been in the trenches and seen how these compounds work in real life and read other people's stories. Which in so many cases, as I've learned lately, can have more value than any double blinded randomised controlled trial.

I know different women respond differently so I can't actually know in advance how I'll react but is there anyone here (or their wife) with a history of PCOS that can tell me how they responded to it?
And women with low test later in life that were able to bring it up to normal and keep it there? Do you need to keep cycling if not? If yes, how often?
Does any clit sensitivity or sex drive increase remain after your cycle as well? (not the size, but the sensation itself).
If I'll start on the low end at 5mg per day, after how long should I bump it to 7.5-10 if I don't see results? I've read some women take about 2 weeks to really start seeing it kick in.
If I'll start seeing any side effects I'm not willing to deal with, will lowering the dose also help or is the advice always to just stop?
Do you believe I'll be able to make real gains with eating no carbs? My diet is VERY meat heavy and I def have more than enough protein per day but don't eat any carbs or things start hurting with my Crohn's (inflammatory bowel disease if you're unfamiliar) I don't cheat on my diet either and won't even for those magical gains.

So... Yeah. If anyone read all of this, apart from being absolutely gutted you haven't had my amazing luck in life, if you have any advice on how to run this cycle - including advice on why not to if you can explain why not. I'd love to hear it and appreciate any further reading material.
I'm not expecting a magic diet pill or to wake up with a new pound of muscle every day. I've been working as hard as possible without being able to progress and feel my body can actually seriously benefit from some anabolic action.

TL;DR: I was happy and lifting, then sick and sad. Am better now but am also VERY weak, have no sex drive and no gains due to the past illness, despite working hard, sleeping well, low stress and eating all the protein.

pattar's picture

If you have Crohn's I would be VERY careful using any sort of oral anabolic steroid as they tend to give
people with normal digestive tracts issues nevermind somebody with Crohn's. I have Ulcerative colitis and most orals cause me to flare.

kodiakGRRL's picture

It is a decent point that you make however, I wouldn't consider Ulcerative colitis as something normal. I have been diagnosed with ibs and orals don't really have an impact on it ..nothing like poor food choices or stress.

pattar's picture

She has Crohn's which is related to Ulcerative colitis. All I was saying was that orals bother some people regardless of whether they have digestive tract problems and I would just be very leery of using them if you do have such problems.

kodiakGRRL's picture

to which I said good point ..

kodiakGRRL's picture

If your doctor is willing to monitor you then that's a plus. my only thought is how do we know the inflammation is totally resolved?

I have not been diagnosed with PCOS but I do have/had other issues ... running cycles for me was the end of a LOT of medication (estradiol/.progesterone/ and mega doses of t4)

no carbs... I can't answer that I just don't know however, I do know some people who are mighty knowledgeable who might answer

I am familiar with Chron's but haven't seen anyone who is totally carb free

given anavar was made for muscle wasting diseases it would be hard to not have any gains unless you sat on your ass or didn't eat enough food.

as for sides ..everyone is different .... taper on don't taper on ... I don't taper on but I do taper off but I am using a much higher dose...

as for bringing test levels up and keeping them there .,.,you gotta take the pill to get the levels up .. once you come off levels drop .... if your body wasn't making it before it won't make it after you cycle

it will take about two to four weeks to see full effects.. not saying you won't experience something prior to that but my experience is the longer you take it the better it works .... don't cycle any less than 8 weeks and thats pushing the low end of the envelope ..

extremely bad sides.... stop taking it .. dont taper just stop .. however, you really shouldn't see anything horrible. in the end it is about what you gain vs what is too bothersome to put up with.

overgain's picture

All my inflammation markers are rally good and have been there for a while. I also haven't had any symptoms of inflammation for a while, that's why I started assuming it's time to think about a cycle, as I wouldn't have without being in good health first.

No carbs has been a life changer with Crohn's. Went into full and complete remission with no issues as long as I keep my diet. I used to deviate a bit here and there, but I'll see an immune response so I prefer not to tinker with it. I also enjoy the hell out of my feed and love my diet that I don't see a reason to. Not having any pain is just a plus Smile

Thank you for the advice. Much appreciated coming from you!

kodiakGRRL's picture

thats great to hear ... all of it.

like I said I dont know about the no carbs ...but I am checking and if your caloric intake is enough to fuel your training then I don't see why you can't make gains

overgain's picture

Thank you again! With gluconeogenesis being a demand based process, I'm guessing that if i'll up my protein a bit more and lower fat I'll hopefully see similar results to those following a 'proper' diet containing carbs.

kodiakGRRL's picture

you can always alter it as needed.... I'd be concerned about energy as well as muscle building

Blaaahdk's picture

I would Think about my Health if i were you even anavar takes a toll on your body . Just my 2cents stay healthy