Stats:
Age: 37
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 221
BF: 13.5%

OK so I started a Test E/Eq cycle which lasted 5 weeks due to a last minute deployment. I decided that erratic sleep, stress, daily dose of doxycycline (anti-malaria) and inconsistent access to quality grub were not the ideal conditions to get the best results from a cycle.

I kicked said cycle off with a 10ml vial (1 ml eod) of test p, and 300 mg test e and 500 mg eq per week. Obviously the EQ wasn't run long enough to exert any effect. However, after about 5 days I definitely noticed massive increase in libido and sense of well being. Strength increases after 2 weeks, and by the 4th week my coworkers were commenting that I was looking much larger. I definitely noticed some minor water retention (joints sure felt great), but in the 3rd week I started taking 12.5 mg aromasin EOD just to be on the safe side, cuz that's what I read you're supposed to do.

So, I'm pretty sure I freaking love testosterone. Better sleep, raging sex drive (wife was definitely happy about that!), much more intense in the gym, started losing fat etc.

I did 2 weeks of PCT (Nolva 25 mg ed, 12.5 aromasin ed) which I'm guessing probably wasn't necessary for such a short cycle, but the last time I got bloodwork done (Feb, started cycle in May) I had borderline high estrogen. I will say I really felt like a moody pile of dog crap on several days during those 2 weeks, but being freshly deployed to a 3rd world shit hole might have had a little bit to do with that. Better safe than sorry.

Shot up about 10 lbs in 5 weeks, lost 6 lbs in the following 3, presumably water weight. Lost a few more pounds but that was about 2" off my waist line. Top 2 abs visible when flexed, outline of abs definitely there but gotta lose that nasty fat.

So here's what I have planned.

16 weeks 500 mg test e per wk, 15 weeks 600 mg eq per week kicked off with 1 vial test p (100 mg/ml, 1 ml eod). I also love and will probably use mod grf 1-29 and ghrp-2 pre fasted morning gay ass pt, and pre bed. Peptides definitely had a dramatic impact on quality of sleep (was using them prior to cycle) and recovery.

I have my reasons for the EQ despite the ever present admonition to use test only for your first few cycles.. One of my concurrent goals for this cycle is to increase tendon and ligament strength through the use of heavy supports (aka supramax holds), peptides, glucosamine + chondroitin, MSM, "meat jello" made from organic grass fed beef and mutton bones/tendons with Ayurvedic (read: anti inflammatory) spices, and regular massage.

The first half of the cycle (8 weeks) will be devoted to fat destruction to include 24 mg albuterol (8 mg 4x daily) and maybe T3, still on the fence about that one. 2000 cals/day of standard bodybuilding fare (turkey breast, lean beef, whey, tons of fresh veggies, EFAs etc) keeping it low/no carb other than following most intense lifting sessions with one or 2 high(er) cal clean refeed during the week. I can sham enough of the morning pt to keep it low intensity cardio which should be perfect for fat loss without the fear of wasting the gear. Fortunately our PSG hates to run and usually picks my slow ass as pace man for platoon runs.. Win!

By the second half the EQ should be kicking in nicely and if the fat cells bow to my will then the focus for 3-4 weeks will be shoveling as much red meat, eggs (farm fresh organic type) and raw milk as I can stand down the pie hole and focusing on squats, deads, clean + push press/press/jerk variations coupled with 1 day a week of strongman type medleys and prowler work for conditioning.

So here's where the confusion kicks in. HCG on cycle - pros and cons? Better for last 2 weeks leading up to PCT? What gives???

There are so many options for PCT out there, why does everyone go with Clomid? I've read some really bad shit about that, and haven't been able to find any actual bloodwork showing that someone had suppressed t /elevated e levels and that they successfully reversed that condition with clomid. I've spent countless hours scouring the interwebz, and most of what I find sounds like broscience.

If someone could direct me to some concrete evidence beyond the "everyone else uses it so should you" type of thing I would be ever so grateful. I'm definitely not against using clomid despite how it sounds, but my major reason is that I've worked very hard to be a positive and fairly level person (my dad was a mood swingy whacko when i was a kid and sadly I inherited some of those tendencies by mere association) and don't really relish the idea of dealing with massive depression and crazy mood swings.

AI on cycle? Is it a must, or only if you have symptoms like excess water retention or puffy/tender nips? I used a topical formestane while over in the 'Stan and it definitely dried me out, stopped using it because my joints started to ache. Anyone have experience with this stuff on cycle as opposed to using aromasin (of which I have plenty.)?

Anthony Roberts wrote a compelling article about using nolva and aromasin for pct instead of clomid... Anyone use this combo for a longer cycle with good results, or at least have an informed opinion? So far as I can tell this cycle shouldn't be overly suppressive.

I obtained gear and ancillaries from a high rated source on this site. As for nolva dose during PCT, I've seen 40/40/20/20, but the stuff I have is in 25 mg gel caps. Is there that much difference in 50/50/25/25, or should I bite the bullet and seek out pharma grade?

Anyone have good results with DAA or other natty test boosters during PCT? My gut says use the money for stuff that is known to work, but I'm always open to informed opinions.

I also plan on using IFG1-lr3 and peptides during PCT, as well as after PCT to help maintain gains.

Whew! If you've made it this far, I applaud your patience and thank you all in advance for any constructive criticism/tweaks etc. that you would care to share.