Happy holidays to all, and thanks to @physioLojik for all of your contributions to the community. I’ve attached a brief summary of my first cycle, which unplanned interruptions turned into something more like three mini-cycles due to unexpected travel overseas and the ensuing challenges in maintaining a consistent supply.
Given physioLojik’s advice to let estrogen run high and avoid running aromatase inhibitors unless absolutely necessary, I’ll be interested to see where I’m at when bloodwork comes back over the next week. I’m perplexed (but pleasantly surprised) at the lack of any significant sides thus far.
Background. Age 40, 180 cm, 100 kg, bf 10%. I initially studied medicine towards an MD/PhD in pharmacology, and have closely followed developments in AAS, but never felt compelled to make the transition from natty to enhanced. The decision to pursue TRT, and my first cycle, finally came this year following bloodwork results confirming low T levels of 1.71 ng/ml.
Summary. My first 16 week cycle of test enanthate at 500 mg/week was cut short just shy of the halfway mark due to unexpected travels overseas. Following a brief interruption, an unexpected source yielded a few vials of test/NPP. In researching the supplier, I found an online thread mentioning bloodwork with complaints that the product line was seriously underdosed. I took higher doses to compensate for this eventuality, all the while watching closely for progress or negative sides to arise. The second supply ran out when I was still overseas. Bloodwork to help me time my PCT showed that the source was probably fully-dosed and good to go after all—my T levels were off the charts fourteen days after my last pin, and they were still at the high end of the range two weeks later.
To ensure no further interruptions, I took steps to order raws, and set out to reboot my cycle where I’d left off once I was back home. As homebrew is so cost-effective, and I’d experienced zero major sides before curtailing the first cycle—even when inadvertently taking higher doses—I decided to give a shot to Dan Duchaine’s high-dose first cycle protocol. From a starting point of 1/4 cc of 250 mg/ml test cyp ED (~437 mg/wk) I worked up to a total of 1750/1400/700 mg/wk of test cyp/NPP/tren ace.
Current cycle. 250 mg test cyp, 200 mg NPP, 100 mg tren ace ED.
Ancillaries. Aromasin, nolva and prami on-hand (unnecessary to date), omega-3 fish oil, garlic oil (lipids, blood pressure), L-carnitine (androgen receptor upregulation), metformin (insulin sensitivity), NAC and taurine (antioxidant support).
Mid-Cycle Report. Until my initial bloodwork came back, I thought I’d simply been working with seriously underdosed gear, but it would appear (?) that I’m just a good responder, with low aromatization and no severe sides. The biggest difference between the three mini-cycles (test, test/NPP, test/NPP/tren) is that my weight has largely stabilized due to the extreme recomp effects of the tren. Strength and definition is up and accelerating. No signs of gyno sensitivity or excess aromatization, no added water weight, no bloat whatsoever. I’m now six weeks into the third mini-cycle, and ordering a third round of bloodwork this week.
I wouldn’t ab initio have selected this advanced protocol at such an early stage, but staying flexible and adaptive gave me the opportunity to transform setbacks into a learning opportunity. I wouldn’t have known about my personal absence of sides at such high doses if I hadn’t increased to compensate for what I thought was underdosed gear. So long as there’s a continued absence of major sides, the protocol has worked well for me thus far, and I’ve long been curious to put some of Duchaine’s more controversial ideas to the test.
I recently came across the following post, which helped contextualize the nature of my experience and the perplexing lack of significant sides. I’d welcome any further feedback, suggestions, or ideas.
I stuck with 600 mg for years, and one day tried 1000 mg. It was a huge difference, and I was on just test/deca. A lot of people cannot handle large doses. I know that I have issues with tren in high doses, yet deca/test/eq all seem to treat me well, even over 1000 mg.
Honestly, I don’t run anything with my cycles. No AI’s, no DA, nothing. I just run my AAS/GH/slin and follow a healthy diet with plenty of cardio. I’ve never had a sore nipple, and I’ve used over 5 grams of combined AAS before. Never had any progesterone sides, just acne, anxiety, sweating, some hair loss and some sleeping issues.
I may be a diamond in the rough, but I have used about everything on the planet, and don’t even bother with trying to control anything that cannot be controlled with diet. My blood work was always worse on AI’s, and caber made me feel like shit. I always have them on hand, but I honestly haven’t used anything of the sort in years. I’m on one of the largest cycles of my life right now, and I feel fantastic. BP/cholesterol is a little on the high end, but not high enough to be of a concern, and everything else has come back just fine.
* Amelioration of nandrolone decanoate-induced testicular and sperm toxicity in rats by taurine