Since starting TRT I have felt really stiff and and ache all over particularly in my back and hands, but more recently I’ve noticed that when I first wake in the morning, my hands are really stiff and tight and hard to clench a fist. Once I’m up and walking around. It seems to ease, but my hands feel constantly stiff and very, very tight and I’m wondering what could be causing it. Perhaps in part that my lifts are up. I’ve also gained nearly 3.7 kilos in 5 weeks. Some of which is water and have since been put on anastrozole as my estrogen levels are very high. But I’m just wondering if this is all normal or what it is that could be causing this constant aching and stiffness feeling. My hands don’t look swollen to the naked eye but it feels like they’re swollen, but they’re very, very tight and it’s not easy to clench a fist and particularly first thing in the morning. Although it does ease during the day. But it’s still very, very noticeable. Any idea what could be causing. This all start only since I started TRT
could be E causing water retention. test also affects calcium channels which also can cause edema…
if severe id get a work up and be sure your liver/heart are functioning properly particularly if doesnt resolve or get at least slightly better right before next dose… that being said its likely from the T/HCG…
what is your dosage of HCG? 500iu or 2000? at 2x a week imagine u are at 2000iu? if so could lower it to 250iu or less i GUESS… I think guys with high BMI dont tolerate HCG aswell (but that is 100% a guess/anecdote), even if good BMI if lowering HCG helps symptoms that usually far better than adding more drugs ie anti estrogen meds which have a tonne of sides.
at any rate follow Drs orders but if doesnt resolve consider lowering stopping HCG (if Dr sees fit) to narrow it down to that. for whatever reason DRs give enough HCG for monotherapy when assume the goal is just too keep testies active. perhaps as thats never been studied but my GUESS would be could keep HCG pretty low if goal is just to maintain testies function.
First, I would mention the observance to a medical professional for feedback.
As an online forum answer, my best guess is that it has more to do with your mentioned progress than anything. Consistent, hard lifting is very taxing and will leave anyone stiff and sore.
What does your recovery protocol look like? Or your warmups for that matter?
I know literally everything is a hotly debated topic between online coaches selling ebooks with competing theories but I’ve found that static stretching on a regular basis goes a long way. Once in the morning and once before bed for me.
Foam rolling or using a massage ball helps if I develop trouble spots. If I’m really going heavy for a period of time, hot Epsom salt baths, professional massages and chiropractic work are magical.
Make sure you’re getting the right nutrition and sleep too. Anti-inflammatory foods and supplements can help immensely and I definitely recommend a mineral supplement.
Sorry for the slow replies here. Been a busy couple of weeks
@granger1 my current protocol is
HCG 0.20mls twice weekly after mixing with 2mls of BAC water is equivalent to 500iu per dose - so 1000iu per week.
I started on Enanthate (250mg/ml) - 0.20mls twice weekly.
Was getting irritation at injection site. So moved to Hikma Cypionate at 0.25mls twice per week. Getting on much better with Cypionate
@Njord I lifts weights 4 to 5 times per week and do BJJ twice a week. Most recently my weights sessions have been reduced to 4 times we a week and the additional day I would have usually hit the iron also, I now do mobility and stretching
Overall my aching is easing, so I think in part related to the sudden surge in training intensity + improved strength. Also seeing a chiro, which is also helping. As I’ve been stiff as a board for years. As I’m terrible for stretching, warming up etc. But now doing that
@systemlord as per the last round of bloods I was at 166.0 pmol/L with the range as per the report being 36 - 146.8 pmol/L. Speaking to the doc, he wants to get this down below the higher end. I’ve bloods again in 2 weeks.
Only things I’m dealing with now, is low libido still, but feels like it might be slowly coming back
I think if you continue with stretching and your chiro, you will fix yourself. Throw in an occasional massage too. I highly doubt your issue is test related considering shared information. You’re training hard but not warming up or recovering properly, or weren’t.
never use chiropractors… ruined 3 people lives i know… 1 had a stroke… 5000 (just in canada)strokes per year caused by chiro that neurological drs know of and they said likely higher as takes 1-2 weeks to occur… no science its based on alligning energy fro sun to earth… feels good for few hrs but damage and risk is far to great for such min benefit… i beg people not to go including thelady who now lives with a full blockage and 50% on other side…not worth it 2 small kids… one of the “hate to say i told u so” moments u dont want…
yes massage and PT. possible holding too much water aswell
I think it’s good to be cautious, and I’ve heard these concerns before, but I still trust the profession and governing oversight around risk tolerances.
Everything comes with an element of risk but I personally see a chiropractor who utilizes x-rays, is aware of injuries and anomalies and works around spots he’s unsure of. There have been times he has flat out declined to make routine adjustments citing too much muscle stiffness and inflammation around the target area. I am not too concerned. I would not walk in to or recommend one of the chains popping up and have them adjust me blind off the street.
I’ve personally found long term benefit from regular chiro visits. While I agree there is an inflated sense of relief for a few hours after a session, I do find that in the mix with routine stretching and mobility work plus massage (especially acupressure massage), chiropractic work assists with decompression, postural imbalance and pain management in general given better alignment, especially after spending time under heavy barbells.
yes chiropractors ALSO give un needed Xrays they are NOT qualified to even read and give folks extra radiation… have u EVER seen a large study done that actually showed allignment changes on majority of people? 99.999% are alligned just fine and those who arent need PT in order to change muscle structure…
again, the governing body does 0. infact when REAL NEURO Drs brought the concern of sooo many strokes caused by chiro. The chiro association just said well it helps people sooo no we wont be more cautious and do risk assessment for people with stroke!!! WILD… Ive never met ANYONE who has gone to chiro and doesnt have to keep going back… ive heard of people going to PT and them fixing issues though…
again, no there is no oversight its garbage, no science, and while yes cracking bones feels good and makes u giggle as almost scary and u get a RUSH of endorphins its risks are FAR to great… same goes for these chiro clinics now offer huffing of OZONE… they are quacks of highest order and BIG $$$ got put into getting it included in insurance as allowed the hustle to continue and grow… ie chiro schools lobbying…
anyway, ill end my rant, please read about origins of chiro and how the allignment is actually alligning sky energy to the earth and is cause of ALL DISEASE… thats right mis alligned ENERGY is cause of ALL DISEASE… QUACKS! google dangers of chiro, and when real life DRs constantly put out papers in journals asking for madness to stop as again 5000 people per year in canada with 35 million people that they know of get strokes FROM chiro… nevermind slipped disks and further damage caused by these reckless people who call themselves DR…
if allignment is ur issue got to PT and can do it in a SAFE way although u wont get the rush of a crack that helps pain temporarly they will fix ur issue.
yup for folks who have risk factors that chiropractors dont look into it 100% causes strokes… obv most are fine, but again ive seen lives ruined by chiros slipping peoples disks otherwise minor ailment turns chronic etc etc.
Neurologists warn about link between chiropractic, stroke - PMC. i got # wrong its 1 per 5000 strokes are caused by chiro which is actually much worse lol thats ALOT considering how many people have strokes everyday… but it is #1 leading cause of stroke for those under 45 yo… THAT is enough to stay the F away if have ANY risk factors like HBP cholesterol etc etc…
posted below…not great data for those who like chiros and of course under estimation as folks dont know about it and have a stroke week or so later no idea its related, never brought up, not in medical records etc.
the 5x risk or 1 in 48 chiros that they KNOW of have caused a stroke during treatment…
grinds my gears man the damage they have caused to people i love not just the stroke either slipped my sisters disk, made buddies back MUCH worse to chronic pain now… esp when they KNEW she had kneck radiation for cancer which puts her at high risk and still did manipulations… 2 days later stroke… co insidence? healthy 38yo has 100% blockage in artery and 50% in the other one… thank goodness she went in early and minimal damage atm, cant operate so just a waiting game…
In this context I agree, there is a major problem.
I have not experienced this situation personally. They always ask about health history at intake.
Now if somebody lies to get adjusted then imo it’s their fault. The chiro isn’t asking questions to make light conversation. I would imagine people sometimes conveniently forget to mention treatment halting issues.
A study posted above demonstrates adverse effects from chiro treatment at a rate of .05-1.6 per ten million. And the sample was for an elderly and fragile age group, 66 and up if I remember correctly.
glad u got long term relief so dont have to keep going back!!! sorry about the rants but again #1 cause of stroke in those under 45 is pretty wild stat and if even vastly overblown and is #5 cause of stroke under 45 that STILL is pretty crazy this treatment is top 5 cause of stroke. even top 10 cause is WILD IMO…
yes however FAR more studies showing it happens at FAR greater frequency. also if over 65 and still getting chiro chances are u arent getting the hard chore and more aggressive treatments… i think we can agree on that?
yes u can ask history but do know anything about what increases strokes? did u know children with neck cancer decades before puts them at HUGE risk of stroke? do u ask if they recently had covid? what about BP or history of strokes in family? imagine wouldnt deny them ya?
anyway, glad u agree, I hope u will call up your college and ask for more education on stroke risks and who to deny!
I was curious as links are not being provided so i looked this up and found that arterial dissection of the neck is the most common cause of strokes in young people but could not find anything substantiating chiropractic work as the root cause in the majority, or any cases.
I think we all know weight training poses risk for serious injury and even death, and based on what I’m seeing this is true at a much higher rate of probability than for chiro. Should we all quit weight training too?
