Yes yesterday it was 152/90. One reading was 162/94 but I think there may have been error because 4/5 readings were consistently 152/90.
I think the water weight thing is a little overblown because people would rather it be water than fat lol. I finished my first cycle about 3.5 weeks ago. I gained 25lbs, a combination of muscle, fat, and water/glycogen retention and food in my stomach. So far I’ve lost roughly 5lbs, which I attribute mostly to returning to eating maintainence calories allowing for extra food weight to clear out of my digestive tract. The heaviest I weighed myself during cycle was 207.5. A few nights ago I went to sleep at 204.5. Today I woke up and was 199.5 after pooping, before eating or drinking anything. On cycle I was waking up around 202-203 at the very end there. Based on my current diet and training routine, I don’t expect anymore “water” to clear out. All the weight I’ve gained at this point is muscle and fat, probably 40-60.
Just curious but are you making sure to follow the blood pressure reading instructions? Guys with bigger arms need to make sure their arm is straight, relaxed, and at heart level. If its even slightly cocked you can read way high. I know… I thought I had high BP for awhile and turns out I was just being an idiot and doing it wrong.
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When i tested using my cuff, i got 180/100, but my arms are too big for a standard cuff. When I went to urgent care, they took those 4 readings with systolic consistently in the 150s.
10-4 just checking. I had the same issue with cuff size and my bicep was causing elevated readings when not completely straight. I was reading 150/90 but by simply doing it properly I’ve been in 120s/80.
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I HATE the beta blocker. I wake up constantly at night and I am generally tired now. And it doesn’t really work, my RHR is actually increasing still. Today I’m up to 87.
On the good side, my traps and delts look huge. I’m not even that lean but my arms and shoulders look like they’re trying to escape the constraints of my skin. And I’m only 3 weeks in.
Enjoying this thread here . . . re heartrate, on 350mg test my resting rate went from 50 to 60 (felt slightly bloated, looked wet) currently on test / eq (150/350) , relaxing here on the laptop my resting pulse is 45, no bloat, gaining average 1 pound per week (after a disasterous summer), but i can see how some guys the bloat gets them, i actually like the estrogen effect from test as i’m normally really dry around the joints and achey . . . .so wouldn’t ever be tempted to use AI . . . . just less gear. . . .
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How massive are you’re arms? Like 19 inches or something (if can’t fit in a standard cuff).
Are you very tall by chance?
Furthermore, with a RHR of 87 + high blood pressure i’d drop the dose or perhaps try switching to something else, not worth the long term detriment
My RHR is high right now (even on beta blocker) because I’m mildly anaemic (hemoglobin around 125), due to consistent rectal bleeding inducing iron deficiency anaemia. I’m currently supplementing with elemental iron to hopefully balance things out as it feels awful (not stopping me from exercising or working long, strenuous hours regarding manual Labour… but then again my threshold for irritating shit is remarkably high… but it is increasing my HR, making me quicker to exert etc. RHR is between 68-78 at the moment)
I’d go back to the doc, but I know it’s going to require surgery due to the sheer extent of the bleeding (already had rubber band ligation, next step is a more invasive procedure). Furthermore the notion of getting put under whilst having undocumented use of AAS makes me anxious, as certain anaesthetic requirements exist for those with AAS (higher muscle mass = accelerated rate of oxygen desaturation etc.) of which most anaesthesiologists won’t be aware of (and my use is undocumented). It’s a nessecity, but I’m putting it off for the time being… til I get back from Europe
Which cuff did the doc use? They have to use the leg cuff on me, everything else gives a high reading.It should rap at least 2 1/2 times around your arm. I’m just over 18.5" for reference. Sometimes the nurses argue, but the docs usually don’t.
Are you a giant?
As in… are you over say 5’10
Thinking of how insane I’d look with 18.5 inch arms (5’4-5.5 6.4-6.5 inch wrist)
To op, my bp for reference on 250mg test 100mg mast 20mg dbol is 110/70. it’s the equivalent of a fuck ton of gear what I’m using here (bout 550mg test equiv). Use something to control bp or lower dose, for AAS users uncontrolled HBP is one of the worst things that one can face
I don’t use bp meds aside from atenolol (in which 50mg/day effect on BP is negligible) and a very low dosage of guanfacine for anxiety/adhd symptomology (once again 2-3mg/day will do very little for BP). My BP is merely genetic. Off everything it’s lower than 90/60
6’-0, about dead on. I take nothing for BP, it runs high, not surprising. My Dad’s is high, and I’ll likely have type 2 diabetes one day, all the men in my father’s family have it. I’ve added some cardio a few times a week - specifically for BP. It never did me any good for fat loss, but it does help conditioning and BP.
A standard cuff taps out at 16.5”. At least most that I’ve seen. Just ask for the larger one. Plenty of obese people need them.
16" relaxed. Doc used the larger cuff, so it’s not that that is causing high reading.
Lol, no. 5’7" or 5’8" depending on where I get measured.
Seeing doc on Friday.
Day 25. Felt extremely strong in the gym today, bench is up about 30lbs. Today I used a weight for 8 reps that six weeks ago pinned me on the 3rd rep. And I’m now doing full, almost paused, reps. If I fear that I’m going to get pinned it’s just a matter of thinking “try harder.” My capacity for focusing on moving weight off me is insane. Its so easy to just put brainpower into the bar, if that makes sense.
Also, as I said in the original post, I don’t usually go over 315 (joint safety) on squat but a couple days ago I just couldn’t help myself. It was too easy so I did 335, then 365. The reps were just BAM-BAM-BAM. I got 6 deep and easy reps of 365 in under 10 seconds. I think I easily could’ve gotten 8-10 but I was afraid I would be debilitatingly sore like I am with a solid workout using 315. No soreness at all. Next week I’m doing more reps (and probably more weight) but making sure I’m super warm and loose of course.
Blood pressure and pulse are down slightly, even with the regular cuff I’m reading mid-140s/90. With an appropriately sized cuff I’d say I’m in the 130s. I’m no longer super aware of my heart beating in my chest, and I feel more comfortable overall. I just hate the headaches and fatigue from metoprolol. Resting HR is still 88 but I’ve noticed my average HR is quite a bit lower. Nighttime HR dips are more significant.
Glad to hear this Shafer. Sounds like things are going rather well strength wise for only day 25. Can’t wait to see what your final numbers look like.
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GP prescribed amlodipine and told me to hold metoprolol for a bit to see how the amlodipine works before adding the metoprolol back in. I’ve been feeling quite a bit better, especially with finals over.
When I was at the doctor’s office yesterday, two of the nurses and my doctor commented on how “thick” and “solid” I’m looking. When the first nurse took my BP her first question was if I’m on steroids. I’m not wiling to say yes to that yet.
Went out to dinner with some friends after, and one of them who rarely comments on others’ appearance (or anything for that matter) said I’m looking “swole” lol. Something must have happened in the two days since I’ve seen them last!
It’s day 30, and I’m up to 196.6 lbs this morning from a starting weight of 179 (+17).
I’m at odds with this. First, if you are having severe related issues I think it may be pertinent to be open so that you don’t risk serious health complications. That being said, the doc may drop you after admittance and this would be noted on your medical records for life.
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I recently had my annual and the Dr was going over my RBC, and PSA, etc and she said something to the effect of “your RBC is higher than I’d like but that’s to be expected due the the testosterone”. I was kind of speechless since I have never told her anything the last 5 years. I said “who said I was on test?” and she said “you would have to be at these levels” and showed me some blood work. I was still shocked and said “you tested for testosterone?” and she said, “I always check test levels when I do PSA”. I asked if my using test was in my records and she said no and I asked “does it have to be?”
She then closed her laptop and turned to face me and said no, you can tell me anything you want and I’ll keep it out of your files but I need to know so that I can treat you better.
So, I spilled my guts as her eyes got wider and wider!! LOL Told her I’d been on ever since she started treating me 5 years ago. Told her about taking over my own TRT, told her about my blasts, everything. She offered to write me a script and I told her I’d think about it but I wasnt going to stop blasting.
It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I hate lying and deception and fortunately for me she was super cool about it.
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That’s awesome to hear you’ve found a doc willing to work with you. I can’t say I’d expect that as the norm but then again I have no experience to know any better.
My thoughts precisely. Plus one of the nurses is a family member, and they are not known for keeping medical affairs private within our family.