Anyone else experiencing muscle cramps from TRT? I get them mostly in my biceps after my arms have been relaxed for a while. When I go to reach for something, by bicp will cramp for a few seconds, then relax. I can actually see the muscle contraction ripple through my bicep. I get simlar cramps in my hamstrings, but not as often and usually only after doing heavy leg workouts.
My TRT Doc dismissed this symptom as a result of being dehydrated… but I drink about 4 liters of water per day. I’ve tried increasing my salt intake and potassium intake, but that didn’t seem to work. I tried increasing and decreasing my water intake, but that didn’t work either. My blood tests show that my electrolytes are all within range, and my kidneys are functioning normally.
My Doc has me come off the Test Cyp every 20 weeks to do 6 weeks of PCT with Chlomid/HCG. When I come off the Test, the cramps disapear. Below is my current protocol.
80 mg Test Cyp injected twice per week (160 mg total per week)
Arimidex: 0.5 mg twice per week (1 mg total per week)
[quote]Macmathews wrote:
I would like to hear the theory of coming off TRT every 20 weeks ??
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This is my Doctor’s standard protocol… and it is annoying. I hate coming off TRT every 20 weeks. I dread it. Anyway, the theory according to my Doc is it keeps the testes from shrinking (too much), it helps prevent a permant shut down of the HPTA, and it gives the patient the option of coming off TRT if they have to for some reason (financial or health reasons maybe??). I already have kids, so I’m fine with a permanent shutdown. Besides my natural levels are so low (238 ng/DL), what’s the point of regaining natural production?
I wonder if anyone else is on a similar prototcol… maybe I’ll start another thread on this topic. I’d love to hear about results from people who have switched from this protocol to a better one.
You would be better off just taking hcg along side your testosterone. You would feel better over all too. You get a general overall increase in well-being from hcg. I do anyways. It would keep your nuts from shrinking and healthy. I don’t agree with coming off every 20 weeks but that’s my opinion. You should look into magnesium for your cramps. The majority of people are deficient unless they are supplementing.
[quote]jb13 wrote:
You would be better off just taking hcg along side your testosterone. You would feel better over all too. You get a general overall increase in well-being from hcg. I do anyways. It would keep your nuts from shrinking and healthy. I don’t agree with coming off every 20 weeks but that’s my opinion. You should look into magnesium for your cramps. The majority of people are deficient unless they are supplementing.[/quote]
Thanks jb! I will look into both of your suggestions. The specialist at my clinic mentioned that the Dr. will sometimes prescribe HCG with the Testosterone instead of going the PCT route, so I know it’s doable if I fight for it. I Haven’t tried magnesium suppliments yet. I will try them for a couple of weeks and post my results.
So I took your advice on the Magnesium and got myself a multivitamin that has about 150% DV of Magnesium. I’ve been taking it for about two weeks, and have noticed that the muscle cramps are getting less frequent and less intense. In the last couple of days I have barely noticed them at all.
I’d certainly push for year round TRT as well. You’re not doing a cycle, you are doing HRT. Your body needs it all the time, not just 20 weeks at a time. The HCG will keep your boys full, and as mentioned you’ll likely feel better. I know I do.
Yeah, magnesium will certainly help with cramps and in general. My chiro preaches it pretty religiously. Taurine will also help.
I had major muscle cramps in my calves when my E2 got too low… I stopped all TRT for a couple weeks to get it out of my system, then started over with a cut in my dose of Adex a bit, and was able to get rid of them.
Another time this happened from my blood getting too thick also… Forgot to mention that. Get a CBC when you can, and see if you’re running too thick. If so, you might have to start donating blood…