I have done a lot of research regarding cycles and gear (approx 6 months worth).
My question that never really gets answered when I read up is regarding anxiety/depression.
Stats FYI
Been training well for 2 years straight, 5 years off and on due to injuries from sports etc. I am 185lbs 6’0 and 13% bf.
I consume 5000-6000 cals a day with high protein intake. Creatine and (Trib/ZMA).
Training full body with 48hr rest period.
Long term goal is to get to around 215-220 lbs and be lean. Which for me is not easy cause I am a semi hard gainer. I have hit a plateau for the last 6 months and can’t get past the 190 lbs mark.
Since I have had issues with anxiety and depression before, I have to be cautious. Would doing a cycle of 250/wk Test-Eth and 200/wk EQ. with HCG on taper cause this to come back or make it more pronounced? Or would I be better off with an Oral that is considered light IE t-bol. I know the vets all say take Test first but long acting esters and not knowing what they might do for me concerns me greatly.
Thats why the logic of a pill. Half life is short and I can have some nolva on hand with some Milk Thistle.
Are the sides that bad or am I being paranoid for no reason?
Any suggestions/comments?
hmmm well even though this is your first post it seems to be a well thought out one at least! One mistake though ZMA and TRIBEX aren’t pro-hormones.
You would more than likely expierence a better mood while on the cycle and using the taper would def. help with anything post use. I wish I could add something more, but I do not know of anything dealing with depression post use, sorry man.
Pierce
I have had depression on and off since I was 15 or so and took medication for it quite frequently. I later found out that I had low testosterone and began HRT when I was about 20. Within a matter of weeks my depression went away and I’ve never had to take an antidepressant since beginning HRT.
I do find that as my hormones fluctuate when starting or ending a cycle I have depressive symptoms, but in general it isn’t long-lasting and isn’t as pronounced as it used to be. I do experience depressive symptoms with certain compounds (high androgenic) and at very high dosages.
Most everyone who uses AAS will tell you that testosterone is an antidepressant. You will likely not want to come off because it makes you feel spectacular. You may also want to get your natural levels checked before going on cycle, you may be able to score some HRT (and a much better life!).
I would do a test-only cycle at 500mg/wk or so as you suggested. You will likely not experience any depressive effects at this dose and will likely feel great. I would suggest running an aromatase inhibitor such as Arimidex at .25mg/day to keep estrogen stable and help control mood swings.
I don’t know about the HCG, but straight up testosterone enanthate relieves depression for me. On the other hand, orals do nothing of the sort with the possible exception of Anavar.
If you taper off and run your PCT you should be fine.
The one caveat is how bad your depression is. I mean, I get depressed here and there, but I would never consider myself to have ever had a problem with it. I hope that lets you know where I’m coming from because I don’t know how that relates to your situation.
test will boost you while your on, but hire a counselor or psychologist when your off.
Well the depression only lasts maybe a week. It could be related to low test levels. But I have never tested them. Cause when I take Tribulus my life seems to be right on the ball. Works outs are fun. Also the sex drive goes up. But I notice a bit of a difference in mood when I don’t take them.
Whats the anxiety like? I have read that your patience level is next to nil and your temper sometimes gets the better of you. Some people handle it just fine. Or they just take a deep breaths and shrug a lot off. The reason I ask is a have a 3 year kid that can drive you nuts.
Stats
BTW forgot age: 32
[quote]dirtbag wrote:
Well the depression only lasts maybe a week. It could be related to low test levels. But I have never tested them. Cause when I take Tribulus my life seems to be right on the ball. Works outs are fun. Also the sex drive goes up. But I notice a bit of a difference in mood when I don’t take them.
Whats the anxiety like? I have read that your patience level is next to nil and your temper sometimes gets the better of you. Some people handle it just fine. Or they just take a deep breaths and shrug a lot off. The reason I ask is a have a 3 year kid that can drive you nuts.
Stats
BTW forgot age: 32[/quote]
I would suggest bringing this up to your doc and getting your test levels checked. At the least it would rule out a possibility if depression (even mild) is a recurrent event in your life. When I have low T I get very moody and angry. I’ve never been aggressive or pissed of on testosterone, in fact it’s the opposite. But when I have low T levels I tend to get very pissy.
When you get depressed during the cycle pop two pills of proviron you’ll feel better in no time also take it at the end of your cycle for 10 days or so. You’ll look harder too.
My Dr is one of those pig headed morons that doesn’t take what his patients say into account. He tends make his own mind up really quickly. We have a shortage of Dr’s where I am from. So finding a new one is kinda hard.
I am going to try to get my T-levels tested as Schwarzenegger suggested. Its also suggested on other sites as well just as a precaution before and during a cycle and after to make sure your doing well and your PCT worked for you. I will keep you guys posted.