Cycle help and suggestions.

Hi Guys,

I am in need of some advice. I have never used anabolics before but I am quite interested in their use.

Due to health reasons I have had to make use of cortico-steroids (catabolic) for the past 32 years, and I am suffering from the long term use of these steroids, due to the fact that they do mimic female hormones in the male body.

My goal is to attempt to balance my hormone levels and thereby reverse the effects of the long term use of the catabolic steroids.

I have looked at some of the suggested cycles on this website, but would like some advise from more experienced users. It seems to me that making use of one of the "lean mass and cutting" cycles may alleviate some of my issues.

Some advice would be very much appreciated.

I have some additional information that may help with suggestions:

1. Height - 1.76
2. Weight - 87kg
3. Age - 41 years

What health issues have you got that you had to take corticosteroids for?

I have been suffering with severe eczema for the past 33 years. I have been on various treatments for this problem as well, seen a multitude of specialists, and gained nothing except the pearshape upperbody of a regular corticosteroid user.
Current dosages are:

1. 40mg Pulmison daily for 14 days per month
2. 3cc Celestone Solumide once per month

In addition to this I also use the usual cortisone ointments.

I spent 3 years doing contract work in Iraq. While there I did lots of weight training, with supplements (all natural), which included testo stacks and so on. With the use of these supplements I did notice a change in my bodyshape, and I was able to rid myslef of much of the fat buildup around my upper body. I did however reach a plateau in my training, and have not been able to achieve any further change since.

The cortico-steroids that I use cannot be discontinued at this point. The dosages mentioned above are the minimums that I can use to keep my skin under control. Without these meds I turn into a cracked up, bleeding mass pretty quickly....

Thanks for your response.

Hectic ...hope MA can help ...will the doc not advise ..even TRT ?

There are not too many Dr's that are keen on helping at all. My experience has been that they tend to think they know everything, but I sometimes think that I do know more about eczema than most people that are alive, including the Dr's.

I am fortunate though, I work for a pathology group, that are willing to assist with blood tests to ensure that whatever we do, remains safe.

I have been actively trying to reduce the amount of corticosteroids that I use for many years, thus I am not experiencing any side effects other than the upper body shape, thinning of my skin and some water retention. My liver and kidney functions are normal, as is my bone density, all of which are negatively influenced by the use of corticosteroids.

As for things being hectic....... well...... I dunno about that. I do not really know what is feels like not to have screwed up skin, so it is not as hard as many people think. I suppose I don't really know any better.....

Thanks for your response.

Additional info that may be usefull.

The supps that I used regularly in Iraq were:

1. BSN - protein shake (2 X daily),
2. BSN - NOXplode, prior to training,
3. BSN - Post training recovery mix,
4. BSN - Testo stack (I don't remember the correct product name)
5. BSN - Ephedracut

Thanks for your input guys.

Greyman ...I dont know about balancing hormone levels ...but if u are looking to get in shape...Diet cardio and weights..if u are and when u are below 15% and even better 12% u can look at the articles sect and decide on which cycle u want to do... just dont do a cycle to loose fat... it doesnt work ..waste of money.If u want rapid fat loss try reading up on the Keto / Atkins diet and maybe using some clen.

Mike, thank you for your advice.

I am not only looking to lose fat, but also to add some more muscle to my frame. The lowest that I have been able to get my body percentage is 18% as a direct result of the cortisone treatments (this was in Iraq, with a very strict diet and training regimen). I am happy to work hard on one of the "lean muscle cycles" for an extended period with a view toward not only losing the fat but also adding muscle and strength.

Thank you again for your input.

To give you an idea of my training and diet regimen in the desert.

I did 45 minutes of cardio every morning of the week at 04h30, followed by breakfast and so on. I did weight training 5 consecutive days per week (monday to friday), one body part per day, 20-30 sets per workout (high intensity, partner assisted) for majir muscle groups, 20 sets for minor muscle groups.

I initially trained each bodypart twice per week on a six-day split routine, but found that I achieved better gains when I switched to one high intensity session per week per body part. This is true for muscular gains as well as reduction of body fat.

My program was based on the following:
1. Monday - Chest (4 exercises, 5-6 sets each, low reps, high weight)
2. Tuesday - Shoulders (4 exercises, 5-6 sets each, low reps, high weight)
3. Wednesday - Back (4 exercises, 5-6 sets each, low reps, high weight)
4. Thursday - Legs (4 exercises, 5-6 sets each, low reps, high weight)
5. Friday - Arms and lowers (3 exercises per body part, 5-6 sets each, low reps, high weight)

I also did abs every day (2 exercises 4 sets each, high reps). I aim to be using the same or a similar program from the beginning of December for a period of 8 weeks before starting any new cycles.

I changed particular exercises every 4-6 weeks, and also mixed up my routine from 1 day per body part back to 6-day split every 12 weeks for a period of 4 weeks in order to avoid plateauing.

My diet was based on reducing my calorie intake. I ate no more than 3500 calories per day, trying to eat a little less than I actually used in order to force my body to make use of the fat reserves stored around my upper body. I took no saturated fats, no sugar, or other 'bad' foods, although I did supplement quite heavily. Calculations regarding my calorie intake and calorie burn were done and saved on www.livestrong.com

Just to clarify, my goals are:

1. Muscle gain - larger muscles burn more fat.
2. Reduction in body fat,
3. Balancing hormone levels in my body,
4. Raising my general strength and fitness levels,
5. Reducing water retention caused by the use of cortisone,
6. Reversing the thinning of my skin caused by the use of cortisone.

I suppose that the increase in libido will not be frowned upon either.

A beach body would be nice, but I do not need to turn into the newest barbarian to achieve my particular goals.

Sorry bud, I wouldn't know what to advise about taking corticos with anabolic steroids and it's a tough one because findlng a doctor to advise you on that could also be tricky. I would however definitely avoid steroids that cause bad water retention like like dianabol since corticos already cause water retention. I'm not sure if steroids are the solution for you because one cycle is not going to do much long term even with a good diet and training routine.

Being on the catabolic corticos you would have to be prepared to do more AAS cycles to maintain the muscle that you gain and to keep the fat off. So if you decide to do steroids be prepared to be doing them for a while. I would suggest first getting a full panel blood test to check everything along with your hormones if you do decide to go for it. Maybe you are even a candidate for HRT. Try doing a google for prednisone and anabolic steroids. There must other people doing them together who could give some insight.

Hey MA,

Thank you for your candid response, it is much appreciated.

I've discussed this issue with the pathologist that employs me, and we've already done the blood work as well. Her feeling is that I should give things a try on a trial basis for 6-12 months, with medical support from her.

I do not particularly mind being on steroids for a while, as it is, it would not be fair to anyone to take this path and then make inaccurate judgements after the first 2 months.

I suppose that I am taking a bit of a chance, even my Path says she has not seen anything like this before (or considered it as treatment for regular cortisone users), but I am willing. I will, however, follow your advice and do more research before making a final decision.

Once this decision has been made, I will be updating you with progress reports (all the good and bad) that others may have the opportunity to add to or learn from my experiment.

Thanks again for being as candid as you have been, your honesty and straightforwardness is very highly valued.

Just as a final surgestion u can contact Admin for DJs email . he is the diet Guru.. charges but can also advise on the cycles u might want to do and has contact with Doctari who is a doctor that used to be on the sight.
Goodluck going forward

Hey Mike,

Thanks for your help and suggestions. I will make a plan to get the additional help and advice that I may need.

Thanks for the "well wishes" as well.

Cheers.