Cycle question

[Kcfl91]

35 y.o. 6’0” 205lbs @ 17% BF

I’ve completed a 12 week cycle of 350 test and 4IU GH (I’ve kept the GH in since dropping to 200mg) about 6 weeks ago with minimal sides, very slight acne (managed with better body wash), mid day energy slump (due to my e2 rising to 80 at one point) which I’ve been able to manage with caffeine and anastrazol)

I’m planning to do another ramp up to 450mg here in a few weeks. (Looking to run a 12 week protocol) My current hang up is, my AI seems to really affect my sleep, and subsequently give me horrible brain fog. My thought is to run 100-150mg of either Primo or EQ in the mix to help as an AI. Weighing pros and cons of each. Excuse how green I am in this space! Here to learn and build a cycle that will make sense and curb some of my issues the first time on.

 

[Meetketchup]

You are assuming your mid-day energy was due to E2. Did you experience any other E2 sides? That fatigue can be due to a number of factors not limited to energy. Just because you are at 80 doesn't mean you have to lower it unless sides arise and fatigue from a level like that is quite rare. You need estrogen to grow, and guys fluctuate levels on what THEY respond best to whether it's 40 or 90. Up until recently with the access to easy bloodwork nobody knew what their levels were and were just fine. When a side started arising, they addressed it. Just because a number says something needs to correspond with the results.

What is your current E2 since you said you've been able to manage it? Have you tried Aromason? Some respond better to different AI's.

 

[Theotherone55]

What @Meetketchup said. I personally dont know anyoneee who suddenly has the AI side effects you're describing. So whats makes you so sure AI is the problem here?

And also, you're probably not looking for feedback. But if you are planning another blast, it should be a diet...not one to get big. 17% (and EVERYONE exaggerates their bf % here) and trying to grow is a sure fire way to look gross. Remember, you want to LOOK like you're on gear.

 

[Kcfl91]

So in the beginning of the cycle the mid day crash was non-existent. It came around week 6~ or so when I had my post baseline bloods done. E2 climbed originally from 25 to 80. I held off for another 3 1/2 weeks to see if I stabilized at that e2 level while assessing my sides. No change with my e2 (level went down to 76) so I implemented my AI which, seems to help days after. Currently have a 45 E2 level without such a harass mid day slump. In all honesty I get lazy about my AI because of the sides that come from it. Basically I’m good about it for 2-3 weeks and slack off, a week or two later, I end up feeling like ass and hop back on.

 

[celrin321]

First I think it's great you have all this bloodwork so kudos that's smart. You clocked in at 80, 76 and now 45. I think like the guys above said, lethargy, bad sleep, brain fog are not direct side effects of the AI, those can certainly be caused by hormone imbalances or flux but not by the AI in of itself (to the best of my knowledge).

I would really try to just stabilize at 45 for a couple weeks and see how you feel and be consistent with the AI dose that got you there (if it's say a MWF protocol).

Testosterone can be overly stimulating to your nervous system when you first start taking it and this can cause energy crashes and lethargy as well. Like when I start a cycle in the first few weeks I'll have days with incredible energy, be completely fucking shit up in the gym, and then occasionally just a day where Im tired as all hell and don't want to get off the couch because of it. Similarly for your GH, some people sleep worse before having improved sleep when they start taking it, especially if you went from 0 to 4IU for a first timer.

So stay the course and try to stabilize things and I think you'll feel more like your normal self soon. Try not to worry about it because that can compound how sensitive you are to the sides. Only thing I can say 100% is stay the fuck away from the EQ for now lol, if you're sensitive to EQ sides a drug that either does nothing for it in some people or insta crashes you to 0 for like 3 weeks is the last thing you need.