Some advice for first cycle (keeping it simple)

MimsyShackleford

MimsyShackleford

New member
Hey guys! Pretty new to the forum so hopefully not breaking any rules. Currently 41 and used to be in really good shape ~2017. Was going to the gym consistently, diet was on point etc.. Around the same time we started trying to start a family but ran into tons of roadblocks. The issue/problem was with me which was due to my Total Motile Sperm Count (TMSC) being really low ~2-3m. Should be ~20m. That one hurt knowing you're the problem even though the wife never thought that way. Went through a procedure to help blood flow etc.. Nothing helped. We spent ~3 years battling failures doing IUI's and several miscarriages during IVF cycles. We finally managed to have a daughter and decided to hang it up with the one. Super blessed. At this point, I already started gaining a bunch of weight and then COVID hit ~2020 which was super stressful having a new born around this time. It was basically game over. Went from ~190lbs to ~255lbs. About ~3-4 months ago, I jumped on Reta and started cutting/cleaning up the diet (being in a calorie deficit and eating really clean) and hitting the gym ~5-6 times a week. Noticed I finally started gaining some of the size back. I lost about ~30lbs so I'm down to ~220lbs but would want to lose another ~20lbs before the cycle. Also currently running through the Reddit PPL (Push/Pull/Legs) program which is every 6 days/one day off. Doing cardio as well. Finally starting to feel great.

Being 41 and the decision to not go through IVF again (it was really hard on my wife as she has some medical issues) started flirting with the idea of jumping on a cycle to gain some mass/muscle. Always wanted to when I was working out like a beast but was always worried re: having issues having kids. Had issues either way. Life is funny in that way.

I've been researching/reading a lot of information/threads on this forum including the wiki's on Reddit. Basically planning the following:
  • Test Cyp - 250mg E3.5D x 16 week cycle
  • Arimidex - 0.5mg E3.5D x 16 week cycle
The one thing I'm not 100% sure about is if I should start Arimidex right way, or wait till possible side affects hit? There seems to be a lot of information that's split down the middle. Some sources day to start it alongside the Test at the start. Other sources mention waiting for side affects/blood work at ~4-6 weeks into cycle. Being new to this, I'm not sure if I'll even catch the side affects right way. So not 100% sure regarding this area. Should I also be starting a SERM as well? Believe if you're using Arimidex you should use Raloxifene. Should I have these just in case?

Regarding blood work... Planning on doing the following:
  • Take one before starting the cycle to make sure everything is okay/generally healthy. If not, don't start and fix the issues.
  • Take another one ~4-6 weeks into the cycle to check estrogen levels and everything else to make sure there's nothing alarming
  • Take another one ~4 weeks after the cycle when on TRT levels of Test and maintaining
I started doing research on PCT cycles re: taking HCG right at the start of a cycle then bringing in Nolvadex. But at this point, that part of the process is still a bit confusing so still reading/doing research. However, I wanted this to be a ~2 cycle trial. First one with only Test Cyp and see how it goes. Then lower the dose to normal levels for a few months after the cycle and then start a second cycle adding another compound like Anavar (if I can even get my hands on it with all the shortages). At this point, I'll probably start a PCT and take a break for a bit. Will probably be more knowledge and ready at this point. I do understand that there's risk re: production not returning to normal and being on basically TRT the longer the system is shutdown.

Either way, wanted to give some context re: actually thinking about this correctly after a few years and not just jumping into a bunch of compounds that I don't know much about nor have any experience with. Seems like a disaster waiting to happen. I don't mind taking it slow/KISS. I would rather do things correctly/slow and learn from experienced/knowledgeable folks like this community.

Would really appreciate any feedback on the above cycle even if it's pretty simple. Should I be including anything else? Does the above look good for first cycle?
 
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Before any cycling you should get a full blood panel. Congrats on the weight loss. It may already be time for TRT. I just started mine 4 weeks ago and I’m 42. Even if it’s not time you want to have a base line to compare future blood results.
 
Redz said:
Before any cycling you should get a full blood panel. Congrats on the weight loss. It may already be time for TRT. I just started mine 4 weeks ago and I’m 42. Even if it’s not time you want to have a base line to compare future blood results.
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Yup, actually going tomorrow to get a full panel done as well. Wanted to do one once I turned 40 and try doing one every year but never did. So will do one tomorrow which checks basically everything and then will do another one before starting the above cycle.
 
250mg/ week of test e or c is a good first cycle. Even 250mg/ week of deca and HCG 3x per week would be a good first cycle if I could go back.

I wouldn't start arimidex immediately but it you want to use some prophylactically use 0.25mg instead until you figure out how you respond.
 
CoolRick said:
250mg/ week of test e or c is a good first cycle. Even 250mg/ week of deca and HCG 3x per week would be a good first cycle if I could go back.

I wouldn't start arimidex immediately but it you want to use some prophylactically use 0.25mg instead until you figure out how you respond.
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Was actually think 250mg E3.5D which would be ~500mg a week. Think this is too much for a first cycle? Should I scale down to ~400mg or even lower?
 
MimsyShackleford said:
Was actually think 250mg E3.5D which would be ~500mg a week. Think this is too much for a first cycle? Should I scale down to ~400mg or even lower?
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Opinions differ on what's a good starting point but I tend to believe in using as little as possible first.

The absorbtion/ utilization of healthy nutrient dense food is the key, not the drugs (to a certain point).
 
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