To deca or not to deca: experience says yes, research says no

**cftcft** · 08-25-2012, 06:26 PM

I'm setting up my 4th cycle. I'm gonna run test E with either deca or EQ. I'm the kind of person who does their homework before embarking on anything potentially dangerous, so I've done tons of research, but as you know sometimes you run into contradictions.

Basically, my experience with deca was good, but I read and hear so much bad stuff about it that I'm conflicted as to whether to use it for my next cycle. I'm not including my PCT's below for brevity, but if it's relevant I can post them. Also, I have waited more than adequate time between each cycle, so I don't think that's a factor.

1st Cycle: 12wks
Test E 500mg/wk
Deca 400mg/wk
Dbol 25mg/day for first 2 wks

Results from first cycle were excellent. Tons of lean muscle gain, almost no bloating, no sexual problems, felt great.

2nd Cycle: 12wks
Test E 500mg/wk
EQ 500mg/wk
HGH 2.5iu/day

Results from second cycle were so-so. A tiny amount of lean muscle gain, some chest acne, other than that no problems.

3rd cycle:
Test E 10wks
Dbol 25mg/day for first 2 wks

Results from third cycle were so-so. A fair amount of lean muscle gain, no problems.

So, as you can see, I had great results with my deca cycle and I didn't experience any of the problems commonly associated with deca such as bloating or sexual side effects. I'm about to do my fourth cycle (with adequate time off) and I'm gonna run Test E with either deca or eq and a Dbol 2-wk kickstart. As I mentioned, I'm conflicted because my own personal experience with my own body is telling me to go with the deca, but tons of people I read/talk to say that EQ is the way to go and I should stay away from deca.

I'm kinda thinking, "Go with what works" and I'm sorta leaning towards deca. But I've just been bombarded with so much anti-deca warnings. Can anybody weigh in? Thanks.

**Sheven** · 08-25-2012, 06:32 PM

Well if you really have no trouble with Deca then go with it. I always use it for joint purposes but in lower dosages. It all comes down to each individual particular case and in your case it seems deca is a great choice.

**ScotchGuard02** · 08-25-2012, 06:49 PM

Deca 's not very anabolic as compared to something like Tren . EQ's even less. If you have had good experience with it, don't stop. No one knows your body better than you. Go for it.

**stpete** · 08-25-2012, 06:53 PM

I'm of the mindset, if it's not broken don't try to fix it. I like deca , too.

**mockery** · 08-25-2012, 07:17 PM

ive taken low dose deca with cycles and i think its made me feel better and maybe in my mind but old injuries that haunted me went away.

**poppz** · 08-25-2012, 08:17 PM

yea everyone's different, ,,if it has been working then stick with it.just run your test a lil higher.

**cftcft** · 08-26-2012, 03:56 AM

Originally Posted by poppz

yea everyone's different, ,,if it has been working then stick with it.just run your test a lil higher.

If I were to go with the deca again, I was planning on 400mg deca and for Test E either 750mg or 1000mg. If I were to go with that, would I notice a difference from the Test E 750mg vs 1000mg? Any advice as to which dose and why? Thanks.

**fit2bOld** · 08-26-2012, 09:25 AM

So more isn't more. if you feel you must increase the test try 600mg/wk keep the deca at 400mg.
from your intro 500/400 worked best of all the cycles.

**jimmyinkedup** · 08-26-2012, 09:32 AM

I love deca . I use it every cycle - whether its a main componnent or just 150mgs/week for my joints. If I were you id run test 500 and deca at 600. Id run it 14 weeks. I take low dose prami .25mg ed (just started that btw) and an ai during cycle of course. When i run deca i extend my pct 1 or 2 weeks - those weeks just taking 20mg/nolva/day.
Its actully prob my fav steroid . If you respond well to it - you love it / if not - you hate it. I just have to make sure i use a bodywash ith salycilic acid in it. Those dmn dec zits suck. They areny normal pimples. If i use the wash i barely get any at all.

**cftcft** · 08-27-2012, 06:21 PM

jimmyinkedup, thanks for your input. Someone suggested to me that I don't need to choose between Deca or EQ, that I can run them BOTH along with the Test. What are your thoughts on this? If you think this is a good idea, what kind of dose of EQ would you recommend adding to the Test/Deca?

Thanks.

**jimmyinkedup** · 08-27-2012, 06:59 PM

Id dose Eq at 0mgs /week LOL
Seriously I wouldnt use it. I used it years ago - i dont any more. Its just not worthwhile imo. You wanna add another test based roid into your cycle that will make a diff run low dose, long duration dbol . Like 15mgs/day in 3- 5mg doses. Pronounced effect on nitrogen retention and protein synthesis . Gains that arent not easy come easy go like high dose short duration dbol you add to a cycle. Its the only way i run dbol anymore when I run it.

**measuretwicecutonce** · 08-27-2012, 07:22 PM

i agree if it aint broke don't fix it. if u want a little more go, up each one 150mg. (from first cycle), or keep deca /test the same n run dbol a little higher and a little longer.

**cftcft** · 08-27-2012, 09:03 PM

Thanks, guys. I just placed my order and I'll definitely post my results. Thanks for all your help.

**breakbones** · 08-28-2012, 01:50 AM

Love the Deca , done it 4x at 600mg.
Stick w/it.

**Metalject** · 08-28-2012, 02:49 AM

Originally Posted by mockery

ive taken low dose deca with cycles and i think its made me feel better and maybe in my mind but old injuries that haunted me went away.

I don't think it's in your mind. The healing effects of Deca have been proven time and time again...not just in a masking way but an actual therapeutic advantage.

**Trying-Hard** · 08-28-2012, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by jimmyinkedup

If I were you id run test 500 and deca at 600. Id run it 14 weeks.

I am a little surprised by this as everything I have read recommends test to be dosed higher than decca. Any reason why you advised the opposite? Thanks.

**jimmyinkedup** · 08-28-2012, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by Trying-Hard

I am a little surprised by this as everything I have read recommends test to be dosed higher than decca. Any reason why you advised the opposite? Thanks.

Less sides. More powerful steroid (deca ) should do more work.
As long as there is adequate test (more than we produce naturally ) present , you will be fine.
Deca is a progestin (acts on progesterone receptor)
Excess estrogen only exaggerates side of progesterone and excess estrogen increases prolactin. So we could (and should) manage estrogen with an ai ..but why not let the more potent steroid do the work? As a progestin - progesterone up-regulates prolactin (not in breast tissue btw so prolactin doesnt cause gyno)- the answer to this is not to throw more test in the mix. Its to use a dopamine agonist like pramipexole to lower prolactin (if needed).
You would be amazed how high I run my tren and how low i keep my test when i run tren.

**Trying-Hard** · 10-20-2012, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by jimmyinkedup

Less sides. More powerful steroid (deca ) should do more work.
As long as there is adequate test (more than we produce naturally ) present , you will be fine.
Deca is a progestin (acts on progesterone receptor)
Excess estrogen only exaggerates side of progesterone and excess estrogen increases prolactin. So we could (and should) manage estrogen with an ai ..but why not let the more potent steroid do the work? As a progestin - progesterone up-regulates prolactin (not in breast tissue btw so prolactin doesnt cause gyno)- the answer to this is not to throw more test in the mix. Its to use a dopamine agonist like pramipexole to lower prolactin (if needed).
You would be amazed how high I run my tren and how low i keep my test when i run tren.

Jimmy,

how would you recommend to run test/ deca for a first time deca user and 2nd cycle overall?

**ds53** · 10-21-2012, 07:46 AM

Run your test 100mg more than the Deca to prevent Deca Dick, yes it happens and about 5-7 weeks into cycle is when you will really begin to notice it. 600 - 750 test and 500 deca. Use arimidex at 1mg every other day to block estrogen from test, start 500 - 700 HCg weekly to keep gonads functioning the entire cycle and for about two weeks after cycle. Finish with some Novaldex for a month and then another 2 weeks HCG with Arimidex at end. PCT is the most important if you want to keep them hard earned gains