Possible 2nd cycle, Q's and A's

[Alta]

Here's the deal. Currently in week 2 of my PCT, where I had to cut short my first ever cycle due to health issues.

Cycle 1
150mg prop EOD
80mg var ED
Arimadex .25 EOD
Didn't even get a chance to start HCG. Was going to start it after 4 weeks (which I later found out was incorrect). Anyway.

Was getting raging headaches and back pumps from the Var, so I dropped it a week in.

Blood pressure went haywire on the prop after week 2, tried upping Adex, tried adjusting diet, tried herbal supps, nothing worked. Stopped cycle, went PCT Clomid/Nolva. Saw a doctor, levels are coming down. I have access to BP meds if required. I also think I found the root cause of it (prescription NSAIDS) which I have already corrected. I probably could have adjusted it before quitting, but I decided to err on the side of caution.

So here is my issue. I bought everything beforehand, and this is my current "inventory"

40ml prop, 100ml/mg
20ml Test E 250mg/ml
4000mg Anavar
Arimadex
HCG
PCT essentials, etc etc

I'm 40, and quite fit. Probably 15% or lower, train minimum 4 days a week. Ideally I would like to go test only, and I really don't mind pinning prop. I like the lean muscle mass gains I was starting to see.

1) how long should I wait before I even consider another cycle (no guarantees I will do it, but just curious)? Sucks I have to eat PMS pills for 4 weeks after cutting out of a 2 week cycle. No libido issues ATM, no "shrinkage" either.
2) I hear people retain more water on Test E. Should I avoid it because of the BP issues?
3) Is cialis a good alternative to BP meds?
4) what the heck do I do with the var? I really liked test, but is it G2G to run var only at some point to see what it does solo? Really for no other reason than I have nothing else to do with it (no way am I re-selling it).


Anyone want to throw in $0.02 here? My gains were pretty noticeable in the 2 weeks that I was "on", so I would like to get that moving again. Although if the general consensus is "bad idea" I can certainly live with that as well. It just seems like a waste to chuck it all out.

[bigdil511]

Should be test only first cycle with hcg and ai. Since you didn't do that the first time and it cost you I think it would be wise for that to be your second cycle.

[musclestack]

I would grab another vial of Test E and run a standard 500mg/week of Test E for 12 weeks. When I run Test E, I like to kickstart with Prop. This would be ideal for you since you already have Prop on hand, but since you're fairly new to this, I would just stick with the Test E. There's no point in running the Var if your back pumps are that crippling. Read through the "Planning and Executing my first Successful Cycle" by Austintine in the stickies.

1. Typically, it is advised that time on + PCT = time off. I would get blood work done in about a month or so. If everything reads normal, then go ahead.
2. The water retention will mostly be subject to use of an AI and diet. However, even with both of these in check, I too, tend to hold more water with Test E as opposed to P.
3. Sorry, can't help you out there.
4. As I mentioned above, if it cripples you that much, then you are doing yourself a disservice by taking it. One thing you could try is lower the dose, and take some taurine to reduce the back pumps.

Hope this helps!

[Alta]

Even with the test alone in week 2+ my blood pressure went haywire; I don't think stacking T and var was the root cause. Also talked it over with my GP, and he was of the opinion that it was likely my NSAIDS. Nonetheless. No var.

Bloodwork ain't easy in Canada. I have a (sort of) private doctor that I can use, but I have to be careful what goes on my record. I will be in Az in July, any idea if an out of towner can use the online bloodwork clinics? I might call over to see when I'm there. Am I correct to assume that if blood levels all read clear, you are G2G on the next cycle? Or does the body need a "recovery" period that doesn't show up on bloodwork. I'm not rushing into another cycle, I'm actually curious.

Is there an alternative to arimadex? Wondering if there might be another AI I can try that works differently. Aromasin?

Will likely shelf the var for another day. Maybe make Christmas cookies out of it.

[musclestack]

You should be fine to use online labs for bloodwork. Another reason people advocate time on + PCT = time off is so the androgen receptors have time to clear, but since yo were only on for a couple weeks, this shouldn't be a concern for you. So, when blood work is back to normal, you are G2G.

You can try Aromasin. It's what I use. What's nice is that it's very difficult to crash E2 from Aromasin, as opposed to Dex.

[Deal Me In]

High BP is nothing to mess with. If you decide to cycle again make sure you have a BP cuff and check it regularly. Test only. Whether you use P or E IMHO, makes no difference. I prefer E because less pinning.

On the var, if it's legit, I can't take more than 60mg/ED. If I go above 80 the back pumps get so bad I can't work out. As long as I keep it in the 50-60 range I don't have any problems. Just something to think about.