End-of-cycle jitters | Community Forum

blazing_bee11.24RPOriginal post

7d ago

Not saying I'm impressive, but this is the best I've ever looked compared to the 150 lb stringbean who still looked 16 at 28. I've rebuilt myself after a year of cycling and hard training, even if it wasn't always consistent. (Got divorced this year and other crap that knocked me off course.) Beyond the physical changes, testosterone has given me a huge lift in confidence and mental toughness. I don't think I'd have bounced back from this year so fast without it. Now it's time to stop and man, that's hard — I'm sure many of you know that fear of shrinking or losing progress. It has to be done; I want to do it the right way and actually be properly jacked someday. Any tips appreciated. God bless — be kind to yourselves, bros.

18 replies

lisac3.06RP

6d ago

Were you just running testosterone only? What were your test numbers before you started? I'd look at cruising instead of fully stopping — you'll keep more of your gains that way.

lynxeast898.22RP

6d ago

Congrats on the change and how far you've come. I went on test after my divorce and never looked back. At your age you should do a proper PCT — do you already have what you need? Yes, you'll likely lose some gains and feel low, but it's better for your health and to restore natural production. When you're older and done having kids you can consider blast-and-cruise or long-term protocols. In the meantime keep training and eating enough to preserve as much muscle as possible before your next blast.

southlazy14.02RP

6d ago

Nice progress for a year, seriously.

shadowpress12.84RP

6d ago

A breakup is a hell of a motivator to hit the gym. Keep grinding. Coming off would be the smart move if you don't plan to be cycling non-stop. Discipline will matter a lot once you're off. The good news is you're not past your natural potential — with proper diet and training you'll keep most of that muscle. You'll mainly lose water and some glycogen.

happyfox1.74RP

6d ago

My baseline was in the high 200s before I started. I've been on test for 14 months total, did two cycles with a cruise between them. I should've been clearer: when I said 'come off' I really meant switch to a cruise. On my first cruise I ran 150 mg of test for about 20 weeks and felt very good — not enhanced, lost some size but felt fine.

summittavern11.45RP

6d ago

I actually have 10,000 IU HCG x2 in the freezer, stacks of nolvadex and clomid, and some aromasin in baggies — I could run a pretty aggressive PCT. But I've been blasting and cruising for the last 14 months and used EQ among other compounds, which supposedly suppresses you hard. My pre-T labs were in the high 200s on one test and low 300s on another. I do want kids with my new partner in about two years. When I said 'come off' I probably meant go to a cruise, but you've got me thinking about doing a full PCT now.

chalktinker3.4RP

6d ago

Just curious — when things blew up with your ex, did she ever bring up your gear use and say it had changed you, or did that not come up at all?

ridgevalley6.45RP

6d ago

If you're 28 and planning kids in two years, make that the priority. Do a proper PCT now and save blast-and-cruise for after kids. Plenty of time ahead for gear and gains.

summitgrey8312.2RP

6d ago

How much were you running on your blast cycles?

north_lift7.4RP

6d ago

It never came up. I basically have zero temper — even Tren made me a big softie who cried at cute animals and always wanted affection, lol.

jacobc4.3RP

6d ago

On one blast I ran 700 mg test and 700 mg EQ — can't say if doses were under or over what was advertised. This current cycle was 500–600 mg test with 350 mg tren ace.

ghostvalley7411.27RP

6d ago

Man, I would have cuddled you then, lol.

canyonred4.88RP

6d ago

If your baseline was only in the 200s, cruising makes sense. To preserve fertility, use HCG during both blasts and cruises — it'll keep the testes functioning. Sounds like 150 mg of test puts you in the high-normal range, which might be your sweet spot.

scriberiver12.11RP

6d ago

Those are good points. Ideally stop before trying for kids — and not the 14-month nonstop cycles, lol. Maybe limit yourself to one 12–16 week run a year so your body gets 8–9 months to recover. After kids you can B&C if you want. I didn't do that: I B&C'd into my 30s, then stopped and we got my wife pregnant twice. My testosterone never fully recovered in the five years I was off, which was expected after such long use. The worst part was having zero libido during that time — brutal when you're trying to conceive. Be smarter than I was. Now I'm on TRT+ and hoping to stick with that long-term, if I can keep my restraint.

gains_hawk5.18RP

6d ago

I get it — plan your next cycle and keep progressing. I'm wrapping a 16-week run of test and primo right now; I kicked off the first 18 days with sdrol, then switched to var from week 5 until now. This cycle's been solid. My worry is actually getting legit primo — supply from overseas has been sketchy, so confidence is low. The two-month cruise will suck, but I've already got the next cycle mapped out and I'm hyped for it.

curlcurl2.12RP

6d ago

Hormone swings are wild, right? One minute you're hunting for raw meat, the next you're tearing up during a kids' movie.

mothdealer2.24RP

6d ago

Sounds like you've been through a lot. Smart move prioritizing the kids angle at 28. A proper PCT could be the right call given what you want. I also had low natural T, so I know the temptation to stay on. Just keep checking in with your doctor and monitor your health. Good luck, man.

canyon_digger4.33RP

5d ago

You're looking at too many mirrors and worrying about everyone watching. A lot of guys in the gym fall into what's basically reverse anorexia — the mind messing with you. Stop stressing about what others think. You're the one who has to live with yourself. If you really don't want to quit, at least cruise on low-dose testosterone and run clomid and HCG for a couple weeks. Cruise a while and throw on sweatshirts if you're worried about looks. FWIW my mates used to rib me, saying I was losing weight to get under my skin — they knew it would bother me. Don't let other people's words get to you.