Discussion Cramping on cycle

[BigBoy308]

No you jerks, I’m not on my period .

I’m an old(er) man (50), 5’11”, 245lbs. Don’t know my bf%, my guess is 25%. Working on that part. I’ve been consistently lifting weights since I was 15.

I’m starting week 5 of a blast, 500mg test c, 300mg eq. I used var for the first 4 weeks.

Bloodwork was clean before starting, rbc and hematocrit levels slightly elevated. Lipids slightly elevated, but nothing concerning. Blood pressure has been mildly elevated during the cycle.

When I started, I gained a bunch of weight (a bit over 255, baseline was 240), but I’ve been taking 10-20mg aromisin to cut my e levels down and the water bloat has subsided. I’ve cut back my calories as well. I’m just not a fan of feeling bloated and my back doesn’t like the extra weight.

I’ll get bloodwork done in a couple weeks, but I would imagine the EQ is affecting my e2 levels as well.

I was putting my socks on this morning and got a really painful abdominal cramp that took a few minutes to subside. I’ve never been prone to cramps of any kind, so it was concerning and it hurt like a mfer.

I’m getting “almost cramps” a lot in the gym, mostly in my lower abdominal area.

Is there any kind of connection between what I’m using and cramps?

 

[Neuro]

Var makes me cramp like a fucker. Increase your taurine and increase your water.

I take 6-8 grams of taurine daily. And 1-1.5 gal of water a day.

You can try adding some salt to your intra workout.

 

[Aude_Aliquid_Dignu]

I would cut the Var out completely.
Where you are currently, the juice isn't work the squeeze.
just my 2 cents.

 

[BigBoy308]

Var makes me cramp like a fucker. Increase your taurine and increase your water.

I take 6-8 grams of taurine daily. And 1-1.5 gal of water a day.

You can try adding some salt to your intra workout.

I’m definitely going to up my electrolytes. I did notice that I had really bad back pumps when I was taking the var. It was a little experiment that I won’t be doing again. I really got nothing from it except looking a little tighter early on.

 

[BigBoy308]

I would cut the Var out completely.
Where you are currently, the juice isn't work the squeeze.
just my 2 cents.

I agree. No point in it. With my age, potential liver or kidney issues are on my mind a lot.

 

[Poppy]

I agree. No point in it. With my age, potential liver or kidney issues are on my mind a lot.

Agree with all of the above.

I lasted about a week on low dose “lady var”… made me feel very bad/toxic. Not for me.

Are your cramps “muscular” or internal like gut cramps?

 

[Ripgut]

on my period

Has anyone suggested Midol?

 

[BigBoy308]

Agree with all of the above.

I lasted about a week on low dose “lady var”… made me feel very bad/toxic. Not for me.

Are your cramps “muscular” or internal like gut cramps?

Definitely muscular. My back muscles on my left side cramp easily, too. Picture reaching behind your body (while standing) to grab your foot to stretch your left quad. That causes my back to cramp where I have to let go of my foot.

And ditto again on the var. I’m happy to hear it wasn’t just in my head. I kept thinking “I just started this cycle and the test and definitely the eq haven’t had time to build up. Can the weakest compound I’m taking really be making me feel so out of sorts?”

 

[BigBoy308]

Has anyone suggested Midol?

NOT on my period.

That’s later this month…

 

[Poppy]

Definitely muscular. My back muscles on my left side cramp easily, too. Picture reaching behind your body (while standing) to grab your foot to stretch your left quad. That causes my back to cramp where I have to let go of my foot.

And ditto again on the var. I’m happy to hear it wasn’t just in my head. I kept thinking “I just started this cycle and the test and definitely the eq haven’t had time to build up. Can the weakest compound I’m taking really be making me feel so out of sorts?”

I’ve found as I age… mobility/stretching has become way more relevant. I dropped the ball in my late 50’s and playing catchup now.

Maybe get a bit more “aggressive” in your mobility stretching etc or do it more frequently. Just thinking out loud.

 

[Neuro]

did notice that I had really bad back pumps when I was taking the var.

Taurineeee. When I stay on top of mine it’s a night and day difference. I hate back pumps.

 

[BigBoy308]

Taurineeee. When I stay on top of mine it’s a night and day difference. I hate back pumps.

I’m definitely going to get some. Do you have a particular brand you recommend?

 

[BigBoy308]

I’ve found as I age… mobility/stretching has become way more relevant. I dropped the ball in my late 50’s and playing catchup now.

Maybe get a bit more “aggressive” in your mobility stretching etc or do it more frequently. Just thinking out loud.

I’ve always had pretty terrible flexibility. I consistently stretch my upper body, particularly my chest/shoulders/upper and mid back.

I do stretch my lower body a decent amount, but it’s mostly during my leg days.

There’s definitely room for improvement.

Do you follow a particular program?

 

[BigBoy308]

Another thought I had was that perhaps a high red blood cell count could contribute to cramping?

Because of increased blood pressure?

Maybe that’s idiotic. I need to go donate blood soon.

 

[Poppy]

I’ve always had pretty terrible flexibility. I consistently stretch my upper body, particularly my chest/shoulders/upper and mid back.

I do stretch my lower body a decent amount, but it’s mostly during my leg days.

There’s definitely room for improvement.

Do you follow a particular program?

I am/was lazy and didn’t work on my flexibility/mobility for years. I’m ate up with arthritis and need two hips… holding off until 70 or as long as I can.

I just try and work it a little every day on and off aggressively.

Getting down and up from the floor needs to be practiced often. It’s one of the things old folks neglect and is beneficial. A person is supposed to be able to get down and up without support… chair etc.

 

[Poppy]

Another thought I had was that perhaps a high red blood cell count could contribute to cramping?

Because of increased blood pressure?

Maybe that’s idiotic. I need to go donate blood soon.

I’ve never heard of that causing cramps.

 

[Poppy]

I’m tagging in @Neuro and @BBSQ5

Two of smartest young men I know

 

[johnjuanb1]

Anavar always does this to me. Taurine isn’t enough. I was taking 2mg taurine 3 times a day. Also 500mg magnesium 3 times a day. That did the trick for me.