Thread: How long do you stay off for?

for me always time on + pct = time off. my blood work come back normal 6 weeks after pct ends. iam always itching to to get right back on juice

i hear at least 4 months for complete hpta recovery..

Originally Posted by Glycomann

Recovery is more than just getting your HPTA back in shape. The organs recover from stress. Steroid excretion systems return to normal. The entire endocrine system re-adjusts. Glycosomes return to normal levels. Hypertonic smooth muscle tension remits. Blood volume returns to normal along with red cell numbers. etc..etc...etc. Personally I feel great at week 3 off when the water drops. Then 3-6 I crash. First 8 weeks sucks after week 3. 8-16 still feel small and less than natural recovery rates and gym performance. 16-24 start to feel normal again. 24+ usually require some of the AAS gains and perform at a higher level than before began cycling. At 6 months my test level is normal range. At 4 weeks my LH is normal range. I'm 49 and have been using AAS since 27. What is your experience?

1. How long do you stay off for?
2. How do you feel when off 8 weeks?
2. How do you feel when off 16 weeks?
2. How do you feel when off 24 weeks?
2. How do you feel when off more than 24 weeks?

I agree about feeling a bit rough for the first two months or so after the water drops during PCT. I'm actually in that phase right now. I just finished my four week PCT last week. I'm planning on a fairly extended break, probably at least a year. Last time I took an extended break past four months or so was a few years ago, so I feel like it's due. I also start to feel better and stronger about 2-3 months out of PCT. I get blood work done around this time, and everything is pretty normal. Test is a bit low, but I'll check that around the six month mark, and I'm hoping it comes back fully and I can avoid TRT for a bit longer. I'm a couple years younger than you. So I guess I didn't add too much, other than that my experience is pretty similar to your own. Interesting question.

Originally Posted by MDR

I agree about feeling a bit rough for the first two months or so after the water drops during PCT. I'm actually in that phase right now. I just finished my four week PCT last week. I'm planning on a fairly extended break, probably at least a year. Last time I took an extended break past four months or so was a few years ago, so I feel like it's due. I also start to feel better and stronger about 2-3 months out of PCT. I get blood work done around this time, and everything is pretty normal. Test is a bit low, but I'll check that around the six month mark, and I'm hoping it comes back fully and I can avoid TRT for a bit longer. I'm a couple years younger than you. So I guess I didn't add too much, other than that my experience is pretty similar to your own. Interesting question.

That's what I'm looking for.

For me it took about 4-6 months to feel completely normal, but I never used pct either. Probably would have been sooner if I did use pct. I think 6 months would be an ideal recovery peroid if you care about your health.

Originally Posted by bigmoe65

For me it took about 4-6 months to feel completely normal, but I never used pct either. Probably would have been sooner if I did use pct. I think 6 months would be an ideal recovery peroid if you care about your health.

Maybe the happy medium is to blast and cruise for 6-8 months with short 3 week breaks and then 6 months off. Also always use hCG when on cycle. The HP parts come back fast. The testes not so much so don't let them shrink in the first place. The limiting factor in this is the stress on the body. After blast and cruise for 8 blast-8 cruise-8 blast -8 cruise I am shot and need a break.

Just take a break, it cant hurt.

Triptorelin may change all of this if it is all that it cracks up to be.
GnRH (Triptorelin)

OFF? What is this OFF you speak of? lol On a serious note, off cycle is like being an alcoholic with no alcohol, after you detox you start to feel better, except we have like a 3-6 week long detox's lol

Lately Ill blast for 12-16 cruise for a month or so than blast again, and take a 3-4 month break and repeat.

Originally Posted by Ravager

Triptorelin may change all of this if it is all that it cracks up to be.
GnRH (Triptorelin)

The shit is dangerous. Use to much and you fry the system for good. It was used for sex offenders at one time.

Originally Posted by Glycomann

The shit is dangerous. Use to much and you fry the system for good. It was used for sex offenders at one time.

I agree. However so is AAS, and any other drug when used out of recommended dosage.

It seems to be very new to the AAS world, with little logged research, and ZERO long term research AFAIK.

I havn't tried it myself, nor do I plan on it anytime soon, but it sure interests me.

I really started this thread to show that doing a few cycles doesn't mean one is destined to TRT for life. That seems to be the justification for guys to stay on indefinitely. Hell Arnold was in his 50s banging and ugly tard and knocked her up after juicing for 4 decades.

Originally Posted by Glycomann

I really started this thread to show that doing a few cycles doesn't mean one is destined to TRT for life. That seems to be the justification for guys to stay on indefinitely. Hell Arnold was in his 50s banging and ugly tard and knocked her up after juicing for 4 decades.

She is pretty disgusting, you'd think that with his fame he'd do better than that...

I'm 34 and have been cycling 1-2 cycles a year for the last 10 years, with exception of two of those years after tearing my anterior deltoid.

Very similar to you, after two-three weeks of PCT I feel great. Then a bit of decline, but I keep my calories up and training consistent, so not too much of one. I usually will take 4-6 months off in btw cycles, although that was not the case after my last cycle. I had bloodwork done after 60 days and was back in normal ranges, so I jumped back on. I will probably never do that again, but I had my reasons for doing so. After this cycle, I will be taking an extended break of about 6mos-1year. Easier said than done, but those are my intentions.

Originally Posted by Glycomann

I really started this thread to show that doing a few cycles doesn't mean one is destined to TRT for life. That seems to be the justification for guys to stay on indefinitely. Hell Arnold was in his 50s banging and ugly tard and knocked her up after juicing for 4 decades.

I agree with this but we also know a ton more than we did just 10 years ago. Done properly, I think it is very safe. Abuse is the key word.

Originally Posted by GMO

I'm 34 and have been cycling 1-2 cycles a year for the last 10 years, with exception of two of those years after tearing my anterior deltoid.

Very similar to you, after two-three weeks of PCT I feel great. Then a bit of decline, but I keep my calories up and training consistent, so not too much of one. I usually will take 4-6 months off in btw cycles, although that was not the case after my last cycle. I had bloodwork done after 60 days and was back in normal ranges, so I jumped back on. I will probably never do that again, but I had my reasons for doing so. After this cycle, I will be taking an extended break of about 6mos-1year. Easier said than done, but those are my intentions.

Easier said than done is right. I'm 3 weeks into a 6 month off period after blast and cruise for 8 months.

Originally Posted by ZECH

I agree with this but we also know a ton more than we did just 10 years ago. Done properly, I think it is very safe. Abuse is the key word.

Lots more science and bro science but I see people making more mistakes now. The average doses have quadrupled over the past 2 decades. Way more people never come off. With the appearance of TRT clinics many are just resign to the idea of TRT for life in their 20s. Taking a periodic 6 months off is a rarity rather than a norm.

Originally Posted by Glycomann

Lots more science and bro science but I see people making more mistakes now. The average doses have quadrupled over the past 2 decades. Way more people never come off. With the appearance of TRT clinics many are just resign to the idea of TRT for life in their 20s. Taking a periodic 6 months off is a rarity rather than a norm.

I agree. Back in the day I trained with and knew many national and world class powerlifters and record holders, and a lot of those guys didn't run cycles that are pretty commonplace these days. I make no money from training, and don't compete any longer, so why in the world would I ever consider not coming off? I really don't understand the justification for that by the recreational lifter. To each their own, but never taking time off is not for me. To be honest, my drug days may very well be behind me altogether. The next two years I am taking on the challenge of getting another graduate degree and becoming a therapist. At my age I am no longer putting training (and cycling) before all else in my life.

Originally Posted by MDR

I agree. Back in the day I trained with and knew many national and world class powerlifters and record holders, and a lot of those guys didn't run cycles that are pretty commonplace these days. I make no money from training, and don't compete any longer, so why in the world would I ever consider not coming off? I really don't understand the justification for that by the recreational lifter. To each their own, but never taking time off is not for me. To be honest, my drug days may very well be behind me altogether. The next two years I am taking on the challenge of getting another graduate degree and becoming a therapist. At my age I am no longer putting training (and cycling) before all else in my life.

It's because everyone is fearful of getting smaller and it becoming obvious they use.. at least at some level.

I actually enjoy being off even if I feel smaller. I just do not try to be as strong as when on for the first 3 months b/c it's simply not possible. I train differently. I still lift but with less intensity plus more athletic type stuff. I'll run more and do some bag work and some grappling. I actually get into shape. Cardiovascular health goes up. pulse goes down. BP drops.

Originally Posted by MDR

I agree. Back in the day I trained with and knew many national and world class powerlifters and record holders, and a lot of those guys didn't run cycles that are pretty commonplace these days. I make no money from training, and don't compete any longer, so why in the world would I ever consider not coming off? I really don't understand the justification for that by the recreational lifter. To each their own, but never taking time off is not for me. To be honest, my drug days may very well be behind me altogether. The next two years I am taking on the challenge of getting another graduate degree and becoming a therapist. At my age I am no longer putting training (and cycling) before all else in my life.

How old are you? I am 47 and feel alot of this.........Even though I still enjoy lifting and feeling big. I may not ever be huge but there are too many other hobbies I have to totally dedicate my life to lifting. I don't compete, so the need isn't there.

4 months off is a good plan to follow. With proper PCT as well as hcg while on, I think that is plenty of time to recover unless the cycle was very heavy. I also think that shorter cycles, like those no longer than 8 weeks can yield good gains and require less time off to get things back to normal. Something I've been reading a lot of lately is guys doing short 6-8 week cycles and only needs a couple months off to get bloodwork back to normal. When you are talking being on for 8 months I think most would need about a half a year to recover.

Originally Posted by Glycomann

It's because everyone is fearful of getting smaller and it becoming obvious they use.. at least at some level.

I actually enjoy being off even if I feel smaller. I just do not try to be as strong as when on for the first 3 months b/c it's simply not possible. I train differently. I still lift but with less intensity plus more athletic type stuff. I'll run more and do some bag work and some grappling. I actually get into shape. Cardiovascular health goes up. pulse goes down. BP drops.

I am exactly the same way these days. I like the kind of fitness I achieve when I am off completely. I understand the fear of getting smaller; it's something I've been coming to terms with for a long time. My body aches with heavy training and use much more than when I was younger. The biggest I ever got while powerlifting was up around 280. I was a member of the one-ton club for many years, and achieved most of my goals in Powerlifting. These days, I just can't train at that level anymore, especially after having blown a couple discs in my low back a few years back. I'll be 45 later this year, and it just seems to me that I've put my body through the wringer for a long time. I think it's time for me to focus on overall fitness rather than sheer mass and power. I'll always lift, but I'm actually looking forward to new challenges and accepting the fact that my goals can't be the same as they were 20-25 years ago.

Originally Posted by ZECH

How old are you? I am 47 and feel alot of this.........Even though I still enjoy lifting and feeling big. I may not ever be huge but there are too many other hobbies I have to totally dedicate my life to lifting. I don't compete, so the need isn't there.

I'll be 45 in a few months, and I feel the same way. For me it's kinda been there done that, and other priorities are shifting my focus away from living to train.

great info so far guys..if i do 12 to 16 week cycles..it seems to take about 3 months after pct..so i a total of 4 months..

Glycomann --what are you gonna gonna use for your "pct", how long are you gonna run it for before you you let your body naturally recover?

Originally Posted by keith1569

great info so far guys..if i do 12 to 16 week cycles..it seems to take about 3 months after pct..so i a total of 4 months..

Glycomann --what are you gonna gonna use for your "pct", how long are you gonna run it for before you you let your body naturally recover?

If you want to recover completely, many use the formula time off=time on, not counting PCT recovery time. I'd be willing to bet Glycomann uses Clomid and Aromasin, but I'm not positive. I can tell you that's what I like, for what it's worth. Good luck.

Originally Posted by MDR

If you want to recover completely, many use the formula time off=time on, not counting PCT recovery time. I'd be willing to bet Glycomann uses Clomid and Aromasin, but I'm not positive. I can tell you that's what I like, for what it's worth. Good luck.

I use Clomid and a little Nolvadex with a little bit of AI sprinkled in.

but i was wondering since you are coming off 8 months, how long you are gonna run clomid and such for

i really think 4 to 6 months is fine. i usually only go 6 when test recovery is slow.