From Fat Fuck to Questionable PED Decisions

[Survivalism]

Hey Folks,

First, I am thankful for this forum and the harm reduction culture it strives to promote.

A bit about current me:

---

About my past and weight loss:

• I used to weigh over 400 lbs.
• I have been in a calorie deficit for over 600 days:
  • ~300 days on strict keto/carnivore.
  • ~300 days since, eating “normal” but tracking everything to the gram.
• Lowest baseline was 162 lbs, where a DEXA put me at 13% body fat.
• I had planned to push down to 10% or lower, but the diet fatigue has been substantial. I feel I’m lean enough to get decent results and minimized sides out of a first cycle.
• A recent flare pushed me up to 174 lbs; I’ve brought it back down to ~170 lbs.
• No alcohol
• No recreational drugs
• Extremely rare cheat meals

---

My C5/C6 – C6/C7 cervical injury:

• Ongoing issue for 10+ years.
• Severe flare ~3 years ago left lasting weakness in my right triceps/delt (right arm has half a pound less muscle than my left).
  • This is what triggered my weight loss journey
• Another flare 1 month ago triggered water/inflammation rebound.
• Managing without surgery through traction, peanut mobility, and NEMS.

---

My TRT journey:

• Before starting TRT, I pulled a full set of comprehensive labs because I was originally interested in researching a cycle. Once I saw my total T was under 300, I looked deeper into TRT.
• Began with a clinic in July 2025 on test cyp ~140 mg/wk + enclomiphene.
• 6-week labs: Total T ~1117 ng/dL, E2 sensitive ~49.
• Clinic basically pulled Total T and E2 with nothing else, no warnings of possible sides at those 6 week numbers, poor management of health overall. I Left the clinic after that and went self-managed.
• Current baseline: test cyp ~140 mg/wk + HCG 250 IU/week split.
• Pulling another comprehensive panel this Friday to establish a baseline before starting my first proper cycle.

---

Peptides I’ve used / experimented with:

• Retatrutide - Started taking this around 175 lbs
• BPC-157
• TB-500
• Sermorelin - 1 10mg vial
• Ipamorelin - 1 10mg vial after the Sermorelin (pinned last does yesterday)
• MT-II
• KLOW
• Ara290 - This is on the way, though, it will likely not be here before the first cycle. Could be a waste of money, but its worth a try for the nerve recovery

---

Cycle plan (20 weeks, possibly longer if bloods are good):

• Test Cypionate → 200 mg/wk (daily injections, cycle dose)
• EQ → 300–400 mg/wk (daily injections)
• NPP → add at week 8, 150–200 mg/wk
• Anavar → 20–30 mg/day, weeks 1–6
• HGH → 2 IU pre-bed daily; plenty on hand to titrate up as sides allow
• I will start everything on the low number and titrate up depending on sides / bloods

Support on hand so far: caber 0.25 mg PRN, aromasin 12.5–25 mg PRN, nolvadex 20 mg emergency backup

---

Bloodwork timeline:

• Week 0 → Establish Baseline
• Week 8 → Test + EQ baseline before full NPP
• Week 16 → Test + EQ + NPP Baseline

Training / diet:

• 5-day split (Push, Pull, Legs, Upper, Legs+Arms) + 30 min type 2 cardio ×5/wk
• Calories ramp from ~2,700 → ~3,200–3,400 (slight surplus hopefully)
• Macros: ~180–190 g protein / 425–450 g carbs / 70–75 g fat

Flow:

• Weeks 1–6 → Test + EQ + Anavar + HGH (Considering an NPP microdose for joint lube, they are feeling a bit iffy.. but i want the clean data in the week 8 bloods)
• Weeks 7 → Drop Anavar, run Test + EQ + HGH (labs)
• Weeks 8–20 → Add NPP 150–200 mg/wk if clean; continue Test + EQ + HGH
• I will get another Dexa after the cycle is finished, and possibly mid-cycle to see where things are trending.

---

Final note:

I fully understand I’m still a baby in this world, and this cycle is advanced for where I’m at in my fitness maturity. I’m not here pretending to have all the answers — I’m here to learn, get checked when I’m off base, and share data along the way.

I know this was a long one, but my health is important to me these days and context is key.

Thanks for coming to my TedTalk.

 

[BigDadd7]

Honest feedback-

"Cycle plan (20 weeks, possibly longer if bloods are good):

• • Test Cypionate → 200 mg/wk (daily injections, cycle dose)
  • EQ → 300–400 mg/wk (daily injections)
  • NPP → add at week 8, 150–200 mg/wk
  • Anavar → 20–30 mg/day, weeks 1–6
  • HGH → 2 IU pre-bed daily; plenty on hand to titrate up as sides allow
  • I will start everything on the low number and titrate up depending on sides / bloods

Support on hand so far: caber 0.25 mg PRN, aromasin 12.5–25 mg PRN, nolvadex 20 mg emergency backup"

This is stupid and overly complicated. You're tiny and trying to run some pro knock off cycle. Stop. You can get big the way thousands of guys have been getting big for 50+ years. Test at 250-400/week. That's it. Eat clean. Balance your macros. Hit your protein goals. Workout hard.

It's that simple. Its proven. It works.

What you proposed will have you back here in three months asking why your lipids are f'd. Why your liver is f'd. Maybe you'll have ed. Don't make it so complicated.

Congrats on the weight loss. That was a huge step and a great victory. Build on that wisely.

 

[Survivalism]

Honest feedback-

"Cycle plan (20 weeks, possibly longer if bloods are good):

• • Test Cypionate → 200 mg/wk (daily injections, cycle dose)
  • EQ → 300–400 mg/wk (daily injections)
  • NPP → add at week 8, 150–200 mg/wk
  • Anavar → 20–30 mg/day, weeks 1–6
  • HGH → 2 IU pre-bed daily; plenty on hand to titrate up as sides allow
  • I will start everything on the low number and titrate up depending on sides / bloods

Support on hand so far: caber 0.25 mg PRN, aromasin 12.5–25 mg PRN, nolvadex 20 mg emergency backup"

This is stupid and overly complicated. You're tiny and trying to run some pro knock off cycle. Stop. You can get big the way thousands of guys have been getting big for 50+ years. Test at 250-400/week. That's it. Eat clean. Balance your macros. Hit your protein goals. Workout hard.

It's that simple. Its proven. It works.

What you proposed will have you back here in three months asking why your lipids are f'd. Why your liver is f'd. Maybe you'll have ed. Don't make it so complicated.

Congrats on the weight loss. That was a huge step and a great victory. Build on that wisely.

Thanks for the feedback man, I appreciate it.

Here are the reasons I chose each compound:

EQ

• Mild anabolic, help balance E2.
  • Mast - This was the original plan but i am scared of the increased hair loss possibility
  • Primo - Strongly considered this, but i think EQ fits the goal and budget a bit better

NPP

• Joint and tendon health
• Complements HGH and peptides for connective tissue recovery.

Anavar

• Early “kick” while EQ is still loading.
• Improves collagen synthesis, tendon repair, and lean tissue retention.
• Short-term use keeps lipid and liver stress more manageable.

HGH

• Supports long-term tissue repair and recovery
• Improves nutrient partitioning and fat metabolism.
• Sleep

I know this stack looks like I am trying to put on straight mass, but, the primary goal is to rebuild and repair the damage i have done to the right side of my body due to my disc compression.

 

[BigDadd7]

Thanks for the feedback man, I appreciate it.

Here are the reasons I chose each compound:

EQ

• Mild anabolic, help balance E2.
  • Mast - This was the original plan but i am scared of the increased hair loss possibility
  • Primo - Strongly considered this, but i think EQ fits the goal and budget a bit better

NPP

• Joint and tendon health
• Complements HGH and peptides for connective tissue recovery.

Anavar

• Early “kick” while EQ is still loading.
• Improves collagen synthesis, tendon repair, and lean tissue retention.
• Short-term use keeps lipid and liver stress more manageable.

HGH

• Supports long-term tissue repair and recovery
• Improves nutrient partitioning and fat metabolism.
• Sleep

The primary goal of this cycle is to rebuild and repair the damage i have done to the right side of my body due to my disc compression.

I'm sure you had your reasons, and they all look good on paper. Still over complicated and unnecessary.

 

[IndividualMan]

trvth nvke, just up your test a little, use Exemestane as needed, pin the GH (if you already have it) and throw in a bit of NPP halfway though /Var at the end if you have already bought it.
(only if you REALLY want to do more than just dip your toes in)

 

[Survivalism]

trvth nvke, just up your test a little, use Exemestane as needed, pin the GH (if you already have it) and throw in a bit of NPP halfway though /Var at the end if you have already bought it.
(only if you REALLY want to do more than just dip your toes in)

Thanks for the feedback.

Respectfully, if I swap EQ for an AI and move anavar to the end, isn't this essentially what I outlined?

 

[cap’nboldenone]

Thanks for the feedback.

Respectfully, if I swap EQ for an AI and move anavar to the end, isn't this essentially what I outlined?

Yes, but honestly I would hold off on the NPP too. Just test + hgh and maybe some var at the end for your first blast. A lot of people still struggle to dial in their e2 by the end of their first cycle with just test, and adding NPP halfway through will complicate that even more.

I’m old school and think 500mg test + aromasin is a great first cycle, but if you want to be conservative you can start with 300.

 

[IndividualMan]

mfw capnboldenone says something so boldenonephobic it makes me question if he can go to EQgartha

 

[Elektrobot]

How old are you and how tall?

if bloods are good):

Tell us what your idea of comprehensive testing is. What bloodwork did you order, when will you get the results, and how frequently have you been doing it? What is your definition of "good".

• Test Cypionate → 200 mg/wk (daily injections, cycle dose)
• EQ → 300–400 mg/wk (daily injections)
• NPP → add at week 8, 150–200 mg/wk
• Anavar → 20–30 mg/day, weeks 1–6
• HGH → 2 IU pre-bed daily; plenty on hand to titrate up as sides allow
• I will start everything on the low number and titrate up depending on sides / bloods

This is most blindly ignorant thing you could possibly do and I implore you to not even touch a single anabolic right now, let alone multiple.

• Sermorelin - 1 10mg vial
• Ipamorelin - 1 10mg vial after the Sermorelin (pinned last does yesterday)

What was your baseline IGF before starting these?

rebuild and repair the damage i have done to the right side of my body due to my disc compression

What you described is cervical stenosis with radiculopathy. This is a mechanical problem, not a tissue problem. Drugs are not going to reverse foraminal narrowing of your bones.

If doctors could cure this by prescribing steroids, they would. Steroids aren't the treatment plan.


Wisen up and be honest with yourself. You were a 400 pound person, with limited training history, very little muscle mass.

The best thing you can do for yourself is get an appointment with a cardiologist and see what cardiovascular damage your previous condition and habits caused, and follow their treatment plan. Get some cardiac imaging done. Find out how much plaque build up you have, where it is, and if any of it has started to calcify.

You would be an absolute fool to execute the plan you typed out here.

 

[cap’nboldenone]

mfw capnboldenone says something so boldenonephobic it makes me question if he can go to EQgartha

please don’t report me to majorboldenone

 

[IndividualMan]

please don’t report me to majorboldenone

I will, and you will be thrown in the BoldenineBrig for meutany

 

[Survivalism]

Thanks for the thoughtful response, of course, this is the kind of response I do not want to read but need to read.

I appreciate that.

How old are you and how tall?

I am 34 and 5 foot 7in

Tell us what your idea of comprehensive testing is. What bloodwork did you order, when will you get the results, and how frequently have you been doing it? What is your definition of "good".

Bloodwork Panel going forward (first one this Friday)

• CBC (with Differential + Platelets)
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
• Lipid Panel (Standard)
• Apolipoprotein Evaluation (ApoB)
• Hemoglobin A1c
• Fasting Insulin
• Estradiol (Sensitive, LC/MS)
• Testosterone, Total & Free (Equilibrium Dialysis or LC/MS-MS)
• SHBG
• LH
• FSH
• Prolactin
• PSA, Total & Free
• IGF-1 (LC/MS)
• Thyroid: TSH, Free T3, Free T4 (Direct Dialysis)
• Liver Enzymes: AST, ALT
• Kidney: BUN, Creatinine

I was planning to get this panel at latest week 8 and week 16, unless i was feeling effects warranting me to pull it earlier. Results are available in 7 days or less.

What is good bloodwork? This is a great question and in retrospect not something I have probably given enough thought yet. To some extent I believe what is "good" is unique for each person and the situation, experience I do not have yet. At an obvious minimum, markers above the baseline would warrant investigation to understand their impact.


Bloodwork i got before I started TRT, unfortunately, its missing some important baseline details.

Bloodwork (5/19/2025)

Lipid Panel

• Total Cholesterol: 133 (<200 mg/dL)
• HDL: 52 (≥40 mg/dL)
• Triglycerides: 54 (<150 mg/dL)
• LDL (calc): 68 (<100 mg/dL)
• Chol/HDL Ratio: 2.6 (<5.0)
• Non-HDL: 81 (<130 mg/dL)

Kidney / Liver

• BUN: 28 (H) (7–25 mg/dL)
• Creatinine: 1.03 (0.60–1.26 mg/dL)
• eGFR: 98 (≥60 mL/min/1.73m²)
• AST: 28 (10–40 U/L)
• ALT: 64 (H) (9–46 U/L)

CBC

• WBC: 4.7 (3.8–10.8)
• RBC: 4.59 (4.20–5.80)
• Hemoglobin: 14.1 (13.2–17.1)
• Hematocrit: 43.9% (38.5–50.0)
• MCV: 95.6 (80–100)
• MCH: 30.7 (27–33)
• MCHC: 32.1 (32–36)
• RDW: 12.3 (11–15)
• Platelets: 138 (L) (140–400)
• MPV: 12.4 (7.5–12.5)

Differential

• Neutrophils: 50.8% (Abs 2388)
• Lymphocytes: 35.0% (Abs 1645)
• Monocytes: 6.4% (Abs 301)
• Eosinophils: 7.2% (Abs 338)
• Basophils: 0.6% (Abs 28)

Hormones

• FSH: 3.4 (1.4–12.8)
• LH: 2.4 (1.5–9.3)
• Prolactin: 5.9 (2.0–18.0)
• Estradiol: 19 (≤39 pg/mL)
• SHBG: 36 (10–50 nmol/L)
• Testosterone, Total (MS): 276 (250–1100 ng/dL)
• Testosterone, Free (dialysis): 37.3 (35.0–155.0 pg/mL)

Unfortunately I did not verify with the TRT clinic what they would be pulling for bloodwork, so i only have the total T and E2 quoted above, this was probably 6-8 weeks after this 5/19 panel.

The panel this Friday is 8 weeks after i switched to self managed TRT with HCG instead of enclomiphene.

What was your baseline IGF before starting these?

As you can see, I did not know enough when i ordered my original blood panel to have IGF1 included, so I do not have any baseline numbers before the peptides.

What you described is cervical stenosis with radiculopathy. This is a mechanical problem, not a tissue problem. Drugs are not going to reverse foraminal narrowing of your bones.

If doctors could cure this by prescribing steroids, they would. Steroids aren't the treatment plan.

Yes, I have disk protrusions at both locations, I do understand this is a mechanical problem and I have been going to physical therapy for the past 3 years to work on that front. I do traction and peanut therapy twice a day at home in addition to my PT sessions.

I am not trying to take these steroids to fix my disk protrusions, I am trying to rebuild the mass which atrophied due to the nerve compression.

Wisen up and be honest with yourself. You were a 400 pound person, with limited training history, very little muscle mass.

The best thing you can do for yourself is get an appointment with a cardiologist and see what cardiovascular damage your previous condition and habits caused, and follow their treatment plan. Get some cardiac imaging done. Find out how much plaque build up you have, where it is, and if any of it has started to calcify.

You would be an absolute fool to execute the plan you typed out here.

This is not something i have even considered given my age, while i was 400 lbs at my worst, i did not spend a considerable amount of time there. I have spent the majority of my teenage and adult life between 200 and 300.

I do not have the most faith in the US medical system, but I would have expected my PCP to suggest this if they thought it was a valid concern, though, obviously they would not take into account the additional strain i am planning with PED usage.

 

[Elektrobot]

What is good bloodwork?

This is good bloodwork:

You may want to add PSA, DHT, Pregnanolone, Zinc and Copper (look for a 1:1 ratio), Folate and Cortisol.

ALT: 64 (H) (9–46 U/L)

You need to test GGT

I am trying to rebuild the mass which atrophied due to the nerve compression.

This does not require steroids. And if the nerve compression still exists, the muscle isn't going to improve.

I do not have the most faith in the US medical system

.... But you are willing to self prescribe 4 different anabolics, growth hormone, and 8 peptides based on bullshit that you read on the internet ..... Get fucked dude.

 

[Mclean]

Congratulations on the hard work man ! That’s a crazy weight loss journey.

I really just wanted to touch on the spine stuff, I broke my c2,c4,c7. The c2 was the most “dangerous” doctors said its referred to as a “hangman’s fracture” the opiates ended up being nearly as dangerous as the fracture for me. I don’t think you touched on that aspect but if it was anything similar for you then I know that was a battle in itself.

Big shoutout for all the hard work

 

[Survivalism]

Congratulations on the hard work man ! That’s a crazy weight loss journey.

I really just wanted to touch on the spine stuff, I broke my c2,c4,c7. The c2 was the most “dangerous” doctors said its referred to as a “hangman’s fracture” the opiates ended up being nearly as dangerous as the fracture for me. I don’t think you touched on that aspect but if it was anything similar for you then I know that was a battle in itself.

Big shoutout for all the hard work

Thanks for the kind words dude, a big part of this journey for me has been sobriety and quitting all my vices.

That is some serious damage, i hope your recovery has been complete and you are able to live the life you deserve.

 

[Survivalism]

You may want to add PSA, DHT, Pregnanolone, Zinc and Copper (look for a 1:1 ratio), Folate and Cortisol.

View attachment 350137



You need to test GGT

Thanks.

This does not require steroids. And if the nerve compression still exists, the muscle isn't going to improve.

I agree — which is why I’m scheduling a new MRI and following up with my neurosurgeon. I know this is a mechanical problem first, and I’m not expecting drugs to “fix” the compression. The goal is to rebuild what atrophied once the nerve is managed, not to magically repair the spine.

.... But you are willing to self prescribe 4 different anabolics, growth hormone, and 8 peptides based on bullshit that you read on the internet ..... Get fucked dude.

Ah, I see we’ve escalated. I respect the earlier points you made, but this part just feels like taking a swing. It may just be that you don’t agree with the path I’m taking to reach my goals — fair enough. But at the end of the day, we’re all here self-prescribing compounds for our own reasons, and I don’t think mine deserve “get fucked” just because they aren’t the same as yours.

 

[cap’nboldenone]

The “get fucked” was unnecessary, but everything else he said was correct.

Another important thing here to note is that you don’t have much muscle to begin with, so once you start training hard and eating to grow you’re going to blow up regardless of whether you’re taking AAS or not. Taking AAS right from the start can mask a shitty diet or training and lead to you stalling out a lot sooner, as well as damaging your health more than you need to.

 

[egruberman]

Ah, I see we’ve escalated. I respect the earlier points you made, but this part just feels like taking a swing. It may just be that you don’t agree with the path I’m taking to reach my goals — fair enough. But at the end of the day, we’re all here self-prescribing compounds for our own reasons, and I don’t think mine deserve “get fucked” just because they aren’t the same as yours.

I'll try a different tactic other than "get fucked"

This is your first cycle. Nobody should be using the cycle you're proposing until they have accumulated substantial experience with the compounds you noted. It boggles the mind why anyone would want to use NPP these days other than the fact there are a few people that really like it. One wonders if the appeal for them is not just the water retention.

If you're going to fuck with a 19nor, might as well get some tren. Maybe make a list of ladyboys nearby to have that on hand in the event that your proclivities shift.

Probably ought to start with Test, titrate that up until you start to see sides and then add an E2 modulating compound that works for you. Typically that's EQ or Primo. I like Primo for this purpose and my anecdotal observations suggests that it more reliably moderates E2 once one has identified the individual variation. Functionally it behaves like a suicide AI. Typically people can start at 2:1 testrimo and see how they respond. Folks with lots of adipose tissue might fare better with 1:1.

You don't need anavar, but what the hell, just keep the doses below 20mg.

If you really want to accumulate some tissue, toss in some tren and a short stint of anadrol toward the end of your *next* cycle.

 

[Elektrobot]

I don’t think mine deserve “get fucked” just because they aren’t the same as yours

I told you to get fucked because you are on a harm reduction board telling everyone about how you are planning on harming yourself, and not exhibiting any common sense for your own well being, while arguing with the advice you are receiving like you are the one with experience in this.

You were over 400 pounds

You have no matured training experience

You have not built any muscle naturally

You have no experience with PED usage

You have no reason for PED usage

The ideas you outlined are those of a drug user. Not a performance enthusiast.

You just want to take drugs, because you think they will do what you haven't done for yourself.

Your plan is equivalent to taking an beat down '96 honda civic with a blown head gasket, and thinking you can fix it with some rims and an oversized tail pipe. Might as well throw a wing on it while your at it because that's the one thing really holding it back, right?

Go live your life as a formerly 400+ person in the most healthful way possible. Don't try and throw a wing on yourself thinking you are going to fix something with it.

 

[oldage]

Honest feedback-

"Cycle plan (20 weeks, possibly longer if bloods are good):

• • Test Cypionate → 200 mg/wk (daily injections, cycle dose)
  • EQ → 300–400 mg/wk (daily injections)
  • NPP → add at week 8, 150–200 mg/wk
  • Anavar → 20–30 mg/day, weeks 1–6
  • HGH → 2 IU pre-bed daily; plenty on hand to titrate up as sides allow
  • I will start everything on the low number and titrate up depending on sides / bloods

Support on hand so far: caber 0.25 mg PRN, aromasin 12.5–25 mg PRN, nolvadex 20 mg emergency backup"

This is stupid and overly complicated. You're tiny and trying to run some pro knock off cycle. Stop. You can get big the way thousands of guys have been getting big for 50+ years. Test at 250-400/week. That's it. Eat clean. Balance your macros. Hit your protein goals. Workout hard.

It's that simple. Its proven. It works.

What you proposed will have you back here in three months asking why your lipids are f'd. Why your liver is f'd. Maybe you'll have ed. Don't make it so complicated.

Congrats on the weight loss. That was a huge step and a great victory. Build on that wisely.

This!! Just dialing in your E2 with test will be a challenge.
I'd listen to these guys. Get your heart checked out first, eco, calcium score, Apo a,b......
Then if no heart issues, test is best.

How much test can u run before u have E2 issues? Good chance u running that much EQ will have u feeling like shit amd its not an easy fix to get crashed E2 back up quickly running EQ. Lot easier with an AI.

Figure out the nutrition, most important aspect, if u under eat u won't see what u want in the mirror no matter how many anabolics u throw at it. And that's from experience and being new to this myself. I need to take my own advice and get my calories up before throwing PES at it!

I would vote Test, AI, and add HGH next cycle. If u run HGH first cycle won't be able to differentiate water retention from HGH or high E2. U won't know how to respond to side effects.

Plus I bet u could put 20lbs on with just test and squared away nutrition being ur first cycle.