For those juicing over 20 years...How do you feel?

[5Noles]

Closing in on 40yrs. Started 1983 right out of high school. Feel great!

 

[LK3]

20 years. probably better with then without.
ive been trying to stay on just trt, i feel better with a bit more.

 

[Scorpyd]

Age 59.
Started summer only cycles only at at age 29 to 40 years old.
My anti aging, geriatric and wellness Doctor started me on TRT at age 46 and its been smooth sailing ever since.
No issues noted other than Idiopathic Gastroparesis probably due to being a factory worker in cutting fluid and iron/aluminum machining contaminated environments for the past 34 years.
I retire July 1st 2022

 

[pickapeck]

I'm 60. Other than some arthritis and old injuries I feel pretty good. Gear use evolved over the years. Do blood work to know what and how much impacts your health markers and stay within bounds. There are a few guys around this board and a few others that are in their 70s. These are guys that pretty much figured out to stay within their bounds.

 

[nicocujo]

63 here. Been on 40 years. Started with (2) 12 week cycles per year. Time on = time off. Progressed over the years to higher dosages twice per year, then cruises. Went as high as 2 grams per week. Been on TRT for about 15 years. Sometimes higher dosages but now usually not more than 100-150mg per week. Taking Lisinopril for BP (114/72) and finasteride for prostate. Don't train as heavy as I used to, but heavy for a 63 year old.

 

[chrisrivers]

Not Quite 20 yrs for me, I'm sitting at 17.

I concur with SOUR DIESEL about his gear use and great sense of well being with it.

I also, feel the same as FRANCIS K. I did about 6-8 years of heavy/experimenting, no cardio, lots of food and had too wet of a look.

Im 20-25lbs lighter and do cardio 5-6x a week for 45 mins a session. Cleaner eating too. Still lurks in my head what kind of damage I did to myself during those "hard" years. SMH

 

[buck]

hypertension perhaps?

a high BP reading for me over my life time is 124/74. It was higher for almost 3 months last year after a surgery, seems anesthesia can do that, and for a couple months after i had covid. Typically over the last few decades it has been more in the 106/64 range-ish in the mornings and maybe10 points higher in the afternoons, then back down in the evenings. I have done cardio at least some what regularly since my teens.

Have you been on a statin? If you have, that could be a reason for the higher calcium score.

No need for statins as my cholesterol levels are low. As you can see from the numbers i posted the highest ever was 155 with an LDL of 95, and that was just once. They are usually lower then that. Actually my levels are below what studies show is optimal for longevity so i have to wonder about that. I also have tried to eat healthy even when i was on a cycle as i got interested in healthy eating in my teens. And while i was eating 300+ grams of protein a day i would get in at least 2-3 serving of veggies with all my solid meals. So i was way over what the government says i should have. Not that i think they are a good guideline to go by. 20 years ago a Dr. told me i would never have a heart attack. But we will see!

 

[hawkmoon]

53 this year and look and feel better than at 33. except I need more sleep - but hell, I'm in my 50s!
My bloods are as good if not better than when I was 20.

 

[Othello]

53 this year and look and feel better than at 33. except I need more sleep - but hell, I'm in my 50s!
My bloods are as good if not better than when I was 20.

pass some knowledge and wisdom along to the zoomers

 

[bigsonbitch]

Great thread!!
I’m 50..been on for about 30 years with those first 10 years being “take what you can get”. I was one of those dbol only cycle dudes when 2 metanabol a day (polish dbol) put 20lbs on me.
Since it was so tough to get things then - and not having much money.. it kept the cycles small and short. I didn’t start going on heavier cycles till my mid 30s (500 test and Zambon winny 50 eod) - went heavier in cycles in my 40s and did my heaviest cycle last year. (About 2 grams only time I ever went that high)
I have since changed my outlook. 200-300 pharm test and same amount of rimobolan with pharm GH thrown in at 3-4iu and 5iu humalog insulin on leg days
BW is always good. I do have high BP that I take meds for - but I would have it regardless as it runs in my family
Benicar and proponolol do the trick
Will prob drop to pure HRT within the next year or two
I feel good - joints are wrecked from lifting all those years and I’m one of those dudes that have tiny joints

 

[chrisrivers]

Also, I would like to add that the "hard" years wouldn't concern me as much IF I didn't run tren so damn high. I think the highest I ran tren was 800 weekly but I wanna say for a brief 2-3 weeks I maybe went up to a gram.

Fried my CNS as I look back during those cycles. I had to have run at least one of those a year for 16 weeks for say 5 years.

I was caught up in the "up the dose, lift the most" mind set. I will say that I'm glad I did it to push my body to see what it will/did do to change my body. At the same time I tell myself "you dumbass"

 

[mytreefiddy]

Also, I would like to add that the "hard" years wouldn't concern me as much IF I didn't run tren so damn high. I think the highest I ran tren was 800 weekly but I wanna say for a brief 2-3 weeks I maybe went up to a gram.

Fried my CNS as I look back during those cycles. I had to have run at least one of those a year for 16 weeks for say 5 years.

I was caught up in the "up the dose, lift the most" mind set. I will say that I'm glad I did it to push my body to see what it will/did do to change my body. At the same time I tell myself "you dumbass"

Great responses fellas!.... Chris like you, my concern is those Tren runs i had.... i dabbled with it for 2-3 years and ran it as high as 700mg per week... i remember after my last Tren cycle (2017) my kidneys began to hurt so i'm concerned i permanently damaged them.. haven't done Tren in years but recently been having discomfort so i'm worried.... I will add that i've never been one to drink lots of water.... the times i had to drink 2 gallons a day i wanted to die...so i don't know if what i feel is from dehydration... I'm hoping everything is OK and that perhaps i just need to increase my water intake....

 

[Tomgrass]

Not Quite 20 yrs for me, I'm sitting at 17.

I concur with SOUR DIESEL about his gear use and great sense of well being with it.

I also, feel the same as FRANCIS K. I did about 6-8 years of heavy/experimenting, no cardio, lots of food and had too wet of a look.

Im 20-25lbs lighter and do cardio 5-6x a week for 45 mins a session. Cleaner eating too. Still lurks in my head what kind of damage I did to myself during those "hard" years. SMH

Dont think about it mate- do you think anybody think about what damage to their body did years of partying??? No!! Everybody just remember how fucking awesome time it was. Treat it that way

 

[Reno911]

No need for statins as my cholesterol levels are low. As you can see from the numbers i posted the highest ever was 155 with an LDL of 95, and that was just once. They are usually lower then that. Actually my levels are below what studies show is optimal for longevity so i have to wonder about that. I also have tried to eat healthy even when i was on a cycle as i got interested in healthy eating in my teens. And while i was eating 300+ grams of protein a day i would get in at least 2-3 serving of veggies with all my solid meals. So i was way over what the government says i should have. Not that i think they are a good guideline to go by. 20 years ago a Dr. told me i would never have a heart attack. But we will see!

Gotcha. I was thinking maybe lipids were good because of a statin.

You may want to look into EDTA IV chelation if you want to bring your calcium score down. Ideally you'd want a MD that does integrative medicine or similar who specializes in this area.

 

[bigboy05]

46yrs old. Been using since mid/late 20's. Slow and steady with some big blasts here and there. Took some breaks but been on some sort of test for most of the time. Never had any issues. Stronger now than in my 20s and 30s. The last couple years I've had to focus on diet and cardio a little more to keep the belly in check, though. Overall no regrets, feel fantastic and I'm I'm still showing up the young guns in the gym.

 

[hawkmoon]

pass some knowledge and wisdom along to the zoomers

I can only speak for myself but this is the philosophy I have followed:

• Be as consistent as possible in training and diet. Since I was 15, the longest break I had was 5 weeks in 1994.
• Use only as much gear as to capitalize on the above. IMO you can't grow real, long-lasting tissue with over-reliance on drugs. AAS expands the envelope, work fills it in.
• Listen to your body more than the internet. If you body doesn't like a dose or compound, stop using it. Just because everyone else likes it doesn't mean it's right for you.
• Choose the right parents

 

[graybass]

In my 60's. Been on 30 years, probably more, losing my memory, just kidding.
I did everything wrong for years. I have severe heart disease in my family. Killed my father and my older brother. 16 years ago, I had a heart attack and bi-pass surgery. My doctor told me that my heart was big and strong like the rest of me. He said whatever I've been doing saved my life. He said a weaker man would not have survived. He told me HRT was extremely healthy for me. He said my body and my cardiovascular system was of a man 25 years younger. He said honestly, but don't quote him, my lifestyle of strength training, high protein, cardio (never did enough till recently) and adding a reasonable amount of testosterone made me a great example of health and fitness. He said without my lifestyle I'd be dead for 20 years already.
I'm a little different because I've been a full-time trainer for 30 years, competed in power for 22 years. So, I'm in the gym 7 days a week. Basically, NEVER miss a workout!!!!
My point is I have some sore joints but, I'm the healthiest I've ever been. BTW my sex drive is over the top!! LOL
Just be smart with anabolics.

 

[Green Miles]

My first one was my craziest cycle! I gained close to 50lbs in 3 months!! 10+ compounds! 50mg/ml EQ remember those? LOL I did 600 of that per week!!! You do the math on all the other stuff! Reckless and stupid! Thanks to BIG CAT on BB.COM
I look and feel much better in my 40s than before! On a lot less!

 

[johnjuanb1]

I’d say I felt like I was dying for the last decade until 8 1/2 months ago when I decided to lose 40Lbs and get my blood pressure under control. The size game is for the youth. Too much mass is too much strain on the heart and kidneys, if it pushes blood pressure too high, which it did for me. I feel better than I have now since I was 40ish by dieting strict year round, just like precontest when I competed, dropping body weight from 230-240Lbs to 195ish, and extra sleep to make up for the fact I doubt I ever get REM sleep. I never did a sleep study or got a CPAP which I’m sure I need since I toss and turn 20 times a night and am in a dream-like state all night yet half awake most of the night. I won’t go to doctors. I just do the best I can on my own. If I do end up sleeping more than an hour on one side or the other it strains my delt because they’re so frail from so many reoccurring injuries due to Clonidine HCL(terrible blood pressure drug that destroys connective tissue). I’ll never take a blood pressure meds again. None of them helped lower my bp.
I have to live on chicken breast, extra lean ground turkey breast, egg whites, and steamed basmati rice, plus protein/oat shakes to keep my blood pressure in normal range.
I like the look I have now. I look like a competition-ready physique competitor.
It’s odd for me to think I may actually live a long life since I feel pretty good now. I never thought about tomorrow because I thought I’d be dead. My only friend that I talked to daily died 12 days ago. He was younger than I am. I’ve lost so many friends who took a lot less gear than I did. I miss my friend a lot. I still start to text him all the time when I read something about bodybuilding or see a cool bodybuilding photo. I tried to get him to diet like me and drop the size but his obsession was being big. My obsession has always been to be shredded. We both had the same bodybuilding obsession, just in different ways. My buddy was Mr. New Jersey.
Guys, keep your blood pressure in normal range. Sustained high blood pressure will kill your kidneys. Once your kidneys don’t work properly your heart will have severe issues with arrhythmia due to electrolyte imbalances. This can cause your heart to stop.

 

[qbkilla]

I’d say I felt like I was dying for the last decade until 8 1/2 months ago when I decided to lose 40Lbs and get my blood pressure under control. The size game is for the youth. Too much mass is too much strain on the heart and kidneys, if it pushes blood pressure too high, which it did for me. I feel better than I have now since I was 40ish by dieting strict year round, just like precontest when I competed, dropping body weight from 230-240Lbs to 195ish, and extra sleep to make up for the fact I doubt I ever get REM sleep. I never did a sleep study or got a CPAP which I’m sure I need since I toss and turn 20 times a night and am in a dream-like state all night yet half awake most of the night. I won’t go to doctors. I just do the best I can on my own. If I do end up sleeping more than an hour on one side or the other it strains my delt because they’re so frail from so many reoccurring injuries due to Clonidine HCL(terrible blood pressure drug that destroys connective tissue). I’ll never take a blood pressure meds again. None of them helped lower my bp.
I have to live on chicken breast, extra lean ground turkey breast, egg whites, and steamed basmati rice, plus protein/oat shakes to keep my blood pressure in normal range.
I like the look I have now. I look like a competition-ready physique competitor.
It’s odd for me to think I may actually live a long life since I feel pretty good now. I never thought about tomorrow because I thought I’d be dead. My only friend that I talked to daily died 12 days ago. He was younger than I am. I’ve lost so many friends who took a lot less gear than I did. I miss my friend a lot. I still start to text him all the time when I read something about bodybuilding or see a cool bodybuilding photo. I tried to get him to diet like me and drop the size but his obsession was being big. My obsession has always been to be shredded. We both had the same bodybuilding obsession, just in different ways. My buddy was Mr. New Jersey.
Guys, keep your blood pressure in normal range. Sustained high blood pressure will kill your kidneys. Once your kidneys don’t work properly your heart will have severe issues with arrhythmia due to electrolyte imbalances. This can cause your heart to stop.

This right here should be stickied on every forum IMO...it's not even so much the dose, it's the weight. You made a lifestyle change so no longer need daily medication that was causing you problems. How many calories are you able to eat per day to maintain your weight?