Gh or Arimidex—what’s causing my knee pain?

[Growthman]

Hey everyone, I’m trying to pinpoint what’s causing my knee joint pain, and I’d appreciate your insights.

Background:

Been running TRT/TRT+ for a while originally self-directed/rogue with no AI, and I had no joint pain.

Switched to doctor-prescribed TRT, which includes 1mg of Arimidex per 200mg Test.

Been on GH (low dose 2-4iu).


I began experiencing knee pain (under the kneecap, affecting leg training), 6-8 weeks ago.

What I’ve Noticed:

Before AI (Arimidex) No joint pain.

Around the same time I started the doctor-prescribed TRT with Arimidex Knee pain was so bad I couldn’t train quads.

GH could be a factor, but I’ve experienced mixed results. It has improved joints; others times it has caused fluid-related pain.


Labs Before AI Use:

Testosterone: 1500+ ng/dL (was taking 250mg/week test split up, didn’t expect this level/I know that’s more like a cycle—not trt imo)

Estradiol: 112+ pg/mL (I know this is high but I’ve since read that a 10:1 Test/E2 ratio is fine)

No high estrogen symptoms (no bloating, gyno, etc.)


What I’m Considering:

Dropping Arimidex completely for a few weeks to see if knee pain improves.

If E2 goes too high, switching to low-dose Exemestane (Aromasin) instead.
Or
Getting leaner and possibly running Primobolan instead of an AI for a dry look while maintaining joint health.

My Question:

Which is more likely to be causing my knee pain, GH or Arimidex?

Has anyone experienced similar joint issues from AI use versus GH use?

Appreciate any insights especially from those who have tried different AIs or have experience balancing GH and estrogen!

 

[KingOfSushi]

What’s making you think this is drug related?

 

[luki7788]

What’s making you think this is drug related?

exactly - I would look for the cause somewhere else and not in drugs

 

[Growthman]

What’s making you think this is drug related?

No problems prior to, was off everything completely for a few years preceding, without any issues.

 

[Growthman]

exactly - I would look for the cause somewhere else and not in drugs

Fair question. No joint pain (knees or elbows) for years prior to starting TRT. I was completely off everything for 3-5 years before this. My training, diet, and lifestyle were all pretty consistent during that time.





Only variables that changed:

Started doc-prescribed TRT (200mg Test/week with 1mg AI built in per 200mg)


Started gh around at the same time


Didn’t change:

Training style (same volume/intensity as pre-TRT)

Diet (no drastic calorie/carb reductions)

No recent injuries or big lifestyle shifts



Thats why I suspect one of those two (AI or GH). Never had joint pain before the AI, and its not just my knees, elbows and shoulders are feeling it too (knees are the worst tho).

Wondering if anyone else has had AI or GH-related joint issues?

 

[Tiny Too]

I would get test and estradiol labs done and see where you stand now with the adex. It’s hard to speculate that adex is a problem without knowing where estradiol is at.

My script has me at .25mg twice a week. I haven’t needed it at 180mg/wk test.

Edit: just saw you have the adex in your oil. Fuck that tell them to give you tabs. My dr tried to do that. I refused. There’s no reason to blend them unless you know exactly how much ai you may or may not actually need.

 

[Elvia1023]

Obviously most people's first reaction would be it's likely training related but for the reasons you have stated I agree with your assessment. I have a bad lower back but the rest of me has always been injury free but I have had sore knees from using an AI and HGH at different times. On all occasions dropping or lowering the drug dose sorted me out. If something like that did happen I would often add the same drug back in to confirm it was the issue and it was always the case.

It's impossible to know which has caused (or contributed the most) to your knee issues but as stated above I am confirming it's likely one of the two. With HGH it could be experienced when first starting it or significantly upping your dose. I went from leg pressing heavy weight to being in agony with 2pps because of upping to 5IU HGH too soon. It doesn't happen every time I use it but the times I have upped the dose I have experienced joint pain a few times. I very rarely use AI's these days because of the side effects I experience on them and I usually mitigate estrogen issues with using certain AAS and not taking the piss with my test dose.

Granted you might just want to get rid of the pain ASAP and I understand that but if you drop the HGH you will learn what is causing the issue. If the pain goes away you know it was the HGH and if it stays you know it's the adex. Now the body tends to adapt to these things so that's an option as well but I personally would recommend dropping the HGH and seeing how you get on. I would also recommend getting blood work done and seeing what your estrogen is looking like now you are using that test/adex product. If the pain does go away add the HGH back in at 1IU and just gradually increase it by 1IU every 1-3 weeks and see how you get on.

I don't want to confuse you after recommending the above but I would definitely be looking at dropping that test product asap. This little experiment won't take long though and literally within 1 week you will know. I assume you upped your HGH recently to 4iu? This is how I would do things just going on what you are taking and as I mentioned it won't take long but definitely look at changing your base hormones in the near future as well. There is nothing wrong with some adex and on higher doses of test it could be useful but not 1mg for every 200mg. The amount you need varies and it shouldn't be in an exact ratio all the time. Drop that test once the vial is finished imo.

 

[Growthman]

Obviously most people's first reaction would be it's likely training related but for the reasons you have stated I agree with your assessment. I have a bad lower back but the rest of me has always been injury free but I have had sore knees from using an AI and HGH at different times. On all occasions dropping or lowering the drug dose sorted me out. If something like that did happen I would often add the same drug back in to confirm it was the issue and it was always the case.

It's impossible to know which has caused (or contributed the most) to your knee issues but as stated above I am confirming it's likely one of the two. With HGH it could be experienced when first starting it or significantly upping your dose. I went from leg pressing heavy weight to being in agony with 2pps because of upping to 5IU HGH too soon. It doesn't happen every time I use it but the times I have upped the dose I have experienced joint pain a few times. I very rarely use AI's these days because of the side effects I experience on them and I usually mitigate estrogen issues with using certain AAS and not taking the piss with my test dose.

Granted you might just want to get rid of the pain ASAP and I understand that but if you drop the HGH you will learn what is causing the issue. If the pain goes away you know it was the HGH and if it stays you know it's the adex. Now the body tends to adapt to these things so that's an option as well but I personally would recommend dropping the HGH and seeing how you get on. I would also recommend getting blood work done and seeing what your estrogen is looking like now you are using that test/adex product. If the pain does go away add the HGH back in at 1IU and just gradually increase it by 1IU every 1-3 weeks and see how you get on.

I don't want to confuse you after recommending the above but I would definitely be looking at dropping that test product asap. This little experiment won't take long though and literally within 1 week you will know. I assume you upped your HGH recently to 4iu? This is how I would do things just going on what you are taking and as I mentioned it won't take long but definitely look at changing your base hormones in the near future as well. There is nothing wrong with some adex and on higher doses of test it could be useful but not 1mg for every 200mg. The amount you need varies and it shouldn't be in an exact ratio all the time. Drop that test once the vial is finished imo.

Great post, agree on all fronts. Thanks Elvia

 

[dieselbuilder]

Adex gave me joint pain too. If I had to guess I would say the adex.

 

[KingOfSushi]

Just get labs and see where e2 is now.

 

[Growthman]

Just get labs and see where e2 is now.

Got poked today, thanks

 

[Total1]

Your e has crashed and is causing all
Of this.

 

[j4ever]

my exp, I never took GH over 2iu for long, went to 5iu for awhile but not extended period of time, not joint issues, was taking arimidex with trt for awhile, and it got to the point even with e level in range the arimidex would cause me issues with knees and elbows, and that was just with .25mg twice a week, things got better, so after about 2 years I dropped it and have not needed it, by the way if you get estradiol tested get sens test.

 

[Growthman]

my exp, I never took GH over 2iu for long, went to 5iu for awhile but not extended period of time, not joint issues, was taking arimidex with trt for awhile, and it got to the point even with e level in range the arimidex would cause me issues with knees and elbows, and that was just with .25mg twice a week, things got better, so after about 2 years I dropped it and have not needed it, by the way if you get estradiol tested get sens test.

Appreciate this. Just got my labs back today and my estradiol is slightly high (out of range) but I’m leaning towards the arimi being the culprit

 

[hotrod]

I think people want to automatically assume they need an AI while taking trt test ,it's just not true. Only when you get up to the 500mg a week dose should you assume you're going to need some AI help, and that's no guarantee you will then. And most certainly not 2 or 3 milligrams a week. Some people are going to be more sensitive, but have a blood test done after a few weeks and then decide. Of course if you are taking other AAS that aromatize you are more likely to need an AI. GH should help with joint pain at low dosages but too much too quick can definitely cause joint pain although I've personally never noticed it in knees, usually in my shoulders or wrist/hands.

 

[Astro95]

I think people want to automatically assume they need an AI while taking trt test ,it's just not true. Only when you get up to the 500mg a week dose should you assume you're going to need some AI help, and that's no guarantee you will then. And most certainly not 2 or 3 milligrams a week. Some people are going to be more sensitive, but have a blood test done after a few weeks and then decide. Of course if you are taking other AAS that aromatize you are more likely to need an AI. GH should help with joint pain at low dosages but too much too quick can definitely cause joint pain although I've personally never noticed it in knees, usually in my shoulders or wrist/hands.

Where did you come up with this number?

I agree with the in red bold statement which sort of contradicts the previous highlighted statement.

I’m on 3mg of adex on 300mg of test per week and I’m not fat. Everyone is different, there’s no set rules or ratios. People need to pull blood and go from there. I personally have a limit and that’s somewhere in the 70s and don’t let it get any higher. Others can ride a higher number with no sides, but I Personally don’t see any benefit running e2 very high sides or no sides, but if you’re avoiding taking 1 more drug and experience no issues then by all means ride it out.

 

[hotrod]

Years of experience training many people,with many blood tests. I,m not saying never , I would say 3 mg a eek of arimidex for most people would hold 1000mg a week of test under control,easily. Of course we can get into a multi page discussion on test/estrogen ratios, but having estrogen is important for many reasons, but there is a reason drugs that aromatize more build more muscle

 

[FrancisK]

May not mean anything for you but I'll throw it out there. I was suddenly having joint issues out of nowhere a few months back, I was eventually diagnosed with polycythemia after going to a bunch of different docs which is your body has too many red blood cells and can be caused by prolonged gear use. I've been dumping blood and my joints are all back to normal now....

 

[Growthman]

May not mean anything for you but I'll throw it out there. I was suddenly having joint issues out of nowhere a few months back, I was eventually diagnosed with polycythemia after going to a bunch of different docs which is your body has too many red blood cells and can be caused by prolonged gear use. I've been dumping blood and my joints are all back to normal now....

Appreciate it. I just got labs back a few days ago and blood thickness markers were a little higher than normal. Doc told me to dump blood and then I asked if he wanted to know why first because imo blood dumping can be a slippery slope. I told him I’d been sick, not sleeping, dehydrated, and not doing cardio—all contributing. Hope you get the polycythemia u see control soon brother.

 

[Growthman]

exactly - I would look for the cause somewhere else and not in drugs

@luki7788 after doing a search, our knee problems sound very similar. I am going to incorporate some of the things that worked for you (deep range of motion, slow down/no bouncing, scooting the torso forward under the hack squat, knee wraps for support—all of which I have and am able to do). My quads have atrophied from the knee pain and it’s killing me. Thanks brother.