RIP Matt Duvall just 40 years old

[maldorf]

That's pretty scary...will an ultrasound pick it up?

It should yes. At one time I had really high enzyme counts and my family doc wanted to do an echo to look for masses.

 

[confuzed_guy2000]

Very sad about Matt, may he rest in peace.

But I'm gonna chime in about about use here. We seem to think there is some sort of moral dilemma - if we abuse steroids, we are going to die.

Maybe that's true so there is no sense and arguing the point with Phil as to how soon or "what if" we do this. Plain and simple, you abuse steroids (like any drug), you risk shortening your life.

But I think people now get caught up on "this is how I want to live" to justify action. If that's what you want, do like Phil says and don't cry about it later - that's all. Cause now you are talking out of both sides as your arse.

You need to understand that Phil has moved on. He has grown and become enlightened about what is important in his life. Does it mean he's right? Maybe for him but we aren't Phil - we aren't walking a mile in his shoes and he isn't walking a mile in ours. Phil isn't telling you what to do, he's basically just trying to reiterate the potential dangers - do what you want.

But if this "lifestyle" is what you want - do it. Don't be scared to take chances. Life shouldn't be about how long we live but by how much we live. The military has soldiers in it - kids that made the choice to serve because that's what they want. A bullet doesn't discriminate against anybody. So you have a bunch of kids under 21 that died in Iraq or Afghanistan... It is very sad but they died living the life they had chosen - be man enough to do the same.

 

[Deleted member 106824]

I feel the need to post in this thread.

I was one of those guys who ended up with an issue and quit gear (before it quit me). I do not contribute and warn people as much as Malforf does here, I mainly just lurk and read threads to keep up my nutrition / training knowledge. I commend Maldorf for what he does. I feel the need to add my two cents now b/c of all the ignorance that is being displayed. It's not even ignorance, it's actually just guys flat out choosing to ignore and justify the risks they expose themselves to.

I started gear at 19. Just low dose 10 week cycles, 2 times per year. Then I went to 16 week cycles. I then competed at 21yrs old after an off season high weight of 252lbs (6'1"). I am 28 now (hard to believe that was almost 7 yrs ago). I competed at 210ish then. I then went on gear for about 10 months straight after the show - blast and cruise method, the cruise being just 200mg test. I got up to 260 that was leaner than my previous year 252 offseason weight and was well on my way to competing that coming year at probably 218-225 ish at 22 yrs old.

I ended up going to the doctor due to stomach pain where they found an inflamed appendix (unrelated to gear of course). In a subsequent CT scan, they found a 6cm benign tumor in my liver. A hepatic adenoma - same thing Baldnazi had. THIS was directly related to gear and the doc knew it. Hepatic adenomas are actually very common, but they are very small and not worrisome to doctors unless they are large. But they don't get to as large as mine was without some kind of hormonal influence (ie: gear). If I kept on, it would likely keep growing and rupture - like Bladnazi's did and require major surgery.

I said screw that. Quit gear cold turkey. Luckily I was still young, but I said no way I am going to screw up that bad. There were more important things in life to me. I noticed I had been becoming obsessed with bodybuilding and sacrificing things in life that should have been more important. The whole experience caused me to refocus my life and I now have more balance.

I am clean for 6-7 yrs now. I still train and eat right, but not with the same obsession I did before. It comes and goes in spurts now. I am now 28 yrs old, 225 lbs at my heaviest (not sloppy at all), and a solid, well conditioned 205 lbs at my lowest. I may bench about 315, squat 405-455 ATG, and I deadlifted 450lbs X 3 a few weeks ago. When I was gearing, I did all those same weight for an extra 8-10 reps. I am not huge, but I get comments on a regular basis about being in good shape, and being a "big dude" - albeit not like I did when I was 260, but it still happens.

I feel like I am a smart guy. I did ALL my research on the gear and how it interacted. Best way to combat sides w/ cardio, diet, and supplements. As well as monitor my health with quarterly blood work and physicals. In doing this, I was able to justify having an HDL of just SEVEN a week before my contest. FOr those that don't know - that is a horrid number for your "good" cholesterol.

It was a good 1 year or so before I felt normal again hormonally and accept my physique future, but it was the best decision I ever made. I am much happier and more balanced now than I ever was before (just like I was BEFORE I started gear). I am still a sexy son of a bitch, have a great job, and I just got engaged to a beautiful woman who I likely wouldn't have been able to "get" had I been stuck in the same lifestyle I was before.

I am not saying I am judging anybody who does gear, but it is laughable to me how much a lot of you just choose to stick your heads into the sand. You can obviously have a balanced life on gear as well - there are many people who do that here, but those people are probably taking the necessary steps to protect themselves health wise and not getting carried away. There are a lot of people on here (and in every day life) who are just flat out idiots. But then again, there are also some very intelligent folks here and they are not the ones who are doing it recklessly and believing that 270lb 40 yr old men who drop dead from heart attacks are due to "natural causes" or only because they were taking pain pills.....

Just my experience that I felt compelled to share....

What were your stats before starting gear? And how much bigger do you think you are today compared to if you didn't do gear? A non-sloppy 225lb (lets say 12%?) is massive for a natural. Also surprising given your average strength levels.

 

[HELLA SWOLE]

Remember that liver tumors generally don't cause cellular damage, therefor there is no way to detect them on bloodwork, they don't raise liver enzymes. They are seen by the body as "health tissue" so the immune system doesn't attack them either, and the liver doesn't repair them.

CORRECT. My liver enzymes were normal.

I can't remember whether an ultrasound would detect them or not. I am sure it would. but may be difficult to detect that way if it has not already grown to a certain size.

 

[HELLA SWOLE]

Hows the tumor these days? Not familiar with liver tumors and if they go away completely or not, etc.

They do not go away usually. Mine is the same exact size as it was 7 yrs ago. No symptoms. It is completely benign and should not cause an issue since I caught it ahead of time. They can cause abdominal pains sometimes but that usually only occurs when they grow very large - which would have happened had I not caught it.

 

[HELLA SWOLE]

Not sure, you would have to ask a doctor, probably. These aren't "real" tumors, they are just blood filled cysts, the risk is them bursting.

Correct. I see you have done your research!

 

[HELLA SWOLE]

What were your stats before starting gear? And how much bigger do you think you are today compared to if you didn't do gear? A non-sloppy 225lb (lets say 12%?) is massive for a natural. Also surprising given your average strength levels.

Nothing impressive. I was 19 before starting. I was 6'1" / 6'2" at about 195 lbs fairly lean - about 12% probably. Eating whatever the hell I wanted.

Hard to say how big I'd be with / without it. I think I built a decent foundation while ON and held it for long enough to have lasting effects in resetting how big I would stay naturally, but I would think I could have easily attained this naturally over such a long period of time had I been strict with training and nutrition. I am not that strict now, other than 16-20 weeks out of the year when I get the itch to get in good condition.

I have a big frame. I am almost 6'2". Therefore, I am not what most would picture to look like at 225. And when I am at 225 I am probably closer to 15-17%. If I turn up the training and get strict with diet I put on some muscle and lean out to about 12% at 210. At 200lbs I am in very good condition...close to what most may consider 4-6 weeks out conditioning level - 7%-9% or so (just guessing).

As far as your comment about strength levels, I was never all that strong for whatever reason. Never have been. I have a big long frame. My "look" is what changed more than anything. I also held a lot of water when ON, so you could probably take 5-10lbs off those old body weights I mentioned.

 

[Kaladryn]

Correct. I see you have done your research!

Before I started my first cycle back in the early 90s, I did a lot of research, it was hard to sort the BS propaganda from the real information, but I identified this as one of the main "real" risks (my doctor may have educated me, I don't remember).

 

[Deleted member 106824]

Nothing impressive. I was 19 before starting. I was 6'1" / 6'2" at about 195 lbs fairly lean - about 12% probably. Eating whatever the hell I wanted.

Hard to say how big I'd be with / without it. I think I built a decent foundation while ON and held it for long enough to have lasting effects in resetting how big I would stay naturally, but I would think I could have easily attained this naturally over such a long period of time had I been strict with training and nutrition. I am not that strict now, other than 16-20 weeks out of the year when I get the itch to get in good condition.

I have a big frame. I am almost 6'2". Therefore, I am not what most would picture to look like at 225. And when I am at 225 I am probably closer to 15-17%. If I turn up the training and get strict with diet I put on some muscle and lean out to about 12% at 210. At 200lbs I am in very good condition...close to what most may consider 4-6 weeks out conditioning level - 7%-9% or so (just guessing).

As far as your comment about strength levels, I was never all that strong for whatever reason. Never have been. I have a big long frame. My "look" is what changed more than anything. I also held a lot of water when ON, so you could probably take 5-10lbs off those old body weights I mentioned.

That sounds impressive to me. I'm 6'1 as well and almost no one in my gym is a lean 195 at 19 (although I go to a relatively small college) and the ones who are are considered big by most.

The strength thing surprises me because I could deadlift and bench close to your current numbers when I was around 185 (again same height as you) and you're ~40lb heavier than I was when I could first do that. Although personally I'd rather have the size than the strength for the most part.

I could see myself making a similar decision to you and coming off at a relatively young age but it seems a lot of guys who do this "made the mistake" of going on, built a ton of size, then came off and maintain 10-20lb more muscle than they would have had they never gone on. And probably will suffer no more adverse health effects years down the road.

 

[patk]

Great post Doggcrap. I am from NJ, so was Mat, I remember him with Jayson Arntz as buddies back in the day at several of my shows as youhg kids with lots of potential (back in early 90's). It is sad to see someone in our world dying so young, makes you think about your own motality. I am 46 now with 30+ years working out and 27 years of gear, since 40 I have been having issues with tearing tendons, blood work way out of ranges, I am now on blood pressure meds for the past 3 years. I cut back alot on my cycles (I know i really should give it up) but just can't.
Point is, in your 20s you do feel immortal and I actually feel lucky. Keep your doses low follow your blood work and take cycles off....please.

Mat was not from NJ. Mat was from Northern VA! Mat was a great friend of mine and training partner for many years. Why does this thread turn in to a bunch of bullshit arguments about abuse! Who gives a shit, our world lost a truly amazing man, a selfless, loving and caring human being that would give his worst enemy the shirt off his back (although Im sure he didn't have any enemies). I just find it a bit disrespectful. Start another thread about abuse and give Mat his props for being a freaky, dedicated bodybuilder and a genuinely passionate and loving person.

 

[upeccmi]

Hey you f-in hick, have some respect. Matt was a freind of mine too and if you were, you would have known he lived in NJ at least back in the early 90's when I knew him. I have much respect for him and never knocked him one bit.

 

[penance]

Probably you remember this back about 30 years ago, was a drug combination/system that was available for a brief time. Its physiological impact is was to its higher affinity of the testosterone analogue for the AR (androgen receptor),with modest dosing requirements even for heavily muscled individuals. A striking benefit of this combination and dosing it was that hematocrit was not elevated to the extent seen with typical agents, so it was particularly beneficial for those above the age of 35 and particularly for those whose hematocrit rises to dangerous levels using the typical agents. Other characteristics included a diminished level of aromatization and minimal impact on glucocorticoid receptors. One remarkable effect was its impact on mood. It was not associated with aggression, but rather improved mood and feelings of wellbeing. In addition, this combination of components was associated with a mild increase in mental acuity. It was a combination of 3 hormones, the total of the 3 hormones per 1 cc was 25mg, 2 of them was 10mg each and 1 was 5mg only. Probably you know what I talking about.

could this be replicated with drugs available today?
please elaborate on this

thank you sir

 

[ericraven2003]

Could careless whether you believe me. I know what profession I was in and what the fuck i did.

You don't buy a kilo at a time and get baking soda jerk. You get P/F at 32k a kilo back in the late 70's

I cant understand how you are even still alive.

 

[ericraven2003]

I hear about you you are so focused on you. You isolate yourself and deal with just you. Training and drugs are your God and the gym is your church. You can't see how miserable an existence that is because you are too insecure to venture out of your box. You are imprisoned. You feel unacceptable if you do not appear muscular to other people and it takes precedence over actually experiencing real life.

I think this is the problem for a lot of people on this board. Moderation in everything in life is the way to live. I will say this, I would give all trt gh, peptides, everything, if I could have my wife and kids all living in the same house with me. Drugs dont make us happier. They make us weaker.

I like that Phil says what he thinks. It needs to be said by someone in the know.

 

[emeric delczeg]

could this be replicated with drugs available today?
please elaborate on this

thank you sir

Yes.

 

[Myself]

Abuse

Please explain to me what abuse is.

Even if you can define it for yourself, which will be a majorly subjective definition, there will be no concensus.

One man's abuse is another man's HRT.

One of my major pet-peeves on these forums.

I'd say abuse is using 3,000mg/ml of injectable steroids weekly with 100mg. of dianabol daily followed by a fifth of Smirnoff vodka.

RIP Matt Duvall

 

[desibaba]

Mat was not from NJ. Mat was from Northern VA! Mat was a great friend of mine and training partner for many years. Why does this thread turn in to a bunch of bullshit arguments about abuse! Who gives a shit, our world lost a truly amazing man, a selfless, loving and caring human being that would give his worst enemy the shirt off his back (although Im sure he didn't have any enemies). I just find it a bit disrespectful. Start another thread about abuse and give Mat his props for being a freaky, dedicated bodybuilder and a genuinely passionate and loving person.

I remember a while ago he was dating this female bodybuilder named Bethany Howlett who also happened to be King Kamali's girlfriend back in the day. She was crazy to say the least. Any knows what happened to her?

 

[Turkishexpress]

I remember a while ago he was dating this female bodybuilder named Bethany Howlett who also happened to be King Kamali's girlfriend back in the day. She was crazy to say the least. Any knows what happened to her?

She's still around in the DC area I believe. Claims to have 10 PhDs, tons of money, tons of houses, blah blah blah. Yet she was working at a adult video store about 4 years ago when I left the area.

Yeah, King and Matt didn't like each other much back in the days but it was more King not liking Matt. Then again no one really liked Kamali lol

 

[luckyone]

? for Emeric

Probably you remember this back about 30 years ago, was a drug combination/system that was available for a brief time. Its physiological impact is was to its higher affinity of the testosterone analogue for the AR (androgen receptor),with modest dosing requirements even for heavily muscled individuals. A striking benefit of this combination and dosing it was that hematocrit was not elevated to the extent seen with typical agents, so it was particularly beneficial for those above the age of 35 and particularly for those whose hematocrit rises to dangerous levels using the typical agents. Other characteristics included a diminished level of aromatization and minimal impact on glucocorticoid receptors. One remarkable effect was its impact on mood. It was not associated with aggression, but rather improved mood and feelings of wellbeing. In addition, this combination of components was associated with a mild increase in mental acuity. It was a combination of 3 hormones, the total of the 3 hormones per 1 cc was 25mg, 2 of them was 10mg each and 1 was 5mg only. Probably you know what I talking about.

what combination would you use today to best duplicate the above??

your brother in Christ,

Lucky

 

[patk]

oh ok

Hey you f-in hick, have some respect. Matt was a freind of mine too and if you were, you would have known he lived in NJ at least back in the early 90's when I knew him. I have much respect for him and never knocked him one bit.

oh sorry tough guy...yea he did live in Nj for a little while. that was the only comment of yours i really was responding to directly. The rest of my post was my opinion in general about the nature of the posts in this thread.

You dont know shit, you call me a hick and you have no clue who the fuck i am....yet you sit behind your computer spouting off at the mouth attacking someone and calling them names like a child. Does that make you feel good, are you some kind of tough guy cuz you can call someone names on a chat board. its guys like you why i dont hang around the boards much anymore. Child!