What performance-enhancing drugs do you feel have absolutely no place in the bodybuilder’s arsenal?Epogen (generically known as the protein hormone erythropoeitin, or EPO) is a naturally occurring hormone in the body, produced by the kidneys, that tells the bone marrow to increase production of new red blood cells (RBC). When endurance athletes take EPO, they increase their RBC count and thus increase their oxygen-carrying capacity, thereby enabling them to exercise at a much higher performance level for a much longer period of time. Because EPO increases RBC count, it also increases the thickness of the blood (there are more RBCs per liter). As the blood begins to thicken, it’s much more likely that life-threatening clots will form. For the pre-contest bodybuilder, “thick” blood added together with a severe state of dehydration (which is extremely common the day of a bodybuilding contest) could conceivably spell disaster (or even death) due to a very high probability of clot formation by the “sludge-like” blood. The ironic part of EPO use among bodybuilders is that it really does not improve the appearance of the physique. Even though elevated RBC counts could conceivably result in much drier looking muscles, what bodybuilders forget to acknowledge is the fact that anabolic steroids (especially Anadrol-50, Deca Durabolin and the like) already greatly increase RBC numbers. (Note: Those steroids were actually used to treat anemia and other low RBC-related diseases before EPO was synthetically produced and available for use).Cytadren is a steroid synthesis-inhibiting drug that blocks the production of all steroidal hormones in the body. The hormones affected include testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, aldosterone, corticosterone and DHEA. Most self-proclaimed “experts” believe Cytadren’s estrogen-inhibiting and cortisol-inhibiting effects lead to “drier” looking bodybuilders. However, what these “basement physicians” forget to realize is that Cytadren does not discriminate as to which hormone it will inhibit— it inhibits them all! Additionally, Cytadren has been shown to inhibit the blood’s ability to clot itself, thus spelling disaster for any bleeding ulcer of the stomach or intestinal tract. Likewise, Cytadren’s estrogen-inhibiting effect can be duplicated (and probably even bettered) by drugs such as Arimidex or Aromasin. So why take all these potential, unnecessary, risks? Thinking individuals would understand why Cytadren really causes bodybuilders to get that “dry” look. By inhibiting aldosterone production, the bodybuilder loses the ability to reabsorb sodium and water, which thus results in a drier, harder appearance. Ironically, bodybuilders can easily achieve that same dry look with the use of the mild diuretic Aldactone (which many bodybuilders do use) and thus can avoid all the potential serious side effects associated with the use of Cytadren. Also, what pre-contest bodybuilder (especially those who do not take anabolic steroids) would want to inhibit his body’s own testosterone production? It doesn’t sound like a very anabolic thing to do.Heparin is an anti-coagulant drug (used in patients who are at risk of forming blood clots). Some bodybuilders have somehow gotten the warped idea that Heparin is a myostatin-inhibiting drug that will unleash their hidden muscle-building potential (the old “magic pill” scenario). Taken regularly, Heparin will most likely put the hard-training bodybuilder at great risk for a cerebral stroke and possibly death (not a very appealing side effect if you ask me). Bodybuilders must remember that anabolic steroids already result in reduction in clotting times (i.e., blood takes longer to clot). Therefore, the addition of anti-clotting drugs such as Heparin (which are hundreds of times stronger anti-coagulants) can only exacerbate an already potential health risk. If someone was to use trenbolone (Sept. 2003 MD, Roundtable), what would be the approximate levels that should be injected? Would it be good to stack it with Equipoise and testosterone? What would a good dosage be for these drugs? I am looking at a 12-week cycle for mass.
When a bodybuilder uses the drug trenbolone in an attempt to gain lean mass, I usually recommend taking 50-75 milligrams every other day (EOD). Additionally, it’s usually a good idea to stack the trenbolone with another androgenic compound (testosterone is the perennial favorite). Sometimes, individuals like to include a second highly anabolic compound such as Deca or Equipoise, as well. A good 12-week mass-building cycle using trenbolone, testosterone and Equipoise would be 50 milligrams trenbolone EOD, 250 milligrams Sustanon EOD and 100 milligrams Equipoise EOD for six weeks followed by 75 milligrams trenbolone EOD, 250 milligrams testosterone enanthate EOD and 150 milligrams Equipoise EOD for the last six weeks. I would follow up this 12-week cycle with two weeks of Sustanon (at 500 milligrams per week). I would follow up the Sustanon with two weeks of HCG (2,000 IU every third day). And I would follow up the HCG with two weeks of Clomid (100 milligrams per day).
I have a question about trenbolone and its progesterone-related side effects, such as gynecomastia and bloating. I know it doesn’t happen to most people who take it, but I get bloated and my nipples become cone-shaped and a little sore. What would you recommend to relieve this problem?It’s true that trenbolone does not aromatize into estrogen; however, in a small population of individuals, it seems trenbolone does indeed aromatize into progesterone. In these sensitive users, the progesterone can result in progesterone-based gynecomastia (bitch tits) and edema (water retention). The way I see it, there are two possible solutions. First, you could stop taking it or try lowering the dosage of trenbolone you’re injecting. If this still doesn’t do the trick, your only other alternative would be to try taking an anti-progesterone drug (i.e., a compound that will block the synthesis of progesterone in the body). I haven’t heard of too many of these drugs in existence. However, RU-486 (an anti-prostaglandin synthesizing drug also known as the “morning after pill,” or the “abortion pill”) has been shown to exert its effects by blocking the production of the hormone progesterone. To be honest, while it should work in theory, I don’t know anyone who has actually tried it. I am a 43-year-old man diagnosed with hepatitis C some years ago. I am not a bodybuilder, but I do lift weights on a regular basis. I tried a few cycles of prohormones with mixed results. I would like to try a short cycle (six to eight weeks) of steroids that is not too harmful to my already damaged liver. Since I’m ignorant to all this, my question is, what would you recommend for a beginner and what kind of a dosage will yield decent results? I am 5-foot-8 and 170 pounds. Seeing that you have hepatitis C and your liver is not functioning at maximum capacity, I would like to see you take more “regenerative” performance-enhancing drugs instead of the typical “toxic” ones. In other words, growth hormone (GH) taken at a dosage of two to four IU per day will not only build lean muscle tissue and mobilize stored body fat, it will also help to regenerate destroyed hepatic (liver) cells. This treatment will, in turn, help your liver become more proficient at detoxifying the body of waste products. Likewise, it might also make sense (since you’re over the age of 40) to add in about 250-500 milligrams of some long-acting testosterone ester (such as testosterone enanthate) every seven to 10 days. Taken in this dosage, the testosterone should not place undo stress on the liver and will, in fact, help your body increase lean muscle mass while also giving you a general feeling of well-being.
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