srgraham69
Member
I agree with Boston, serm + reboot would have everything covered for ya. You may be fine with just reboot, but that is always putting yourself at risk.
Spiking the Cider: An Alpha Mass log
- Thread starter SpicedCider
- Start date
SpicedCider
Well-known member
Thanks for the input. I figured Reboot by itself would be sufficient, but I guess I'll look into Clomid just to play it safe.
SpicedCider
Well-known member
So about halfway during my workout earlier today (chest/triceps/shoulders), I decided to step on the scale, which weighed me at 166.2 lbs. This is a gain of about 4 pounds (I started the cycle at 162) in 4.5 weeks. Could it be muscle? Fat? Deeply impacted fecal matter? I have no idea, but if my image in the mirror is any indication, I've made more progress in the last month than I have in 4-5 years of trying to workout with two torn labrums. Weight amounts have held steady from the previous week, except my previous "max" amount of weight on the cable bench press felt MUCH easier today (so I added 5 pounds).
Unfortunately, I'm becoming more and more suspicious that AM is causing me to shed hair for the first time in my life. When I was washing my hair earlier today, I looked at the shampoo lather in my hands and noticed two or three hairs in it. Then when I was drying my hair with a towel a few minutes later, I looked down at the towel and noticed probably 7 or 8 hairs in it. However, since I have never "inspected" my towels like that before I started my AM cycle, I'm not sure if I have always lost that many hairs when drying my hair off or if it's a side effect of the AM.
Would someone with more cycling experience who also happens to be susceptible to hairloss mind chiming in and telling me if it sounds like I'm actually experiencing shedding from this? How much hair do guys typically lose when they're definitely "shedding?"
If I am, in fact, losing my hair from taking AM, I'll be mad not about the fact that the PH is causing me to lose hair, but about the long-term implication, which is that I will lose my hair at some point in my life. I know it sounds like a dumb thing to worry about, but I have always had really nice-looking, thick, shiny hair, and I honestly don't think my face would look normal without it. I'm not one of those guys who can shave his head and look like he's naturally always been bald. I NEED HAIR. I guess Propecia is in my future.
(or maybe not? fingers crossed...)
Unfortunately, I'm becoming more and more suspicious that AM is causing me to shed hair for the first time in my life. When I was washing my hair earlier today, I looked at the shampoo lather in my hands and noticed two or three hairs in it. Then when I was drying my hair with a towel a few minutes later, I looked down at the towel and noticed probably 7 or 8 hairs in it. However, since I have never "inspected" my towels like that before I started my AM cycle, I'm not sure if I have always lost that many hairs when drying my hair off or if it's a side effect of the AM.
Would someone with more cycling experience who also happens to be susceptible to hairloss mind chiming in and telling me if it sounds like I'm actually experiencing shedding from this? How much hair do guys typically lose when they're definitely "shedding?"
If I am, in fact, losing my hair from taking AM, I'll be mad not about the fact that the PH is causing me to lose hair, but about the long-term implication, which is that I will lose my hair at some point in my life. I know it sounds like a dumb thing to worry about, but I have always had really nice-looking, thick, shiny hair, and I honestly don't think my face would look normal without it. I'm not one of those guys who can shave his head and look like he's naturally always been bald. I NEED HAIR. I guess Propecia is in my future.
(or maybe not? fingers crossed...)
Royd The Noyd
Board Sponsor
So about halfway during my workout earlier today (chest/triceps/shoulders), I decided to step on the scale, which weighed me at 166.2 lbs. This is a gain of about 4 pounds (I started the cycle at 162) in 4.5 weeks. Could it be muscle? Fat? Deeply impacted fecal matter? I have no idea, but if my image in the mirror is any indication, I've made more progress in the last month than I have in 4-5 years of trying to workout with two torn labrums. Weight amounts have held steady from the previous week, except my previous "max" amount of weight on the cable bench press felt MUCH easier today (so I added 5 pounds).
Unfortunately, I'm becoming more and more suspicious that AM is causing me to shed hair for the first time in my life. When I was washing my hair earlier today, I looked at the shampoo lather in my hands and noticed two or three hairs in it. Then when I was drying my hair with a towel a few minutes later, I looked down at the towel and noticed probably 7 or 8 hairs in it. However, since I have never "inspected" my towels like that before I started my AM cycle, I'm not sure if I have always lost that many hairs when drying my hair off or if it's a side effect of the AM.
Would someone with more cycling experience who also happens to be susceptible to hairloss mind chiming in and telling me if it sounds like I'm actually experiencing shedding from this? How much hair do guys typically lose when they're definitely "shedding?"
If I am, in fact, losing my hair from taking AM, I'll be mad not about the fact that the PH is causing me to lose hair, but about the long-term implication, which is that I will lose my hair at some point in my life. I know it sounds like a dumb thing to worry about, but I have always had really nice-looking, thick, shiny hair, and I honestly don't think my face would look normal without it. I'm not one of those guys who can shave his head and look like he's naturally always been bald. I NEED HAIR. I guess Propecia is in my future.
(or maybe not? fingers crossed...)
I hear about hair loss a lot this time of year, and I suspect that it is more often due to the dry air that creeps into many parts of the country during these colder months. A dry scalp is far more susceptible to hair shedding than a healthy scalp. I always tell people to first consider that, and if you the air in your home is dry, to pick up a humidifier. A good sign that your air is dry is your clothes are more collecting more static.
Having said all that I too have noticed some hair loss from 1-DHEA products. But most people do not. You can do one of a few things.
-Lower the dose and see if it improves
-Start minoxidil treatments (you will need to use this for life)
-Determine if any other life changes are playing a role (less sleep, diet change, med change, etc)
-Evaluate your shampoo. Buy one with ketoconazole. My favorite is this one (kinda expensive though): Invalid Link Removed
-Finally you can always stop the cycle.
SpicedCider
Well-known member
Thanks for the tips. I am definitely NOT planning to stop the cycle -- other than the possible shedding and occasional lethargy, I have nothing but praise for the effects of Alpha Mass. There are practically no "real" side effects associated with AM as far as I can tell. I have also considered the fact that the air in the southeast has become much drier over the last few weeks, which has definitely made my scalp itchier. Also, I'm still not even sure if I'm actually shedding at all since I never bothered to look for it before. I guess I'm just paranoid! LOL.
I definitely don't want to make it sound like I have nothing to do but complain because, other than my probably irrational paranoia regarding a few hairs being lost here and there, the last few weeks have been the best "gym weeks" I have experienced. I've also gotten into the habit of looking forward to making visually noticeable improvements on a week-by-week basis. When everything is said and done, I hope to have some impressive "after" photos to compare to my befores.
I think the fact that I can be so concerned about hair loss and no other side effects is because there really are none to deal with. There's nothing else to notice but progress. :biggthumpup:
SpicedCider
Well-known member
Yesterday I did my back workout and finally broke through my "plateau" on lat pulldowns (which had been largely attributed to me having torn labrums). I am definitely looking more muscular and defined in the mirror and not as soft and jiggly (I don't know how else to put it!). My running shirts (which I wear to the gym since I usually workout after running) are fitting much tighter, especially in the chest and upper-back regions. I wish my shoulders weren't injured; I would probably be making much more rapid and substantial strength gains if they were uninjured.
I'm looking forward to having my chest/triceps/shoulder workout tomorrow, so I'll be posting another update tomorrow night with the results of a new weigh-in as well.
BTW, regarding PCT, how long following the conclusion of your cycles are you going to wait before starting it? I have heard it depends on the hormone, so I just wanted to get some input.
I'm looking forward to having my chest/triceps/shoulder workout tomorrow, so I'll be posting another update tomorrow night with the results of a new weigh-in as well.
BTW, regarding PCT, how long following the conclusion of your cycles are you going to wait before starting it? I have heard it depends on the hormone, so I just wanted to get some input.
srgraham69
Member
Pct should start immediately, Jump right into serm. Some people actually start their test booster a bit before cycle ends, and some start the ai if used 2 weeks after cycle to help prevent estrogen rebound. If you are doing serm and reboot I would start the next day after last pill of u cycle.
SpicedCider
Well-known member
Thanks. Can estrogen rebound occur with 1-DHEA? I read that it can't aromatize, so I wasn't sure...
SpicedCider
Well-known member
BTW, I have done some more research, and it seems like most people have been fine using just Reboot/Arom-x for PCT even after using multiple AMS/FRL hormones (I.e., 1-DHEA, 4-DHEA, and 19-nor-DHEA all in the same cycle). Since I'm just using one of those compounds (1-DHEA), it seems like Reboot would definitely be enough. Is there any way to tell if I could be one of the few who definitely needs to use a SERM?
Royd The Noyd
Board Sponsor
There is really no way to tell unfortunately. But the longer it takes to recover the more likely you are to lose some gains.
SpicedCider
Well-known member
Unfortunately, my throat was feeling scratchy the other night, and sure enough -- I have a cold virus. What really sucks is the lethargic, run-down feeling that I always seem to experience when I have one (and it's way worse than any lethargy that AM has ever caused!). However, I still was able to do 2 full sets of 12 reps each with 5 pounds more than my previous "max" on incline bench press (I did 5 sets total on it). I'm thinking about switching up my chest workout routine and doing a set of each exercise in sequence, as opposed to doing all 5 sets of incline BP consecutively, all 5 sets of flat BP consecutively, etc. since I seem to get exhausted so soon after finishing my fifth incline BP set. My chest is definitely looking more defined and more "square" in the mirror and less like boobs.
I also wanted to make a note regarding libido. I have not experience any issues at all in that department so far. In fact, I'm still just as much of an on-campus pervert as I have always been, and my drive to stalk local girls on Facebook has been just as strong as it was on the day I created my Facebook account in 2007. So I guess it's really a toss-up as to what sides you can expect to experience during an AM cycle -- some experience a decrease in libido and no lethargy, and some experience mild lethargy and no effects on libido. Some probably don't even experience either of those sides.
Also, I'm beginning to wonder if my concerns regarding hairloss might have been unfounded, because over the last two days, I have maybe noticed 1-3 hairs at the most in my shampoo and towels. Also, I have noticed that, upon inspecting the hairs, there is a little white ball on the ends of most of them which is apparently an indication that they are telogen (I.e., resting phase) hairs. From what I gathered through some research, hairs that fall out that have these white bulbs on the end are indicative of a condition called telogen effluvium, which is apparently not the same condition as MPB. Hopefully the shedding (which seems to have subsided some in the last couple of days) is due to that and not MBP.
I also wanted to make a note regarding libido. I have not experience any issues at all in that department so far. In fact, I'm still just as much of an on-campus pervert as I have always been, and my drive to stalk local girls on Facebook has been just as strong as it was on the day I created my Facebook account in 2007. So I guess it's really a toss-up as to what sides you can expect to experience during an AM cycle -- some experience a decrease in libido and no lethargy, and some experience mild lethargy and no effects on libido. Some probably don't even experience either of those sides.
Also, I'm beginning to wonder if my concerns regarding hairloss might have been unfounded, because over the last two days, I have maybe noticed 1-3 hairs at the most in my shampoo and towels. Also, I have noticed that, upon inspecting the hairs, there is a little white ball on the ends of most of them which is apparently an indication that they are telogen (I.e., resting phase) hairs. From what I gathered through some research, hairs that fall out that have these white bulbs on the end are indicative of a condition called telogen effluvium, which is apparently not the same condition as MPB. Hopefully the shedding (which seems to have subsided some in the last couple of days) is due to that and not MBP.
anty
New member
I started my Mass/Bulk cycle about a week ago and have been experiencing the exact same sides, minus the hair, as you. However, I got sick 2 days in. Pushing through though. What bothers me the most is the BP issues. Makes me dizzy which is really annoying. I have started the bp support supps and am hopping for the best. Only 5 days in and it is already having a bit of a recomp affect.
srgraham69
Member
Have u checked blood pressure lately, how is it compared to normal? How about blood sugar levels, and are you drinking plenty of water?
SpicedCider
Well-known member
During the first couple of weeks of my cycle, my BP was elevated to similar numbers. I didn't feel dizzy, although I did feel hot and flushed in the face as if I was coming down with the flu. However, after maybe 2 weeks, the side effect of high BP diminished, and I don't think AM is elevating my BP at all anymore (or at least it isn't elevating it to the extent that I feel my heart pounding in my chest). Good luck with your cycle...
srgraham69
Member
i have actually been using c4 for the past couple weeks on my cycle also, hasnt giving me any problems though.. have you used pwo while on cycle before?
srgraham69
Member
how does it make you feel bad, headaches, cramps, etc..? also did you go for 2 scoops of c4, or just 1, if 2 maybe try 1 scoop and see if that treats ya any differently..
SpicedCider
Well-known member
I have actually never used C4. To be honest, after trying "groundbreaking" PWO's like Craze and feeling nothing (or just feeling nauseous from taking in too much caffeine, which seems to be the case with a lot of other PWO's), it seems like the combination of ephedrine + caffeine is the best PWO there is. In addition to feeling mentally energized, it also makes me feel physically "in the mode," almost as if there is less gravity pulling me down so that I can run much faster and feel lighter on my feet.
I usually take E+C just once a week to avoid building tolerance to it, but I have found that it is optimal for me to take E+C in the morning (or whenever I do my running), and then about 30 minutes after I finish running, I take my first dose of AM. Generally, I just take E+C (or PWO's in general) and run before taking AM. Even if I'm just running without taking PWO's, I still like to take AM afterwards so as to avoid any lethargy/BP spikes during my run.
SpicedCider
Well-known member
Unfortunately, the last couple of workouts have been pretty much worthless due to being sick; not only has my strength been down (and I have even cut a few workouts short), but on Monday, my weight was down to 163... ? Hoping it was a fluke. I'll be doing my chest/triceps/shoulders workout later today and have been feeling better, though, so hopefully everything will be back to normal for me. It sucks to get sick right when the cycle is ramping up, but I guess that's how it is.
srgraham69
Member
yeah man just double up your thanksgiving caloric intake!! hah, glad to hear you are feeling better.
SpicedCider
Well-known member
Thanks. Yeah, it's time to do some serious eating to make up for it, LOL. It also doesn't help that I tried a new running route earlier today and got lost and ended up running for close to an hour and twenty minutes.
What is weird is that even though the numbers have been down on the scale, I'm still looking more defined and muscular than I was before I started taking AM. As others have alluded to, there must be a recomp effect...
srgraham69
Member
Sounds good man, the mirror is always more important to me than the scale anyways. As long as I'm seeing improvement there it keeps me satisfied.
SpicedCider
Well-known member
I know what you mean. If I wasn't paranoid about losing my hair (and I still haven't been able to determine if AM is actually causing any to shed), I wouldn't hesitate to buy another bottle and extend the cycle by a few more weeks. It is awfully tempting...
SpicedCider
Well-known member
I worked out chest/triceps/shoulders on Wednesday and back/biceps earlier today, and I'm happy to say that my strength has returned (plus a pound of the aforementioned suddenly-lost weight) since I'm not really sick anymore. I am still noticing a few hairs in my towels here and there but I'm still unsure as to whether the 1-DHEA is causing it to shed. I guess I'll keep a close eye on it following the conclusion of the cycle to determine whether the hairs that have been shed have done so as a result of my "natural" shedding cycle.
I would also like to provide an update regarding my plans for PCT. Thanks to Royd's generosity and willingness to give me a deal on a bottle of it, I will be using FRL's Reboot for PCT. I haven't experienced any libido-related issues at all during the cycle, so I don't think the 1-DHEA is going to leave me in a state of being "shut down."
I would also like to provide an update regarding my plans for PCT. Thanks to Royd's generosity and willingness to give me a deal on a bottle of it, I will be using FRL's Reboot for PCT. I haven't experienced any libido-related issues at all during the cycle, so I don't think the 1-DHEA is going to leave me in a state of being "shut down."
SpicedCider
Well-known member
I had a great chest/triceps workout earlier today and had planned to include shoulders but ran out of time; I'll be working them instead either tomorrow or Wednesday with my back/biceps workout. I have really made a lot of progress on the incline bench press -- when I push the weight up, it's as if I can feel more "substance" in my upper chest being worked, and the pump feels great afterwards. My triceps also look more defined and separated from the rest of my arm, and I absolutely have to mention my biceps, which are noticeably bigger than they were a month ago. I'm also happy to say that I'm not sick anymore and that my appetite has subsequently returned.
A word to any readers who are considering running their own cycle of Alpha Mass: my cycle will (unfortunately) end within the next week, and it definitely seems like the AM really started to kick-in around 2 weeks ago. I would absolutely consider purchasing a third bottle of AM and extending your cycle by a few more weeks; trust me -- it will be worth it. If I could assure myself that my hair wasn't falling out, I wouldn't hesitate to order a third bottle and extend my cycle.
A word to any readers who are considering running their own cycle of Alpha Mass: my cycle will (unfortunately) end within the next week, and it definitely seems like the AM really started to kick-in around 2 weeks ago. I would absolutely consider purchasing a third bottle of AM and extending your cycle by a few more weeks; trust me -- it will be worth it. If I could assure myself that my hair wasn't falling out, I wouldn't hesitate to order a third bottle and extend my cycle.
SpicedCider
Well-known member
Earlier today (actually yesterday, I guess), I had probably the best chest/triceps/shoulders workout I've ever had. My chest is not only looking thicker and more defined, but I'm actually feeling the chest muscles themselves contracting with every rep. My strength on triceps exercises has also improved dramatically during the cycle. Unfortunately, today will be the last day of the cycle, and I'll be starting PCT on Sunday. For PCT, I'll be using FRL's ReBoot (special thanks to Royd for giving me a good deal on it). I will also post a thorough summary/review of my experience with Alpha Mass later this weekend.
I know that you guys are probably looking forward to viewing "after" photos, so I'll take those sometime this weekend as well and post them in the thread.
I know that you guys are probably looking forward to viewing "after" photos, so I'll take those sometime this weekend as well and post them in the thread.
abformulations
Legend
Nicee. Good to hear buddy. Glad u enjoyed your cycle. Now to try and keep what was gained. Keep it up big homie
SpicedCider
Well-known member
Just to let you guys know, I haven't forgotten about the log; I've just been really busy over the last week since it was final exams week, which ended yesterday. I took "after" pics during the week and just need to edit my face out of them and post them here, which I'm looking to do tonight. Stay tuned...
SpicedCider
Well-known member
Sorry for the delay, guys -- I am now completely finished with this semester and finally got around to editing my face out of the "after" pics I took. Of course, since Alpha Mass (1-DHEA) isn't a methylated steroid, I don't think anyone who runs a cycle of it will realistically expect to gain muscle of Superdrol proportions. Having said that, though, I think I made the most progress in my chest and arms (I should've taken a few side-profile before/after shots to enable a comparison to be made in that regard). Here are the pics:
Attachments
SpicedCider
Well-known member
It seems like AM causes dizziness and a slight BP increase in most guys who take it, but I'm honestly not sure why those symptoms occur. The active ingredient in AM is 1-DHEA, which converts to 1-testosterone, so it's possible that those effects are caused by 1-testosterone itself (I'm just taking a guess here, though). In my experience, the dizziness and BP increase subsided after about 2 weeks (and that seems to reflect others' experience as well), so you'll probably start to feel "normal" again after you've been taking it for about 2 weeks. I would also suggest taking each cap of AM several hours apart from the last (e.g., the first one at 8 AM, the second one at 11 AM, the third one at 1 PM, and so on). Thanks for checking out my log; let me know if you have anymore questions. Good luck with your cycle.
Kingmjb
New member
Hey, thanks for the reply; I've been doing 4 caps AM and 4 caps PM, either 6 hours or 8 hours apart. What I did notice was that when I increased my Coq10 and Celery seed extract the BP issue went away, but that feeling before in the first week, was crazzzy. I was hell anxious.
Cycle for me is going great, I did 1 week at 6 caps, bumped up to around 8 caps 2nd week, in the 3rd week now, running it around 8 caps, will try get 6-8 weeks out of it, my PCT is pretty solid, I am going to run a SERM (Torem) with some DAA and add in erase in the 3rd week at 3 caps.
Cycle for me is going great, I did 1 week at 6 caps, bumped up to around 8 caps 2nd week, in the 3rd week now, running it around 8 caps, will try get 6-8 weeks out of it, my PCT is pretty solid, I am going to run a SERM (Torem) with some DAA and add in erase in the 3rd week at 3 caps.
SpicedCider
Well-known member
Sounds like you've got it figured out. Glad to hear the BP issue subsided for you; I, too, have heard that taking a celery seed supplement can help with that. Good luck with everything!