Newbie with question about Nandrolone Decanoate

[NurseSmartyPants]

Hello all,

Here's a little background info: I used to be in fairly good shape (5'5", 125#, ~14% body fat) and a gym rat until my early thirties, when I began working longer hours and attending graduate school at night. At that time, it just became easier to relax with a glass (or 2 or 3) of wine each night while writing papers, etc... than it was to go to the gym. Fast forward to now: I am at 40, overweight and sluggish. I don't know what my body fat is, but am guessing around 25-28% and my weight is 148#. Since June, I've been working at getting back into the gym regularly and following a better diet. My weight hasn't changed but I'm definitely getting stronger. Also, in the last 10 years, I underwent rotator cuff and knee surgeries and have dealt with sometimes incapacitating pain from three herniated disks in my neck, all of which are making it a challenge to get back into lifting. My boyfriend, who has used steroids on and off for 15-20 years is now encouraging me to use nandrolone decanate to help with joint issues and jump start muscle growth. I've adjusted my diet, but not nearly to the level of many of the serious bodybuilding women on the board. I still enjoy wine on the weekends, but my overall calorie/protein intake is pretty good. ANYHOW, what can anyone tell me about nandrolone decanoate? Will it really help me reach my goal of more muscle/less fat if I keep up with the weights, moderate cardio and a fairly clean diet? Will it help my joints? I've read quite a few posts about women and steroids on this board, but there's not alot about this particular product that I've found. I'm also worried about hair loss, even though this is supposed to be a low on androgenic side effects.

Thanks.

 

[nikkita]

I would not recommend any type of steroid if you are just beginning to get back to the gym. Nandrolone decaonate.... is androgenic even at mild doses... to use just for joints is not a good idea, there are other treatments targeted for that problem, schedule an appointment with your orthopedist... on the other side for fat loss... no... it will make you retain androgenic water... aaaand if you don't have experience with your diet macros you may certainly loose all gains.

Get more information on what you want for your body, it is not just that someone can recommend, because cycles for guys are not the same than for girls...

You can achieve the same results more muscle/less fat with a tailored diet and change in habits of lifestyle.

 

[NurseSmartyPants]

Thanks for your reply, Nikkita. I've decided not to bother with the steriods. I've never done them in the past and don't feel comfortable with the idea of experimenting with them now. I have seen my ortho doc much more than I ever wanted to! Aside from PT and occassional injections of non-anabolic steriods, there's not much else he can do for me. Guess I'll just have to be careful and make sure I don't push the ole' joints too much.

 

[~IVY~]

I don't know anything about this topic really...however anything that has to do with joints I would be careful. Is there something else you could use that would be a better choice? I don't know...

 

[Strategus]

Just a quick note for NurseSP -

Have you had a DEXA (bone densitometer) scan for bone density? I'm aware that corticosteroid injections are a risk factor for osteopenia/osteoporosis.

Good luck back at the gym. Over time, lifting, with proper rest, should help to strengthen your connective tissue.

You probably will want to take a fish oil and/or glucosamine/chondroitin to help with your joint issues.

 

[NurseSmartyPants]

I've had the bone density readings and unfortunately do have the beginnings of osteopenia. I know that corticosteriods affect bone density, but I think that's more applicable in chronic use. I've only had about 4 injections over the past 5-6 years and really am trying to avoid any more, if possible. I've increased my calcium intake and the regular weight bearing exercise should help combat bone loss. Unfortunately, I am on synthetic thyroid hormone so I have that going against me too. Maybe some glucosamine is in order. I've heard the fish oil helps, but man does it give me a bad case of indigestion!

 

[Bikini Mod]

Forget fish oil and orally ingest emu oil, not to mention there are some FABULOUS topical products that promote joint health/pain relief made with emu oil and other compounds such as chondroiton and glucosamine.

About the steroid question: as you are more mature I would be more willing to dispense advice but still, if you don't have much interest in competing and modeling somehow, though you will get result I have the feeling you will not be willing to accept the sides WHICH ARE UNAVOIDABLE with these agents. It is just a matter of how much side for how much benefit?

Finally about the joint issue - I hear you on all fronts. My husband (Grumpy Old Man) has very old and serious injuries in both his one knee and both shoulders so lifting is pretty much out. He was, however, an ocean life guard and competitive swimmer when he wore a younger man's skin so he taught me how to swim better. I've still not mastered the art of swimming, I have, however, mastered the art of aquatics - which are IMHO one of THE BEST types of exercise for ANYONE and EVERYONE. Performed properly it will NOT compromise your joints. It is the perfect all over body resistance exercise and cardio-vascular activity - strengthens your body all around: heart, core, stabilizer muscles and every other muscle group, large and small. If one uses aparatus it only increases resistance, makes the movements more efficient WITHOUT compromising your joints.

So to sum up, get with a COMPETENT trainer so that you can design a simple program of weight resistance activities on land to supplement your time with aquatics and swimming in the pool.

Oh ya... and welcome to elite!!!

 

[sessa]

I think it is so funny how so many people suggest AAS when dieting. AAS are not fat burners.

Steps to get lean:

1. clean up the diet
2. exercise - hit the weights hard
3. get strict on your diet, now time to cut out the crap
4. dbl check your food!!! I seriously can't stress this enough
5. add in a bit of cardio if needed, or add in a fat burner

I don't suggest fat burners unless you are planning on competing, as you don't ever want to cause any problems with your natural fat burning machine unless you need that extra push.

AAS should be used to help build muscle and not to lean out. Some people use it to help maintain the mass that they have when dieting, but it isn't going to add more when you are in a calorie deficit. But think about the sides are they worth it? You can get horrible sides from even the lowest does.

 

[pimparealwoman]

Hi,

I would like to chip in here with my 2 pennies worth..First off, I don't recommend anybody to use steroids,.. but it's your perrogative if you choose to do so. I have been using steroids for almost 15 years with very little sides..but have always been an educated user and have always done my homework...so therefore I would like to at least supply you with information so you can weigh your choices better...and make up your mind what you would like to do based on accurate information instead of taking a plunge in the unknown.

Here goes...Not any steroid will help you loose fat or lean out. There are some steroids that will give you a more lean, harder look, but these steroids are not suitable for us women, and we can't take any substances in the quantity necessary to have those benefits, so forget about that. You lean out by creating a calorie deficit for an extended amount of time..it's that simple...In order to get lean there are only 2 magic words...diet & cardio.....no more mystery

Now regarding Nandrolone Decanoate..or DECA for friends.....I would not recommended DECA for women for 2 reasons..1. Deca has a long ester which means if sides come on you can't bail out..2. there is a better alternative..which is DECA's little sister NPP..Nadrolone Phenylpropinate..which is DECA with a short acting ester, which means if sides come on it will clear your system quickly.

Me personally likes NPP best of all steroids out there suitable for females... One of the major benefits of NPP is,...alike DECA..it's very soothing on your joints..It's high anabolic and low androgenic..so it will give you good gains without hardly any sides. Having said that, bare in mind...as a female, taking steroids with no sides whatsoever is impossible. When you add male hormones to the mix...you will notice that one way or the other. The only way to avoid it, is not taking them....You have the choice to keep it to a bare minimum if you're an educated user..but none is not an option.

So if you decide to give it a go...go low!!!!...less is more!!...for your first cycle don't go higher then 25mcg a week. Do a full 3 month cycle on that amount. Then take 2 months off..clean your system, and asess how your first cycle has gone...the pro's the con's, if the first cycle had an positive outcome, and you know now how your body responds to the substance do another cycle with 50mg a week. Don't go over 50mcg a week with any compound, and don't stack!..There is really no need...Train hard, eat well, rest enough and be consistent. Steroids just aid in recovery, nothing more...nothing less...they enable you to train harder and more often..you have to build the muscle yourself trough training hard and frequent, proper diet and sufficient rest..

It's not easy, and it will take time...but nothing that comes easy is worth having...


Hoping this helps you a little...

B!