Approved Log My Ozsteroids Training Log

[ChasetheCase]

I stupidly accepted a CT scan recently for a heart test. Before I had researched it. Really wish I had just paid the extra for an MRI. If you can afford it get an MRI and ask the Dr to change the referral.

Lots of research out now linking high cancer risk to CT scans.

 

[Fletch Elliot]

I stupidly accepted a CT scan recently for a heart test. Before I had researched it. Really wish I had just paid the extra for an MRI. If you can afford it get an MRI and ask the Dr to change the referral.

Lots of research out now linking high cancer risk to CT scans.

Thanks for the heads up, the doc failed to mention that to me. Will look at changing that out.

 

[ChasetheCase]

My Dr had no idea about it either, I questioned him on it when I went back for the results after reading more about them. He was shocked by it, in fairness the studies I read are only a year or so old but you'd hope your Dr was more well read than the patient.

Here's one of them:

Radiation from CT scans and cancer risks

Researchers updated estimates of future radiation-related cancers in the U.S. that can be expected based on current use of CT scans.

www.nih.gov

"Using the UCSF registry data on individual CT exams and RadRAT, the team estimated that CT use in 2023 could result in almost 103,000 future cancers. If current practices continue, CT scan use might eventually account for about 5% of all new cancer diagnoses in the U.S. per year.

Abdominal and pelvic CT scans contributed to the largest number of projected cancers—almost 40%. The most common type of projected cancer due to CT scans was lung cancer, followed by colon cancer. "

 

[Fletch Elliot]

14-03-26 -Day 4 of no training

Apologies if this reads like a teenage diary entry, but don't have anything else of substance to post

Has been the toughest week in prep to date, only due to the fact I couldn't train and am conscious to not lose any tissue. The lower back had become so painful that I had no alternative but to completely stop training. As mentioned in previous post, after Tuesday's physio app, pulled up poorly on Wednesday morning. Ended up getting an MRI - thanks for the heads up on that one @ChasetheCase - the results came back yesterday. Couldn't book a doc appointment until Sunday but the physio managed to get the results when I went for an appointment yesterday. No serious damage, showed factet joint inflammation. Will see if the doc can refer for a cortisone injection to settle.

Posing pic from Tuesday.

 

[Fletch Elliot]

15-03-26 - 4 Weeks to go

Notes: Prep week 15/19 done. Daily weight has dropped significantly this week. Some weights have been into the high 82's. Will post weekly average tomorrow.

Muscle fullness is still apparent in the upper body even without training since Tuesday. My midsection has tightened massively in the last few weeks. My only slight concern is fullness of legs - hams and adductors still look ok, but quads and glutes seem to be looking a bit flat. In the last 2 weeks I have only hit legs twice and the last session this week was Monday with lighter weights.

I have a doc appointment this morning to review scan results and back to the physio Monday morning.

I am thinking to do a light upper body session today, light machine and dumbbell work and get a leg session in tomorrow. Whatever day I start back in the gym, whether it is today or tomorrow, I will increase carbs to 500g for the day to help with fullness and recovery.

Cals will sit at 2100 for the remainder of this week.

Fat burner and PED's for the week

I pulled out var from Tuesday without training to see if it was contributing to lower back pumps and stiffness. It didn't seem to be the cause. I will introduce Winny this week, but be mindful that it may not help the lower back.

Test E - 800mg/week
Mast - 500mg/week
Tren E - 200mg/week
Winstrol - 35mg/day
Clen - 60mcg/day

 

[Fletch Elliot]

16-03-26

Notes: Average weekly weight this week was 83.5kg. Down 1000g from last week. Biggest drop from the start of prep, which I am happy with but with the lack of training over the last week, I feel some of this is muscle glycogen, hopefully not much tissue loss. As mentioned in the previous post, I will do another refeed today, increasing carbs from 165 to 500g.

The scan results came back yesterday. There is a reasonable level of damage, but nothing dire. I have a posterior disc bulge at L3/4 which contacts the left L3 root with compression. There is a thickening of the ligament flavum and disc bulge, resulting in moderate central c**** stenosis at L4/5. There is also a disc bulge at L5/C1, resulting in bilateral foraminal stenosis. I have a physio appointment this morning to talk through appropriate training for the next 4 weeks.

I managed a light upper-body dumbbell workout yesterday and feel minimal pain this morning. Pump was good, everything filled up nicely. Good result after not training since Tuesday.

Daily calories will continue at 2100 after todays refeed -

239 P
165 C
52 F

 

[ChasetheCase]

Oh man sorry to hear that, I hope this isn't your situation, but my brother had similar, he had about 3 months for full recovery. Physio had him doing first half core strengthening then the rest getting back to gym excercise. He couldn't even use a leg extension machine as it made his nerve pain worse, really hoping for the best for you.

As for the MRI really glad you went for one, a CT scan wouldn't even show you most of that. The nerve contact, ligament thickening, and stenosis is something you would only see on MRI. So you'd have a CT scan and then get referred for an MRI, saved a step there. I'm still so pissed my Dr referred me for a CT.

 

[ozzyboy]

Disc bulges and some narrowing is pretty common if you’ve trained hard for years. I guess right now the main goal is just managing symptoms and not making it worse. Your physio will probably give you stuff to keep moving safely core work & mobility and just hold off on anything that loads your lower back too much. Stick with their plan and gradually work back into heavier stuff when you’re cleared. Plenty of guys still lift long term with this just need to be smart with it brother

 

[Fletch Elliot]

Oh man sorry to hear that, I hope this isn't your situation, but my brother had similar, he had about 3 months for full recovery. Physio had him doing first half core strengthening then the rest getting back to gym excercise. He couldn't even use a leg extension machine as it made his nerve pain worse, really hoping for the best for you.

As for the MRI really glad you went for one, a CT scan wouldn't even show you most of that. The nerve contact, ligament thickening, and stenosis is something you would only see on MRI. So you'd have a CT scan and then get referred for an MRI, saved a step there. I'm still so pissed my Dr referred me for a CT.

My physio said he had seen a lot worse, which was good to hear and that 80% of 20-35 year olds have some form of disc bulge without causing pain. I hit a leg workout yesterday and have pulled up ok today. The doc gave me a nerve blocker which has helped a heap, but still cautious not to push too hard.

 

[ChasetheCase]

Awesome news! Must be a big sigh of relief. My brother did his jumping out the back of a truck. I didn't realise it was that common.

 

[Fletch Elliot]

Disc bulges and some narrowing is pretty common if you’ve trained hard for years. I guess right now the main goal is just managing symptoms and not making it worse. Your physio will probably give you stuff to keep moving safely core work & mobility and just hold off on anything that loads your lower back too much. Stick with their plan and gradually work back into heavier stuff when you’re cleared. Plenty of guys still lift long term with this just need to be smart with it brother

Good advice, very similar to what the physio said. Have basically ruled out most loaded hip hinge movements, RDL, bent over row. I have come to learn that I am overly bracing my core and extending my back - unnecessarily at times. Movements like incline pressing, tricep pushdown even lateral raises I am really bracing and extending, which I think is an extension from scapula retraction and learnt behaviour from overcoming rotator cuff tears.

 

[Fletch Elliot]

Awesome news! Must be a big sigh of relief. My brother did his jumping out the back of a truck. I didn't realise it was that common.

Yeah it seems more common than I also thought, especially with lifters. Once the disc inflammation settles, it should also settle the nerve irritation....hopefully.

Poor dude, I can see that happening. I used to manage vineyards and you're not always thinking about form when jumping out of things

 

[slider45]

14-03-26 -Day 4 of no training

Apologies if this reads like a teenage diary entry, but don't have anything else of substance to post

Has been the toughest week in prep to date, only due to the fact I couldn't train and am conscious to not lose any tissue. The lower back had become so painful that I had no alternative but to completely stop training. As mentioned in previous post, after Tuesday's physio app, pulled up poorly on Wednesday morning. Ended up getting an MRI - thanks for the heads up on that one @ChasetheCase - the results came back yesterday. Couldn't book a doc appointment until Sunday but the physio managed to get the results when I went for an appointment yesterday. No serious damage, showed factet joint inflammation. Will see if the doc can refer for a cortisone injection to settle.

Posing pic from Tuesday.

View attachment 7852

Sorry to hear Fletch. how you feeling now?

 

[MONZ]

Disc bulges and some narrowing is pretty common if you’ve trained hard for years. I guess right now the main goal is just managing symptoms and not making it worse. Your physio will probably give you stuff to keep moving safely core work & mobility and just hold off on anything that loads your lower back too much. Stick with their plan and gradually work back into heavier stuff when you’re cleared. Plenty of guys still lift long term with this just need to be smart with it brother

I've have a mate who has the same issue. I think his had it for a few years now. Just need to manage it like @ozzyboy said. That being said you're still looking good!

 

[shaneo75]

How do you find EQ to Mast?

 

[Fletch Elliot]

Sorry to hear Fletch. how you feeling now?

Thanks mate, actually feeling better. The pain eased after 5 days off training, but it also coincided with me taking a nerve blocker - Amitriptyline. So have eased back into training so far this week at 70% of my normal weight.

 

[Fletch Elliot]

I've have a mate who has the same issue. I think his had it for a few years now. Just need to manage it like @ozzyboy said. That being said you're still looking good!

Thanks @MONZ it's looking that way, just have to be smart and not push it too hard. I would like to be pushing harder at this point in prep but I still feel like I'm on track.

Have started winny at 30mg pre workout this week, which has helped give me a nice full grainy look. The 2 refeed days I've had in the last month - 500g carbs - have given me confidence for a nice, full but lean show day look.

 

[Fletch Elliot]

How do you find EQ to Mast?

Hey @shaneo75

I love both compounds. EQ is my favourite mass gainer and mast in combo with other cutting compounds has started to give me a look I'm happy with. I wasn't a fan of mast when I ran it a while back, it seemed to flare some acne up. I used to get bad acne flare-ups on most DHT-derived compounds, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore.

 

[Fletch Elliot]

18-03-26 Today's push workout

Notes: Have been back in the gym this week, lifting around 70% of my normal load. I am very conscious not to arch/extend my back too heavily whilst bracing for any movement. No sets to failure. I left the gym as pumped as if I'd gone balls to the wall!

I am trying to use machines as much as possible and will continue to leave hip hinge movements out of the rotation on pull and leg days.

No back pain 2 hours post workout, which is always promising.

Machine chest press
40kg x 15
60kg x 15
80kg x 12
60kg x 10

Incline smith press
40kg x 12
60kg x 10
60kg x 10
40kg x 10

Machine chest fly
50kg x 12
40kg x 12
30kg x 12
20kg x 12

Rope tricep extension
10kg x 15
10kg x 15
10kg x 12
10kg x 12

Dumbbell lateral raise
8kg x 15
8kg x 15
8kg x 14
8kg x 12

Rear delt dumbbell fly
8kg x 12
8kg x 12
8kg x 12
8kg x 12