To Bridge or Not to Bridge

[FLmuscles]

THAT is the question! I've done numerous searches of the site and have read dozens, maybe hundreds, of posts in regards to bridging. It seems like there's lots of speculation out there, and I am still undecided. I am in week 7 of a 10-week cycle, 6 weeks of Anadrol-50 along with 10 weeks of Test-400 and Deca. This is my fifth cycle, and in the past I have had some considerable losses after a cycle. (I'm 38 yo, 5'11", 225 good solid lean pounds) Last time I used both HCG and Clomid, and that seemed to reduce my losses alot. I plan on starting the HCG again this time about 2 1/2 weeks after my last test. shot, for 4 shots every 4th or 5th day, and doing the Clomid at 100 mg/day for 2 weeks and then 50 mg/day for 2 weeks. Still I am considering bridging this time, perhaps with 200 mg Primobolan per week.

My goal is the most efficient continuous gains of muscle over time (Isn't that what we're all after!?) I know there are pros and cons to bridging. Going clean gives your body a break from the "chemistry lab" and allows the receptors to regenerate and be clean. Bridging should help reduce any losses, but may make the subsequent cycle less effective, since the receptors never get a break, even at low doses of primo, for example.

I'm considereing three options:

1. Go clean, taking an 8-10 week break from AS (including the time I am on the HCG/Clomid in the 8 or 10 weeks.)

2. Bridging with 200 mg primo/week for 8 or 10 weeks.

3. Bridging with 200 mg Deca/week?? I've not seen bridging with Deca mentioned anywhere, but it seems like a plausible option to me--at 200 mg/week, my normal test. production should be uneffected, as with the primo, shouldn't it? The reason I'm considering this is that I've got lots of Deca left, but will have to work on getting primo.

I've read way too much speculation and theories in the other posts. I'm looking for input from guys who have bridged here, not guesses from guys who THINK it might be this way or that! Please respond--When did you start your bridge after completing your cycle? Did bridging reduce your losses? Do you think it reduced your gains on your next cycle? Did you have to go way up in dosages on your next cycle to get a good effect? Are there any other effects you noticed? Any knowledgeable input would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

[BiggerisBetter]

would you start another cycle after your bridge period?
if so than would you want to bridge after that cycle is over?
imho opinion if you bridge now than you will either have to:
a. bridge again to keep your gains
b. come off completely and crash pretty hard cuz you've been "on" for so long
btw i know how you feel bro, im in the last week of my 10 weeker and i've been debating as well

 

[genarr3]

If you're "bridging" I have to assume it's to another cycle. Which would mean you are either not coming off at all or at least not for some time. My biggest concern would be shutting down my natural test production permently, particularly at your age this is very possible.

 

[FLmuscles]

Yeah, I'd be bridging to another cycle. I'd wait and see how the bridge and next cycle went before deciding to bridge again or not. In one of the posts I've read, one guy half-jokingly compared bridging to AS addiction. I don't have an addictive type personality at all, but I can definitely see how this could become a type of addiction, constanly bridging cycle-to-cycle, so I would not plan to do it repeatedly.

As far as natural test. production, I'm not too concerned with that because I'm Sicilian! (LOL!) Really, though, I thought that by using the HCG/Clomid and keeping a bridge dose low, my test. production would return to normal during the bridge. Won't it?

 

[FLmuscles]

I've been thinking about this alot, and I am leaning towards going clean between cycles. Any more input???
-Thanks

 

[SouthPawSE]

Get ALL the info you can on Insulin. Then do a Slin/Creatine "bridge".Make sure you know what you're doing because Insulin will kill you if you screw it up!!

 

[FLmuscles]

Intersting suggestion. Actually, I did lots of research (on this site and elsewhere,) and I've been using insulin along with this cycle, for the first six weeks. I would inject the insulin about 20 minutes before the end of my workout, then have a high-carb drink with creatine mixed in at end of workout, then a decent high-protein, moderate-carb. meal.

I'm off the slin now (need to give the body a break) but I never considered using it as a bridge. Do you think I should stop taking creatine for the rest of my cycle too, then reintroduce slin/creatine after the cycle as a "bridge?"

 

[SouthPawSE]

If you are going to be off Slin for 4 wks or more ,I'd stop the Creatine now and bring it back with the Slin. Off Slin less than 4 wks I'd just continue the Creatine.

 

[MadCow1]

BTW - deca at 200mg weekly will significantly suppress HPTA, it is not equivalent to primo.

 

[ammon]

bridging with slin

I agree with South...bridging with slin has helped me keep gains after my prop only cycle. I use 3 scoops phosphagen HP along with 20g of glutamine post workout with 10iu of slin. Strength is DEFINITELY up, and I am staying lean, too. I think the key is to eat frequent, clean meals after your post workout shake in order for the slin to be used to maximum potential. I also use ALA with each meal to help push nutrients into muscle instead of fat cells (as much as possible, anyway). I would definetely give this a shot, but for no longer than 6 weeks. Slin will also not shut down your AR receptors-good stuff when safely and smartly used.

 

[needsize]

I'm definitely going to start bridging with anavar from now on, just too hard to keep gains post cycle

 

[Mr.G-ville]

I diffentilly bridge between cycles I take oral winstrol though,I findI keep my gains much more I've tried going clean and it just was not as effective,besides for 2 weeks after i come off i feel like shit.

 

[Shaved Ape]

I have been facing the same dilemma. If you search the literature you will find that even relatively low doses of anavar or primo can significantly suppress the HPTA. Thus bridging, in all physiological terms, translates into being "on" all the time -- which means your own test production is virtually shut down for long periods of time.

AAS usage over extended periods (over a few months) is known to translate into slower (and potentially no) recovery of HPTA function. This has contributed to my decision not to bridge, at least for now, despite my difficulties in maintaining gains post-cycle.

The other option is to bridge with very low doses of anavar or primo only during the time when you would normally be crashing post-cycle, with the hopes that some HPTA recovery will still occur. This could be followed by a time (several weeks to a couple of months) of no AAS use to allow for complete recovery without the dramatic crash. This is only theoretical.

You also brought up a final consideration related to the potential "downward spiral" of escalating AAS use. You mention that you won't always bridge but it will be even more difficult not to once you've already tried it successfully. It seems these patterns of usage can lead us quickly down the path to being on ALL the time. I'll shut up now, thats just my 2cents.

 

[needsize]

I was thinking about bridging with anavar for the 3-4 weeks post cycle where all the muscle loss seems to occur, and just run the clomid at a higher dose and for longer than usual.

 

[FLmuscles]

Wow, thanks for all the great input. I am leaning towards the slin/creatine (along with L-gluatmine and the other supplements I usually take) bridge suggested by SouthPawSE. Especially when I was using slin (first 6 weeks) on my current cycle, I would eat very clean, to try to avoid any excess fat gain while on the slin. It seems to have worked as I have made some really great solid gains so far.

Shaved Ae made some really valid points too, not just that this seems to get more and more and more expensive all the time, but that the body (balls!) need some time to recover from these cycles so that they don't just give up for good!!!

So I thing I'll do the slin/creatine bridge to my next cycle, using HCG and Clomid too. WHEN should I restart the slin/creatine?