Looking for some insight on new shin tightness / cramping since adding Primo

[BuffMaltese]

I’m hoping someone here has run into something similar.

Background: I’m 48, very active, long history of lifting and conditioning. I’m in good cardiovascular shape. Historically I could run or walk fast without any lower leg issues at all, even when I was out of shape years ago.

Current cycle (first real blast):

– Test C 350 mg/week

– Primo 200 mg/week (this is the only recent new compound)

– NPP 150 mg/week

– HGH 3 IU/day

Previously: 150mg test, 70-100mg NPP, 3iu HGH

About 2–3 weeks into full doses (first added lower dose of Primo around 4-5 weeks ago) I started developing a weird tightness / cramping sensation in my shins and anterior lower legs. First came on when I tried to jog after about 7 minutes. Tried 12 degree, 3mph incline walking on a subsequent session and same thing occurred. Then a few days ago I was walking fast in the mall and the same thing occurred. Now today I was doing a workout and just sat in a body weight squat to stretch and the same sensation started happening.


– Feels like extreme tightness or impending cramp in the tibialis / shin area

– Cardiovascularly I’m totally fine, breathing and heart rate are normal

– This never happened to me before, even when I used to run while out of shape

No swelling, redness, or focal pain. Just severe tightness / fatigue in the shins that comes on fast.

Things I’m wondering about:

– Electrolytes or mineral imbalance (magnesium, potassium, sodium?)

– Primo causing something vascular or electrolyte related

– Blood thickness / hematocrit issues

– Something like exertional compartment syndrome triggered by AAS

Has anyone experienced shin cramping or anterior lower leg tightness like this on cycle, especially with Primo?

Any ideas what labs I should check (CBC, ferritin, electrolytes, CK, etc.) or things to try?

Appreciate any insight. This one has me scratching my head.

 

[vapor77]

Did the same thing to me.

No matter how well I was hydrated or taurine or electrolytes, I couldn't walk more than a mile or two without some crazy shin pumps. Was like being on Var.

I just dropped it because primo also reduced my libido and blood markers even when estrogen was in a good spot.

 

[atruse]

You have low e2

 

[BuffMaltese]

Did the same thing to me.

No matter how well I was hydrated or taurine or electrolytes, I couldn't walk more than a mile or two without some crazy shin pumps. Was like being on Var.

I just dropped it because primo also reduced my libido and blood markers even when estrogen was in a good spot.

I’ve never seen a more hyped compound. The second it came back in stock I bought a ton of it, and now all I seem to read are negative anecdotes and how it’s basically impossible to dose properly unless you’re running a gram of test. WTF. Live and learn.

Does anyone actually know why it causes cramping, and why the shins specifically?

 

[BuffMaltese]

You have low e2

I was wondering if that might be the issue. I don’t really have any quick fixes on hand, no Test P, no Dbol. Should I drop the Primo or reduce it to 100 mg per week? Or raise my test dose?

 

[bananafeet]

I’ve never seen a more hyped compound. The second it came back in stock I bought a ton of it, and now all I seem to read are negative anecdotes and how it’s basically impossible to dose properly unless you’re running a gram of test. WTF. Live and learn.

Does anyone actually know why it causes cramping, and why the shins specifically?

I'm pretty sure it's because those muscles are packed tight into a sheath they experience the pump worse than other muscles.

Basically it's the body holding fluids in the muscle causing swelling in that area. I had it on higher doses of tren.

As for primo it's an absolutely dog shit compound.

 

[Jron]

I was wondering if that might be the issue. I don’t really have any quick fixes on hand, no Test P, no Dbol. Should I drop the Primo or reduce it to 100 mg per week? Or raise my test dose?

Im on week 9 of 300mg test 300 primo. Going thru exactly what you're describing just in one leg but both legs do get sore easily for no good reason.

I also agree it's likely low e2 symptom. My E2 on 200 test 100 primo is 29. I run 7 miles or so fairly regularly and my left shin is killing me after a mile which is not normal at all.

My solution so far is to up my HCG dose abit as it can rapidly boost e2 up by a few points and also do a couple 50mg shots of test prop for some fast acting e2 conversion.

You got the right idea. Either lower primo or up the test. Might not be a bad idea skip a week entirely of primo to let the half life's wash out abit.

Left leg is killing me so I'm right where you are also. Haha let's hope we get outta this achey joint nightmare soon.

 

[BuffMaltese]

I’m very confused about what symptoms I’m feeling or not regarding low E2 because I actually acquired influenza A this week. I just did my first workout today after 6 days off and it went well, strength was there.

 

[atruse]

I was wondering if that might be the issue. I don’t really have any quick fixes on hand, no Test P, no Dbol. Should I drop the Primo or reduce it to 100 mg per week? Or raise my test dose?

either lower primo or add testosterone

You can inject e2 cypionate to run higher primo
Or have dbol dhea etc. On hand

There’s guys running e2 injections with primo/EQ on the cycle thread, you can check it out

 

[craigdt]

I had this during my last primo blast too.

Hadn't considered it being low e2.
Figured it was due to me being a fat fuck after my bulk and the fact I hadn't tried jogging for a couple years.

Thanks for all the insight here.

And yes, I have injected estradiol cypionate when I crashed my e2.

Can't say it felt any different or faster than just a bigger shot of test prop, extra hcg, and a couple days of dbol. But I'll probably do it again.

 

[BuffMaltese]

I’m not convinced it’s low E2. I’m getting bloodwork tomorrow and I’ll report back whether this is actually E2-related or just some kind of Primo pump, tight fascia, or fluid-pressure issue.

 

[IGF_Juan]

Experienced the same crazy shin pumps last year running 400 test and 400 primo. Incline walking was impossible, has to switch to the elliptical for cardio. When I added Mast at 400 it resolved.

 

[atruse]

I’m not convinced it’s low E2. I’m getting bloodwork tomorrow and I’ll report back whether this is actually E2-related or just some kind of Primo pump, tight fascia, or fluid-pressure issue.

I didn’t think I had low e2 either - was getting dry muscle feelings.. got bloodwork yesterday and it’s 10ng/dl

Best way to find out, curious to know.

I’m also going to increase my hydration intake to help

 

[atruse]

Experienced the same crazy shin pumps last year running 400 test and 400 primo. Incline walking was impossible, has to switch to the elliptical for cardio. When I added Mast at 400 it resolved.

Did u get e2 checked?

 

[IGF_Juan]

Did u get e2 checked?

had labs pulled for lipids, Hematology and CRP, but no e2 unfortunately

 

[level3]

Different compounds but I've been trying to fix this issue for my entire cycle so far (7 weeks). You might find some helpful pointers in my cycle log: level3's training log: running, bodybuilding, and yoga

Just managed to do my first run with no shin/calf/lower back issues this morning!

I've run primo before but unfortunately wasn't a runner at the time so I cannot help with that directly.

The only way you're gonna be able to solve this and get good useful information for future cycles is by changing one variable at a time, take lots of notes, and being patient. Consider starting a cycle log thread! After dealing with it for the first few weeks, I accepted that figuring out how I can keep running on cycle was probably gonna be my primary focus, which might mean sacrificing some gains.