United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Has anybody---and I have to bear in mind who I'm talking to here---tried to get back in shape, started riding a bicycle, lifting weights, martial arts....,.anything like that? I FORCED myself to get back into lifting weights, bicycling and I started--on my own-- a cycle of anabolic steroids. I have not told my Dr's about this---I am getting my 'roids legally from a Dr who believes as I do that until I regain some strength and muscle mass I am doomed to be a cripple in pain. My testosterone levels were down to nothing---I was shaving twice a month. Sex? A joke. My "parts" didn't twitch. Right now I've lost 755 OF THE BODY FAT i WAS CARRYING and my muscle mass is up 20% For the first time in years I'm HORNY My old aggression is back--by that I mean my up and at 'em attitude. I'm beginning to participate in life again I've joined a gym and I shot a four round group, .22lr at 50 feet-dead bulls-eye and all four bullets hit THE SAME HOLE ON THE TARGET. (any shooters out there will know what I'm talking about). I'm 3/4 thru this cycle and itr will probably be my last for a while.Steroids are pretty much a one-shot deal. This was explained to me at the start. The whole treatment is sort of a "boost" up off my ass. When the "boost" is gone I'm on my own and it's up to me to keep going. Has anyone had any experience with steroid treatment to try to preserve muscle mass,build strength and get it together so you could keep going on your own? I feel great. The pain is almost unbearable but I've decided that I can ignore it w/my methadone and occasional ativan. I hit the gym and I work my muscles and I learn to LIKE the pain. It means I'm alive. And I just turned 40 and my sex life has never been more exciting. I FEEL my body in ways I didn't before because I was afraid I'd hurt myself-- I was afraid of this pain. I can't get into this too much or we'll need a warning rating but let's just say my ol' Lady is the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen and I almost missed it because I was so wrapped up in this pain. I feel like a man again. A very strong, very capable and very "exciting" man. Or maybe just very "excitable" Either way,I'm enjoying being in my skin.-------Ronin

Yayhay! Way to go Ronin! Have never taken steroids meself, never felt the need to but know quite a few blokes (weight lifters...) who have and reaped the benefits...the only thing to be wary of is the come down you'll inhevitably get when you stop taking 'em. I reckon a lot of the highs you're experiencing are more than partly due to the fact that you are getting out there and exercising...it's a well known way of realeasing those endorphins into the brain which make us feel good...and yeah, sex is another good way ;0)

Have a read of Yeti's pain management diary on the TBPI Group boards...some of it is repeating stuff you already know but it has really given quite a few people a different insight into this bluddy pain thing and how to manage it..the link is http://p072.ezboard.com/fadultswithbrac ... uriesfrm10

Good luck mate and I really mean that...keep it up...I am soooo glad you are feelin good about yourself and life again!!

Lizzy B :0)

Ronin,
You da man...I'm glad to see you getting back in the saddle. I've had limited success with working out and yoga. I started the yoga on a whim when I was walking by a class just starting at the gym. Not any men in there, and the view was incredable. It took a lot just to get myself back into the gym, so I figured what have I got to lose. All the girls in there are very "bendy", and I was tight as a drum. I'm starting to stretch out now, and it's helping to build my core muscles and help with balance. I've had balance problems since I started the neurontin.
The other up side is my weight is down 20 lbs. to 176. That's the weight I was at the day of my tbpi. But I had much more muscle mass then. I still need to shed 5-10 lbs. Or bulk up and stay at 175.
Good luck with the pain management and the work-outs. And don't stop...keep fighting the good fight...Karl..

Glad to hear from all of you and I think you're right--at least a certain % of my attitude is coming from my own will to beat this thing. Sex does incredible things to the brain chemistry and mind and there are times--very few and far between--where pain sorta feels good. I'm not into s&m or anything but certain "distractions" are acceptable, and we've been thru so much we'd terrify the most hard core s&m'r in the world. We belong to a very small, very select club of people who know what true pain is. Not pretend pain that stops when you say the safety word.
So I guess I decided to use this pain as a tool. I'd like to finish school and council people who"ve lost a part or two to get back in the game. I don't want to see them waste 10 years of thier life wondering what to do, or who to turn to. I hope I can do it. course there's always $$$ involved. Love you guys Ronin

Hi Ronin good to see you posting.
About steroids-I'm sure I heard from a doctor once that long term steroids make bones thinner and more breakable? This was years ago when they wanted to put my daughter on steroids for asthma, they said just take more calcium and vit D but I am scared of stuff like that so didn't get her put on them. (Went homeopathic instead and it worked)Maybe the sort you're on are ok, but the bpi does thin the bones anyway so the last thing you need is more thinning.....
If you or anyone else knows any different please correct me, I'd be interested to know.
Take care all :0)