Water retention, something's wrong

[FlT4Ever]

Ok, this one is for the gurus. Something is wrong with me and I can’t figure it out. I’m retaining water more than usual and I should be shredding. Also, I’m no longer sore after a big training and I hate that. I did shred for a show twice before and it went fine, even easy. I shredded the most after just 1 month. My avatar is from that time. But this time I’ve been cutting for the pass month and lost close to nothing. Here are the details. I’m going all out about it and if I miss something just let me know, oh and I’m not a beginner.

I’m 33 years old at 5’10 and currently at 195lbs. Around 12% bf.

Training experience is 17 years, typically 4 to 5 times a week.

I do change my routine, typically every 2 to 3 months.

I have not touched any roids the past 9 years and I plan to keep it that way

6 meals per day, good meals. We’re talking lots of protein, eggs, red meat, chicken & whey…fats like Flax seed oil, avocados & omegas..low carbs right now, brown rice, oatmeal & sweet potatoes. 1 high carb day / week.

Supplements right now are Ultra mega men multis, glucosamine with MSM, glutamine, creatine. Extra B, C & E after workouts. A few green teas per day and Lots of water.

Now the changes lately and it has to be one of those or a combo because the previous stuff never affected my shredding before. I searched and searched on the net for the following causing excess water retention and can’t find a damn thing. Unless my peptides were actually HCG and I’m rebounding with estrogen..??

I recently stopped a 6 month long peptide therapy, GHRP6 w/CJC

I also recently started taking BCAA powder by Ultimate Nutrition

I recently also started Mirtazapine 15mg before bed time (prescribed to help me sleep)


Please, anyone help!

[Barn01]

Do you mind explaining how you know it's water?

I'm always a little baffled and have to question people when I hear someone tell me they're holding water.

[FlT4Ever]

Do you mind explaining how you know it's water?

I'm always a little baffled and have to question people when I hear someone tell me they're holding water.

Cmon, please. If you would retain water, you would know it would ya. Same here, probly same experience as you. Also I did say, I did 2 shows and if I compare my current results to that same time spot of those contest preps, I'm off...way off.

[wakingmalice]

Cmon, please. If you would retain water, you would know it would ya. Same here, probly same experience as you. Also I did say, I did 2 shows and if I compare my current results to that same time spot of those contest preps, I'm off...way off.

post pictures of your current state if you're so confident. If you're natural, it's fat. Your body is not the same every prep. you must adjust. you cant do the same prep multiple times.

[AustrianOakJr]

I recently stopped a 6 month long peptide therapy, GHRP6 w/CJC

I also recently started taking BCAA powder by Ultimate Nutrition

I recently also started Mirtazapine 15mg before bed time (prescribed to help me sleep)


Please, anyone help!

Im not a doc or very educated in growth hormone and "peptide therapy". But you say that you havent touched roids in 9 yrs, but you mention coming off of this stuff.....isnt this analogous to some type of growth hormone? Forgive my ignorance, but I would think that could cause some water retention issues. IF not you might want to ask your doc about the anti-depressant youre taking and also let him know about your other "supplements". Some of these anti-depressants can have the side effect of causing weight gain. Looks like your dabbling in some things that might be combative to your goal of leaning out.

[_jim_]

are you bloated, or are you retaining water. At 12% it would be hard to tell if you are retaining water. I am OCD about my diet (spot on) and on some days I just feel off and bloated all day long, and i'll step on the scale and be like 3-4 lbs heavier than usual, cant really explain it, body is a complicated thing.

[surfergirl36]

I don't know much about peptide therapy but I do work in a psychiatric unit in a hospital out here in Edmonton. Mirtazapine is one of the drugs that can be given to anorexics because it can contribute to weight gain. It can be used for anyone who needs to gain weight, for example, someone who is severely depressed and lost a lot of weight. That is one of the primary features of the drug! They say it levels out over time. I am not sure if you are taking it primarily for sleep or if there are other contributing issues but if it's just for sleep there are other medications, such as trazadone, that don't come with the weight gain side effect (although has others). Having said that, 15 mgs is the smallest dose usually prescribed so it may just be a matter of letting your body adjust to it (anywhere from 2-6 weeks) and reviewing it then.

And, of course, my disclaimer....this is just my experience and obviously, talk to your doctor about changing anything. :)

[FlT4Ever]

Im not a doc or very educated in growth hormone and "peptide therapy". But you say that you havent touched roids in 9 yrs, but you mention coming off of this stuff.....isnt this analogous to some type of growth hormone? Forgive my ignorance, but I would think that could cause some water retention issues. IF not you might want to ask your doc about the anti-depressant youre taking and also let him know about your other "supplements". Some of these anti-depressants can have the side effect of causing weight gain. Looks like your dabbling in some things that might be combative to your goal of leaning out.

Thank you, informative and directed at the issue.

I appreciate it Oak, I'll look into it.

[FlT4Ever]

I don't know much about peptide therapy but I do work in a psychiatric unit in a hospital out here in Edmonton. Mirtazapine is one of the drugs that can be given to anorexics because it can contribute to weight gain. It can be used for anyone who needs to gain weight, for example, someone who is severely depressed and lost a lot of weight. That is one of the primary features of the drug! They say it levels out over time. I am not sure if you are taking it primarily for sleep or if there are other contributing issues but if it's just for sleep there are other medications, such as trazadone, that don't come with the weight gain side effect (although has others). Having said that, 15 mgs is the smallest dose usually prescribed so it may just be a matter of letting your body adjust to it (anywhere from 2-6 weeks) and reviewing it then.

And, of course, my disclaimer....this is just my experience and obviously, talk to your doctor about changing anything. :)

Thanks, I was actually on Trazodone before and it was working great for sleep except it was causing me major sinus congestion, which is why he switched me. I appreciate your respond SurferGirl

[surfergirl36]

Thanks, I was actually on Trazodone before and it was working great for sleep except it was causing me major sinus congestion, which is why he switched me. I appreciate your respond SurferGirl

They all have some issue hey? No one perfect pill dammit! I hope it works out for you. I know how frustrating it is trying to cut and not seeing any progress!

[AustrianOakJr]

Thank you, informative and directed at the issue.

I appreciate it Oak, I'll look into it.

No prob. What are you daily macros?

[FlT4Ever]

No prob. What are you daily macros?

2400 calories from 220g protein / 200g carbs / 80g EFA

[AustrianOakJr]

2400 calories from 220g protein / 200g carbs / 80g EFA

That shouldnt be too far off the mark. Def check with the doc on the anti-depressants.

[Barn01]

Have you compared any skin fold measurements from your previous time at this level of BF?

That's how you eliminate the whole ... "I'm holding water" argument. When you do a skin fold properly you squeeze the fold a bit and that way all that's left is the thickness of the fat.