Minor Epistane Side Effects - Advice?

[NickRac]

I've encountered a few side effects from Epistane so far including increased acne (minor), mood swings dry lips, and scabs/dry nose...

Does anyone have any suggestions for the scabs/drying out of the nose? It's really starting to bother me...

Nick

[newz-]

drink more water, lipbalm, moisture basically.. from what ive heard of epi is it drys you out quite a bit

[LDragon]

I've encountered a few side effects from Epistane so far including increased acne (minor), mood swings dry lips, and scabs/dry nose...

Does anyone have any suggestions for the scabs/drying out of the nose? It's really starting to bother me...

Nick

Yes it does dry you out. I have been using lotion and lip balm like crazy

[RenegadeRows]

Just use the girly stuff on your face. Exfoliators and creams and whatnot. That's all you can really do, aside from stopping your steroid use, hehe!

[Skigazzi]

Total shot in the dark here, but any one got an opinion on using Sesamin on-cycle with the Epi products (Havoc, Methyl-E, Epistane)? It has some estrogenic effects, been noted to improve hair/skin...anyone think it might relieve some of the drying / anti-e effects of this on?

[zbtboy]

Total shot in the dark here, but any one got an opinion on using Sesamin on-cycle with the Epi products (Havoc, Methyl-E, Epistane)? It has some estrogenic effects, been noted to improve hair/skin...anyone think it might relieve some of the drying / anti-e effects of this on?

hmmm...thats actually a really interesting thought. I'm interested to see what others think as well.

[DRP7]

Total shot in the dark here, but any one got an opinion on using Sesamin on-cycle with the Epi products (Havoc, Methyl-E, Epistane)? It has some estrogenic effects, been noted to improve hair/skin...anyone think it might relieve some of the drying / anti-e effects of this on?

and here is my shot in the dark: If epistane / Havoc actually have that strong ER-beta antagonism and if the skin problems are anyhow related to ER-beta then I guess no phytoestrogen, including sesamin, will help with those symptoms, except you take them in VERY EXTREME quantities so they could comepetitively push away Epi from the receptors. (1 kg soy protein per day, maybe, and 1 bottle of sesthin, hehe) but if this happens then you have some chance to get some man boobs as well, I guess...
I mean, if EPI is able to displace E2 from ERbeta, then some phytosetrogens (who have lower affinty than E2) will not do anything, IMO.

[DRP7]

Total shot in the dark here, but any one got an opinion on using Sesamin on-cycle with the Epi products (Havoc, Methyl-E, Epistane)? It has some estrogenic effects, been noted to improve hair/skin...anyone think it might relieve some of the drying / anti-e effects of this on?

your connection of skin dryness and estrogen action is brilliant, Skigazzi!

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005 Oct;53(4):555-68; quiz 569-72.
Estrogen and skin: the effects of estrogen, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy on the skin.
Hall G, Phillips TJ.
Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA.

Aging is associated with declining levels of several hormones, including estrogen. Although the effects of estrogen on the skin are still not fully understood, it is known that, in women, declining estrogen levels are associated with a variety of cutaneous changes, many of which can be reversed or improved by estrogen supplementation. Estrogens are C-18 steroids synthesized from cholesterol in the ovary premenopausally and in the peripheral tissue in postmenopausal women. Two estrogen receptors, alpha and beta, have been cloned and found in various tissue types. Studies of postmenopausal women indicate that estrogen deprivation is associated with dryness, atrophy, fine wrinkling, poor healing, and hot flashes. Epidermal thinning, declining dermal collagen content, diminished skin moisture, decreased laxity, and impaired wound healing have been reported in postmenopausal women. This article reviews the effects of declining estrogen levels on the skin and the effects of estrogen supplementation. LEARNING OBJECTIVE: At the conclusion of this learning activity, participants should be familiar with the pathways of estrogen synthesis, sites of estrogen receptors, age-dependent variations in serum estrogen concentration, the changes seen in postmenopausal skin, and the effects of estrogen supplementation.

PMID: 16198774 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

However, as already said, estrogen "replacement" (or partial replacement by adding estrogen-like substances like phytoestrogens) may be effective only when the Estrogen receptors are not already blocked (by Epistane, in this specific case) or if you take the phytoestrogens in EXCESS so they can compete with Epistane.

[NickRac]

I've been using the regular "girly" things like lotion, moisturizer and lip balm - but what the hell can I put up in my nose?

[NickRac]

aside from stopping your steroid use, hehe!

stop being silly

[factotum]

Just use the girly stuff on your face. Exfoliators and creams and whatnot. That's all you can really do, aside from stopping your steroid use, hehe!

You could try lowering the dose first. And if that doesn't work you could stop completely.

But I guess recommendation to run a wet ph alongside are a bit futile. Sure a bit will convert to E2 but will only be displaced by the epi.

[Nathan1]

I've been using the regular "girly" things like lotion, moisturizer and lip balm - but what the hell can I put up in my nose?

vaseline

[nickjkirby]

I have noticed a bit of a more severe reaction to EPI. I started taking it on the recommendation of my local bodybuilding shop. Within a matter of weeks I was getting the dry skin and the dry nose that many of you have talked about, but I carried on for my cycle. Shortly afterwards, I noticed that I was having difficulty breathing. Went to my doctor who did spirometry and all sorts of other sh*t - then he gave me a course of inhaled (asthma preventing) steroids and that cleared it up.

The thing is, I didn't make the connection between EPI and the breathing. I then did a second course of EPI months later and within weeks my skin had broken out and I had the dry nose again. And then the breathing went to sh*t once more. I have been back to my doctor and he has basically said that it is affecting the mucous membrane - so just as the nose is drying up, it is likely that it is causing a similar reaction in my lungs.

A course of inhaled steroids has gotten rid of it again.

So if you do EPI and you get a similar reaction, you know what to do. I know this is probably an uncommon reaction.

Hope this helps.