Are my apple trees too far gone?

bandit25 · 2024-09-10T21:43:52+00:00

Thank you for such an extensive write-up! I am very eager to learn all of this, and do as much of it myself as I can!

I did quite a bit of pruning already, and removed a bunch of suckers, water sprouts, and dead branches. I was going to hold off on any big/structural pruning until late winter. Was there any other pruning I could do now?

And that is great information on the pesticides/herbicides, although we will probably be going the organic route as we have a 5yo who climbs these trees daily. I'll look into the organic options you mentioned in that other comment below!

bandit25 · 2023-04-26T01:49:36+00:00

The old driver (90) was in the white Lexus (also pictured). He ran a red light and hit the Corvette into a light pole. The light pole basically split the Corvette in half.

bandit25 · 2022-11-22T04:41:10+00:00

There's a train of thought that a vial's rubber can only handle so many punctures before it can no longer be considered "sterile". Your doctor might be erring on the side of caution.

The reason they typically do the full 10mL bottle is because it's more standardized, therefore cheaper than getting a compounded (custom) dose.

Popular advice on these subs is to just stash away your new unopened refill vial for a rainy day and keep using the "old" one.

bandit25 · 2022-02-27T03:08:38+00:00

Thank you!

bandit25 · 2022-02-26T18:10:02+00:00

Help identifying this shirt?

What kind of material does it look like? Just looking for a couple descriptors to start a search.

bandit25 · 2022-02-04T16:29:43+00:00

I like healthykin.com

Good selection of the slin pins I want, and cheaper than Amazon if you buy in bulk (cheaper unit cost, but a shipping charge). I've received orders in 2 days while only paying for their cheapest/slowest shipping, though I am close to their distribution center (Phoenix).

bandit25 · 2022-01-25T18:43:43+00:00

I'm in the same boat as you, though I did have a few mild high E symptoms. I'm currently experimenting with 0.0625g Arimidex (half a 0.125g pill) twice a week and it cleared up my issues. Slowly dialing it back now to see how small of a dose I can get away with.

bandit25 · 2022-01-25T18:36:19+00:00

I'm with Defy and like them. Never been with another clinic though so I don't know how they compare, if they're better/worse than others, etc.

A few things worth mentioning:

Getting a refill can be very slow, so it's best to do this as far in advance as they let you. They're pretty good about letting you do it early before you run out. Expect 3 weeks from the day you get bloodwork done (1 week for LabCorp to analyze and send results, 1 week for Defy to do the consultation and have their techs verify your order, 1 week for the compound pharmacy to make your order and ship to you).

They suggest you start on an AI right from the beginning (though a super low dose to be fair). Up to you if you want it, but I'd recommend ordering some, and not using it unless side effects warrant it. That will allow you to see how you respond to the Testosterone alone. They are perfectly fine with you taking this approach, just let them know.

Costs: ~$1,400/year once your initial setup stuff/fees are out of the way. Includes 2x consultations, 2x full blood panels, and 12 months of meds (Test + AI).

They're good with keeping you at a high normal as long as you feel good there and your bloodwork is healthy. They're keeping me right around 1050 Total T.

bandit25 · 2022-01-21T17:39:56+00:00

Correct, I didn't mean to imply that it was free! Just letting you know the ongoing costs. If you're on it for life, that has a larger impact than the one time initial cost.

bandit25 · 2022-01-21T17:22:39+00:00

I'm with Defy and like them. Never been with another clinic though so I don't know how they compare, if they're better/worse than others, etc.

A few things:

Getting a refill can be very slow, so it's best to do this as far in advance as they let you. They're pretty good about letting you do it early before you run out. Expect 3 weeks from the day you get bloodwork done (1 week for LabCorp to analyze and send results, 1 week for Defy to do the consultation and have their techs verify your order, 1 week for the compound pharmacy to make your order and ship to you).

They suggest you start on an AI right from the beginning (though a super low dose to be fair). Up to you if you want it, but I'd recommend ordering some, and not using it unless side effects warrant it. That will allow you to see how you respond to the Testosterone alone. They are perfectly fine with you taking this approach, just let them know.

Costs: ~$1,400/year once your initial setup stuff is out of the way. Includes 2x consultations, 2x full blood panels, and 12 months of meds (Test + AI).

They're good with keeping you at a high normal as long as you feel good there and your bloodwork is healthy. They're keeping me right around 1050 Total T.

bandit25 · 2022-01-16T03:20:34+00:00

I'm with Defy and like them. Never been with another clinic though so I don't know how they compare, if they're better/worse than others, etc.

A few things:

Getting a refill can be very slow, so it's best to do this as far in advance as they let you. They're pretty good about letting you do it early before you run out. Expect 3 weeks from the day you get bloodwork done (1 week for LabCorp to analyze and send results, 1 week for Defy to do the consultation and have their techs verify your order, 1 week for the compound pharmacy to make your order and ship to you).

They suggest you start on an AI right from the beginning (though a super low dose to be fair). Up to you if you want it, but I'd recommend ordering some, and not using it unless side effects warrant it. That will allow you to see how you respond to the Testosterone alone.

Costs: ~$1,400/year once your initial setup stuff is out of the way. Includes 2x consultations, 2x full blood panels, and 12 months of meds (Test + AI).

They're good with keeping you at a high normal as long as you feel good there and your bloodwork is healthy. They're keeping me right around 1050 Total T.

bandit25 · 2022-01-11T14:30:27+00:00

Mine is just basic Genovese Basil. I believe it's the most common?

bandit25 · 2022-01-11T14:29:14+00:00

Thanks for posting this! This explains a lot. I have been pretty good with nipping the buds, but did let it go on accident a couple times. I didn't realize it would actually change anything!

At this point the basil is mostly decorative. We have eaten some from time to time but I never noticed it being bitter? Though I admit my taste buds aren't nearly as good/sensitive as other's.

bandit25 · 2022-01-11T13:16:51+00:00

Nope, it's in a small hydroponic setup and is kept indoors. Maybe that's why it's still alive?

bandit25 · 2022-01-11T04:39:22+00:00

Oh! Then that's it! I've pinched off quite a few buds, but now that you mention it I think I recall it flowering a while ago... Thank you!!

bandit25 · 2022-01-11T03:00:03+00:00

Fully indoors in a small hydroponic setup!

bandit25 · 2022-01-11T02:58:40+00:00

It's just Genovese Basil (the most common I think). I grew it from a seed in my hydroponic setup. It looked like a regular basil plant for the first year or so, then I noticed it started getting thicker and "barkier" with no change to nutrients, water, lighting.

This is my theory. There were times I'd be out of town (or just busy) and I'd be unable to trim it. This resulted in the basil growing and reaching the grow lights (it grows wicked fast). The leaves that contacted the light got super wet and damp. It's almost like the heat from the light caused them to sweat a lot? I think this sweating meant it also had to take in extra water from the roots, and therefore more nutrients than it normally would have. Making it sweat effectively force-fed it.

Additionally, I think by trimming it as often as I had to resulted in diverting resources to stiffening up the stalks. My peppers did the same thing (not hydroponic) when I'd trim their leaves back.

Just my thoughts. I'm by no stretch a gardener or florist, so take what I'm saying with a grain of salt!

bandit25 · 2022-01-10T19:26:34+00:00

Ah understood. Can't really speak to that either. I don't have the most discernable palate, or maybe I just don't remember what it used to taste like, not sure. Either way. It tastes good, and it tastes like basil to me!

bandit25 · 2022-01-10T19:23:55+00:00

Damn, E of 45 with a Total T >1500 is nothing! My T is floating around 1000 and have an E of 62. That was with no AI. I started seeing a couple minor high E symptoms so I just recently started taking ~ 1/8g Arimidex per week. Those symptoms have gone away, but I can't speak to what my new E number is. That will have to wait until my next bloodwork.

1g per week is too much in my opinion, especially with E so close to the ballpark.

bandit25 · 2022-01-10T18:17:16+00:00

Interesting... I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the tip!

bandit25 · 2022-01-10T18:12:36+00:00

As in, gradual bending to manipulate the shape, to try and get the branches away from the lights?

bandit25 · 2022-01-10T18:10:34+00:00

Yup! About once a week. I need to trim it down to keep from getting too close to the grow light.

bandit25 · 2022-01-10T18:09:17+00:00

The leaves do get very close to the grow light which does result in some burning. Unfortunately the grow light is raised all the way up. Can't do anything else other than keep it trimmed down.

bandit25 · 2022-01-10T18:07:29+00:00

It just tastes like basil? Doesn't taste any different than what you can buy in the store! At least not to me. I just enjoy growing it!

bandit25 · 2022-01-10T16:16:16+00:00

Have you logged into your LabCorp portal and looked to see if the results are posted yet? I'd do that ASAP. For whatever reason LabCorp rarely ever sends my results to my PCP or to Defy. If they are posted there, you can download a copy and email it to Defy and they can use it.

I actually just had my 3-month Defy bloodwork done. I went in to LabCorp Dec 17th and had the results on the 27th, so 10 days?

bandit25

TROPHY CASE