A lot of info here -
https://www.canadianbrawn.com/threads/newbie-resources.3533/
Firstly, IMO keep your test dose the same. I know a lot of OG's like tapering the dose up and down throughout a cycle but to me this just makes estrogen management in a pain in the ass. Pick a dose, stick with it for the duration of the cycle. If you're going go with 250, you probably won't need an AI. 500, I imagine you will need an AI. Blood-work is awesome.
Secondly, dosing on an AI is an incredibly individual thing. Without blood-work you kind of just have to figure it out. Had I not got BW I probably would have started dosing 12.5mg aromasin on pin days (E3.5 days) on the day of third pin - hundreds of guys do it this way and report no sides (see r/steroids) -
this is assuming you are going to run 500mg of test per week. If you're using aromasin consume it with fats, absorption is better.
Thirdly, you need your Nolvadex right now. If you run into any gyno problems you need to use it. You can use Ralox (which is optimal for gyno stuff) but if you're just going buy one, get Nolva as you can then use it for your PCT.
Fourthly, I used nolvadex only for my PCT and so have lots of others. It worked great (blood-work shows recovery) and experienced little to no side effects. You can use Clomid instead though many people report nasty sides from it & there is a chance of damage to vision (just google it). OG's and Dr.Scally seem to like the whole 4 week Nolva/Clomid thing but for a cycle as simple as yours there is no need & there is a lot of debate (and controversy) as to whether there is this 'synergy' between Clomid and Nolva.
Fifthly, HCG is nice and will make recovery easier. Also keeps your balls nice and full on cycle (aesthetic gains, lol). There are lots of different ways to use it but I suggest looking at the PCT thread for more info on that.
https://www.canadianbrawn.com/threads/post-cycle-therapy.3519/#post-57715
Regards to your pain:
You just poked yourself with something long and sharp and then injected a foreign substance in there. If it's your first pin your technique is probably horrible and you were shaking like a shitting horse. So yeah, it's going to hurt. It could also be:
- Virgin PIP
- SubQ leak
- Dirty Gear
- Infection (least likely IMO)
Whats your injection technique like? Did you warm the oil? What pins you using etc? Is it red, hot/warm to touch?
PS. I did my first cycle last year. I kept a log and it has some good info in it -
https://www.canadianbrawn.com/threads/abmonkey-go-time.651