You know it's funny that you mention this cause despite what all the BS bad rap juice gets my joints are practically indestructible while on the juice. While I am off it is almost unbearable, sore joints all over the place and I can barely workout for this reason alone I will be on juice till I die. I have tried (while off juice) everything and have never found anything that works.
You know onetime, I suspect most folks glossed over your post. But it's bang on. I was riddled with joint pain from years of powerlifting naturally. Tried to move to a higher rep training program, and it still hurt like crazy. I was ready to give up.
Started some low dose test (500mg/week), now my joints feel like new. I still lift light weights, high reps, for the pump.
I'm never going off. I'll run this for the rest of my life. It's not enough to turn me into Mr. O. Just enough to make me feel 18 again. I'm about the same size/strength/cut I was when I was 25 and looked my best.
I truly believed all these guys who claim all this Rippetoe/Starr/Bompa stuff. I believe it to be true. But in real life, most men aren't genetically capable of lifting like that for very long without getting hurt. Then you spend 30 minutes before each workout doing stupid stretching, activation, foam rolling, etc...just so you can get thru 6 sets of bench press. Then you're spending time with an ART guy, spending money on chiropractors...for what? It's stupid unless you're an athlete.
Want to know what works, and will spare your joints? 500mg of test, light weights, lots of reps, a decently clean diet with lots of veggies and water. I wish I'd started years ago. I know I've killed my joints...I just hope the test (and decca when I switch) help rebuild them a bit to make up for my stupid youthful pursuits.