ravenmore

Heh - this should be fun.

Ok, since I was a kid I've had problems with asthma. It's usually been allergy/exersized induced, and has really gotten a lot better as I grew up. However, last week mold went through the roof, and I woke up able to only take sips of air. I hadn't had an attack in so long, I couldn't find an inhaler that had not expired before 2005.

So I go to the doc and he prescribes albuterol, dulera, and prednisone. I'm not taking the prednisone as I read about the side affects, and frankly my symptoms are a lot better with antihistamines and the other two (both inhalers). I'm pretty sure both are on the banned substance list for bike racing. I was thinking of trying to race Thursday in a crit if I feel ok. What are the rules here? Does a doc's script make it ok?

FWIW, I did a moderately hard group ride tonight and the albuterol, while clearing my asthma symptoms some, also pegged my heart rate pretty good. I had to sit out a lap and let it come back down. Long story short I think it hurt more than it helped. (Didn't feel like anything bad was up, but I'm going to call the doc manana and make sure it's ok to go this hard while on this stuff).

Oh, and just in case any of you missed the point, I am not in any way shape or form seeking medical advice. I have my doc for that - capish?

urbanknight

Does nobody buy a rulebook when they first get their racing license anymore? I read it like a novel my first year of racing. Anyway, assuming nothing has changed since 1994 bring your prescription with you in case someone protests (the amount you can have in you must be under the prescription/usage amount), and just to avoid trouble, don't go blabbing about it in the pack.

Seriously, though, I doubt anyone's getting tested at a local race.

Nachoman

Just don't expect me to contribute to your defense fund.

Beaker

Looks like rules have recently been revised for Therapeutic use exemptions

https://www.usada.org/prohibited-list/major-changes/

Most inhaled asthma meds won't need one - I wondered about it as I use Advair when allergy season worsens my asthma. As a science geek I'm intrigued that all inhaled corticosteroids are covered (including the one in dulera) however the list of beta2 agonists is restricted to albuterol and salmeterol (found in Advair). Formoterol (the beta2 agonist in dulera and also symbicort) is not on this list. Odd.

Edit: formoterol is covered by grumpy's link

ILUVUK

I've read that many of the pro peloton have been approved for asthma related drugs. I'd imagine you're OK.

Grumpy McTrumpy

fyi

https://www.usada.org/uploads/level%202%20tue.pdf

Beaker

And the update to capture inhaled corticosteroids takes care of the dulera too.

ravenmore

thanks all - was going to try to look it up today. Just thought I'd ask. I doubt anyone would make a big deal of it - we were joking around that I was 'doping' on the ride last night so I was curious.

K&K_Dad

Ravenmore, check in to Xopenex. Beta 2 agonist like albuterol w/o the heart rate spike.

I'm no racer so I don't know about being banned but If you could use albuterol I don't see why you couldn't use this.

ravenmore

However, unlike many in the pro-peloton I actually do have asthma.

BarryJo

I've heard anecdotal stories that the little blue pill is becoming popular with local competitive cyclists.
I pulled this up from espn.com.
Just google "viagra athletic performance" and you'll get a ton of hits.

I wonder if any of the pros have a perscription

ericm979

Many people have asthma but only show symptoms when exercising really hard (and in certain climatic conditions). My asthma is like that. Asthma drugs generally don't do anything for you if you don't have asthma. Even the ones that supposedly have an anabolic effect, don't in the amounts used for treating asthma. The pros that you think don't have asthma probably do.

I have seen local racers use their inhalers on the start line. It's not something to worry about.


The viagra thing is interesting, but it only works for some people and only at high altitude. Not many races go over 10' feet.

topflightpro

As others have said, look up your drugs to find out if they are legal.

I recently switched from Symbicort to Advair because Symbicort is banned for use in and out of competition while Advair is not and my doctor could not justify for the TUE why I should be on Symbicort instead of Advair. (As an aside, those are used for the daily control of asthma.) I was also surprised to learn that my emergency inhaler - Xenoprex - is not banned.

On the other hand, I did have my doctor fill out the forms for my use of Zyrtec D to control my allergies. Regular Zyrtec is not banned and does not effectively control my allergy and sinus problems, but Zyrtec D is banned for in competition use - not for out of competition use.

I also keep copies of the drug information forms in my cycling bag to show anyone who questions my use that they are not banned substances. So far, no one has questioned me, though I have gotten some dirty looks.

pallen

My son uses this - he used to get all jittery after Albuterol, but no problems with the Xopenex.

bonz50

they should ban the banned substances list.

ravenmore

Thanks for the tip. Yeah, it was weird - heart rate was really elevated and wouldn't come down. I pulled out for a lap (we do crit 'practice' on this street that has a 2.6 mile loop) and then jumped back on. I was fine after that - almost like a warm up.

Hopefully I don't need to use it that much.

Also, I found out to be truly legal there are some forms from WADA I might need to fill out. Sounds silly for a cat 3,4 crit though.

dstrong 

I'm going to try to be out there Thursday night...you won't be able to miss me.

ravenmore

Gee thanks Don. Fortunately most of the guys there don't know who 'ravenmore' is.

With my luck this will be the first time I actually win a friggin' race.

Shimagnolo

A few years ago I heard this story from a local ex-racer/ex-bikeshop-mechanic:
Some Denver area cyclists were hired to ride Deer Creek Cyn, while a film crew shot them. Only later did they learn the footage was used for a news-magazine show about the off-label use for Viagra.

dstrong 

No problem! I keep thinking about going out to the driveway to watch the crits and never have. Our friend's daughter really wants to go out and see what this whole "crit thing" is all about...she's discovering that triathloning is too hard on her knees and that road racing may be her thing...maybe I can kill two birds with one stone...get her out there and watch you crush souls.

BTW...that prednisone is nasty stuff. My daughter had to be on it for an extended period and has suffered for it in many different ways.

ravenmore

Heh - I'll see what I can do, but I was down hard all of last week with the asthma and am still feeling it a little this week. Yeah, I hate taking medicine and am real paranoid about it. I always research stuff before I start taking it. When I read what prednisone did I was like 'heck no - not going to happen'.

Definitely bring your friend's daughter out sometime. The Driveway is a great venue for spectating.

sqharaway

I've been trying to get my doc to prescribe a blood bag before the Mt Evans hill climb. So far, so luck...

Shimagnolo

I've considered an O2 bottle in a backpack.