justinzane

Doping, from EPO to erythrocyte transfusion to 'roids and amphetamines have been part of cycling for almost as long as bikes were used in competitions. And, when used in a competitive arena, doping damages the sense of fair play that is requisite for sport. Doping, especially when done without serious medical supervision and monitoring can have life-limiting consequences. For both these reasons, doping has acquired a strongly negative connotation -- one does not go on Oprah to confess to inflating tires with helium or to having won a time trial with the saddle nose 4.7mm behind the BB.

However, steroids and erythropoesis stimulants are critical to medical practice in a wide array of circumstances and conditions. What experience or knowledge do you all have regarding the legitimate, medically supervised uses of "performance enhancing drugs" for non-competetive cyclists?

The reason I ask is that I am an old (in racing terms -- 45) guy with vicious allergies, a lifelong difficulty with building muscle mass through weights-aerobics-nutrition, a healed but weakened knee and a love for distance road cycling. My doctor (and my vet regarding my allergic dog and myself) already suggested depot methylprednisolone (Depo Medrol) for allergy relief. While it seems reasonable, the catabolic effects of corticosteroids worry me. I'm going to ask about an anabolic treatment at my next appointment; but I would love to hear from others with experience of medical "doping".

Thanks.

GravelMN

I was placed on testosterone therapy for a while in my late 40s due to low testosterone with low energy, moodiness, and poor healing from injuries. It helped but not without risks. My hemoglobin climbed to above normal range and I had two heart attacks within a couple years of starting steroid therapy. Nobody can tell if the testosterone therapy contributed to my heart attacks (I have a family history of heart problems and a personal history of obesity) but since there is some cardiac risk, and abnormally high hemoglobin is a risk in itself, I stopped the therapy.

The good news is that through diet, weight loss, and exercise, my natural testosterone levels rose to within the normal range, not stellar, but without any risks. I'm feeling pretty good and my fitness continues to improve.

IMHO, you really have to look at the risk to benefit ratio which will vary from one individual to the next. Anabolic steroids are a valuable medication when properly supervised but like any medication there is always a tradeoff.

Carbonfiberboy 

Bad doc. I've taken prednisolone. Nasty. If your problem is allergy-induced asthma, go to a pulmonologist. They'll prescribe an inhaled steroid which will have no ill effects on your system. For simple respiratory allergy relief, use NaseCort which is over-the-counter. For all the rest of it, suck it up and train hard. I don't get much bigger through weight training either, but I do get a lot stronger. For a cyclist, that's ideal. Training in the gym and on the bike will continue to help your knee. Loving the sport will make you strong. It's plenty drug enough. Welcome to the dark side.

Edit: there are many performance enhancing substances which are not illegal and have no ill effects on health, usually quite the opposite.

CliffordK

Testosterone replacement therapy is not uncommon in the elderly. I'm not to that bridge yet.

Divtos

45 just aint that old for cycling! Im 47 and Im one of the youngest guys in my group. We have an older guy that does 12k+ miles a year. Dope if you want to don't make this your excuse to do it :-)

valygrl

If you are racing you must abide by the rules (USADA, if you are in the USA), and if your medical condition makes it impossible (and you can't get a TUE) then you should not race. Pretty simple.

If you are not racing, it's not "doping" it's just medication, so don't worry about it.

knitguy

I would also argue that if you can get a TUE you're not doping (at least not via the meds that the TUE covers).