When a swimmer is injured and a doctor provides a round or so of steroids (cortisone, etc.), injections to provide pain relief and reduce inflammation, is this considered doping within the USMS? This question came up in an email a day or so ago from a top competitor who has been told it is considered doping. I'll fess up first, I am on a round of three injections prior to considering a shoulder surgery, with surgery being my last and desperate resort. Or is a small round of steriods for medical purposes only so slight that steroids would not show up in routine blood tests.
Is this legal within USMS guidelines?
Donna
Parents
Former Member
Like Skip said, Cortisone is in a whole different category of steroids than the muscle building type. Look at Cortisone as a high powered dose of Ibuprofen given locally in injectable form. We use this drug in many forms to help athletes, asthmatics, arthritics etc. Don't think anyone would consider this type of steroid cheating in the context you are using it. There are reports of some athletes using these drugs to speed recovery. Frequent mega doses for systemic responses. Very unhealthy in the long term. I think this could be considered cheating.
Regards
Spudfin
Like Skip said, Cortisone is in a whole different category of steroids than the muscle building type. Look at Cortisone as a high powered dose of Ibuprofen given locally in injectable form. We use this drug in many forms to help athletes, asthmatics, arthritics etc. Don't think anyone would consider this type of steroid cheating in the context you are using it. There are reports of some athletes using these drugs to speed recovery. Frequent mega doses for systemic responses. Very unhealthy in the long term. I think this could be considered cheating.
Regards
Spudfin
