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
As Anna Lea said, a fairly large proportion of masters athletes, if not the majority (not just swimmers, either), use prescription medication. Some of the medication might cause positive test results. It seems like it would defeat USMS's mission to discourage these athletes either from participating or from following their MD's instructions.
As Anna Lea said, a fairly large proportion of masters athletes, if not the majority (not just swimmers, either), use prescription medication. Some of the medication might cause positive test results. It seems like it would defeat USMS's mission to discourage these athletes either from participating or from following their MD's instructions.
