Hello,
I am a freelance writer as well as a swimmer. I am doing a piece on recreational athletes' misuse of over the counter medicines / products (sudafed, benadryl, Red Bull, advil, etc) and off label use of prescription drugs (inhalers, ritalin, etc) for performance enhancing purposes. The article will explore the prevalence of this behavior and the health consequences, if any. Being an athlete who has taken the occasional sudafed before a race, I'm not looking to flay anyone,
The question is not whether that makes you/me a drug cheat, but whether in our desire for PRs or records, we are willing to go down a similar path as steroid and EPO users, just not as far.
I would not use anyone's name in the article. If you would prefer to e-mail me privately, my e-mail is laurarob2@comcast.net. I am also interested in anecdotal evidence and your opinions on whether or not such behavior is widespread and/or okay.
Thanks.
We have discussed this to a small degree on another thread. I myself use an asthma inhaler prior to workouts and races quite regularly. I feel the stimulant effect of the albuterol is noticeable. Several others on the forum who take it don't notice it. Is it an advantage..... possibly..... but this is not an OTC medication.
When I cleared 40, Motrin became my best friend after a 3 day masters meet.
1/2 a double shot of Starbucks and I can make time slow down around me.
Your real story is not in the OTC meds but the testosterone precursors and other more significant muscle building agents. Who really cares if someone takes nose spray before an event.
John Smith
I also have albuterol inhalers and have used them just prior to swimming some events, even when I didn't necessarily need to, and noticed the difference. Until about 5 ago, I also had cromolyn inhalers, and I noticed an even bigger boost from using those. My doctor since switched me to something else (I think asmanix or something like that).
I've never competed while on it, but I do notice a huge boost when I run while on or shortly after finishing a doseage of prednosine. I had a bad case of bronchitis last fall, and the urgent care doctor gave me that with an antibiotic, and the next day I felt like superman. If someone close to a masters record did this, I think that could definitely give an edge.
My times really aren't anywhere near competitive, so no matter what I do, it doesn't really matter. I'd need to attach a motor to my feet to really help.
We have discussed this to a small degree on another thread. I myself use an asthma inhaler prior to workouts and races quite regularly. I feel the stimulant effect of the albuterol is noticeable. Several others on the forum who take it don't notice it. Is it an advantage..... possibly..... but this is not an OTC medication.
When I cleared 40, Motrin became my best friend after a 3 day masters meet.
1/2 a double shot of Starbucks and I can make time slow down around me.
Your real story is not in the OTC meds but the testosterone precursors and other more significant muscle building agents. Who really cares if someone takes nose spray before an event.
John Smith
I also have albuterol inhalers and have used them just prior to swimming some events, even when I didn't necessarily need to, and noticed the difference. Until about 5 ago, I also had cromolyn inhalers, and I noticed an even bigger boost from using those. My doctor since switched me to something else (I think asmanix or something like that).
I've never competed while on it, but I do notice a huge boost when I run while on or shortly after finishing a doseage of prednosine. I had a bad case of bronchitis last fall, and the urgent care doctor gave me that with an antibiotic, and the next day I felt like superman. If someone close to a masters record did this, I think that could definitely give an edge.
My times really aren't anywhere near competitive, so no matter what I do, it doesn't really matter. I'd need to attach a motor to my feet to really help.
