| Subject: | RE: Any asthma sufferers in OBRA land? |
| Date: | 02/25/2004 03:27 AM |
| From: | Tony Hobkirk |
|
It should be noted that most asthma medications are restricted by WADA regulations. I am by no means an expert, but in general, I believe one needs a medical certificate on file to compete while using them. Not sure where OBRA stands on this. Nicholas Perera wrote: Hey Keith, the great thing about inhaled steroids is that they are being delivered exactly where you need them. Before the advent of inhaled steroids serious asthmatics had to take prednisone pills which can cause (among many other things) an increase in body fat and muscle breakdown. Steroids for asthma are not in the same class as the steroids you hear about weightlifters (or cyclists) taking to gain muscle mass. In general the dose one takes with inhaled steroids is too low to notice systemic ("whole-body") side effects. If you're worried about this, swish and gargle some water after puffing and spit it out, this will reduce the amount of drug you end up swallowing. I've been taking advair (the same drug, fluticasone, with salmeterol, a long acting bronchodilator) for years and have only noticed an improvement in my cycling. Be sure to continue to carry your albuterol (ventolin or other brand) inhaler with you though in case you have a "breakthrough" asthma attack. The steroid inhaler does not work well in case of an acute attack. -Nick --- "Keith A. Prior" <toka-@ix.netcom.com> wrote: Hello: I was an asthmatic from age 5 to age 19. I have not had any attacks until just this past summer at age 33. They have become worse since October of '03. Needless to say this put a damper on my cycling and was even difficult to even pick up my son at times as I would be out of breath. After suffering form months and having attacks that lasted for days I decided to see my doctor. She prescribed a inhaled corticosteroid called Flovent. I do 2 puffs in the morning and 2 at night and since starting on this medication have not had on e single attack or sign of bronchial constriction. And feel 100% better. I have also not noticed any side effects and am quite peased with what it is doing even though I am not crazy about being on medication of any kind. While I feel that I have found a 'miracle drug' I wonder what long term effects it might have particularly as an athlete. If anyone in OBRA land has had experience with asthma, Flovent or any other asthma medication I would love to hear your stories. Thank You, Keith Prior Team Los Ciclistas ===== ------------------------------------------------ Nicholas Perera Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine http://home.cwru.edu/~nmp8 __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want. http://antispam.yahoo.com/tools |
