If I recall correctly, a cortisone epidural is NOT on the ban list.

---

Proud member of FISHTWITCH: doing a bit more than fish exercise now.

What is the medication and is it listed here https://wada-main-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/...ohibited-list-en.pdf

---

Rodney
TrainingPeaks | Altra Running | RAD Roller
http://www.goinglong.ca

Thanks for the link. The doc gave me a list of the 3 drugs they use. They're not listed specifically but I don't know enough about this to know if maybe they go by a different name sometimes or maybe one is a variant of a drug on the list. It sounds straight-forward enough to check the list, but not knowing anything about these drugs, its hard to know if maybe they're close or the same as something that is on the list. I have of course googled them to see what they are but I'm just not versed enough in these drugs and their variants to be confident in my own research.


dexamethasone
kenalog
triamcinolone

Thanks again for chiming in, much appreciated.

I'd be sure to show the list to the Dr. and contact USADA. Better to be overly safe than sorry :)

---

Rodney
TrainingPeaks | Altra Running | RAD Roller
http://www.goinglong.ca

Yes. Confirm whether they are on the banned list or not. Consider rules prohibiting "in competion" use versus any use in general.

If not, then don't worry.

If so, then techincally it may be unlawful to compete without a TUE. With some substances, you just won't get a TUE. But it's my understanding that with others, it's not that difficult for even an amateur.

Obviously, many will disagree with me for good reasons, and I respect their opinion, but in my opinion, if you're middle of the pack, then does it really matter, especially if they're not testing?

Except he said he is part of a testing program.

I'm not even going to get into the rest of what you said...

---

Rodney
TrainingPeaks | Altra Running | RAD Roller
http://www.goinglong.ca

I don't see them on the list at all

dexamethasone and triamcinolone are glucocorticoids (banned list, S9)

Except he said he is part of a testing program.

I missed that. If he's in a testing program, then he should have easy access to info and shouldn't have to resort to information from slowtwitch.

TUEs for glutocordicoids are not difficult to obtain for someone in a testing program. A TUE may still not allow use in competition. Bottom line, the information is readily available.

I'm not even going to get into the rest of what you said...

Passive aggressive much? I suspect there's a point you trying to make.

To be clear, I didn't say I'm part of a testing program..We are tested in comp. if we place overall. Unfortunately I don't have easy access to resources who can help me through this and I get the sense that physicians are hesitant to take the time to confirm whether a drug is related to or in the class of banned substances.

The race circuit I participate in tests the overall winners. I have been tested before and very well could be again for this upcoming event.

That's why I'm trying to figure out the best way to either get a TUE if needed or select a drug that is not prohibited. Just trying to do the right thing.

Thanks again for all the insight.

If your doctor is not willing to go through that, then either insist, or consider a different doctor. It's really not that difficult.

Or submit a request to USADA with the info. Or just simply request the TUE.

I'm not a doctor and am genuinely interested in this. From what I can find they are corticosteroids. Are they the same as glucocorticoids?

jaretj

If you have an injury and that requires a doctor to prescribe a banned substance you should not be concerned about a TUE.

You should not be competing.

You should be focusing on getting healthy.

---

Rodney
TrainingPeaks | Altra Running | RAD Roller
http://www.goinglong.ca

if applied topically then not banned.

---

Eric Reid AeroFit | Instagram Portfolio
Aerodynamic Retul Bike Fitting

“You are experiencing the criminal coverup of a foreign backed fascist hostile takeover of a mafia shakedown of an authoritarian religious slow motion coup. Persuade people to vote for Democracy.”

Yep, you need a TUE. USADA policy is pretty clear. http://www.usada.org/substances/tue/policy/

BTW I just saw this, you can call USADA and they will tell you if it is banned. http://www.usada.org/...eference-phone-line/

---

Rodney
TrainingPeaks | Altra Running | RAD Roller
http://www.goinglong.ca

I don't necessarily disagree. But like I said, if you're middle of the pack and not likely to be tested, it doesn't really make a difference.

The thing with triathlon is that there are those in it to compete and those just to participate. I certainly don't care if those in the latter category don't obsess about their diet or what substances they take. I understand that others have a different opinion and respect that. But it's not the same as some other sports where the participatory aspect doesn't get mixed in.

Good point - I was assuming for a back injury he's talking about an injection, though.

Also if they're injecting into spinal area that's not "oral, intramuscular, IV, etc"

---

Eric Reid AeroFit | Instagram Portfolio
Aerodynamic Retul Bike Fitting

“You are experiencing the criminal coverup of a foreign backed fascist hostile takeover of a mafia shakedown of an authoritarian religious slow motion coup. Persuade people to vote for Democracy.”

Listening to a bunch of morons on the internet (I'll include myself in that characterization) isn't so smart. Go directly to the source.


http://www.usada.org/about/contact/

Click on "Drug Reference//TUE"


You may contact USADA�s Drug Reference department by dialing 719.785.2000 and pressing 2. The option provides various information related to medication and prescriptions including an option to reach USADA�s drug reference phone line. Use the form below to email USADA�s Drug Reference department. Please note, USADA is limited in the guidance it can provide regarding specific dietary supplements. Form more information on supplements, please visit http://www.Supplement411.org.

---

Kevin

http://kevinmetcalfe.dreamhosters.com
My Strava

triple anvil by chance? if so that's pure badass. wish you well in surgery and recovery.

having recently gone through this (but i didn't research triamcinalone - you're using systemic and not topical)? it looks like your doc is getting the inflation down with steroids - this is absolutely standard procedure in this setting. i'm thinking you're on a 7-day or 2-week course? the steroids are definitely banned in competition but as long as you're not in competition (or competing within a week) you will be fine for a short course of steroids. oh, and unless you're in competition you don't need a TUE. if you're competing in teh USA or a US-sanctioned event, I found teh athlete ombudsman to be very helpful. email is alete.ombudsman@usoc.org

also i had a recent thread about steroids and competition that you might find useful (and as it turned out i totally got tested so we'll see how smart I played it...) if you research enough you will find the half-life of betamethasone is about the same as dexa IIRC. also before I personally decided to get rid of the steroids I considered checking in a body building forum - if you're taking steroids for antiinflammatory reasons close to competition you might get good information from those guys how close you can cut it to get relief and still test clean. just an idea i had at that time..

and lastly YOU PERSONALLY need to be as informed or More informed than your doctor about drugs, especially if you're doing them close to competition. you really need to research all this stuff on your own and make your best informed decision and stop asking your doctor. they don't know and likely don't care.

---

http://harvestmoon6.blogspot.com
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katasmit

USADA makes this easy http://www.usada.org/athletes/antidoping101/ then follow the link to http://www.globaldro.com/us-en/ enter in the drugs you're taking and it tells you everything you need to know. FYI none of those are banned out of competition only in competition. A pharmacist would probably be a good source to talk to to find out how long they stay in your system.

As posters, we mean well by telling you how we interpret the rules. But that's not the solution to your question.

Ironman has a woman who makes this her job. I have interacted with her before. Kate Mittelstadt, the Director of their anti-doping area, and she's both professional and open to issues such as yours. A simple phone call will get you the answer you seek. 608-232-0263.

John

---

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA

 Thank you for your post. You're correct that I was looking for advice on who to engage to help with this, not so much asking for help interpreting the rules. I don't trust myself to do that, not going to put much faith in a n Internet opinion.

I'm pretty sure if I present my current doc with the TUE form, he'll either tell me that's not his deal or charge me god knows what to fill the whole thing out. Unfortunately I don't have the luxury of having access to a doc that is willing to learn this with me.

For those that say it's easy, I wonder if they've ever actually applied for a TUE and put their reputation on the line. I'm leaning towards just sitting this year out. Thanks for the number, I will give her a call to get her thoughts.

Some good responses in this thread. Thanks to those that contributed.