So I was thinking…
My wife is an RN and has access to and can adminsiter IV fluids (not that its hard to do) But has anyone taken LR or other IV fluids before,during, after a race? Is it even legal to do?
I figure you can get just as hydrated by drinking water/performance drinks before a race but you can be sure you are hydrated if you got an IV. I think it would take to long during a race, but definitely see a benefit after the race for recovery.
Thoughts?
So I was thinking…
My wife is an RN and has access to and can adminsiter IV fluids (not that its hard to do) But has anyone taken LR or other IV fluids before,during, after a race? Is it even legal to do?
I figure you can get just as hydrated by drinking water/performance drinks before a race but you can be sure you are hydrated if you got an IV. I think it would take to long during a race, but definitely see a benefit after the race for recovery.
Thoughts?
Sure, if you want to risk your wife’s RN license. Just because she can administer IV fluids does not mean she can just give IV fluids to anyone she thinks needs them. Somewhere above her a doctor has ordered the fluid. It’s either standard procedure on the ward/er, or similar, but somewhere in the food chain a doctor has to give the OK. Otherwise it’s practicing medicine outside the scope of the license, and permanently losing her RN license can be just the start.
John
So I was thinking…
My wife is an RN and has access to and can adminsiter IV fluids (not that its hard to do) But has anyone taken LR or other IV fluids before,during, after a race? Is it even legal to do?
I figure you can get just as hydrated by drinking water/performance drinks before a race but you can be sure you are hydrated if you got an IV. I think it would take to long during a race, but definitely see a benefit after the race for recovery.
Thoughts?
Sure, if you want to risk your wife’s RN license. Just because she can administer IV fluids does not mean she can just give IV fluids to anyone she thinks needs them. Somewhere above her a doctor has ordered the fluid. It’s either standard procedure on the ward/er, or similar, but somewhere in the food chain a doctor has to give the OK. Otherwise it’s practicing medicine outside the scope of the license, and permanently losing her RN license can be just the start.
John
Yeah, but that isnt what I asked now is it?
I’m not going to answer your question either.
I’m just going to say you may be taking this a little too far. I mean… really?
First of all, I am talking hypothetically.
Second you two are acting like I just asked if it was cool for someone to shoot up steroids before a race.
Third I also asked the question on if it was legal or not.
Fouth, if you dont want to answer the question then dont REPLY just ignore it.
Thank you for your moral high ground, now does anyone have any input on the affects of IV fluids on endurance athletes?
No personal experience but…
I have a buddy who’s in a particular branch of “special forces” and occasionally participates in triathlon. It is not uncommon for him and his buddies to self administer IVs after especially hard workouts… or rough nights out drinking.
So I was thinking…
My wife is an RN and has access to and can adminsiter IV fluids (not that its hard to do) But has anyone taken LR or other IV fluids before,during, after a race? Is it even legal to do?
I figure you can get just as hydrated by drinking water/performance drinks before a race but you can be sure you are hydrated if you got an IV. I think it would take to long during a race, but definitely see a benefit after the race for recovery.
Thoughts?
Well - after Toughman a few years ago the great people in the med-tent (or ambulance - I forget when it started) hooked me up. 4 “bags” later and many hours in the hospital, I felt fine. Felt really good the next day, but I preferred the following year when I didn’t need the IV.
I would say there’s some not fully “legal” about an RN administering IVs without medical need… I wouldn’t want one of those “ambulance-chasing” attorneys after me if I were her if something went amiss… I say she not even go there…
Do IVs aid recovery? For sure… My experience. IM Louisville 2007. HOT! Me, poor hydration, dumb hydration mistakes. Went to hospital ER and wasn’t even awake when they rushed me there. Admitted overnight. What a dork I was about hydration that year… uugh.
Anyway, EIGHT… yes eight IVs later (the staff had them going in both arms I had all kinds of cocktails going…) I was released from the hospital at 10:30am the next morning…
Felt so great! Recovery was awesome. I did five cart-wheels and skipped up the sidewalk that morning to go get my Kona slot.
So, yes, IMO, IVs help recovery.
…and I also got a really nice letter and card from the Louisville hospital staff, doctors and nurses two weeks later congratulating me on my qualification…
Still, I think it’s best to just hydrate correctly and hydrate like everyone else who is racing to keep it fair.
or rough nights out drinking.
I’m thinking this is probably the most useful reason
.
I would say there’s some not fully “legal” about an RN administering IVs without medical need… I wouldn’t want one of those “ambulance-chasing” attorneys after me if I were her if something went amiss… I say she not even go there…
Do IVs aid recovery? For sure… My experience. IM Louisville 2007. HOT! Me, poor hydration, dumb hydration mistakes. Went to hospital ER and wasn’t even awake when they rushed me there. Admitted overnight. What a dork I was about hydration that year… uugh.
Anyway, EIGHT… yes eight IVs later (the staff had them going in both arms I had all kinds of cocktails going…) I was released from the hospital at 10:30am the next morning…
Felt so great! Recovery was awesome. I did five cart-wheels and skipped up the sidewalk that morning to go get my Kona slot.
So, yes, IMO, IVs help recovery.
…and I also got a really nice letter and card from the Louisville hospital staff, doctors and nurses two weeks later congratulating me on my qualification…
Still, I think it’s best to just hydrate correctly and hydrate like everyone else who is racing to keep it fair.
That was very thoughtful of them to send you a card in the mail… 
I’m thinking before a race there is no reason why you shouldnt be able to be fully hydrated with just drinking water or fluids of the sort. An IV would just be over kill and probably risk Over hydrating yourself.
I can see a benefit of after race though.
Yeah… I was very surprised to get the card. The staff was excited for me… all of my friends were checking the results online while in my room at the hospital. The staff was pulling for me and we found out that I qualified together. It’s a great story.
I like Kentucky.
No really, the IVs gave me a lot of energy. I was not sore at all the next day or that following week. I felt like I never raced. It was that good. If there was a “magic pill” that gave that same effect all the time, we would all be after it.
Yeah… I was very surprised to get the card. The staff was excited for me… all of my friends were checking the results online while in my room at the hospital. The staff was pulling for me and we found out that I qualified together. It’s a great story.
I like Kentucky.
No really, the IVs gave me a lot of energy. I was not sore at all the next day or that following week. I felt like I never raced. It was that good. If there was a “magic pill” that gave that same effect all the time, we would all be after it.
hmm… I wonder if one of the Docs would give me a scrip for some fluids for after the IM i have planed in Sept?
or rough nights out drinking.
I’m thinking this is probably the most useful reason
At Panama City two years ago my buddy (who was an RN) woke me up after a raging bender to help administer an IV to him as a hangover remedy.
By the time I got it in his arm (give me a break, I was puking in the sink 30 seconds before starting) the hotels kitchen looked like a scene out of Psycho.
First of all, I am talking hypothetically.
Second you two are acting like I just asked if it was cool for someone to shoot up steroids before a race.
Third I also asked the question on if it was legal or not.
Fouth, if you dont want to answer the question then dont REPLY just ignore it.
Thank you for your moral high ground, now does anyone have any input on the affects of IV fluids on endurance athletes?
Not a moral high ground. Just the facts. You run the risk of ruining someones career/livelihood.
Yes, IV’s aid recovery. Team docs do it for pro athletes at halftimes and intermissions all the time in games.
So, you rolls the dice and you takes your chances.
John
I’ve used it many times during “endurance” events. 50 mile ruck march carrying an 85 pound pack in the blazing sun after a week of living in a hide site. Water was running low and and a few of us felt like crap. We took a quick break, a few of us got stuck, threw the IV bag on the back of packs and continued on.
I wouldn’t recommend doing it during the race unless you are about to pass out from dehydration. Biking or running with a catheter in my arm would not be my idea of fun. Why not just drain the fluid and start hydrating with it at the start of the race? It tastes like crap but if you are worried about dehydration it may help.
Pre-race: no need (you should be adequately hydrated)
Post-race: certainly would help speed recovery as others have commented but I believe it is done mainly as “patient comfort”. Unless your electrolytes are dangerously low or there is evidence that your GI system is seriously malfunctioning (e.g. you puke up everything), then most would be fine by just rehydrating orally. HCPs generally want to help and keep patients happy so they are inclined to hand out a fix even if unneeded provided it won’t cause much harm (just look a the prescription rates for antibiotic, antidepressants, etc). An IV will do the same as oral rehydration but typically much faster.
During-race: now this could make a real difference. It is highly impractical (though not impossible) and ethically questionable (I’m not saying unethical but it does raise questions) but being able to provide fluids, electrolytes and calories while bypassing the GI system or in addition to what the GI tract can tolerate should provide a definite performance benefit. Years ago, I had lots of cramping issues and was tempted to put in an IV catheter to allow the collection of blood samples in the later stages of long rides or runs. I discussed the concept with some doctor friends and friends in med school but never followed up. I would find it educational if someone just gave some anecdotal experience on the subject of during-exercise IV supplementation (calories and electrolytes). I don’t think it would spark a new version of the camel back but it could offer insights as to what limits athletic performance.
In regards to anyone preaching about loss of license and legal action, I am not sure what bubble they are living in. Are you seriously concerned that some cheat would be able to hide and administer an IV during a race? There’s a lot lower-hanging fruit if you want to eliminate cheating. As to medical need, pretty much anyone who finishes an IM has a plausible medically need for an IV. Are you concerned that someone would recover faster than you after a race? One would have to do a lot worse than that to lose a license.
pedialyte is your friend. skip the IVs.
why the fuck would you do this?
or rough nights out drinking.
I’m thinking this is probably the most useful reason
I hear that it works awesome…like magic…
I had an awesome idea few years back to offer it as a service to people in vegas that may have become overly dehydrated and be in medical need of IV fluids. Was with a doc when I came up with the brain storm. What would instant hangover relief be worth to you? The legal and ethical issues would not be too difficult to work within. Still think it is a good idea and could provide people with a valuable service while not doing any harm.
In regards to anyone preaching about loss of license and legal action, I am not sure what bubble they are living in. Are you seriously concerned that some cheat would be able to hide and administer an IV during a race? There’s a lot lower-hanging fruit if you want to eliminate cheating. As to medical need, pretty much anyone who finishes an IM has a plausible medically need for an IV. Are you concerned that someone would recover faster than you after a race? One would have to do a lot worse than that to lose a license.
Concerned about cheating? I could care less. I’m just pointing out the legality of it. It may be a slim chance, but it’s still there. I think it’s a stupid idea from start to finish, honestly. (The only stupider thing in this thread is the suggestion to drink it).
But, all that he would need is some kind of complication from the IV or someone hearing him talking about it, and there you go.
John