posted April 17, 2000 12:29 PM            

By way of an intro, I've been competing in PL events for 15+ years and have used mainly russian and bulgarian products for about the same time.

In recent visits to my own doctor (who is aware of my health and drug use) he commented on some issues with internal organ growth. It appears that while my liver enzyme tests are normal, my spleen and liver have become enlarged and he (the doc) is alarmed this trend may continue and will cause me problems. There are some movements that cause me to have a feeling of tightness and I suppose it is possible that unless the organ growth is not stopped (he suggested a total stop to AS) I may have to take Interferon Alpha or Agrylin to reduce the size or the organs or worst case a splenectomy (removal of spleen)

He also explained that since the spleen regulates so much of what goes on in the immune system it may be wise to hold on to it for as long as possible.

Well, there's my short intro, I've had a good 15 years of training but am a little apprehensive with regard to my "old age"