GEORGE SPELLWIN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Enlightening Men about Anabolic Steroids and Bodybuilding for over Two Decades
| Author | Topic: To tell or not to tell? | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder 
Posts: 57 |
For those of us who do not now or plan to use A/S in the future this topic though interesting may be irrelevant. But for those board members who are new to bbing/fitness or more advanced athletes who are considering use I feel this issue is worthy of discussion. Over the last several months I have seen many a post advising others who are using anabolics or other perfomrance enhancing drugs to seek the advice/attention of medical professionals SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE THEY ARE USING THESE SUBSTANCES. So now I ask, should one specifically disclose this information to the health care professionals to whom they have entrusted their care? If so, how would one specifically address the issue w/o compromising their "good standing" with insurance companies. Also, if one finds that they are in the care of a doctor who is less than sympathetic or less than knowledgeable about these individuals' personal choices, how do these individuals then find a practitioner who IS, at the very least, knowledgeable. I mean, it's not like they can advertise this "specialty" in the yellow pages. For those who have won the Mr or Ms Olympia this topic may seem naive, but for those that are here to seek knowledge, I'm sure the information is needed and would be greatly appreciated. ------------------     | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 117 |
There is usually someone at every big gym who uses AAS and is under the care of an MD. Not an MD that prescribes them, but one who knows the ropes (i.e, confidentiality, sports med, insurance issues, etc.). They are out there and I believe their numbers are growing silently. One has to look and listen, ask around and keep your contacts confidential, otherwise the docs will come under scrutinity by state medical boards in an effort to intimidate them. Find out who most of the competitive BBs go to for medical care in your area and you'll likely find the doc you are looking for. F1 | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder 
Posts: 525 |
Well, personally I say NO! Especially where insurance is related, as you medical record is FAR from confidential when it comes to insurance companies. Im sure there are those who will cry the old "doctor patient confidentiality" bull shit, but thats kind of naive. Insurance companies WILL have access to your records, and it can come back to bite you in the ass. Like down the line if you were to have a medical problem and the insurance company wants to say it is because of your use of illegal substances and deny coverage. It happens! Also, a lot of employers want medical records and even credit reports as part of the hiring procedure (I just found out that Media One does both). They wont look to kindly on it, and it would most likely cost you the job! A close friend admitted his use to his doctor so he could get his liver values checked, now he is paying a lawyer to try and get his records from the doctor because they say specificlly that he used AAS. He has an opprotunity to intern for the FBI due to his being multi-lingual and having a psychology degree, but this medical record will sink him. I say to be informed about AAS, and get blood work done, and if the doctor sees a problem, go from there. Most of us can help each other in these cases, as many of us have medical backgrounds, and know how to read the test results anyway. Things like liver values, and HDL to LDL levels. Doctors for the most part arent informed as to what changes and will normalize when you come "off". So really, except in the most severe cases Id say no. Hell, even with an abcess, it can be treated regardless of if you tell them why it occurred. The "why" doesnt really change the fact that its there and how it is handled! Well, Ive said enough. The medical establishment is a pet peeve of mine, so I'll stop my insane rambling now... ------------------ | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 57 |
Thanx for your input.....any others? ------------------ | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 570 |
I could'nt agree more with what monster said. This is the reason we must be as educated as possible about AS use. For this purpose we must rely on ourselves. We must be our own doctors. This would be responsible AS use. We must know the effects of these drugs on our bodies and we must know what to expect from the use of these drugs. If we understand these drugs and the effects they have on the human body then we should be able recognize and detail any potential complications. So routine medical work that you request can be translated by you. So if you have blood work done you should be able to analyze the results or consult someone you completely trust to analyze the results. I would never tell the doc that the high blood presure is from AS use. Last time I got it checked I just told him I had been in a hurry all day and had to rush to make my appointment. He asked no further questions. Point being, responsible AS use should not cause any problems. If you are educated on how to safely use them there should never be a reason to see the doc. ------------------ [This message has been edited by Beezers (edited November 12, 2000).] | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 117 |
Monster: The type of docs I'm talking about don't put incriminating info into your records. They will advise as to how to proceed on certain issues or problems that may arise with AAS use to avoid any info from being recorded that insurance companies, employers, etc. could use against you. Its a tricky business, but our government leaves AAS users and their health care providers little choice. None-the-less, medical oversight of AAS use is important, especially in women. F1 | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 485 |
no. hell no. no way. no how. forget it. This isn't your friendly neighborhood ear, nose and throat guy with the little black bag anymore. This is a major burocracy: okay, fine, it's practically big brother. At the risk of sounding paranoid.. Sorry, I don't trust 'em and I don't really believe that they have that much to offer as a general community....beyond the power to prescribe what I want them to. It's my job to tell them all the right things in order to get them to write it. ------------------ | ||
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Moderator 
Posts: 1708 |
No - never discuss this with your general practitioner - NEVER! You will run the risk of lossing coverage. You give all the cards to the ins. companies. give them ONE inch and they will take it to the moon My wife is a financial analyst for a major health provider. Nitro is a cardiac care specialist. So you could say I've a few friends in the med community and you should never say your on roids period. | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 108 |
Bump. F1hybrid has a good idea, and I once knew of such doctors while in highschool. Scary. Now think that if a highschooler could figure it out, who else knows? If the records get seized then yours are in there -associated along with the other 'gym people'. Records can be 'lost' anywhere at the lab, courier etc. unless the doc. is running the blood tests right there with you. Hmmm: why not purchase such a kit and do some basic testing for yourself? But it shouldn't be necessary for liver or cholesterol testing unless taking 17 alkylated agents (orals). And if you're not taking those, then think again about the absolute need for a blood test. Don't make the mistake of having a blood test done while still sore either. Those sky-high CK and LDH values spook the (regular) doctors into thinking you are an athlete. And then all manner of trouble breaks loose How about a reliable 'off-shore' or 'research-oriented" testing facility? |
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posted November 12, 2000 03:52 PM
