Some drugs that should be considered for therapy

[Sir Kenyth]

This is continued from another post I made. I was wondering how everyone else felt and what the general view of theraputic use for anabolic steroids is? I would like to first say that although I was curious and researched them, I have never actually taken Anabolic steroids. I also do not condone their illegal use or their abuse. On the other hand the media tends to show steroid use in a worst case scenario where overdosing has been severe and long term. It seems that there are valid theraputic uses for these drugs.

Here are a couple of misconceptions and facts about the drugs.

1. They shrink your testicles.

Only very long term excessive use without consulting a physician will actually shrink the gonads. Since there is already enough testosterone in the body, the testicles slowly atrophy like a leg in a cast. They will start working again as soon as the steroids are stopped. A physician can prevent atrophication entirely with a proper regimen.

2. They make you violent.

Anabolics can stimulate aggression. Agressiveness does not necessarily mean violent. In most cases it is seen as increased competetiveness causing sports injuries. Once again, this side effect is primarily seen when overdosing. Most violent behavior attributed to steroids has usually been used as a desperate defense by defense attorneys in crime trials. The violence is always attibuted to the person.

3. They destroy your liver.

Only older oral steroids stress the liver, and only when overdosing. This is because the drugs have to be chemically altered to survive the digestive process and the first pass through the liver before being made available to the body. This is the way our body prevents us from absorbing horomones from the food we eat. Injectable steroids do not stress the liver at all, even in large doses.

4. They cause women to develop male attributes.

This is true when steroids with androgenic effects are used and usually only when overdosing. Women are obviously particularly sensitive to these drugs. There are a few types that have been developed that almost eliminate the androgenic effects. Once again, a qualified doctor would be able to determine a safe regimen.

4. They make acne worse and accellerate hair loss.

This is true. How bad depends upon your personal body chemistry. Steroids increase skin oil production and raise DHT levels. Those prone to hair loss or breakouts may wish to avoid these drugs.

5. They can stunt your growth.

This is true, if the drugs are used by pre-pubscent or pubescent children. No physician would ever give hormonal therapy to a developing child unless it was a last resort.

I do not suggest that these drugs be made freely available. Only under a competent doctors supervision with a presciption, and only for people who are not involved in competetive sports. They have benefits when used correctly and are not abused. Newer time released injectables would help physicians control the treatment regimen more effectively than oral pills. Most of the steroid horror stories you hear are from SEVERE overdosing for many years. Properly controlled therapy provides proven benefits for people who are underweight/overweight, people with wasting diseases or eating disorders, depression and/or chronic tiredness, sexual dysfunction in some cases, etc. Side effects are almost non-existent or minor in theraputic doses under a physicians care. There are also numerous other drugs that were classified as steroids even though they weren't, simply because they were found being used with steroid abusers. Some of these drugs also have theraputic effects on certain hormonal imbalaces and their symptoms. One of the drugs made illegal is actually an effective bronchiodialator that has no anabolic effects at all. It was simply used as a stimulant by atheletes much like ephedrine is now. Ignorance ruled at the time these drugs were made illegal and things were handled rashly because the professional sports arena and olympics were being skewed. Time was of the essence in passing legislation to pacify everyone. Testosterone suppliments are slowly being introduced as legal pharmecuticals in the form of the patch. These seem to be only prescribed as a last resort if the natural testosterone level is considered abnormally low. Perhaps these drugs should be a little less stringently controlled and their use broadened. It seems they could be used to treat a variety of ailments.

[ 07-09-2002, 03:24 PM: Message edited by: Sir Kenyth ]

[johnny]

In Holland you can get weed on doctors advice, it's mostly for people who often have a headache !

[/)eathKiller]

"mm-kay, Drugs are bad... mm-kay?" -Mister Makey

[Sir Kenyth]

Originally posted by /)eathKiller: "mm-kay, Drugs are bad... mm-kay?" -Mister Makey

Doctors prescibe them all the time silly! Sheesh!