Drug testing at Summer Nationals

[Y_a_R_f]

Hey Guys (and gals),
I know they test randomly (is it random) for drugs at Summer Nationals. I also know that pseudoephedrine is one of the drugs on the NO NO list. I just found out the allergy medication I am taking (Sudafed Allergy Sinus) has this in it. I've stopped taking it as of this morning, but I was wondering if anyone knew how long the pseudoephedrine stays in ones system, or at least how long after you take it will it show positive in the results. I am excited to be going to summer nationals and don't want it to be screwed up by this. I haven't been to a national event in six years, so I'm glad to be getting back there.


Thanks,

[Repechage]

In my experience, the drug testing is not entirely random, but is only conducted above a certain bracket in events which help select for national teams. Usually, if there is testing inthose events, the top finisher and some fencers selected randomly from that bracket are tested.

[Artisan]

Originally posted by Repechage
In my experience, the drug testing is not entirely random, but is only conducted above a certain bracket in events which help select for national teams. Usually, if there is testing inthose events, the top finisher and some fencers selected randomly from that bracket are tested.

Seems to make sense, and since the USFA doesn't appear to have deep pockets, I can't imagine them spending more than the minimum to get the desired effect, which is to reinforce the "threat" of testing with only enough actual testing to make the threat and therefore risk of being caught real.

"It's a helluva day to stop sniffing glue" - Leslie Neilson, in AIRPLANE.

[AndrewH]

Originally posted by Y_a_R_f
I was wondering if anyone knew how long the pseudoephedrine stays in ones system, or at least how long after you take it will it show positive in the results.

I'm taking a guess that pseudoephedrine is closely related to ephedrine, so try taking a look through this:
http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/ephe...phedrine.shtml

Hope this helps.

[DJ Apostrophe]

Upon reading this thread I became curious as to what exactly _is_ banned... so I went and perused the list. ( got it from www.usantidoping.org )I thought I would post it here in case anyone else wanted to read it as well

Some interesting ones:
Advair (the asthma inhaler thing) - you can use it as long as you have a medical exemption on file with the USADA

Insulin: Also required to have a medical exemption on file with USADA

Marijuana - It specifically says that it is tested for at the Olympic Games...

Adderall - ADHD / ADD medication... NO medical exemption for that one...

I just thought I'd share

-w

[retardedspleen]

Originally posted by Repechage
In my experience, the drug testing is not entirely random, but is only conducted above a certain bracket in events which help select for national teams. Usually, if there is testing inthose events, the top finisher and some fencers selected randomly from that bracket are tested.

"random" i think they actuly pick people out, who they think MAY be under the influence, unfortunitly they arnt very good at picking the right people.


i thought they tested either all of top 8, or 4 and then random tests of people between 8-32


Chris T.

[DJ Apostrophe]

in talking to oiuyt... he mentioned something that I should have added to my interesting list but didn't...that would albuterol... most people's asthma inhalers are albuterol inhalers.. .and albuterol is another one of those restricted drugs... so if you've got an albuterol inhaler, you should file one of those exemption forms...
-w

[Zelda]

Most Asthma inhalers are on the "better check and get an exemption" list, least here in Oz. I ought to know, I've just had to go get the forms signed for my seretide inhaler which I'm only going to need while the air is really cold but there are 2 comps during that time! I think it has something to do with the fact most inhalers have some sort of steroid component to relax the airways.

[JEC]

There is little systemic absorption of topical/inhaled steroids when used according to recommended dosages. However, if they are used in larger amounts, it will show in serum and/or urine tests.

[AndrewH]

Originally posted by DJ Apostrophe
Marijuana - It specifically says that it is tested for at the Olympic Games...

At the Nagano Winter Olympics, a Canadian won the downhill snowboarding event, and later tested positive for marijuana, and they took his medal away... but later gave it back because marijuana couldn't possibly have improved his performance. So maybe it is tested for, but if the IOC didn't DQ this guy, I doubt the USFA would DQ anybody... or maybe they would. Just seems sorta pointless though.

[Peach]

The amusing thing is that drug testing was required at Veteran Worlds, and frankly I don't know too many veterans who aren't on at least one prescription drug that is restricted or prohibited.

[a517dogg]

YaRF - if your medication was prescribed to you by a doctor i would keep taking it no matter what. when you go to natinoals just take a doctor's notice and in the exTREMEly small chance that you're tested you'll have a notice and then you can work something out.

honestly, the only people that get tested are those who have a shot at making it to world championships

[veeco]

Originally posted by AndrewH
At the Nagano Winter Olympics, a Canadian won the downhill snowboarding event, and later tested positive for marijuana, and they took his medal away... but later gave it back because marijuana couldn't possibly have improved his performance. So maybe it is tested for, but if the IOC didn't DQ this guy, I doubt the USFA would DQ anybody... or maybe they would. Just seems sorta pointless though.

There are fencers who have been banned from competition for about 3 months because of THC in their urine.

The FIE regularly publishes their names in their newsletters (no names here).

There was a thread a while ago on one girl who was a top fencer in epee and got tested for cold medicine (possibly pseudoephedrine). So if you have a medication that is on the banned list, you'd better take care of that and get a prescription from a doctor and take it with you in case.

Frankly, I have never heard of testing in the top 32 at USFA events. Usually it's a couple people in the top 8, chosen randomly. But most of the time, they don't bother doing it.

[oiuyt]

If you use drugs on the restricted list, fill out the paperwork. It's just not that hard. One of my fencers has a LONG list of drugs that she takes regularly (chronic headaches). She keeps the list updated with all the various treatments that her doctors have been prescribing.

At Div I nationals last year (Louisville) they were making announcements that people in the top 16 had to be cleared before leaving the building. The selections were made from people in that group. I haven't noticed such announcements at any other event or level that I've attended (that said, I've never been to JO's, likely another place where the testing would be performed).

-B :)

[Artisan]

Originally posted by veeco
There are fencers who have been banned from competition for about 3 months because of THC in their urine.

The FIE regularly publishes their names in their newsletters (no names here).

Didn't Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong use to be fencers?

[Jupiter]

I don't take anything; only a very small dose of estrogen replacement but I skip days during the week; or an aspirin now and then; I don't smoke or drink alcohol, but caffeine is my downfall.

[we need a halo smilie - i know, it's too horribly real, i'm too good to be true! ]

[a517dogg]

then why ya so damn weird?

=P