Need Smart Opinions on Sides to argue with doctor

[Grim Divinity]

Hi guys,

Ok I have been kinda arguing with an MD (GI specialist) about steroid sides. Can you guys help me? I NEED YOUR BRAIN POWER!

Here is what has been said so far:

Hi, 2 months ago I was diagnosed with Colitis. The Specialist said it was atypical in that it didn't effect my rectum. They also diagnosed me with Clostridium Difficile. I took flagyl to combat the CD and I am on Salofalk(sp?) for the colitis. He says it is mild and on the salofalk I should return to normal. Well, I'm not sure what normal is but I'm still getting diarrhea at least 3 times a day and at least once it is bloody (1 tblsp).
Anyway.. to the point. I am a bodybuilder and have always had an exceptionally good diet. I eat 6 - 7 meals a day upwards of 6000 calories a day when bulking. Unfortunately, I lost weight during the initial flare-up and I can't get it back. I have never taken anabolic steroids before but I am considering them to help me regain some lean muscle. I am very knowledgeable about their side effects and how to combat them etc but what I don't know is how this will effect my condition. If someone could give me an idea I would appreciate it.


EugeneSMayMD
Member posted 09-20-2002 11:16 AM
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well, I"d avoid anabolic steroids as there is no way to combat the risks of the brain tumors or liver disease that are associated with them and the won't do much one way or another for the IBD if you have it and not post C diff IBS good luck
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merzetti
Member posted 09-21-2002 04:05 PM
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When you say post C Diff are you suggesting that it takes over a month to start being able to gain weight again?
Also, about the liver disease, I was under the understanding that only steroids that had gone through alpha-7-alkylation (orals like Dianabol and Anadrol) were extremely hard on the liver where as injectibles seem to hardly increase liver values (about as much as 2 aspirin a day).

The reason I am considering steroids is because I have muscle dysmorphia and this weight loss is turning me into a shut in. yes I realize a therapist would help

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EugeneSMayMD
Member posted 09-21-2002 09:58 PM
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C diff can set the gut into IBS type symptoms and they can last for a long time and do not usually keep a person from gaining weight and do you ignore the brain tumor risks and lymphoma risks of the injected or oral anabolics? good luck



Help me enlighten her! What should I say to that?

 

[Grim Divinity]

someone on here knows what I should say! Come on!

 

[gilly6993]

Well it sounds like you're still having a problem if you have diarrhes 3x a day and it's bloody sometimes......IMO you should get yourself healthy before doing anything.....

 

[gimp]

C. Diff. is a bacteria that many people get when the are immunocomprimised. They usually pick it up while in hospital. It tends to be difficult to get rid of since those who succumb to it usually are elderly or those whom are already suffering from another illness which leaves their bodies in a less than healthy state. I agree with the above comment, get healthy first and then cycle when everything is back to normal. I think it's a waste of money and time to cycle when you're already ill. IMO you must be as healthy as possible before any cycle. Colitis goes into a remission stage and you might wanna try cycling then. Good luck.

 

[DaMan]

BRAIN TUMORS? OMFG.

The only way to have a rational argument with an irrational person is in front of an audience.

 

[nautica]

"muscle dysmorphia " - you actually think that steroids will help with this condition - just in case you don't know what it is - Here you go.

Muscle dysmorphia (bigorexia)

What is muscle dysmorphia?
Sometimes called bigorexia, muscle dysmorphia is the opposite of anorexia nervosa. People with this disorder obsess about being small and undeveloped. They worry that they are too little and too frail. Even if they have good muscle mass, they believe their muscles are inadequate.

In efforts to fix their perceived smallness, people with muscle dysmorphia lift weights, do resistance training, and exercise compulsively. They may take steroids or other muscle-building drugs, a practice with potentially lethal consequences.

Who gets muscle dysmorphia?
Both men and women. So far there are no statistics available, but researchers suspect the disorder is more common in males since the culturally defined ideal male is big and strong while the ideal female is small and thin.

Consequences of muscle dysmorphia
The constant preoccupation with perceived smallness interferes with school and career accomplishments. It robs friendships and romantic relationships of spontaneity and enjoyment. Since the person is exceedingly self-conscious at all times, s/he cannot relax and enjoy life without worrying about how other people may be seeing, and criticizing, the perceived smallness.

In almost all cases, people with muscle dysmorphia are not small at all. Many have well-developed musculature, and some even compete in body building competitions.

Muscle dysmorphia may be one kind of obsessive-compulsive disorder. People with this problem cannot or will not stop their excessive exercise even when they are injured. If they abuse steroids in service of building bulk, they will not give up this unhealthy practice even when they fully understand the risks involved.

Treatment of muscle dysmorphia
Many people with this problem resist getting treatment stating that they are content with the way they are. Some admit they are afraid that if they give up the drugs and exercise, they will wither away to frailty.

Family members and concerned friends may be able to persuade the person to at least get an evaluation by focusing on the problems caused by the behaviors, such as job loss, relationship failure, and physical harm.

Nonetheless, about half of people with this problem are so convinced of their perceived smallness that they refuse help and continue their excessive exercise and steroid use.

For those who enter treatment, cognitive-behavioral therapy combined with medication holds promise. The best place to start is an evaluation by a physician trained in sports medicine. Ask for a referral to a mental health counselor who also works with athletes. After both professionals have completed their evaluations, consider their recommendations and choose a course of action that is in your own best interests. Best wishes

and one more thing:

"alpha-7-alkylation (orals like Dianabol and Anadrol)"

It is 17 not 7

Good luck
Nautica

 

[Grim Divinity]

ok.. apparently no one read what was said. :|

What I needed help with was I needed solid medical info on why steroids don't cause brain tumors or lymphoma.

I don't need any help with the colitis info. The fact that I have muscle dysmorphia is the reason it bugs me that I am losing weight. I never said that I thought muscle dysmorphia would help my condition.. *sigh*

I know there are some very smart people on this board. I am trying to teach this doctor to not spread ingnorance by backing up my argurment with medical research. What I need is proof that steroids don't cause braint tumors or lymphoma. I know they can accelerate the growth of preexisting cancer but I was understood they couldn't cause it.

 

[Grim Divinity]

oh yeah, i new that was 17 - alkalation by the way it was a typo.

 

[nautica]

Actually, instead of trying to convince your doctor that steroids do not cause brain or liver cancer. You need help with your "muscle dysmorphia". b/c like I said steroids will not help and they are the last thing you need.

Nautica

 

[McBane]

Actually, instead of trying to convince your doctor that steroids do not cause brain or liver cancer. You need help with your "muscle dysmorphia". b/c like I said steroids will not help and they are the last thing you need.

Nautica

Agreed. See a psychologist...the problem is probably rooted from being picked on as a child or something of that sort. I used to be TINY and get picked on and I still sometimes see myself as tiny...it's not bad but I definitely feel the same way as I used to before I started lifting, mainly weak, small, frail, unattractive.