roids

"before" and "after" images are from the Associated Press

It seems that modern science is always a step ahead of modern medicine.  Over the past 5 years, the use of “performance enhancing” drugs in sports has been investigated thoroughly in almost every professional sport.  What I gather from everything is that the latest drug on the market can’t be identified by current testing procedures.  That seems to be the case no matter when you take the snapshot.

So, recently, there has been a lot of talk about who has used drugs to increase their competitive advantage and who has not.  We’re starting to hear more names of big stars that cheated the system.  Now there’s another one to add to the list:

I’m using steroids.  Yes, you read that right.  This physique isn’t all natural.  It started out innocently enough.  I went to my doctor for my yearly physical, we discussed how to better get in shape and improve my quality of life.  And then he wrote me a prescription.  I didn’t question it because the man’s a doctor.  Surely this must be OK….right?

After the order was filled and I’d been using the medicine for a while, I actually did a little research.  It turns out that my nasal spray for my allergies is actually a steroid.  I’d noticed some warning signs.  At the office, people would compliment me on how muscular my nose was getting, but I thought it was because I’ve been working out more often.  Then the mood swings started to happen.  One hour I’d be perfectly fine and the next, I’d be sound asleep.  And the worst part of it all….geez, I can’t believe I’m going to admit this…the worst part is that my sense of smell was enhanced beyond normal.  I used to walk outside and not be able to smell anything at all.  Now, it’s all different.  I smell all of the things around me, the good and the bad.

I know it’s wrong to use the drugs, but I can’t stop.  If i stop now, and my nose returns to normal, everyone will know what I’ve been doing.  I feel so cheap, so dirty.  Wait…..is that popcorn I smell down the hall?  Hold on, I’ll be back.