That is really interesting.
I am totally a last minute worker too. I went through something similar in school also - always told about my potential but nothing was challenging enough to keep me interested etc. I discovered in University that using a natural remedy (that’s becoming more popular now 
gave me a similar effect to what you describe these drugs do for you.
FEI testing would, apparently.
A TUE is granted for a specific dose and if the rider is tested and found to have exceed their prescribed dose they would be violating the doping rules.
TUEs are granted only for a specific period of time depending on the person/case, even in the case of a chronic condition. They must be applied for again when the time limit the FEI puts on the TUE arrives.
It’s quite the process apparently.
I’m surprised that USEF publicly addresses rumors, as they did in this instance.
I have always felt old and tired. Even when I was young and thin. Although when I was in my late teens and early twenties, I dabbled in smoking pot and such. I have never been a big drinker, as I dislike hard stuff, hate beer, and am allergic to wine. I have however broken an over 40 year addiction to No Doz. It was difficult to do, but possible. Mostly, it wasn’t good, but when it hit just at the right moment, it was fabulous. But now, I am back to tired all the time. I was never the most energetic, or ambitious, and the caffeine really helped.
I had the WLS surgery earlier this year, and went off all my meds. Most were anti depressants, that I had been taking for over 20 years. I have felt no difference. I have lost enough weight to go off the blood pressure drugs, and my gp was thrilled. I still keep in touch with my other dr. tho, so if I do fall back down I can retake them.
You should be just as careful if you are involved with USEF. See USEF gr413 https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/waUkRtEVXdI/gr4-drugs-medications.
The WADA/FEI human anti doping rules apply to USEF competitions as well (not that you are likely to be tested by the USADA, but they certainly can test you).
Drug testing via blood and urine samples can not necessarily determine exact dose taken of certain medications. The levels of chemical present in someones sample will vary with an individuals metabolism, time of day meds were taken, and time of day the sample used for testing is collected. Certain stimulants… Ritalin in particular … have a VERY short half life and are metabolized very easily and quickly. I would imagine pinpointing exact dosage of that drug taken would require a really specialized and controlled drug testing process…
I hadn’t read that article. But it makes sense crushing adderal and ritalin is a common enough party drug, and if all you saw were people snorting a white substance, thanks to tv, you’d think cocaine right off the bat.
Often people don’t think of these RX drugs as “as bad as” cocaine when in fact they are.
Apparently the FEI feels they have the capability.
Bensmom, you sound just like me! And I agree with this point - lots of folks with ADHD are adrenaline junkies/risk-takers or just addicted to exercising, as movement/dopamine/adrenaline are the quickest way to shake off that spaced-out stupor. So I also wouldn’t be shocked to find a lot of high-level riders (or pro athletes in plenty of risky sports) have ADHD.
I am not on meds and zone out enough while riding that my trainer has said to me “you’re a good rider when you remember to THINK!” But I ride better as the jumps get bigger, because when I’m a little scared or a little revved up on adrenaline my ability to focus improves drastically!
FWIW, there is an FDA approved non stimulant ADHD drug available. Strattera (atomoxetine) is not on the WADA list as a banned substance. It has been out for years and now has gone generic. IF Jr. has been on this drug for the last 6 years. Both Mr. IF and I had serious concerns about long term use of amphetamines and were happy to have this option. It has worked well for him. So there are options for elite riders who are ADHD. I can’t say it works for everyone, but it has worked for him. And it is cheap as a generic, so even better.
I did not read all of the posts so sorry if someone has already addressed the following.
Wow I must be on too low a dose! I take adderall for ADD (which runs in my family) and it helps some with focus but certainly no miracle drug. Doesn’t affect appetite at all and certainly not euphoric.
Earlier in the thread someone mentioned that conditions such as ADD or ADHD typically do not just show up in adulthood. While that may have some truth, I know a few adults that were not officially diagnosed until they were adult. The diagnosis made their life a lot easier and helped them understand their previous difficulties. had: the ability to work non-stop and the absolute lack of appetite.
ADHD is impulsivity and distractabilty; however, people with ADHD can also hyperfocus so they are not always running around like chickens with their head cut off even when off meds. People who have only attention issues and no hyperactivity are sometimes not diagnosed until late adolescence or adulthood when the need for organization and preparation often increase.
If you have ADHD and you receive a stimulant, it should not cause you to be able to work 24 hours a day and eliminate your appetite. The way I explain it to parents is the following example: people with diabetes have to take insulin shots, but, if you do not have diabetes, and you give yourself an insulin shot, you are going to be sick as hell. People with ADHD are missing the neurochemicals that help them focus in a certain way. I take Adderall XR and a good amount. I WISH I had weight loss from it…If you, however, give a stimulant (AND THEY ARE CALLED STIMULANTS for a reason) to someone who does NOT have ADHD, they will get much more appetite suppression as well as the other side effects both ‘positive’ and negative. This is SPEED people
I suspect this was just oversight and sloppy by the riders although I could totally understand why.
I doubt it is just oversight and sloppiness. Stimulants are CONTROLLED substances. As a doctor, I have to have a license from the Drug Enforcement Agency to prescribe them, and I have to hand write them on a paper pad. You can only send them electronically if you have a special system and jump through a bunch of hoops. You cannot write for more than 3 months of prescriptions at a time. If you are on these medications, you KNOW that they are not a prescription for amoxicillin. Also, upper level riders have to be SUPER attentive to details - otherwise they would just not succeed, and this was a big show.
RE having a screen + for both amphetamine and methylphenidate:
I do a lot of child psych. My practice pulls kids with special needs, chronic illness, school and mental health issues from 5 rural counties. In the area that I serve, there are zero child psychiatrists who will see kids with Medicaid, and our practice is 85% Medicaid so I have read lots and lots and lots about ADHD meds. There are three classes of ADHD medication:
It is not uncommon to couple a stimulant with a nonstimulant, but I have never prescribed a combination of the two different classes of stimulant for anyone and have not seenthat done. I was at the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry meeting in the fall and did not hear anyone mention that as a treatment option. Doesn’t mean that it doesn’t happen, but I have never seen it. It would certainly be highly unusual IMO
A, it’s good to see you posting here. Don’t be such a stranger. You and Dale both add so much.
Forgive the lack of knowledge but does this mean that these 3 people will not be able to compete at any show (not just FEI) until this is resolved and they have served their punishment handed down by the FEI?
Why would they take such chances? If a suspension means no showing at FEI and possible USEF, how will they maintain their businesses? Will they be preventing from coming on show grounds? could they still train and teach but just have to stay home from shows?
Here’s an interesting case of a rider who got off with a reprimand for another masking agent, hydrochlorothiazide.
The rider had a history of seeking TUEs for medications and also got one for hydrochlorothiazide after he tested positive. According to his defense, he’d looked up the name of the BP drug that his doctor prescribed and found it not prohibited. However, he wasn’t looking up the right version of the drug - his was a combination version that contained the masking agent. Moreover, he demonstrated that even if he’d typed in the extra letters after the name of the BP drug, it would have returned no matches and simply referred him to the versions of the drug that contained no banned substances.
Case is here.
The FEI still found him at fault for not going far enough but let him off with a reprimand. It was clear that this rider was well-aware of the anti-doping processes, had followed them responsibly throughout a 40-year career, and really did try to play within the rules.
AHA! JER found the South American show jumper case I talked about earlier. Unless there is a lot of similar information in the eventer’s FEI records and their medical records, it doesn’t look to me as if the Barrios matter should be precedent.
It appears that the 2 year suspension is mandatory unless the athlete proves reasons for reducing the sentence.
FEI and USEF have “reciprocity” suspensions so that does mean no USEF events or shows period, until the matter is over. They are not allowed on the grounds at USEF rated shows or events.
If that’s the case how could they be so clueless as to take that kind of chance? It’s the kind of thing that could ruin their business unless they have a really good assistant who can take horses to the events, coach and ride.
If that’s the case how could they be so clueless as to take that kind of chance?
That is a question for a social scientist or a behavioral economist or a psychiatrist. Why do people do all the stupid things they do? Certainly, many, many, many athletes in many sports have ruined careers taking illicit substances. Then there is Goldman’s dilemma
“When I was in grad school, I read about a sports physician who asked elite athletes if they would take a drug that would win them a gold medal but also kill them in five years (See “Goldman’s dilemma”). About half said they would enter such a deal. Some later surveys confirmed this result, and many others have undermined it. But we know from the sports headlines that some number of world-class athletes have risked health and life to succeed (even with the added risk of having their success discounted if discovered).”
A, it’s good to see you posting here. Don’t be such a stranger. You and Dale both add so much.
Thanks Viney! I have been overwhelmed with my peds practice, and Dale has been overwhelmed with his job and my practice, but I am trying to reestablish a life… 
I hope for the sake of these riders that there is some extenuating circumstance that would reduce their sentence. Especially in the case of the young rider if she was influenced by her trainer. It’s just so…careless? stupid? :sigh:
It would be very interesting to approach this from a psychological perspective as you were saying. Is it possible that the qualities that make them good as event riders, ie. boldness, willingness to take risks, also makes them more likely to do so in other ways such as with medications?
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