Is this cheating or am I being silly?

[ThisFluentScroller]

I know this is probably silly but just a bit down and was looking for some advice (or alternatively a kick up the arse to stop being so silly)

I’m taking part in a sports competition soon. Not Olympic level obviously haha, but a decent level within the sport. I’ve been sporty most of my life and training at this sport for a long time.

I have heart issues and take a lot medication to keep things stable (sustained WCT so I take Flecainide and Sotalol). I’m cleared to exercise and am fine when medicated.

One of my friends made a joke the other day that I was cheating on a way, since my medication stops my heart beating too quickly and that will give me an advantage when exercising. I had never really thought about it like that, because I never had problems when exercising in the first place, my problems would happen randomly. And because I’ve always been active my resting heart rate is actually very low and doesn’t go up particularly high when I exercise anyway, even without medication.

I decided to try no medication while training for a few days and didn’t feel any different vs not taking it (other than anxious about my heart going into a dodgy rhythm which thankfully it didn't) so I don’t think the medication is actually giving me an advantage because it’s not lowering my heart rate anymore because it’s already low from sports, it just stops it slipping into dangerous rhythms.

Obviously I’m never going to go without my medication for training/competition because I need it, but it’s sort of in the back of my mind that I’m cheating in a way by taking it? Am I being completely ridiculous here? I feel slightly sad in some ways thinking that perhaps competitions I’ve won were somehow unfair or I had an advantage and it’s put a bit of a dampener on it all, especially as I was proud to have won despite having heart problems and being unwell

No you're not cheating. Please don't stop the medication again without speaking to your doctor. Cheating is knowingly using something to gain an advantage over other people- you've not done this. I'm sure your friend was joking & if not they aren't a good friend.

I think as long as you aren’t flouting any of your sport’s guidelines (Eg. Medication must be declared etc) then I wouldn’t consider this cheating. Be proud of your achievements!

Surely the league (or whatever) that you compete within has rules about what types of medication constitute cheating? I wouldn't have thought yours does, and I wouldn't have found your friend's "joke" very funny either - presumably it's a sport you've put significant time and effort into and it's a bit demeaning to suggest you've had an unfair advantage. Does your friend also compete and is envious of your success?

If the medication is health related and not banned, don't give it another thought.

Some people have natural advantages like height, or wear contact lenses to improve eyesight etc.

No two competitors are equal.

I’m no expert but your friend sounds like a but if a dick. Your taking the meds to keep you alive and she’s acting like your cheating

I’m no expert but your friend sounds like a but if a dick. Your taking the meds to keep you alive and she’s acting like your cheating

Please don’t stop taking your meds because your friend made a stupid comment. If you’ve been prescribed then it is because you need them - why would you risk your health by stopping talking them not under medical supervision? And as others have said, all competitive sports have drugs guidelines. I would read those before even considering ceasing prescribed treatment and even then, it would be a conversation with my prescriber about the guidelines. I sometimes don’t believe what I read on here.

As long as the medication is declared and permitted, your friend is just showing their ignorance.

Good luck competing.

I don't know what sport you are talking about but there will be clear rules about what medications are permissable and what aren't. I don't know enough about it to know at what level of competition you need to to declare what medications you are taking. So if you are in any doubt you contact the governing body of your sport

But definitely don't take chances with your health and stop medicating because of an ill informed silly remark made by your friend.

You're not cheating. There's a hell of a lot more to sporting performance than simple heart rate. Physically and mentally.

You need nicer friends.

I might be talking rubbish because I’m not a doctor, but if anything, wouldn’t medication that makes your heart rate slower put you at a disadvantage? I thought you need your heart to be working hard so that it gets enough oxygen to your muscles to make them work well when you’re doing sport.

This is what I was thinking!

If your heart rate can't go too high then surely you'll fatigue more easily as can't remove CO2 and bring oxygen to your muscles quickly enough

Anyway it's not cheating and good luck in your competition :)

No you are not cheating.
You need intent to cheat, not your case.

And reframe it....you are doing well despite having a condition that requires this medication. You are overcoming an obstacle that other participants don't have.
So don't listen to your friend.

I think people are being a bit harsh on your friend who may have known full well what they were saying was daft and probably didn't intend to cause you such consternation. However the basic advice you're getting is correct - if your use of the drug is within the rules of the sport then crack on without a second thought. Consider your arse kicked!

As an aside I would have thought that unless the drug also increases the oxygen carrying capacity of your blood then having it limiting the rate at which your heart can beat could actually be more of a disadvantage.

As another aside I had sort of similar when I used to row at a reasonably high level - I've had exercised-induced asthma ever since I started training properly as a teen and when I was in my pomp I had quite a few smart-arse comments from dickheads who thought me trying to avoid a medical emergency made me Lance Armstrong.

Thanks.

yeah there’s no issues with me taking the medication, neither tablets are classed as banned sporting substance. I knew deep down I was being silly but just felt suddenly so disheartened at the idea that I had somehow cheated my way here. I definitely won’t go without the medication though, I know how risky it would be and I think my cardiologist would hit the roof if they found out!

You’re not taking performance enhancing drugs, therefore you’re not cheating. Ignore your bubble bursting friend.

Oh I hadn’t actually thought about it like that, but good point! That makes me feel a lot better about it actually! Thanks :)