Ryan Braun Tests Positive for PEDs

[4everwarriors]

Yes, the antivirals don't contain synthetic testy. May create a spike in epitesty. Regardless, you don't treat a virus (herpes) with testosterone. All sounds like total BS.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

do you treat the hiv with testosterone?  maybe he's on the magic johnson regimen(.

(anyone surprised that 4never knows a lot about herpes medication?  i'm not.)

[4everwarriors]

Dude, are you forgetting I'm a doctor?

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Dude, are you forgetting I'm a doctor?

yeah, and I'm a rocket scientist.   

[4everwarriors]

Oh, so that explains why you're deliverin' bottled water now. Blame it on the economy and government cutbacks.

[Benny B]

Dude, are you forgetting I'm a doctor?

Glenn... we discussed this already.  Just because we call you Doc, it doesn't mean you can perform surgery.  Now quit slumming on the Scoop boards and focus on getting the Celtics back to the Finals this year.

[reinko]

yeah, and I'm a rocket scientist.   

[chapman]

The thing with the herpes rumors that never made sense was that I always thought herpes medication consisted primarily of antivirals. Looking up valtrex from the commercials (which is also used for shingles) it makes no reference to jacking up testosterone levels.  Any medically inclined folks out there that could clear some of that up? It just has seemed like an explanation thats lacking.

I was prescribed a combination of antivirals as well as a steroid for a viral infection, but I wouldn't think the steroid is needed for herpes treatment.

[MUMac]

Really looks like it's time to lock this thread.  Nothing new coming out, but some really poor, old, crass jokes.

[🏀]

Really looks like it's time to lock this thread.  Nothing new coming out, but some really poor, old, crass jokes.

Where? I was not joking.

[MUMac]

Where? I was not joking.

Long night.  Was not responding to your post.  In fact, responded in the wrong thread (and I didn't have a drink tonight, yikes).  I guess my posting was as bad as MU's play tonight.

[🏀]

Long night.  Was not responding to your post.  In fact, responded in the wrong thread (and I didn't have a drink tonight, yikes).  I guess my posting was as bad as MU's play tonight.

Happens to us all. Take the rest of the plays off tonight. You will feel better in the morning.

[MerrittsMustache]

I was prescribed a combination of antivirals as well as a steroid for a viral infection, but I wouldn't think the steroid is needed for herpes treatment.

As I stated previously, I'd find it hard to believe that MLB had never seen a player test "positive" for some sort of STD medication.

If Braun isn't suspended, most baseball fans (outside of Milwaukee) would view it as a PR move by bumbling Bud Selig, who doesn't want the MVP of his league, who happens to be on his hometown team, to be viewed as a cheater.

[Chili]

As I stated previously, I'd find it hard to believe that MLB had never seen a player test "positive" for some sort of STD medication.

If Braun isn't suspended, most baseball fans (outside of Milwaukee) would view it as a PR move by bumbling Bud Selig, who doesn't want the MVP of his league, who happens to be on his hometown team, to be viewed as a cheater.

Actually, from some of the rumors on the web, other players have tested positive this way and that is why they won their appeal. Don't believe the spin that no one has beaten a test. If some clown wouldn't have leaked this, no one would have ever even known Braun tested positive.

[MUBurrow]

http://sportsradiointerviews.com/2011/12/19/mlb-milwaukee-brewers-ryan-braun-ped-testing-victor-conte/
interview with Victor Conte (of BALCO fame) relevantly -

Were you surprised that Ryan Braun tested positive?:

"No, I was not surprised. In fact, three weeks before that, I was in Vietnam and I was interviewed by somebody from the New York Daily News. It was when the growth hormone testing was being introduced. And I don't think growth hormone is effective as a performance enhancer. At that time, I basically said that what they're doing is using fast-acting testosterone — creams, gels, orals, patches — and they clear so quickly, sometimes in a matter of hours. ... They could conceivably, after a game, use testosterone to help with tissue repair and healing and recovery and by the time they'd show up at the park the next day, their PE ratio would be normal. I always knew there was this giant loophole that you could drive a Mack truck through."

How many players do you think are still using things that are banned by baseball?:

"A significant percentage. Way back in 2004, I said that I felt 50 percent were using steroids and 80 percent were using stimulants. The numbers are obviously less now, but I think it's a significant portion. ... I'm including the offseason, where they really don't do testing. ... When you're considering offseason and during the season, it may have dropped, but still 30 or 40 percent?"

Do you think there will be another player implicated in this after Braun's situation is over?:

"This is a wake-up call. ... I've been pitching this before this Ryan Braun case broke ... I said here's the loophole: They're using fast-acting testosterone; they're not using anabolic steroids. ... You need to use carbon isotope ratio testing and you will bust lots of people. I said a significant number of players would test positive. ... Three weeks later, here's a positive."

What argument can Braun's people make to win their appeal?:

"The first thing I hear that they're saying is it's an extremely high level, the highest that's ever been recording. Are they talking about in baseball or are they talking about in general? ... I'm not sure about that, but this is a double-whammy for him. Unless there's some chain-of-custody issue, other technical problem during the collection and transport process, he's basically dead in the water. ... I believe he's going to serve the 50-game suspension."

To me, this reeks of the Canseco stuff. He might be a creep and total cock, but that doesn't mean he's wrong/lying.

[martyconlonontherun]

http://sportsradiointerviews.com/2011/12/19/mlb-milwaukee-brewers-ryan-braun-ped-testing-victor-conte/
interview with Victor Conte (of BALCO fame) relevantly -

To me, this reeks of the Canseco stuff. He might be a creep and total cock, but that doesn't mean he's wrong/lying.

To me it reminds me of the Donahey situation. Total crook who was relevant for the wrong reasons trying to stay in the spotlight. He has no inside knowledge of this situation. Still need to be convinced Braun wasn't on PED, though.

[Benny B]

Actually, from some of the rumors on the web, other players have tested positive this way and that is why they won their appeal. Don't believe the spin that no one has beaten a test. If some clown wouldn't have leaked this, no one would have ever even known Braun tested positive.

I'd be willing to bet there is someone in the NBA, NFL, MLB, etc. who has or is going to beat a test this week.  Victor Conte isn't the only mad scientist running around... with the money involved in pro sports, I wouldn't be surprised if there were a dozen or more "moonlighting" operations in the US alone being run out of a few rogue pharma-scientists' basements.  If an under-appreciated pharma-type working for Lilly, Abbott, etc. was offered $5M to come up with an undetectable PED (by today's testing standards) in his/her spare time, you think every single one of them would politely decline?

In any event, I don't buy the "no one has beaten an appeal" garbage at all.  If that were true, then there's either something wrong with the system (because everyone makes a mistake - honest or otherwise - eventually) or they're grossly under-testing the athletes (to minimize any possible mistakes).

[BrewCity83]

Here's a plausible scenario of how I believe the Braun thing went down:

RB contracts herpes.
RB gets prescription from doctor to treat his herpes.
The prescription is on MLB's banned list.
RB asks MLB for a medical waiver to take the prescription.
MLB grants waiver.
RB takes the herpes drug.
RB takes drug test.
RB fails drug test.
Some clown at the drug testing facility leaks test results to the media.
Everybody jumps to conclusions about RB being a cheater.

If this is how it actually plays out, he will not be suspended and tons of people will owe RB apologies, but his name will forever be linked to the report of the failed drug test during the 2011 playoffs.  This is one reason why the test results are supposed to be confidential until after the appeals are heard.  This should have never come out.

(Of course, this is just my own theory that I put together from the information that's out there...I could be 100% wrong.)

[4everwarriors]

Beer, then 'splain why the herpes rx has testosterone in it.

[BrewCity83]

Look, I'm not a pharmacist or an STD doctor.  I don't know what kind of treatment he may have been taking.  We will all see what happens. 

[4everwarriors]

There are several studies that confirm acyclovir, commonly used to treat genital herpes, will not cause an increase in blood testosterone levels.

[BrewCity83]

Is there any other drug out there to treat herpes?  What about for other STD's?

[4everwarriors]

I think that may be a stretch. But, testosterone meds can used for those having issues "hoisting the mast."

[🏀]

I think that may be a stretch. But, testosterone meds can used for those having issues "hoisting the mast."

Testosterone medicines are also given in conjunction with HIV meds that drastically lower natural body levels of testosterone.

[MU B2002]

Don't think it was herpes, Ron Mexico never failed a drug test.