I thought: “I feel chronically exhausted, I have trouble breathing, and I have a hematocrit of 40… Maybe theres some connection?
I have read that the top 1% of the population have hematocrits above 53% while only another 1-2 percent are below 42%. If I had naturally had a hematocrit of 54%, I would have been considered exceptional. However, with a hematocrit of 40% I was called “normal.” I found that unacceptable. Since starting on EPO I have noticed, first and foremost, that I have more energy for everyday activities. Walking up stairs doesn’t seem to be a threateningly exhausting activity… going for walks with my girlfriend is now a pleasure rather than a struggle… I am generally much happier. While I am a cyclist, the differences I’ve seen on the bike are actually NOT what the anti-doping people would have us all believe. I am not suddenly crushing all of my friends and winning every race. I have felt stronger, yes, but not super-human. Mostly the difference is simply that I am recovering day after day without feeling useless and exhausted after every bike ride.
