Hey Bro, lots of good questions. Glad that you have come to my QA to ask. First of all, let me be totally clear with you, there are only a small handful of pro's out there that make their living from competing alone. I would say that 99% of pros are working, and many of them are working fulltime jobs. We are taking 1000's of athletes! Bodybuilding does not pay the bills, especially now that magazines and supp companies aren't keeping contracted athletes like they were in the past. Plus, companies don't want the big  bodybuilder anymore. They are all after the MPD look. So if you want to get into the sport, be prepared to always be doing something else, no matter how good you get. But I'm sure if you are interested in the sport, it isn't because you are looking to make money, but you are in love with the sport and the idea of bodybuilding. 

When do guys start gear? Realistically, gear isn't going to make or break a guy. Anyone can love the sport of bodybuilding and get pretty big, but for guys that are going to turn pro, it usually doesn't matter if they take gear from a young age or not. In fact, it's often the case that the better guys use far less and keep up with guys with weaker genetics. There are future pros out there that are natural or very close to it, and beating guys that are using much more,

Thats not to discourage you brother. I just want you to know, the foundation isn't going to be gear. It will be training and diet. So get those things nailed now and figure out how to make the most of your gains naturally, Then when the time is right to start gear, it will take you that much further. 

As for taking to your Dr, for sure. If you are going to be responsible and use gear, you want to be the smart thing and keep in good communication with your dr. That way, you can keep an eye on your health. If your dr doesn't want to help you, there are plenty of Drs out there that will

When you do plan to start your cycle, please come back and run things by me, so that I can make sure you have things in order