Back in the saddle again! (plus a slight rant about health)

[untonuggan]

I was doing really, really well with strength training that I learned in physical therapy for fairly incapacitating bursitis and a torn rotator cuff. (Neither is fun, hope that you don't have to deal with them.) Learned how to ride a bike, was up to 3 lb ankle weights, a 3-13 lb free weights, and the blue resistance band (mine go yellow, green, red, blue, purple). Totally psyched at how "able" I felt - I went hiking! - given that I have fibromyalgia and other dis/ability crap.

Then the fates grinned cruelly at me and gave me unexplained dizziness that started when I was doing cardio (oh yeah, I was also doing cardio). Oh dear, the doctors and specialists said, it might be the heat. Drink gatorade. Or maybe it was my heart. Stop doing cardio. Or maybe it was benign positional vertigo that I got from leaning over an exercise ball (I think that explanation for BPV is ridiculous, btw, and that particular doctor an idiot). And on and on, so I followed their advice and stopped doing my exercises temporarily.

I was rewarded with (1) an increase in migraines, (2) a decrease in strength, (3) an increase in pain. Frell.

After a long and annoying summer, I basically decided to just deal with the dizziness if it came up while exercising because no one had shown anything serious.

I am proud to say that a lot of my muscle tone has come back, and I'm up to using weights again. (Started out with no weights so I wouldn't injure myself.) I'm back to the yellow resistance band, but hey, everyone has to start somewhere.

Cardio is trickier because I really do get dizzy, plus I now have plantar fasciitis. Joy.

But I'm back in the saddle again!

Comments

[panda]

I've had dizziness associated with physical exertion. I've always attributed it to "a migraine thing." It used to make me quit working out entirely, but now when I get it, I take it easy & don't try to push myself too much.

It does suck tho.

[untonuggan]

Yeah, that's what they eventually decided..."vestibular migraine." But then they put me on beta-blockers for the migraine and my blood pressure went down to 90/60. *wince* So that was not a good solution.

Sorry to hear you have to deal with them too!

[resolute]

Plantar fascitis SUCKS. But good for you, getting back to the exercise!

[untonuggan]

OMG, I had it last year too. I don't understand why my feet are out to get me!

Thanks for the encouragement!

[laurashapiro]

I'm impressed with your determination -- that's a lot of obstacles to overcome. Go you!

[untonuggan]

Thanks! I just try to remember that I feel worse when I don't exercise, and that usually helps motivate me.

[weirdquark]

Go you!

It sounds like you're pretty good at listening to yourself and starting slow, which is always the hardest part for me.

The cardio makes you feel better other than the getting dizzy I hope?

[untonuggan]

Basically, yes! And I had an awesome bike practice today in which I did not get dizzy. *does a happy dance*

[smackshack]

I find that sometimes I get dizzy immediately after exercise, and my current theory is that getting hot from the exercise causes the blood pressure to drop a bit, and if I stop working out cold-turkey in that condition, there will be a short period of dizziness as my body re-adjusts to less exertion and a lower heart rate. I've noticed that if I jog lightly in place, or just move around in a wiggly way, that it will hold off the dizziness until I've returned to normal. (As normal as I get, anyway.)

[mongrelheart]

Good for you for getting back into exercise!

I don't know what kind of cardio you are doing, so this may be totally off-base, but treadmills and ellipticals used to make me dizzy. I would feel fine as long as I was on the machine, then when I stepped off, my equilibrium would be all messed up. One reason why I don't use 'em any more ;)

[untonuggan]

I hadn't thought of that, but thanks for the tip. I might try some of the other machines. (At home I have a stationary bike, so I've been using that, where at least if I get dizzy I won't fall off.)

[chaostheory635]

roll out your feet with a tennis ball. it's MAGIC.