Exercise intolerance

[HealthAnxietyGuy]

If I do moderate biking for 10 mins i usually feel a little sickly feeling at the end and usually start getting heart palpitations, a little short of breath but it is usually worse 15 mins after doing so and will trigger anxiety for an hour including some fatigue. I can also have light headed ses and feel like fainting upon standing about 1 hr after relaxing from the exercise. Anyone else get this with anxiety? Feels like I can't increase in endurance.

[Amz1987]

Yes! I can relate to so many people on here it’s crazy.

I have been avoiding doing much because of they way I feel after physical activity and then in kicks the anxiety to make it worse because I start to wonder why and I feeling so bad after. I should be feeling good. I’d like to switch the thoughts off in my brain sometimes just so I can relax.

[lillyofthevalley37]

You should be doing an.exercise that carrys your body weight like some walking then.gentle jogging

I don't think.you will get that problem from walking or jogging

[HealthAnxietyGuy in reply to lillyofthevalley37]

I usually get this problem when doing sustained physical activity for 15 mins plus. Sometimes I can go longer but it's making my life difficult to manage at home.

[Cazhoc]

Yes! Sometimes I can feel unwell and anxious for a couple of days after only a few minutes of moderate to strenuous exercise. Very frustrating, since everyone keeps saying that exercise is the best thing for anxiety!

I'm fine with gentle exercise like walking (except uphill for too long), but any moderate to strenuous exercise seems to make me feel worse than ever.

[Rugbyinjury]

Appreciate this post is 11 months old however on the off chance you’re still suffering or someone else is suffering I’ll throw my 2 cents in.

I’ve been suffering really bad exercise intolerance since my concussion 6 months ago, I’ve gone from playing prem rugby to not being able to do the weekly shop!

I had my first appointment with neuro 3 weeks ago and he has split my symptoms to neck issues, eye issues and what he called my brain recognising exercise as a ‘dangerous’ activity thus making headaches and nausea even worse, so similar to that anxiety you mentioned. So my current programme is almost tricking my brain into realising exercise isn’t bad for you. So phase 1 which I’m currently on is

Week 1 , 5 mins a day on bike, Heart Rate 100

W2, 10 mins on bike, HR 110

W3, 15 mins, HR 120

W4, 20 mins, HR 130

W5, 25 mins, HR 140

W6, 30 mins HR 150

I’m half way through this and I’ve found my quality of life has improved massively. I’m not getting any symptoms and I’m losing that fear of getting on the bike. Should also add i’m seeing a brilliant physio who is also looking at my neck and eyes so this is also contributing.

I guess every concussion is different but for anyone who has been stuck for a while this might help

[HealthAnxietyGuy in reply to Rugbyinjury]

Awesome thanks for the tips. I’ve finally discovered that I had sleep apnea and severe IBS for years. I’ve finally been able to control both but especially the IBS with 50B daily probiotics, I’ve introduced exercise similar to you slowly and am able to tolerate some moderate intensity workouts/biking. All this combined has helped.