Recurrent Illness after training/exercise, can you beat the GP.. or is this you?

[Freddyfrustrate]

OK in the spirit of proper exercise forums - this is a long OP - BUT I am hoping you can help. As surely this can not ALL be my ASTHMA, but my specialist says it manifests in strange ways...

Read on if a. You can help b. If you are into muscles, fitness or yoga and can relate.

Can you help?

Weight 15.9

30.2% body fat

48.8.% water

10.5 Stone Muscle content

2073 Kcals required per day

13 Visceral fat.

OK

Illness Symptoms:

Heavy feeling in the head, behind eyes. Not headache.

Chest feels heavy not tight or painful ( I have asthma )

Body feels exhausted, sort of not wanting to walk up stairs if out shopping.

General feeling of tired body limbs but not the same as lactic acid ache.

Sort of down in the dumps and not very motivated.

Lack of mental energy for working or concentration.

Distinct feeling of listlessness, want to go to bed.

When most acute:

Immediate need to fall into bed in middle of the day and feel almost flu like. Lying down even experiences pain rather like ME, VIRUS or feeling of bad poison running through veins.

Burning behind eyes, wanting to sleep or close them.

Groaning a little with the pain or exhaustion.

Intervention:

Paracetamol helps. As does complete rest. Doing nothing.

Even eating **** helps. Not actual ****! Chocolate and so on.

Really early nights before 9 or 8 also help.

Trials:

I have tried going to bed early and really sticking to that - it seems to make a profound difference.

As does NOT doing any weights.

What makes it worse:

1. Thinking I am fit and cardio and then doing a Krav Maga fight train exam - getting through it - then spending 2 weeks in bed unlike ANYONE ELSE in the exam! Some 150....

2. Yes long periods of anxiety or any altercations or stressful or anger moments of any significance. IE really having a fall out like x 100

3. More than 1 late night past 11 or long XBOX sessions.

4. Whiskey

5. Periods of extreme computer work or striving.

My notes to you:

Making a human in your body and then making it come out is not to be taken lightly! In the olden days a woman would be in the cave doing nothing, and the man would go out and do the body pump classes. You are doing both and you are not 19.

Stress and worry of a newborn is also going to obviously take its toll. The amount of mental energy, KEY, is profound when having a child I imaging not to mention it waking you up for several years.

If you have had a baby, can do any exercise and don't look horrific in jeans then you are above 99.9% so be cool.

-

My diet for IRON -

Mon -

Protein shake - Bowl porridge

2 Haddock portions - 2 handfuls of brown pasta

2 Chicken breasts - 1 can of beans.

Protien shake

Yoga - Quite tough

Whole packet of Nairn's Oat cakes - Low GI

Can of tuna

Tuesday

Protein Shake with milk

Training - full body - not much weight but hard exercises compound

4 eggs and 2 toast

2 Haddock portions and brown pasta

2 pork lions , broccolli, boiled potatoes.

Wednesday

Vegitable drink, spinach, brocolli, banana, carrot, ginger, tomatoe, cucumber ribena, water, apple juice. 1 pint.

3 eggs - 2 toast

Starbucks panini

2 chicken breasts, pasta tomatoe sauce, low fat cheese.

Vegatable drink 1 pint.

Thursday

3 wheatabix with Perfect Sweet ZYLATOL sugar.

Training - full body B work out not much weight but v hard compounds

2 x haddock fillets , brown pasta

Protein shake

Packet of Oat Cake biscuits

Steak and salad with french dressing

Tin of tuna on its own

Friday

3 eggs 2 toast

Vegetable drink 1 pint

Marks and Spencer chicken sandwich

Packet of oat cakes. Packet of Maltese's.

2 chicken breast, boiled potatoes, gravy,

2 slices of bread

Veg drink 1 pint

Saturday

3 wheatabix

Training very long brisk walk for 3 4 miles.

4 eggs 2 toast

Tesco spicy pasta pot

2 chicken breasts with salad

2 packets of Nairns biscuits

Protein shake.

Sunday

2 x haddock and brown pasta

Roast dinner

Chocolate biscuits and top gear x 4 plain chocolate butter m+s biscuits

Coffees. - 12 -15 cups decaf per day - no sugar

aspertane or zylatol - 24 sweetners

Juices - 4 pints of low sugar juice - 1-2 pints of water in bed.

2 x nicotine tablets 1mg a day

Trident Sugar free chewing gum x 6 per day

Suppliments:

1 x paroxetine tablet

1 x multivit

3 x garlic tablets with meals

4 x Asthma inhaler

Today's not well day diet up till 7pm - craving calories.

Porridge

Protein Shake

2 x bottles of 500 ML lucozade

1 x Big and tasty Mcdonalds and fries

1 x Fillet steak and salad

1 x packet of oat cakes.

This is so depressing, even knowing someone is going through this might help us all....Please help... it feels like I am dying...

[Hidden]

Hi there,

Sounds like your asthma is out of control, you don't say which inhalers your on? It also sounds like something is triggering it due to your head symptoms, perhaps heyfever? Have you tried taking an antihistamine to see what this does to your symptoms?

Have you been to your GP about your symptoms? I've just had surgery and not taken everything in that you've said, did you say you've been tested for anemia? if not - i think that would be a good idea.

Ally

[Hidden]

Okay - well done Ally.....I can't see what is being asked.

I'm afraid I have no idea what you are asking freddy......could you be a little more succinct? I am also confused about your notes in the middle....does this mean you have just had a baby?

Perhaps if you could put less detail and explain what your question is it would be less muddling.

[Hidden]

could be all the artifical sweetener...that can be a trigger.

[yaf_user681_32991]

colour me confused too.

i've had 3 kids and still manage excersize, they just take up a heck of a lot of time LOL so i get my excersize by walking and escaping to the swimming pool 2x week

maybe try eating a more ""normal"" diet with less artificial sweetener and more fruit/veg/carbs?

Geina x

Who's still confused. And off to play wii wtih the monkeys... if the 2yo will stay off me LOL

[Hidden]

Have to agree with FeeJay - *far* too much information in one blast there, without enough details about your asthma medications and a straightforward description of what problem you want advice on. You also don't tell us whether you're male or female, your age... I think if you were clearer about the basics you'd get a better response.

Steve

(moderator)

[Hidden]

Also rather confused by the length, various points and what you want answered. As Peaksteve says, more background information (perhaps in your profile) would help. Why are you seeing a specialist?

Basically you're feeling very tired with heavy head/chest? Not sure what you're saying in 'my notes to you' you've had a baby & something about 99.9%? Your diet for iron sounds very protein/carbohydrate based and needs more red meat/dark veg/pulses for iron.

As for your last statement, this is not the place to ask for medical advice as per forum terms & conditions asthma.org.uk/applications/...

*Edit to add, have you actually seen your GP? Not sure why the title includes '... beat the GP...'?

[Hidden]

you seem to know what makes it worse so reduce/remove those as much as possible. If you keep getting ill after exercise then I'd suggest you're not allowing long enough to recover and then pushing yourself too much too soon. The diet seems to be limited and contains quite a large number of man-made shakes and concoctions. try varying your diet, and not stick to the set daily routine week after week, also less reliance on the potions and improve your diet, plus the calorie intake could be on the low side, and certainly is if you're active. many of the top sports people eat bacon and eggs in large quantities for breakfast etc, Other thins to look at are you getting the correct minerals from your diet, probably not but I'm no the one to ask about that, I just eat what i want and when, and in huge quantities but i'm very active and burn it all off.

[Freddyfrustrate]

Apologies

I am very sorry, to have wasted your time. I am also very pleased and relieved to see the replies, thanks so much.

In short I have Asthma - I take a double strength brown only and rarely use a blue. My symptoms are unlike what all the books say about Asthma, I never get short of breath very often, I do not have attacks, but what I do have is.

1. Pain at the top of my breath. Sharp tickle pain which makes me want to breath shallow.

2. Colds and things every ten minutes

3. Consistent feelings of illness (MILD) for 3 years such as tired , exhausted bad recovery.

4. A mild feeling of uncomfortableness in my chest accompanied by consistent clearing throat to move pghlem.

My GP states that I have asthma, and for a while the prevent or seemed to allow me to have a normal life. Exercise etc etc. Then it stopped, so she increased the preventer dose.

My questions are:

1/ Does Asthma manifest the symptoms I am experiencing.

2/ Have any of you experienced these symptoms.

Many of my MMA friends have asthma and not one of them ever complains of illness or inability to train.

Example:

June - Number of days 30

Number of workouts or light exercise 16

Number of rest days 8

Number of days unwell 6

July - So far

Number of days 18

Number of workouts 5

Number of unwell days 10

[Freddyfrustrate]

I am very sorry, to have wasted your time. I am also very pleased and relieved to see the replies, thanks so much.

In short I have Asthma - I take a double strength brown only and rarely use a blue. My symptoms are unlike what all the books say about Asthma, I never get short of breath very often, I do not have attacks, but what I do have is.

1. Pain at the top of my breath. Sharp tickle pain which makes me want to breath shallow.

2. Colds and things every ten minutes

3. Consistent feelings of illness (MILD) for 3 years such as tired , exhausted bad recovery.

4. A mild feeling of uncomfortableness in my chest accompanied by consistent clearing throat to move pghlem.

My GP states that I have asthma, and for a while the prevent or seemed to allow me to have a normal life. Exercise etc etc. Then it stopped, so she increased the preventer dose.

My questions are:

1/ Does Asthma manifest the symptoms I am experiencing.

2/ Have any of you experienced these symptoms.

Many of my MMA friends have asthma and not one of them ever complains of illness or inability to train.

Example:

June - Number of days 30

Number of workouts or light exercise 16

Number of rest days 8

Number of days unwell 6

July - So far

Number of days 18

Number of workouts 5

Number of unwell days 10

[Hidden]

well Fgreddie,

i was almost relieved to read your post as your list of symptoms is so like me at the mo, i have brittle asthma, but the heavyness in the head, exhaustion, lack of motivation and wanting to sleep are all there for me too,

i too am normally very active, i am an outdoor instructor, i have just spent the weekend Kayak coaching at Bewl resevoir, and today feel totally wipped out!!

i dont have any answers sorry, but was relieved i am not the only one, for i time i evenm considered was i depressed, i think not, maybe it is just a viral thing and will pass in time,

hope you feel better soon, g xx

[Freddyfrustrate]

No definately not viral mate, not unless you and i get viruses more than 3 times a month?

What symptoms do you have and what is brittle asthma?

I am on Clenil preventer a rare double dose

[Hidden]

hiya,

brittle asthma, is quite difficult to manage and you have severe attacks with very little warning.

i am on lots of asthma meds, including a new steroid inhaler, Cyclesonide, on oral steroids at the mo, but not normally and i take long term antibiotics.

like you though i am not usde to not being able to do all i normally do and find it all very frustraiting.

your symptoms sound unusual for asthma, have you seen a proper asthma nurse and have any formal testing , such as lung function, the nurse can do a basic test, and even some routine bloods?

g x

[Hidden]

Apart from Asthma attacks, at the moment, i also feel completely knackered, the heavy head, when i lay down i feel very heavy.

no real pain anywhere, just weired!!

g x

[Freddyfrustrate]

Well yes I have had all those tests...in fact I am so rough today - looking at the screen makes me want to fall asleep - chest hurts loads.

I am also booking up for a Adrenal Fatigue test - but ideally loads of people with Asthma will have same symptoms and work rounds.

When you say you are not used to doing stuff why? Is this breathing? Or general tiredness - cant repair quick etc etc.

[Hidden]

If it were me, I'd take time out. Cut the protein shakes, Veggie drink, at least half of the exercise programme and let body get back to square one. BTW you listed paroxetine as a supplement. To my knowledge, not medical I hasten to add, its not generally used as such. Perhaps its side effects of that, that's causing some of the symptoms. I'd ask GP and also show him what you've written eg diet.

Best wishes on feeling even a wee bit better,

GM

[Freddyfrustrate]

Dont I need the vegitable drink? I dont eat very well hence thought one of those every other day would make me as normal as a normal persons consumption?

[Hidden]

If by vegetable drink you mean bought or juiced at home vegetables, its an ok shortcut occasionally. I buy pressed orange juice as doing it at home is a fiddly business even with a juicer.

I looked up several Krav Maga websites and all would seem to suggest complex proteins and a healthy diet with real fruit for main meal. Light carbs before a work out and so on. Seems to be much the same as anyone else would eat in a normal diet. I'd sit down and look at your diet as a whole. What are you trying to achieve? Weight loss or weight gain? Better health and more energy?

[Hidden]

Edit: Duplicate post.

[Freddyfrustrate]

Wow, thank you.

Er yes firstly to be well enough to consistently do anything and live a normal level of live energy.

Then yes leaning down and make a body re composition of around 7 or 8 kg. IE changing that fat to muscle. I am already pretty big and need 2035 K a day to be awake, so I probably need more like 3000k but not rubbish , especially if the asthma uses resources.

Which is a question... does asthma cause these symptoms, or does it use up resources?

In other words why do NONE of the Krav Maga pros I train with who ALL have asthma never suffer like this and also have massive arms. !?

I thought my diet was pretty ok, although the P who said more carbs and variety is very right.

I also hardly ever eat red meat which I hear is crucial for energy etc etc and IRON.

I am now taking

1. More VIT C - 3000mg yesterday

2. CLA - on my 3rd day on that

Feel better today - dare I say normal? But will be showing this to my Asthma specialist tomorrow.

She is convinced that Asthma causes this terrible M.E. type feeling but I needed lots more social proof.

[Hidden]

Glad to have been of help. Feeling ugh myself at present due to change of asthma meds. Keep smiling.

GM

PS you might want to edit your initial post now you've rephrased some of the points to give us a better understanding further down the page.

[Hidden]

try asking for a session with a personal trainer not cheap at the gym i use they charge £30 hour but as a one off session re diet and fitness and exercise programe well worth the money. most of PT's can advise re diet as well as exercise and one i use has a special interest in either gp referrals or those with certain areas or problems such as asthma.

[Skee-skee]

Asthma can make you feel tired if it is poorly controlled or you are having an exacerbation. It could be that your asthma plus other things is making you feel awful! It doesn't sound entirely like asthma to me.

Do you measure your peak flow, is it a good indication of how your asthma is? Does it get worse when you are feeling bad? Have you tried adding in other asthma medications?

As the others have said improving your diet might help. It seems quite protein heavy to me and lacking in fruit and veg. If you are worried about iron eating broccoli should help (cheap and healthy source of iron). Venison is also supposed to be good, but not so cheap but it is low fat compared to other red meats. If you can, try to cut down on the artificial stuff and up the fruit and veg, aim for that magic 5 a day (juice/snoothie can only count for one).

Do you have any idea how many calories you should be eating to maintain your weight? as just over 2000 doesn't sound that much to me.

Hope you get some answers.

Bryony

[Freddyfrustrate]

Well as it turns out the current theory is that the medication has not been taken correctly.

According to the Asthma 25 year specialist she said that I was doing the following.

1 - Not allowing 10 seconds inbetween each preventor buff

2 - Not skaking the preventor

3 - Not noting on the diary how many doses will render the preventor empty of the active ingredient.

In her view she felt I was only administering the secondary property in the inhalant, thus making my asthma worse... I do feel better after renewing the preventor... the plot thickens.