Let's Start Again - a tale of Woe

[Fuggs]

After finishing my first 3 days on week 1, way back in Feb, ..I told my doc, I had some chest pains, as they tell us to report. Not severe I hasten to add, I thought they were probably caused by using muscles that had been dormant for too many years.... However, at the end of W1, they had gone..woopi doo.

I was booked for a running treadmill stress test a few weeks ahead and thought, i can breeze that. In the meantime I continued with my C25k. I also passed my 69th birthday.

By the time my hospital appt. had come through for my treadmill test, I had finished week 9, I was up to 5k, albeit slowly, every other night.

I felt pretty good.

During the treadmill test, they pushed my blood pressure up to 260/140, a level I never pushed into when "on the weeks" and, as they said, found some "changes". Hate to think how bad the treadmill it would have been if I hadnt got past Week 9..lol..

However, from that treadmill test onward, I had angina pains I had never had before, and was told to stop running until further checks could be done. I was given an angina spray, which I used some times when the pain got bad, I was gutted.

August 30th I was booked into hospital for an angiogram and possible stent procedure. The operation showed my main arteries are virtually clear. No problems there, no stents required. Great news. Another appointment was booked to look deeper into it all.

They then gave me a chemical stress test in an MRI scanner, last week, looking for micro vascular angina. That was plain bizarre,, the Adenosine drug they inject makes you feel as if you are chuffing up a great long hill and really works the heart hard, ended up puffing and panting in the scanner.The difference is, when you are chuffing up a real hill, at least you can stop....

I now have to wait another 3 weeks for test results. However, a breakthrough, the cardiologist has now said I can cycle...something at least.

All this time, I have been feeling progressively better and following a lot of research, and using recommended cardiac supplementation, touch wood, I havnt had to use my GTN spray for a bout 3 weeks.

Here's the rub though, I had to watch my son run the Cardiff 1/2 marathon Sunday, whereas as I had planned to do it with him, which I am sure I could have done by now if I had carried on my 5k every other night.

I havnt run for months....I have SO missed my jogging, albeit slowly.... So tonight, to hell with it, if I can cycle I can start week 1 again......very slow.

There has to be some enjoyment in life.....

Has anyone else a similar tale?

[Grannysqua]

Ahh sorry to hear all the struggles you have recently but wow well done for all you achieved I’ve just started and am sooo unfit 🤪 try not to over do things and cycling is great 😀and it was a shame you couldn’t run with your son but I’m sure he was just happy you was there supporting have a great day look after yourself 👍

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I have been reduced to cycling only over the past few weeks, because of a knee issue, and it certainly can give you a workout and build cardio fitness.

Have faith in the medics. We are do lucky to have our amazing NHS and they can work wonders.

Take care.

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

I’m sorry to hear of your troubles, but at least it sounds like things are improving. I would follow the advice of the medics and hopefully you’ll be able to get back to it soon 😄

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

Maybe just start with increased paced walk until you get the all clear, you would have more control over a walk than a run. I know it is a difficult time, I was once told to wait an additional 6 weeks after I thought I was ready but it was a wise thing to do. MrRfc had that stress test, he said the weirdest thing about it was them asking him to have a coffee while his heart was racing just to stop the effect. Take care of yourself. Rfc xxx