Lesson learned!

[topazrat]

Over the last year, I have gradually built up my stamina and fitness to the point where I can do a 3 mile walk several times a week. So, when a friend asked if I could look after their dog for two weeks I said yes. She's a big dog, so needs about 4 miles of walking a day. So I thought if I split that into two walks, I'd be good.

For the first week all was well. I was a bit more tired than usual, but I could cope with that. Then as the 2nd week went on, I started to struggle - joints and muscles started to hurt, I felt exhausted, spaced out, dizzy, my legs felt like jelly, I got more breathless and had evil palpitations.

I gave her a last walk this morning before she went home and just flopped down on the sofa, too exhausted to move.

I thought I had the P.A. under control to a large degree, but it's come back to bite me. I have learned an important lesson - pace yourself! So when him indoors suggested going for a walk this evening, it was a definite NO!

Now to rest, recoup and get back to normal - or whatever passes as normal, anyway.

[Lisahelen]

Enjoy the rest, it was really nice of you to do the dog walking, i hope your friend appreciates it as despite looking ok on the outside the inside is complaining.

[clivealive Forum Support]

After 45 years with P.A. I've learned that any exertion needs to be self limiting and to stop before exhaustion kicks in.

I hope you get to feel better soon.

[Foggyme Administrator]

Hi Topazrat. Been there, done that...😱

Take it easy, put your feet up, sit and a daze...and hope you recover soon. 😉😀

[Cherylclaire Forum Support]

I'm really impressed that you managed to do it in the first place ! 4 miles a day, however you split it, is a lot to take on every day for 2 weeks. Gives me a bit of hope, topazrat , thanks for that.

[topazrat in reply to Cherylclaire]

According to my fitbit data, in the last year I have walked 881.33 miles, climbed 3,667 floors and taken 2,145,729 steps. Inspiration or stupidity? It's a fine line lol.

[deniseinmilden]

Hiya!

I'm reading this because I've just taken 6 cattle to the Norfolk Show for 3 days and while it feels like a miracle that I could do as much as I have, I am now paying for it big time and doing nothing in the hope that I will "live again" soon!

I did a similar thing for the Suffolk Show a month ago and it took 3 weeks to get over it so I know I will be OK again... and so should you be soon too!

Well done and good luck with getting back to yourself!

[topazrat in reply to deniseinmilden]

Well done on the trip. I still feel wiped out, I'm just sat here watching TV with no energy to do much more. Ho-hum. I hope that we both feel better soon.

[deniseinmilden]

Thank you!

Main thing is don't get despondent about it - I know after the Suffolk Show, despite my usually gung-ho attitude, I did get a bit worried, thinking I might have over done it too much and actually broken my system... but I did gradually get better and well enough to do it all over again!!!

Happy resting!

[Cherylclaire Forum Support]

Good to know, even if you do have to pay for it a bit, that you can summon up the energy to get by. Just means you need to clear the decks a little for afterwards !

For people like me who are not there yet, this is all quite encouraging. deniseinmilden and topazrat , you are my new heroes.

[topazrat in reply to Cherylclaire]

Nobody has ever called me a hero before! After a few days rest, I jabbed Friday night, got up Saturday and did a 4 mile walk, then went home and cleaned up the hair and dirt from loan-a-dog

[Cherylclaire Forum Support]

I would've put money on it that this sort of improvement did not come care of the NHS- or at least not entirely.

However I'm still trying, and at least have been getting all the tests that I need without having to ask. It takes a long time, but I'd rather that and be certain of what exactly is wrong first. Waiting for appointments and results is difficult though, -especially when one of your symptoms is lack of patience!

Still struggling on 1 injection a month meanwhile, so that any test results are not compromised. Just going round the supermarket does me in completely and means yawning all the way home and a 2-3hr nap as soon as I've thrown shopping into the fridge. .....So won't be doing any jogging yet (or buying a puppy)!

[topazrat in reply to Cherylclaire]

I'd be dragging myself around as well if I relied on the NHS! 3 weeks without a jab and I'd be on my knees! So I bit the bullet and started to self inject weekly. I've had all the tests, so knew it was P.A. (Both my parents have it too)

I hope that you get the answers that you need quickly, so that you can start on the road to recovery. As for jogging..............nope, never going to happen! My knees just wouldn't cope with it lol.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support]

Still my hero!