An Apology for my Relative Absence recently...
TheBigYin
Posts: 5,686 Member
Or... Feeling Bloody Sick and Tired of feeling Sick and Tired.
As I may have mentioned, i'm currently off the bike, on doctors orders, due to the aftermath of a rather nasty chest infection.
The Infection kind of got into the walls around the lungs, and the space around my heart, and had me convinced that I was going to croak! Massive Chest pains and all the usual symptoms of a heart attack. Cue a short ride in the Ambulance, to the hospital, where I underwent pretty much every test they could throw at me.
ECG - normal, Blood tests showing no traces of residual enzymes to show that i'd had one in the recent past...
BUT the Chest X-Ray showed some inflamation/irritation around the heart, causing "valve anomalies" so it was Angiogram time...
All the Valves normal, no damage, no buildups in any of the bloodvessels surrounding...
They even did a keyhole investigative to check that I hadn't torn or otherwise damaged my Diaphragm...
So it's down to the inflamation around the heart then... Diuretics to reduce pressure, antibiotics to kill off the infection, then another course of antibiotics because it didn't respond properly to the first set. (They're getting a bit short on what they can give me, because I'm alergic to penicillin and have been since the age of 6, so I've built up a tolerance to pretty much all but the real strong stuff that has side effects nearly as nasty as what it's curing...)
All the time with weekly visits for another ECG, Chest x-ray and Echocardiogram...
This is about 6 weeks into it... I'm finally clear of any traces of the infections - had a spirometry test where I blew over 8,5 litres (a good result for a fit bloke of my age and height being nearer 6.5 litres), my resting pulse rate is back into the low 50's as per normal, and, provided I'm sat down or walking slowly around the house, I feel fit as a *kitten*.
But if I so much as forget and run up a flight of stairs (easily done when I actually feel fine) or go outside in temperatures below around 5°c or in anything approaching a stiff breeze I feel like my heart's going to bloody well explode out of my ribs...
The studied opinion of the 2 consultants (one Cardio the other Pulmonary) at the hospital is that I've basically got Costochondritis and a touch of Pericarditis - painful, but non-threatening - as a residual effect of all the crap i've gone through... Treatment... Yep - Painkillers and Anno Domini...
Still, considering the alternative things that have been running through my mind for the last 6 weeks (Heart Attack, Valve Damage, Herniated Diaphragm, Angina et. al.) I suppose I shouldn't really grumble...
But it's really fecked my more ambitious plans for the spring/summer season on the bike - i've piled about 10kg on through comfort eating and not being able to train (or indeed manage anything much more than a gentle shuffle for a mile or two...) and there's no way I'll be fit to ride some of the bloody things I had planned - not much point in a trip to the Alps when I almost collapse after running up a flight of stairs or breathing slightly chilled air...
Ok - sorry folks, whinge over. Just needed to vent a little.
As I may have mentioned, i'm currently off the bike, on doctors orders, due to the aftermath of a rather nasty chest infection.
The Infection kind of got into the walls around the lungs, and the space around my heart, and had me convinced that I was going to croak! Massive Chest pains and all the usual symptoms of a heart attack. Cue a short ride in the Ambulance, to the hospital, where I underwent pretty much every test they could throw at me.
ECG - normal, Blood tests showing no traces of residual enzymes to show that i'd had one in the recent past...
BUT the Chest X-Ray showed some inflamation/irritation around the heart, causing "valve anomalies" so it was Angiogram time...
All the Valves normal, no damage, no buildups in any of the bloodvessels surrounding...
They even did a keyhole investigative to check that I hadn't torn or otherwise damaged my Diaphragm...
So it's down to the inflamation around the heart then... Diuretics to reduce pressure, antibiotics to kill off the infection, then another course of antibiotics because it didn't respond properly to the first set. (They're getting a bit short on what they can give me, because I'm alergic to penicillin and have been since the age of 6, so I've built up a tolerance to pretty much all but the real strong stuff that has side effects nearly as nasty as what it's curing...)
All the time with weekly visits for another ECG, Chest x-ray and Echocardiogram...
This is about 6 weeks into it... I'm finally clear of any traces of the infections - had a spirometry test where I blew over 8,5 litres (a good result for a fit bloke of my age and height being nearer 6.5 litres), my resting pulse rate is back into the low 50's as per normal, and, provided I'm sat down or walking slowly around the house, I feel fit as a *kitten*.
But if I so much as forget and run up a flight of stairs (easily done when I actually feel fine) or go outside in temperatures below around 5°c or in anything approaching a stiff breeze I feel like my heart's going to bloody well explode out of my ribs...
The studied opinion of the 2 consultants (one Cardio the other Pulmonary) at the hospital is that I've basically got Costochondritis and a touch of Pericarditis - painful, but non-threatening - as a residual effect of all the crap i've gone through... Treatment... Yep - Painkillers and Anno Domini...
Still, considering the alternative things that have been running through my mind for the last 6 weeks (Heart Attack, Valve Damage, Herniated Diaphragm, Angina et. al.) I suppose I shouldn't really grumble...
But it's really fecked my more ambitious plans for the spring/summer season on the bike - i've piled about 10kg on through comfort eating and not being able to train (or indeed manage anything much more than a gentle shuffle for a mile or two...) and there's no way I'll be fit to ride some of the bloody things I had planned - not much point in a trip to the Alps when I almost collapse after running up a flight of stairs or breathing slightly chilled air...
Ok - sorry folks, whinge over. Just needed to vent a little.
1
Replies
-
Sorry to hear all this mate. No wonder you've been quiet!
10kg's is nothing BTW; that's soon come off once you start getting your rhythm back.
Chin up! Keep taking the tablets, take it easy & stay away from the Nutella
0 -
I'm not surprised all that is getting you down...
Struggling to respond without all the usual platitudes (just give it time, you'll be back before you know it, etc) but I am pleased to hear that it is nothing serious or long lasting.
Take care my friend
0 -
Um...HTFU? Not really, not really at all. Sorry, bad joke in poor taste.
Anyways...
Glad you've surfaced it wasn't nearly as bad as it could've been (heart attacks and cardiac issues are no fun says this cardiac nurse). Once you're able to throw a leg over again things will fall into place. Good luck, best wishes and take care of yourself!0 -
Bloody hell mate, that's a lot to deal with. At least they seem to have found out what's wrong so hopefully now they can fix it. Chin up mate!!0
-
It sure seem like if it was just inflammation, a good dose of Motrin would clear it up. Are they sure they got all the infection cleared? That's a major tough break dude. Here's to a faster recovery and being able to get back on the bike soon.0
-
That all sounds right nasty. I'd be comfort eating too in that situation. Hope it's entirely on the mend though now. You will just have to take it easy and be sure to get well. Relapsing would be the worse thing to go through mentally. That's what I keep telling myself during my recovery. "Take it easy!" Otherwise, I feel just great and want to go back to a normal and that would have me in the hospital right shortly. So - take it easy and you'll get back to it.0
-
2 weeks of Ibuprofen based stuff has barely touched it mate, I've definitely got the all clear on the infection side of things (4 weeks of various antibiotics including the first 3-4 days worth of them taken via IV drip! - Damn that penecillin allergy!!) but they've now got me on Naproxen and Colchicine - a day and a half into it, and I can already feel a difference, but as it's been dragging on for so long, it may be a while before all the sore bits are properly resolved. I just have to stop dwelling on it and tough it out.
0 -
Well hang in there. At least it happened in the winter so you have time to recover before the really good riding weather is here.0
-
I hope your on the mend now Mark, the only consolation is it's happened in mid winter when it's a bit crap out anyway, wishing you a speedy recovery and fighting fit for the coming season, don't let the bugger get you down!0
-
What a scary difficult time not knowing what was going on and then having to deal with all that volume of testing,prodding and residual.... Best to take care of your recovery and then worry about the other stuff. Take it easy, and you'll be back in the saddle before no time, and when you are we'll be here to support you!0
-
Man, take it easy and rest up! Sounds like this is one of those things that is going to take some time.0
-
Thanks for all the "positive vibes" folks - It's going to be a bit of a slow process, I know... I've noticed a definite improvement with the treatment - I'm still very, very iffy with cold air or winds in my face (though a double fleece Buff does work wonders, if I can stand looking a little "El Bandito") but the main thing I've noticed is that i'm finally pretty much able to sleep for more than a couple of hours at a time... Indeed I actually slept six hours straight last night (and only woke for a call of nature rather than pain in the ribs when turning over)
Anyhow, it's early days, 5 and a half days into a 28 day course of treatment.
Sadly, that 28 days puts us in the week before the Strade Bianche... Doesn't look like I'm going to be making much of an impact on the Spring Classics this year...
0 -
No sleep is no fun. And sleep is so important to recovery. Get well soon.0
-
-
-
Are you any closer to mashing some pedals?0
-
3 weeks out of 4 on the course of meds, i'm still suffering in cold/winds - I'm okay enough to do "general out and about stuff" - but a good long way from being fit enough even for getting on the indoor trainer - the ribs bit is much improved, but still getting the aches/pains as soon as the pulse rate elevates... we'll see how the final week of this course goes on - though reading up on the problems, it's not entirely unusual for it to take anything up to 8-10 weeks of treatment to clear properly.
0 -
If there were any plural adhesions it's going to take longer than that. Don't be surprised if you think you are better and one day you get a sharp pain in the ribs. That's an adhesion breaking down.0
-
sufferlandrian wrote: »If there were any plural adhesions it's going to take longer than that. Don't be surprised if you think you are better and one day you get a sharp pain in the ribs. That's an adhesion breaking down.
Yeah, been warned about that one as well - i'm getting those occasionally at the moment - feel fine for 3-4 days then out of the blue I get a stabbing pain in one area, which is then sore for the next half day or so...
I'm going to have to find some form of coping strategy though... the lack of any meaningful form of exercise is really beginning to get to me, and I'm not in the right frame of mind to be disciplined on the dietary front to at least keep that side in check (i've always been a bit of a "eat when i'm depressed" kind of person )
0 -
I'd be pulling my hair out (if I had any!?)3 weeks out of 4 on the course of meds, i'm still suffering in cold/winds - I'm okay enough to do "general out and about stuff" - but a good long way from being fit enough even for getting on the indoor trainer - the ribs bit is much improved, but still getting the aches/pains as soon as the pulse rate elevates... we'll see how the final week of this course goes on - though reading up on the problems, it's not entirely unusual for it to take anything up to 8-10 weeks of treatment to clear properly.
0 -
Maybe start with just some easy stretching and yoga-like stuff, or tai chi every morning? It might accelerate recovery time and healing.0
-
well, that was truly unpleasant...
just back from the Hospital - further tests re: my heart/lungs/chest...
First a seated ECG and a Echocardiogram which confirmed the Pericarditis to be cleared up pretty much 100%, and then onto the next step...
this one involved getting on an ergometer bike, wired up to a full ECG and breath analysis setup and doing a "ramp test" - the cardiologist guy was monitoring the equipment said "just keep riding until I tap you on the shoulder... don't worry too much if it hurts a bit, but stop AS SOON AS I SAY.
So, I started to spin away, and around 15 minutes in my HR hit the point where I've been having pain in my chest - supposingly from the ribcage not the heart - started wincing and doc says "is it hurting", I nod (i've a breathing tube in my mouth remember, measuring the exhaled gas constituent parts) "well, your heart's fine, can you try another couple of minutes" - I nod again - 6 minutes later he taps me on the shoulder and says "OK, wind down gradually for a minute or two" - the resistance goes down on the bike, and I spin a little, my HR drops and eventually I climb off...
Cardio guy then says "well, there's nothing wrong with your heart... steady climb to 170bpm, pushing out nearly 400watts - that's about what the TdF blokes can do you know? - and when I said ease off, your HR dropped really quickly until it hit around 70 again... not just text-book, but what we'd expect to see from someone 30 years old and in regular training, not, someone nearly 52 and 125kg..." - so I reply "So why the f-ing hell did it start hurting so much when my heart rate hit around 135 then..." - "Well, we've maybe 80% confirmed the costochondritis diagnosis, there's just one more test, we need you to go again on the ramp test after a small local anaesthetic injection... it's a temporary 'nerve block', but if this sorts it, we will be 100% sure that it's the costochondritis, and if the current tablets don't sort it, we've stronger options, including cortisone injections or a semi-permanent nerve block - but we'd rather not take those steps if oral anti-inflamatories will fix it, because the other options have their own additional chances of complications...
So, after one very uncomfortable series of 6 small injections of local anaesthetic and 5 minutes for it to kick in, I was back on the test bike... same test, same results apart from it barely hurting - felt "tight" instead of "burning like the surface of the sun"... Diagnosis confirmed - Costochondritis, treatment being what i've been on for the last 4 and a half weeks, "expect it to be at least to the end of this course of tablets, though you MAY feel fit enough to ride the bike gently on the indoor trainer in around a month - but i'd like you to come back for another one of these tests before you actually go outside on the bike - i'll book one in for 4 weeks from now... depending on what improvement you show, we'll decide if we go for the cortisone if needed at that point I think..."
...and the last bit, as I was getting ready to leave the room... "Oh, and Mr. Burrows, Get this script filled as well, it's for a few strong painkillers for this evening, as when the temporary nerve block wears off in a couple of hours, you're going to have some VERY sore ribs for a couple of days"
0 -
looking back on it, I think that the cardio guy wasn't actually expecting me to go on much longer after I complained that it hurt... perhaps he wasn't aware that riding on when it hurts is sort of what cyclists do...
0 -
That's an amazing story and I'm sorry you are having such issues. I really hope the tablets help and you don't have to do the other items he was talking about. Fingers crossed for you.0
-
Sorry about your costochondritits but I'm glad it wasn't more serious like a heart problem. I like the way he casually tosses in at the end, Oh and pick these up 'cause I just made you hurt like hell. 0
-
yeah, he wasn't wrong either...
Still - I'm happy to still be here, experiencing pain, rather than dead and burned.
0 -
Brilliant! Shows your fitness is still there, or there abouts... Just need to get over that final 'hill' then you'll have a downhill sprint to the finish & regular riding again!0
-
170bpm and 400 watts is nothing to sniff at!! We 52 year olds need to keep showing the youngsters what's what Seriously though mate, glad they are homing in on the problem. Hopefully you'll be all sorted out in time for the cycling season!! 0
-
Damn, I never heard of costochondritis until reading this. That sucks, but it is good that your cardio is still in good condition -- and that the heart isn't the problem! Luck with the therapy and do some gentle stretching if you can manage it, that might help the connective tissue.0
-
Actual reccomendation was Tai Chi... Slow, gentle stretching, twisting and all at a pace that won't get me out of breath. Not so much for the costochondritis, but to help and avoid the associated pleural adhesions...0
This discussion has been closed.