flu like symptons after weight lifting

KaciWood19
KaciWood19 Posts: 396 Member
edited November 8 in Fitness and Exercise
I have been lacking the motivation to stay on a consistent lifting routine. I will go once, lift, become super sore. Like so sore I can't move so I don't go back to the gym. Then after the 2nd day of being really sore, I start to get sick. My neck glands become swollen, I have bad headaches and I just feel really crappy. Is it because I'm not hydrated enough? I do cardio after I lift, and I stretch.
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Replies

  • navyrigger46
    navyrigger46 Posts: 1,301 Member
    It's guilt, because you know you're neglecting your relationship with the barbell.

    Rigger
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  • I feel like I'm getting sick after I work out hard for a few days straight. This is because your immune system is weaker resulting from the breakdown of tissue and the exertion... and possibly elevated core temperature. You'll find that with drinking more water and sleeping more... you'll reduce this feeling.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,336 Member
    I am guessing you are lifting too intensely. What does your workout look like?
  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
    Sounds like you are getting a dip in your immune function because of the stress of the exercise (any kind of stress, either physical or mental can cause it). You are probably overdoing it. Really, unless/until you are very well-conditioned, you shouldn't be doing any more than three half-hour weight sessions a week. (Some trainers would say that you don't need any more than that ever--although others would disagree.) How much are you doing? Do you combine it with a cardio warm-up? (5 to 10 minutes).
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  • sorcha1977
    sorcha1977 Posts: 133 Member
    There's sore, and then there's TOO sore. You should feel sore but not so sore that you can hardly move. I think your body is telling you you're overdoing it.

    Make sure you do all of your stretches, and make sure you hydrate. Drink lots and lots of water to help your muscles heal. Also, make sure you're getting plenty of rest, and work different areas different days. Never do two leg days in a row, for example. You could do something like arms/chest/back one day, then abs/core the next, then legs the next day. Cycle/repeat.
  • lishie_rebooted
    lishie_rebooted Posts: 2,973 Member
    sorcha1977 wrote: »
    There's sore, and then there's TOO sore. You should feel sore but not so sore that you can hardly move. I think your body is telling you you're overdoing it.

    Make sure you do all of your stretches, and make sure you hydrate. Drink lots and lots of water to help your muscles heal. Also, make sure you're getting plenty of rest, and work different areas different days. Never do two leg days in a row, for example. You could do something like arms/chest/back one day, then abs/core the next, then legs the next day. Cycle/repeat.

    The OP isn't consistent so a split routine probably wouldn't be ideal. A full body routine like Stronglifts, New Rules, Starting Strength would be better.

  • uconnwinsnc1
    uconnwinsnc1 Posts: 902 Member
    edited November 2014
    You are probably not hydrating and you are blowing out your central nervous system.

    Sleep more, drink lots of water, and don't try and max out every time you go to the gym.
  • CorlissaEats
    CorlissaEats Posts: 493 Member
    No clue. Do you eat enough to support your activity level? Are your hormones out of wack? Is there a mineral or nutrient that if low could affect your neck glands? Muscles without enough magnesium can make you sore longer, tired and prone to foot cramps but I don't know about the headaches. Maybe its something related that that idea?
  • Wronkletoad
    Wronkletoad Posts: 368 Member
    how about making a specific MD appointment with the appropriate specialist to get the answer instead of novice, "I watch dr oz and house, so I'm a doctor and internet diagnose myself all the time" advice?

    some of these responses are unreal *kitten*... mein gott. this is curl-in-the-squat-rack stuff, really.

    make an MD appointment with the appropriate specialist. follow instructions. wash. rince. repeat.
  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
    I agree with sorcha. There is something rare called rhabdomyolysis that is the product of muscle tissue destruction from over-training. It is a very serious problem that can result in kidney failure. One symptom of it is headache and extremely painful muscles. You also need to be wary of hyponatremia which results from eating too little food and drinking too much water (headache is a symptom of this disorder as well). I would ease off in the training and if the problem doesn't get better, consult with a sports physician.
  • uconnwinsnc1
    uconnwinsnc1 Posts: 902 Member
    edited November 2014
    how about making a specific MD appointment with the appropriate specialist to get the answer instead of novice, "I watch dr oz and house, so I'm a doctor and internet diagnose myself all the time" advice?

    some of these responses are unreal *kitten*... mein gott. this is curl-in-the-squat-rack stuff, really.

    make an MD appointment with the appropriate specialist. follow instructions. wash. rince. repeat.

    Swollen glands and headaches are signs of dehydration. A doctors appointment makes sense, but I really think more water will solve the problem.
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  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
    What does your urine look like? (Don't worry about TMI--this is important.) It should basically be straw-colored. If it is clear, like water, you are over-hydrated and a candidate for hyponatremia. If it is brown or rust-colored, that is bad and you need to get to a doc.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    how about making a specific MD appointment with the appropriate specialist to get the answer instead of novice, "I watch dr oz and house, so I'm a doctor and internet diagnose myself all the time" advice?

    some of these responses are unreal *kitten*... mein gott. this is curl-in-the-squat-rack stuff, really.

    make an MD appointment with the appropriate specialist. follow instructions. wash. rince. repeat.

    Then why is OP asking in a forum? To have everyone say see a doctor.
  • mustgetmuscles1
    mustgetmuscles1 Posts: 3,346 Member
    Probably a combination of over doing your workout and a large calorie restriction. How many calories are you eating?
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  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    __drmerc__ wrote: »
    If it is clear, like water, you are over-hydrated and a candidate for hyponatremia.

    lol

    OK there buddy. Over hydration LOL

  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    Probably a lack of hydration and/or lack of enough food to fuel your workouts.

    As far as getting sore goes, that's likely because you're not consistent enough with your lifting. Do it more often and it gets easier.
  • blushingbride2bee
    blushingbride2bee Posts: 39 Member
    Definitely see your doctor. I have had a similar reaction to what you are describing, I had to call in sick to work and literally could not get out of bed for 2 days. Horrible feeling. But I was following a ketogenic diet and the combo of weights with HITT cardio completely depleted me! It was too much.

    Just curious what did you eat on the day of this workout? I would make sure you adequately fuel your workout, so eat something to give you energy a bit before you exercise and skip the cardio. Yes, I might catch some negative comments on that but you are over doing it and let your body focus on muscle building first and skip the cardio or just do an easy warm up cool down, not full out cardio after your workout. Just for a few weeks to let your body adjust. This really helped me.

    I hope you feel better!
  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    __drmerc__ wrote: »
    If it is clear, like water, you are over-hydrated and a candidate for hyponatremia.

    lol

    OK there buddy. Over hydration LOL


    Women can slip into hyponatremia much faster than men because of a.) their smaller body mass and b.) they often skimp on food (and thus, sodium. Low blood sodium levels cause hyponatremia--whether it is from overhydration or inadequate sodium intake). It is estimated that about 10% of marathon runners end the race in a mild state of hyponatremia. In addition, women are more apt to be hypothyroid (it's complicated) and that can be a factor as well.
  • KaciWood19
    KaciWood19 Posts: 396 Member
    __drmerc__ wrote: »
    Are you sick?

    No not sick :) It has happened every time I have tried to get back in to the gym over the past few months, maybe a total of 4 times since July.
  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
    I agree with blushingbride. Over-training combined with a ketogenic diet can cause a fair bit of muscle destruction. Some gyms will actually make reference to "Uncle Rhabdo" in a light kind of way. Rhabdomyolysis is no joke.
  • KaciWood19
    KaciWood19 Posts: 396 Member
    I feel like I'm getting sick after I work out hard for a few days straight. This is because your immune system is weaker resulting from the breakdown of tissue and the exertion... and possibly elevated core temperature. You'll find that with drinking more water and sleeping more... you'll reduce this feeling.

    I could definitely drink more water, I typically get 7ish hours of sleep.
  • ryanwood935
    ryanwood935 Posts: 245 Member
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    __drmerc__ wrote: »
    If it is clear, like water, you are over-hydrated and a candidate for hyponatremia.

    lol

    OK there buddy. Over hydration LOL


    Women can slip into hyponatremia much faster than men because of a.) their smaller body mass and b.) they often skimp on food (and thus, sodium. Low blood sodium levels cause hyponatremia--whether it is from overhydration or inadequate sodium intake). It is estimated that about 10% of marathon runners end the race in a mild state of hyponatremia. In addition, women are more apt to be hypothyroid (it's complicated) and that can be a factor as well.

    Comparing marathon runners to this situation is irrelevant. Sweating out 5+ pounds of fluid over three hours is bound to cause an electrolyte imbalance in some. I reckon hyponatremia would not make the top 10 probable causes of the OP's problems.
  • KaciWood19
    KaciWood19 Posts: 396 Member
    Sounds like you are getting a dip in your immune function because of the stress of the exercise (any kind of stress, either physical or mental can cause it). You are probably overdoing it. Really, unless/until you are very well-conditioned, you shouldn't be doing any more than three half-hour weight sessions a week. (Some trainers would say that you don't need any more than that ever--although others would disagree.) How much are you doing? Do you combine it with a cardio warm-up? (5 to 10 minutes).

    No cardio warm up. The day in question, I did chest and tri's. I repped the bar 10 times to warm up then benched 55lbs (8 reps, 3 times) then moved on to incline bench, skull crushers, tri pulldown, tri kickbacks, and chest flys. From there I did a half hour on the elliptical.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    __drmerc__ wrote: »
    If it is clear, like water, you are over-hydrated and a candidate for hyponatremia.

    lol

    OK there buddy. Over hydration LOL


    Women can slip into hyponatremia much faster than men because of a.) their smaller body mass and b.) they often skimp on food (and thus, sodium. Low blood sodium levels cause hyponatremia--whether it is from overhydration or inadequate sodium intake). It is estimated that about 10% of marathon runners end the race in a mild state of hyponatremia. In addition, women are more apt to be hypothyroid (it's complicated) and that can be a factor as well.

    OP you run marathon. Endurance is better than mine.
  • KaciWood19
    KaciWood19 Posts: 396 Member
    603reader wrote: »
    sorcha1977 wrote: »
    There's sore, and then there's TOO sore. You should feel sore but not so sore that you can hardly move. I think your body is telling you you're overdoing it.

    Make sure you do all of your stretches, and make sure you hydrate. Drink lots and lots of water to help your muscles heal. Also, make sure you're getting plenty of rest, and work different areas different days. Never do two leg days in a row, for example. You could do something like arms/chest/back one day, then abs/core the next, then legs the next day. Cycle/repeat.

    The OP isn't consistent so a split routine probably wouldn't be ideal. A full body routine like Stronglifts, New Rules, Starting Strength would be better.

    A split routine is what I try to do. chest & tri, back & bi, then legs.
  • KaciWood19
    KaciWood19 Posts: 396 Member
    __drmerc__ wrote: »
    I agree with sorcha. There is something rare called rhabdomyolysis that is the product of muscle tissue destruction from over-training. It is a very serious problem that can result in kidney failure. One symptom of it is headache and extremely painful muscles. You also need to be wary of hyponatremia which results from eating too little food and drinking too much water (headache is a symptom of this disorder as well). I would ease off in the training and if the problem doesn't get better, consult with a sports physician.

    OP, what color is your piss?

    typically a pale yellow, other days when I drink more coffee than water it's darker (I work full time and go to school full time...I survive on Coffee)
This discussion has been closed.