Since most of us aren't teenagers any more, I'm pretty sure a large masters population is having to overcome all kinds of health issues on order to getin shape, and go as far as competing.
I was starting to get pretty competetive 4-5 years ago and setting a lot of PB's, when in my mid to late 30's I got slammed with a lot of health issues, couple of which (ick) caused a lot of rapid heart rate even at rest, and made me very exercise intolerant. Some of this is getting under control, other things I just have to live with, and accept I can't push as hard as I used to :(
I have a genetic blood disorder, thallasemia, which manifests itself in my case an untreatable chronic anemia, fast thyroid causing heartbeat irregularities (and other things), and one of arthritic conditions, scleroderma. In last couple years I'm just starting to figure out how to handle my newly dysfunctional body, and still keep active. It's been a very disheartening struggle, since at 40, I'm supposedly too young to be falling apart. Eh!
I'd like to hear from people who are having to manage their health issues, so they can keep swimming, and even competing... I'm hoping this can be motivating to a *few* people.
I had borderline high blood pressure since it was first measured in my early 20s. In my 40s they finally put me on hydrochlorothiazide. What a huge mistake. It send my potassium down, down, down (to 2.6 for those who know the numbers). Even though I complained I was tired all the time, it took nearly 2 years to diagnose, and another 2 years before I felt back to normal. Gained about 30 lbs due to lack of exercise. I've lost most of it, but it's been a struggle. Lesson learned - be very careful of the side effects of any medication that is prescribed for you. I don't know if it's related to the low potassium but I had very high platelets and anemia during this time.
I've also had asthma since my early 20s. Under control for the most part, except when I get a cold - tends to migrate to bronchitis if I'm not very careful, and sometimes even when I am careful.
Most recently, I have developed "foot drop" in my left foot. It's a neurological condition that prevents me from "hooking" my left foot. In other words, I now have a very valid excuse for avoiding that horrid stroke. But it also means I'm stumbling a lot because I can't walk properly, and it's causing all sorts of knee/hip/back pains from the awkward gait. Neurology appointment Wed. Will also see podiatrist on Wed. to make sure that my orthotics (left leg is shorter, and I pronate badly with both legs) aren't making matters worse.
I count my blessings that I've never had any shoulder problems.
When you see the neurologist, my guess (from past experience) is that he/she will want to do a nerve conduction study to see what exactly is going on. Foot drop seems to indicate there is nerve impingement. I had the same problem when my L5S1 disc was blown out and fragmented in the spinal column. If you are not having back pain, then your story will be different, but there must be impingement somewhere, I would think.
Good luck with your apt.!
I had borderline high blood pressure since it was first measured in my early 20s. In my 40s they finally put me on hydrochlorothiazide. What a huge mistake. It send my potassium down, down, down (to 2.6 for those who know the numbers). Even though I complained I was tired all the time, it took nearly 2 years to diagnose, and another 2 years before I felt back to normal. Gained about 30 lbs due to lack of exercise. I've lost most of it, but it's been a struggle. Lesson learned - be very careful of the side effects of any medication that is prescribed for you. I don't know if it's related to the low potassium but I had very high platelets and anemia during this time.
I've also had asthma since my early 20s. Under control for the most part, except when I get a cold - tends to migrate to bronchitis if I'm not very careful, and sometimes even when I am careful.
Most recently, I have developed "foot drop" in my left foot. It's a neurological condition that prevents me from "hooking" my left foot. In other words, I now have a very valid excuse for avoiding that horrid stroke. But it also means I'm stumbling a lot because I can't walk properly, and it's causing all sorts of knee/hip/back pains from the awkward gait. Neurology appointment Wed. Will also see podiatrist on Wed. to make sure that my orthotics (left leg is shorter, and I pronate badly with both legs) aren't making matters worse.
I count my blessings that I've never had any shoulder problems.
When you see the neurologist, my guess (from past experience) is that he/she will want to do a nerve conduction study to see what exactly is going on. Foot drop seems to indicate there is nerve impingement. I had the same problem when my L5S1 disc was blown out and fragmented in the spinal column. If you are not having back pain, then your story will be different, but there must be impingement somewhere, I would think.
Good luck with your apt.!
