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Moonmark

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Hi, again-- I posted earlier about swimming, which I have been doing at a local swimming hole. Today I went out there again and swam a few times-- nothing major, just a modified breast stroke with head above water. everything seemed fine, although my arms are weak and my right shoulder feels strained-- almost like a pulled muscle or something.

anyway, everything seemed OK, with the exception of the arm stuff. (Hard to believe that last summer I was doing multiple freestyle laps across this pond).I had a nice time with my family and some friends and felt happy to have a day without any irritating muscle twitching whatsoever. I felt pretty tired in the car, but overall, OK.

the day wound down and then we went to grab something to eat. couldn't find a parking space near the restaurant, so had to walk a few blocks. this is when the problem started. while walking to the restaurant, I quite literally felt like I was going to collapse. I felt like maybe I was not getting enough air and that my legs were going to give out and I was going to faint. this did not happen, but it was scary-- my husband thought we should go to the ER. I have no idea what is happening to me and won't until July 13, when I am next scheduled to see the neuro and go over all the test results, including the EMG/NCV.

This feeling that I was going to collapse and possibly faint came on quite suddenly. I am back home now, resting. does this sound familiar to anyone? do you think I should try to see a doctor, either GP or the neuro, before 7/13. this incident scared me. do you think just overdid it?

thanks for any suggestions--

Sandra
 
I think I know what you are going through.
I know you do not have a DX yet.
You are having symptoms of something.

So , generally speaking :

You ran out of energy. Gas tank was empty.

Swimming , one of those perfect exercises, requires energy. Walking requires energy.

You can not just push past being tired anymore.

It may take a couple of days to feel rested.

I have tested my boundaries a couple of times , and when I run out of energy its either sit/lie down or fall down. The later hurts.

Just my .02

Good luck on the 13th.
 
Sandra ... I assume the symptoms have subsided? This doesn't sound like ALS, but if you were suddenly short of breath and light-headed and/or dizzy (like you were going to faint), I would contact your GP first thing tomorrow and describe what happened and ask if you should come in for an exam. These could be symptoms of any number of things, some serious some trivial, and I wouldn't ignore it.

Meanwhile, if the symptoms return, I agree with your husband: get to an ER.

And mention this to your neuro at your appointment.
 
Glen, yes, I am discovering that I seem to have an intolerance for exercise now, which is hard, because I have always been a very active person. I try to go along living a "regular" life as much as possible, only to discover that I cannot do the same things I used to do. It is hard, too, not having a diagnosis, because others, including my husband, do not seem to grasp how unwell I frequently feel. Plus, it is summer and I feel compelled to do as many things as I can now, in case it turns out that I am unable to do them at all down the road. so I probably have not been pacing myself very well. Often, the exhaustion hits me quite suddenly.

Beth- I am home now and I do not feel faint or anything, but I will check in with the GP tomorrow. I think maybe I was hit with the sudden physical exhaustion and then I started to become anxious about it, which maybe affected my breathing and created the sensation that I might faint? who knows? this is all a mystery to me.

anyway, thanks for responding. Off to bed.

Sandra
 
Hi Sandra,

I do that same modified stroke! I have exercise intolerance as well. You have to pace yourself, it is hard. I was over active prior to this. In fact I hated sitting anywhere and was always on the go. I swim 3-4x a week at my gym and love it. I also use the sauna/steam room before and the hot tub after, I cant tell you how great this feels on my muscles. I have had that feeling before that you describe. I also have had times where my legs will go to jelly/rubber and think they will give out, that was last summer and I dont get it too much these days. Next time get dropped off at the door! Pacing is a hard thing to learn in the start, how do you know what will make you too tired? Ihad my sons 5th party and just cleaned, ran to grocery store and did the whole party like we always do for all 3 kids. My feet and ankles with calf's were sore until today. Every muscle in my back and neck hurt. I mean I have dont these things all the time, but this time...too much. I Felt like a did the strong man tri-athalon or something. You will figure it out as you go, and you have to rest more. I have no diagnosed,
just on of those un-diagnosed people that have ALOT of problems. I see an als specialist and had 2 emgs and muscle biopsy and still dont know what has taken over my body, but I just keep plugging along and feel thankful that I can do what I do.

blessings

april
 
Running out of steam? Or?

I taught all of my 4 children to play tennis. One of my first symptoms was when I was playing a game with my oldest son who is a very good tennis player and he trying to run the old man around the court and doing a very good job at it too. Payback for how I did him.
He hit a shot about 4 steps to my right I lunged for the ball, but my feet and legs refused to move. I fell flat on my face. This was my first experience of running out of steam and a symptom of what was to come years later. That was about 6 years ago. Now I have no movement from the waist down and the arms, hands, etc are very weak and have very limited movement. I've learned to type with two fingers again.
I hope and pray this is not what you are facing in the future, but if it is, please know you are not alone.
 
Sandra,

One thing I forgot to say is :

"Dont quit exercising" just change your routines. I do a lot of stretching to try to keep the muscles from seizing up.

I agree with the others , its is hard to change the old habits.
 
Sounds like an episode of low blood sugar to me. Did you eat your regular meals during the day before you went swimming?
 
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