GFzinks09's Blog

So I've been sick on a off for a few weeks. Thought I had gotten over it until a few days ago. The cough has subsided but now getting O2 into the system is impossible as the cold moves it's way out. We finally had a weekend of no visitors, no work, no nothing except relaxing and catching up on homework (and nursing myself back to health)

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It has been glorious. Accomplished just about NOTHING yesterday and slept about 10 hours each night. But today I went to get my run in. Needed to get 6 miles this weekend but when I arrived at the gym I discovered it closes at 3pm (1 hr from my arrival) and hoped to get in as much as I could.

Couldn't run outside since my state of disease wouldn't allow it. I needed to make SOME good decisions today at least.

But as I ran I became so incredibly light headed. I had flash backs to pre-realizing I had a sodium imbalance. During marathon training and half marathon training I started getting very very light headed. Had to stop running because I thought there was something wrong with my heart but I was too terrified to actually go to the MD. During my cardio-pulm class my teacher forced me to get checked out. After a stress-echo and all the cardiac workups in the world I found out that going gluten free had altered my diet enough to be sodium deficient. Previous tests hadn't caught it and none of my clinicians were able to put the pieces together. Had blood tests done in June when I first complained to my PCP and they were normal plus low blood pressure is normal in runners. The second time I complained I was referred immediately for cardiac testing as my symptoms had increased so dramatically.

Pre-gluten free I was very weight conscious (being one of the over-eater comfort eaters) and ate many pre-made meals etc high in sodium. Once gluten free I made most of my own food and never added salt into anything. I had never needed to and as a health care professional I couldn't even put the pieces together. Such a small change caused enough stress and anxiety that I was unable to continue training.

But...today I was light headed and thought I would literally hit the deck after 4 miles so instead of feeling fear and anxiety I went home and dumped a whole teaspoon of salt into a bowl of soup. Now the only frustration comes from the fact that I know better. I had added salt to my yogurt this morning but it wasn't sufficient - should have done more.

So, back to TV and being a waste since my energy levels are now significantly drained. I think I might try to get my homework done in a bit and then cook some gluten free bread and a lovely dinner of chicken in wine and mushrooms, asparagus and some french fries!