Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - The V. A. Made Me Sick

Hi Y'all!

I just got back from the Houston V. A. hospital. They made me sick.

I went in last Thursday because I woke up that morning and my whole left side was numb. I got up had a cup of coffee and looked at BF for a bit then decided that the numbness wasn't going to just go away so I went to the V.A. emergency room. After CT scans they invited me to stay for a bit where I got more tests and before it was all done they decided that I had had a TIA stroke, I'm hypertensive, and diabetic. A three for one special for just a bit of numbness.

Needless to say I do believe a major lifestyle change is in the offing here. Anyway I rode my bike back today. I'm home until I go back tomorrow to pick up my meds (there was a last minute SNAFU when they released me or I would have left with my meds).

Just wanted to say Y'all take care of yourselves. Don't ignore any warning signs. Get help as soon as possible when you aren't "feeling quite right". Sometimes us XL folks tend to put more strain on our systems and we need to be extra careful.

That's why you're not supposed to go to the doctor. They always find something wrong with you :rolleyes:

Seriously, get well.

Well no crap! I always felt that the VA was like some Russian Gulog. Between them and tricare I always end up leaving shaking my head and wondering what just happened to me. The VA is nice to have and has gotten better up here but it is still a little off.

My favorite is the ol' broken arm line... "I broke my freakin arm, NO I DON'T NEED ANOTHER MOTRIN!"

Seriously though, I hope you get well soon and feel better.

Hi Y'all!

I just got back from the Houston V. A. hospital. They made me sick.

I went in last Thursday because I woke up that morning and my whole left side was numb. I got up had a cup of coffee and looked at BF for a bit then decided that the numbness wasn't going to just go away so I went to the V.A. emergency room. After CT scans they invited me to stay for a bit where I got more tests and before it was all done they decided that I had had a TIA stroke, I'm hypertensive, and diabetic. A three for one special for just a bit of numbness.

Needless to say I do believe a major lifestyle change is in the offing here. Anyway I rode my bike back today. I'm home until I go back tomorrow to pick up my meds (there was a last minute SNAFU when they released me or I would have left with my meds).

Just wanted to say Y'all take care of yourselves. Don't ignore any warning signs. Get help as soon as possible when you aren't "feeling quite right". Sometimes us XL folks tend to put more strain on our systems and we need to be extra careful.

I'm sorry to read this happened to you. I'm praying for your swift and full recovery.

And thanks for the valuable advice. Guys are notorious for ignoring danger signs.

Yeah, can't say I've acted in the most intelligent manner. Today I rode to the V.A. to get my meds that weren't ready for me last night. It's maybe 10 miles there, mostly following the Breas Bayou MUP. I felt good going there early this morning. When I got my meds I took the ones I was supposed to take. A couple of them were supposed to be taken with food so I a PowerBar Protien Plus bar (may have been a big mistake and probably not what the phamacy meant by "food").

I went up and thanked the nurses then headed back home. It was the most mieserable ride I've ever endured. The temp was in the high 90's (heat index over 100) had 2 front flats, less then a couple miles from home, flat tire, feeling totally lousy and 2 hours over due I stopped at Wendys to get a large light lemonade and fries and a cheese burger. I was totally bonked and needed hydration, electrolites, and energy. I also thought a cool place to sit would be nice only it seems the air conditioner wasn't working. While 80 degrees might be relatively cooler then 100 it wasn't all that cool. Anyway I made it home, got chewed out by the wife, took a shower and went to bed for a nice cool nap under the air vent.

I'm taking a break for a little bit from riding distance/endurance rides (not like this was planed as a distance/endurance ride). I think my 51 mile ride for my 51st birthday will be called off this year.

I guess I'm stuck with Training With Hinako (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lphF7gJTZg)

Do not underestimate the amount of fluids your body may need on a hot day. When I do my club ride (about 27 miles) I'll drink both 24 ox bottles of fluids I have with me, and that is with 78F weather. Some of the guys barely touch their drinks. YOU have to find out what your body needs. There is not single answer. Heat can do some bad things to you. At first you won't notice so much, but one the body gets hot, you need to watch it.

Also when you are fairly new to cycling, your body has to work much harder. When I 1st started commuting daily two and half years ago the 5 miles to work and then 5 miles home would kick my but. Yesterday I was cruising with the club ride in the faster (but not fastest group), we averaged 21 mph over 27 miles. At times we were cruising at 25 MPG... even a year ago that would have killed me. Start easy and as you get stronger it gets easier to ride longer distances. Your body has to adapt to all the riding. The 10% rule is a pretty descent starting point. Basically add 10% to your riding distance each week and your body will adapt pretty well. Start jumping large amounts (say 50% to 100%) and you might be pushing yourself too hard.

Happy riding
André

When I wrote that yesterday I was really whooped. I've been riding for quite a few years, commuted some good distances everyday. Just last April I rode my first century. Usual pleasure rides were like 20 + miles.

I really thought I was being careful, but I guess after 5 days in a hospital bed and on meds I wasn't used to plus the heat and little mishaps kinda built up against me. Heck, I even stopped halfway and fliped my hub so I was on the freewheel side and able to coast for a bit.

My plan for tomorrow is to fix the front tire, and put the Brooks B17 Imperial back on ( I took it off because I didn't want to leave it to the mercy of the elements in case I was hospitalized, which I was, and it rained ). I'll do some short freewheelin' rides and try to get back into shape. Maybe when the weather cools off I'll be able to ride those distances again.

Good luck to you Tex. I recently have had some health related "wake up calls". The good thing about it is that you still have a chance to turn it all around so take advantage of that opportunity NOW!!!!

Thanks, outside of the general issue "feeling like crap" my biggest issue is the weird lingering sensation in my left arm. It's kinda like wearing a gauntlet on my left hand that goes up to mid forearm. Sometimes it's just constant "pin's and needles", sometimes it stings like a mild sunburn all over that area.

Okay, one more big issue. The sugar cravings are starting to kick in. Just about everything I crave is "VERBOTEN" (Pretty sure that how my V.A. doc, Dr. Valeria Mengele, expressed it).

Still trying to stay upbeat. Trying to get back into cycling shape by riding a one mile loop through the neighborhood. September 19th is the Tour de Cure if I can raise the minimum before then and they'll give me a nifty red jersey to wear. The wife is an herbalist and says she's going to hook me up with stevia, and fenugreek on top of my meds which I'm being careful not to neglect (like I usually do).