I am absolutely delighted to be able to say that my breathing is continuing to improve and after this mornings appointment with my consultant I now understand everything that has happened. I had figured out a lot of it for myself / while talking with friends, but there were a few things I still didn't get. Being the kind of person I am its great that things are improving but its really great to have it all explained. If you are vaguely interested, its like this:
I have to take drugs that supress my immune system and this makes me very susceptible to (in my case) chest infections. I get 3-4 or more a year. I can feel them the first day they start, a tiny tiny feeling in my chest and as I know what's coming I get to the docs for antibiotics. 7 days later all is fine. In September though I got a chest infection at the start of a 2 week holiday while abroad (with no antibiotics) which gave it a really good time to bed in. During that time (I now know) it got bad enough that it exacerbated food intolerances I didn't even know I had. So ironically a lot of the stuff I ate while I stopped traning (to let it sort itself out / see the specialist etc) was keeping it there / making it worse.
The problem also increased my asthma which explains why I got worse in the cold. It also (again asthma related) explains my dehydration.
I have been told (and am very happy about) that I must keep a supply of antibiotics at all times so I can start taking them immediately I feels the symptoms, in order to prevent this from happening again. Fine by me!
I'm so so happy to know its on the mend, I feel like a kid at Christmas. Great timing too because as I have said before I need to be riding (weather permitting) outdoors from next month.
So now the training can really start in ernest, which should lead nicely into my next post as I'm getting a coach! Bring on the Marmotte :-)
HI Ed,
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog - I'm interested in your intolerances: how did you get checked for these? I'm told I have post nasal drip / rhintis, which means my weakness is sinus and throat problems. I'm wondering if it's anything to do with milk (have read they may be linked). Did you get checked on NHS or privately?
Looking forward to reading about your next challenge!
Karen x
Hey Karen,
ReplyDeleteI actually got them checked through this place http://www.testyourintolerance.com/, it costs £40 you send them some hair and they give you the results. I'll be honest and to say I was sceptical was a bit of an understatement. I am now getting tested privately but as my consultant said, its hard to argue with the results since I cut out what they listed!
Great blog, it sounds like my life at the moment! I was struggling with Eczema and flu like symptoms but testyourintolerance.com showed me I'm intolerance to the trees I live near and to diary. After cutting out the thing s I can do I feel much better and recommend the test to lots of people.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, love the blog, loving being back out on the bike!