Originally Posted by
DaveQ24
@
CANcklecat - My anemia was diagnosed in Sept of '08 after several months of feeling progressively worse and constantly nauseous and dizzy etc. I was a pretty typical physician-adverse American male back then and hadn't seen my PCP for about 1.5 - 2 years or any other Dr. (now I have 8 I see regularly!). Hadn't been on my bike for a while, probably a month, decided to try to ride one night right after Labor Day - and it was about 92 degrees out at 7 pm - I made it out of my sub to the main road and turned back because I felt terrible, and collapsed on my lawn completely unable to catch my breath. Round trip captured on my bike computer 0.68 miles.
I felt a lot better by the next morning - a couple of units of blood/packed red cells brought my hemaglobin up from 5.6 to around 10 IIRC.
Yup, sounds familiar! I haven't seen a doctor for anything in about 12 years, since I had to visit the ER for pneumonia (actually I barely remember that incident -- a family member took me after I seemed unusually sluggish and unresponsive).
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroid disease about 17 years ago, which has multiple seemingly unrelated ailments. I took synthetic thyroid supplement for awhile but it wasn't helping so I discontinued it. I really need to get back to a specialist to see if they can try something else. I know it's a significant drain on my energy and stamina.
Funny thing, I was in nursing for years, including hemodialysis. And I've been a caregiver for three consecutive older family members over the past 25 years or so. But when I have spare time I don't want to waste it on my own medical appointments. So I tell myself I'll feel better after a bike ride. Usually it's true, at least until the next day.
