grizzly907la

I'm two years and change from the heart attack I had in 2018. My overall health is pretty good with all things considered. Had a follow up with the cardiologist, and she wants to lower my bp meds in the future. Kidneys got damaged, however they are stable. My problem at the moment is low overall energy. I take a multivitamin, multimineral and CoQ10.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to get my energy up, or is it just a matter of time before I bounce back. I really want to ride my bikes, after a two year hiatus.

Thanks!

freeranger

Don't think it's unusual to feel like you don't the energy you had, after a two year hiatus. And even moreso with all that you've had happen. Check with your doc and get the OK to ride. Start off slowly and work up, but don't overdo it-don't want a repeat from over-exertion. I know my energy level doesn't feel "up to snuff" if I just spend a month or so off, and I've not had to deal with a heart attack! Best o'luck getting "back in the saddle"!!

jppe

Could it be possible it’s related to testosterone levels being lower? Or possibly anemia?? Probably best left with a doctor to see if they can assist.

canklecat

All the time. Even with multiple doctors -- primary, endocrinologist, ENT, ortho, immunologist -- they can't determine for certain what the problem is. Probably same old thing I've had for years -- low thyroid due to an autoimmune disorder. I take the thyroid meds but it's not the same as having a functional thyroid and parathyroid.

I take all kinds of supplements too. As the snarky retort often goes, I'm probably just making expensive urine. On the plus side, after taking vitamin D and calcium supplements for a year, my vitamin D level is finally up to normal. I was in the high risk zone for a few years.

My blood CO2 is usually borderline high. No surprise, I have some respiratory system damage, nothing too serious. My monocytes are usually a bit high, no surprise since I've had a chronic inflammatory condition for years.

Some days are pretty good and I'm stronger and faster than usual. But I'm never able to predict those days -- or the bad days -- and no amount of consistency in diet, exercise, rest, etc., makes any difference. The body does what it wants, or not.

I think my last bike ride where I felt really strong was a couple of months ago. Since then it feels like I can barely get out of my own way. A couple of months ago I cut back a bit on the bike rides (from around 600 miles a month to 400, and less this month) and did more walking and slow jogging, just for variety and to see if it helped with some chronic pain in the lower back and hips. It seems to be helping... with walking and jogging. Hasn't helped my cycling at all.

I track a lot of data so I'm not just relying on perceptions. The data shows a gradual decline over the past couple of years, and sharply since September. So it's not just my subjective impression. But my docs don't seem concerned. No surprise, most doctors are mainly concerned with helping us maintain a reasonable level of health, but aren't geared toward expectations of older active people. I'd probably have to pay out of pocket for a specialist to find a doctor who's interested in patients who have higher expectations. But I'm not anxious to spend too much time around medical facilities until after the pandemic subsides or there's an effective and safe vaccine. Medical facilities are high risk and I know they're overwhelmed with patients who are actually sick, not just ambitious old dudes who want to pretend they're still in their 20s.

alo

If people are overweight, losing weight should result in more energy.

Having fresh fruit and vegetables may also result in more energy, as opposed to manufactured and processed foods.

Wildwood 

Why can't you ride?
If your energy is so low you can't ride your bike a few blocks, then get back to your Drs. = fast.

If your energy is so low you don't feel like riding, that may be a different problem.

e-bike? to excite.

(edit: maybe self-eval your own assessment = "My overall health is pretty good...")

When I don't feel like riding or it is raining, I wrench. Usually improves the motivation for tomorrow's ride.

rowerek

Low energy periods might happen to everybody. The best way to figure out if something is missing on physiological level is a comprehensive blood test. The best is to get your vitamins, minerals from fresh fruit and veggies, iron from red meat, burger etc. Some indication of problems might be appetite, losing or gaining weight, sleep pattern, mood. Sometimes it might be connected with seasonal blues, mild depression.

From my experience, low energy and lack of exercise can be a vicious circle and the best is to break out with some basic physical activity on a regular basis, get out of the house, get some fresh air, sun, social interaction. Biking is one of the best exercise but one can also start with something really basic and simple like walking, or power walking 3-5 times a week. In my neighborhood I often see a couple in their eighties doing their regular twice a day walk, and that inspires me and reminds me to plan for myself to do some running, biking, swimming or walking.

PoorInRichfield

grizzly907la Would you mind sharing what your diet consists of? I.e., what do you typically eat in a given day?

I ask because I used to be fueled almost purely with sugar and carbs and found myself on an energy rollercoaster. Eat some carbs... have energy for a short burst as the sugar kicks-in... then crash and need more carbs. I have since switched over to a diet primarily consisting of healthy fats (nuts, avocados, high fat yogurt, etc.) and vegetables and that has made a huge difference in my energy levels. It was by no means an overnight change, but a change for the better for me.

There's a lot of information online regarding "mitochondria", the energy producers in our body, and how to properly fuel them so you in-turn have energy through-out the day.

trailangel

Corona virus

Iride01 

Don't confuse low energy with low motivation. Some of the times I feel like I have no energy. If my son or other ask me to ride with them or I just force myself to ride. I almost always find I have plenty of energy once I start pedaling down the road.

But you should discuss with your doctor at your next checkup and maybe have a few different blood panels run besides the standard stuff. Sometimes you might have a b12 deficiency or other anemia that can affect you. But I find motivation goes a long way in spite of actual energy.

Vaughan51

The advise of your doctor would be best with respect to low energy levels.

That said I've got some electronics in me to keep the heart regular and I've found that diet and sleep make a huge impact on how one is feeling and energy level. Also, given my age I find that I need to ensure adequate recovery days if I'm doing >50km days of hard riding (by hard I mean lots of elevation change). I guess what I'm trying to say is a balanced approach is pretty important.

Flip Flop Rider

I think if you just go out and ride a little, like 15-30 minutes, that you will feel more energetic and that feeling will multiply.

even if you are extremely tired, riding a bike does not take a huge effort, but once you start moving your energy will rise

10 Wheels

Try some Vitamin D3. Helps me.

rsbob 

You may want to consider seeing a Homeopath. A thorough evaluation of bloodwork, diet and medical condition could prove fruitful. In you can swing it, consider getting an pedal assist e-bike like a Specialized so you can get out there and enjoy putting in some miles without the frustration. Best wishes you get a solution.

My wife was an avid cyclist and developed severe RA. She gave up cycling for 10 years due to pain, but is now happily riding her e-bike and smoking me on the climbs.

grizzly907la

I thought about that, and did some research into it. I've purchased some testosterone supplements and am going to see if that helps. I doubt that my Doctors would address the issue if I did have low T. It's up to me to figure it out.

grizzly907la

I am seeing an endocrinologist at the moment for the glandular (cushings disease,) issues I've had for a long time. They did an ultrasound on my thyroid and informed that I have nodules on my thyroid, but they are not big enough to warrant a biopsy at this time. They want to follow up in a year. I'll have to wait and see what happens.

grizzly907la

I was doing keto for about nine months, then started stress eating. I need to get back to it, starting in the new year. 2020 has been a helluva a year. Keep wait for it to be over.

grizzly907la

Thanks for all of the replies. I have taken all of those things into account and have a rough plan as what to do. In the mean time, I've managed to summon up the energy to swap the handlebars out on my two bikes with aerobars, a bike computer, and some halfway decent lights.

70sSanO

This may sound odd, but nothing motivates me more than a few new parts. I’ve been off my mountain bikes for a few years and early in the pandemic, I made some changes which lead to... I wonder how it rides?

It obviously can’t be an ongoing source of motivation, but after turning the wrenches the bike begs to be ridden.

John

MinnMan

I don't have any medical advice, but when I have low motivation to ride, the hardest part is getting out of the door. Lower the bar as much as you can- no mileage or distance goals in advance. Tell yourself that all you have to do is to go around the block. Once you get out, you'll likely feel differently.

jppe

I’m sure where you live but have you ridden the rail trail in Forest City?

grizzly907la

Nah. No corona for me. I haven't had even had the sniffles during this time.

grizzly907la

Wrenching on something relaxes me...most of the time, and it's a kind of zen for me, even when I run into problems, because its gets my mind off of everything else.

grizzly907la

I want to start riding the local trail which is relatively short. I would like to start riding the local grocery store and Wally world. That's one of the few things I miss about living in DTLA. To be perfectly honest one of my biggest concerns is dealing with motorists on the road. They don't seem very friendly to cyclists in these parts (to be fair I ride bicycles, but wouldn't consider myself a cyclist.)