I can run but not walk...

I'm training for a half marathon in a couple of weeks and am ratcheting up my mileage in preparation. On Saturday, I ran 10 miles. But I've been having a really difficult time walking up stairs for the last couple of weeks. If it's more than 8 or 10 stairs, my heart gets pounding so fast I have to stop to catch my breath. Today, I had to stop and stand still with my head down for a good 3-4 minutes before I got the heart rate down enough so I could speak.

I'm in good shape, mid 30s, dxed with vasovagal syncope, intermittent 2nd and 3rd degree heart block, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, and I'm being treated for lupus. No new meds or changes in diet.

I've been fighting anemia all year, but I feel like it's finally under control, as I can finally breathe without effort when I run.

I'm not dehydrated.

Any chance this could be helped with a settings change?

Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions!

Jenny

3 Comments

sob

by Alma Annie - 2013-10-29 07:10:43

Hi Jenny,
I do know that anaemia can make you short of breath and going upstairs can put more of a strain on you than running on the flat. I suggest you go back to Dr. and have your anaemia checked, as well as see EP to make sure your settings are ok. Let us know how you go.
Alma Annie

Read This

by J.B. - 2013-10-29 11:10:17


Anemia is the condition of having a lower than normal red blood cell count or when a person’s red blood cells do not include enough hemoglobin. Those who have anemia do not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. Anemia is common and may occur at any age and among any ethnic group. Although men and women can have anemia, women of childbearing age are at increased risk.

A major symptom of anemia is exhaustion. Long-term anemia may damage the brain, heart and other body organs. Severe anemia may lead to death.

Although some types of anemia may be severe and life-threatening if untreated, many types are mild, short term and easily treated. Some types may be prevented with a healthy diet or with dietary supplements. Treatment varies depending upon the cause and severity of the condition.

Various types of anemia exist that are caused by specific traits: aplastic anemia, blood loss anemia, Cooley’s anemia, iron deficiency anemia and sickle cell anemia.

Causes of anemia

There are three main causes of anemia. First, blood loss is the most common, specifically iron deficiency anemia. Blood loss may occur with heavy menstrual periods, bleeding in the digestive or urinary tract, surgery, trauma or cancer may also cause blood loss.

The second main cause is the lack of red blood cell production. Decreased red blood cell production may either be an inherited or acquired condition. Diet, hormones, chronic diseases or pregnancy are conditions and factors that prevent a person’s body from creating enough red blood cells.

Lastly, acquired and inherited conditions and factors may lead to high rates of blood cell destruction. This may occur when someone has an enlarged or diseased spleen, which is the body organ that removes worn out red blood cells. When a spleen is diseased or enlarged, more blood cells than needed may be removed. An example of an inherited condition that destroys too many red blood cells in the body is sickle cell anemia and a lack of certain enzymes.

Risk factors

Risk factors for anemia include low iron, vitamin or mineral diet; loss of blood after surgery or an injury; long-term illness (cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, heart failure and thyroid disease); long-term infection; or a family history of sickle cell anemia.

I think It says you know what your short of breath problem is from. As, for "Any chance this could be helped with a settings change?" Not likely but the dr can tell you. My suggestion is get a physical and complete blood work up before you try the marathon.

Thanks, J.B. and Alma Annie

by jenny97 - 2013-10-31 09:10:36

You both raise some good points. I can see that this might in fact be related to anemia, although I was hoping I finally had it under control. My last two labs showed only slight anemia and were completely stable (identical, in fact). Plus, I've been supplementing religiously. It's annoying that we can't figure out where the blood loss is coming from, and being on blood thinners isn't helping things.

Thanks again for your thoughtful responses.

Jenny

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