Dizzy and faint on easy ride

[TraceyG]

I had a very disconcerting experience while on my normal Sunday ride this morning. We had ridden a very easy 40km, including a coffee stop, when I started to feel dizzy and faint. I stopped and sat on the kerb for a while, and had an energy gel, although I don't believe that I had bonked.

I started the day with my usual breakfast of bircher muesli and Greek yoghurt, and during our stop I had a banana and coffee - pretty much my standard Sunday morning ride fare.

After resting for a while I decided to walk the last kilometre home with my husband keeping a very close and worried eye on me. It wasn't easy in cleats but I didn't want to get back on my bike and risk a faint!

I've spent the rest of the day taking it every easy and even fell asleep on the couch this afternoon - something else that I never do.

I don't feel as though I am sickening for anything, although tomorrow may tell a different story.

Any suggestions or thoughts?

[GeoffInBrisbane]

Hydration levels? If I don't have enough water before I go out in the morning I can struggle a bit...got flickery vision on one occasion.

Not sure on other causes. Do you feel better now? Something to monitor I reckon.

[thecaptn]

Have you checked your blood pressure?

[Apple]

have you checked the blue stick, I remember cycling and I didn't know I was pregnant. Boy it took it out of me.

[foo on patrol]

^^ I to was wondering this but didn't want to say anything for fear of offending.^^

Foo

[ColinOldnCranky]

Regardless of what conjecture we indulge in here, the essential course of action is to have a bit of a checkup with your GP.

[linds]

virus coming on....?

[TraceyG]

have you checked the blue stick, I remember cycling and I didn't know I was pregnant. Boy it took it out of me.

Definitely not pregnant!
And unlikely to be hydration as I had drunk about a litre by the time it happened.
Feeling better now but somewhat washed out. I have an appointment to see my dr this week anyway so will discuss.

[hooman]

A visit to a GOOD doctor. One that isn't going to write it off as "... just a virus..."

[matagi]

A visit to a GOOD doctor. One that isn't going to write it off as "... just a virus..."

But that's precisely what it could be. Unfortunately most people don't appreciate how debilitating a simple viral infection can sometimes be.

[cyclotaur]

A visit to a GOOD doctor. One that isn't going to write it off as "... just a virus..."

But that's precisely what it could be. Unfortunately most people don't appreciate how debilitating a simple viral infection can sometimes be.

I agree with that - I had a mild cold (virus) last week and did a biggish mountain ride on Friday. My heart rate did not return to normal until after a post-dinner snooze on the couch, probably 4-5 hours after completing the ride. Wasn't racing or anything but was 20-25% above normal until I had that rest. Usually I recover very quickly after any ride.

It's pretty easy to drain the tank inadvertently with a low-level viral infection on the go.

[TraceyG]

Seems as though I have a cold coming on so will have to look after myself for a few days.

But...on a brighter note.....call from my son this afternoon to tell me that their blue stick was positive! Grandchild number one due for Christmas. Yippee!

[Mulger bill]

Seems as though I have a cold coming on so will have to look after myself for a few days.

Keep warm, eat lemons and drink rum

But...on a brighter note.....call from my son this afternoon to tell me that their blue stick was positive! Grandchild number one due for Christmas. Yippee!

[Apple]

But...on a brighter note.....call from my son this afternoon to tell me that their blue stick was positive! Grandchild number one due for Christmas. Yippee!

Well the stick was blue somewhere congratulations.

[foo on patrol]

But...on a brighter note.....call from my son this afternoon to tell me that their blue stick was positive! Grandchild number one due for Christmas. Yippee!

Well the stick was blue somewhere congratulations.

We will need o get the channelling right next time Apple.

Foo

[durianrider]

Sounds like you bonked Tracey.

You don't indicate the previous days fat or carb intake. Eating over 10% of calories from fat can hinder glycogen replenishment. If you had a busy day on Friday/Sat and didnt consume enough carbs, ate too much fat, didnt drink enough water (glycogen needs water to be stored effectively) and or didnt get to bed by 9pm (hours after 9pm hinder glycogen replenishment) then its quite easy to become glucose exhausted aka bonking on a 'normal sunday ride'.

My ability to ride 620km in 24hours has taught me how to become bonk proof. Sleep, fat intake, carb intake and hydration all play massive roles in glycogen replenishment.

[London Boy]

A visit to a GOOD doctor. One that isn't going to write it off as "... just a virus..."

But that's precisely what it could be. Unfortunately most people don't appreciate how debilitating a simple viral infection can sometimes be.

Or it could be a vaso-vagal reaction, or indicative of a chemical imbalance (not an issue of itself necessarily, but might indicate something else), or a heart issue (e.g. long qt) or some other thing.

If it happens a second time, don't take no for an answer. And if it progresses beyond a faint feeling, make sure whoever is around pays really close attention to what happens. Some of these things depend on the clinical diagnosis as much as they do on any medical tests. I have good reason to know of this.

[Addictr3]

are you diabetic?

[TraceyG]

I am not diabetic (regularly tested due to previously being morbidly obese, now just slightly overweight).

Unfortunately I have had a second episode, this time while driving so I am now going down the medical investigation path. I am hoping it is just low blood pressure and easily resolved by discontinuing my last BP tablet, but will work through with drs to get an answer.

In the meantime, DH is not that keen on me riding alone...and I don't blame him. Just means that he has to come out riding more often!

[lgbran]

After fainting and dizzy episodes x 4 over a period of as many months with the last episode resulting in me hitting the floor and coming too, I ceased taking my blood pressure tablets ( the fainting dizzy spells only occurred after commencing meds. Felt o.k on the bike but the last episode became scary). A change in blood pressure medication did the trick resulting in lower blood pressure without keeling over

[Addictr3]

Hi Tracey, not good at all,

What time of the day do you usually ride, or what time was it when you were driving? Do you eat Breakfast?

I'd go get some bloods done, there a certain things (environment, diet etc) that can can alter tolerance to how your body deals with glucose, perhaps you are stressed at the moment and your blood sugars are higher than normal, (there are studies shown that when cortisol is higher, resting blood sugards will run higher) resulting a in a larger spike when you crash.

The more you work out though and the harder you push that should subside, try riding early morning see what happens?

[TraceyG]

And the good news is....as a result of my weight loss over the last two years, my blood pressure has dropped and I was, effectively, over-medicated. Dr has adjusted dose of my BP medication and all has been good for a few days. I am seeing Dr regularly and hope to ditch that last half a tab very soon.

I'm very relieved that it was nothing more serious.

[Addictr3]

Like!

[foo on patrol]

And the good news is....as a result of my weight loss over the last two years, my blood pressure has dropped and I was, effectively, over-medicated. Dr has adjusted dose of my BP medication and all has been good for a few days. I am seeing Dr regularly and hope to ditch that last half a tab very soon.

I'm very relieved that it was nothing more serious.

Happy dance.

Foo