Hi!

Now that I know I am suffering from peri I decided to do what most women do and get their life in some kind of order starting with getting fit and eating a good diet. So far, the diet is going well and I've lost 11lbs but it's the exercise which is bothering me. I seem to be ok walking even though I get palpitations (get them anytime really) but they make me feel a bit weird. I also started some resistance training with bands - the first two sessions were fine (a week ago) but I now seem to start to feel panicky half way through my sets. I am not over doing it by any stretch of the imagination. I am 45 and was told my heart was fine after going to the ER with panic attacks on three occaisions! It's starting to worry me as now I am taking my health seriously and doing something about it the exercise is making me feel terrible and the way it makes me feel, makes me not want to do it! I've made an appointment to see the doctor for next week. I seem to have a chest infection at the moment - not bad compared to my kids except my chest is scratchy and throat tickly - I don't feel sick. Your thoughts are appreciated!

Jacky

Hi Jacky,
I think that you are doing really well to try and organize your life at this time. I suspect that you will have to modify your behaviour due to peri. If you can do strenuous exercise then go ahead but I became a bit of a wimp, because pushing myself made me feel poorly and full of panic. While you are struggling try power walking instead. I have always been able to walk and it has invariably helped to calm me as well. It's great if you have a doggy to keep you company. I borrow a friend's dog for that purpose.
As for panic ,well that becomes your middle name in peri.
Every silly virus feels worse during peri so you will have to be very patient with yourself. Odd feelings in the nose and throat can be a peri symptom as well. I feel as though I have some sort of dry, tickly allergy all the time. ahhhhhh! The joy of it!


Cheers,

XIII

Don't stop exercising altogether, just do what you are comfortable with.

When I first got back into fitness, before I started weight training, I used to walk, then build up to running. The whole idea of aerobic exercise is to raise your heartrate and increase your respiration. This is the same thing that happens during a panic attack, so when you feel your heart start thumping, it's all over. Your mind tells you that bad things are happenning.

Exercise can make a healthy, strong person feel faint, weak, out of breath, with shaking hands, arms and legs. That's what it's supposed to do! In order to condition your body, you have to push yourself beyond your comfort zone. However, you must also know your physical limits, and not push yourself so far as to get an injury.

Start slowly, build up your intensity and volume over time, and come to embrace the exileration of a drenching sweat, a thumping heart and feeling breathless. There's no drug on earth like natural endorphin release.

The trick is to know the difference between a heart attack and a panic attack. A check up with your cardiologist will tell you how healthy your heart is, and what you are capable of. The rest is up to you how you deal with anxiety. I take drugs for my psychological issues, others use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, others use HRT and/or supplements.

Finding what works for you can be a long process of trial and error. But if you continue to eat clean, and exercise daily, you are already ahead of the curve!

Good luck.