Is this the bonk? Or just a virus or something?

[OakLeaf]

So I had one of those weeks - didn't get to ride for 10 days, going out to eat almost every night, workouts when I could catch them.

Overnight my gut was really upset, I think something I ate finally didn't agree with me, and I couldn't begin to look at breakfast, but I really wanted to go out for a ride with the usual crew.

I felt pretty much okay for about the first 30 miles or so, maybe not as strong as usual but I expected that for any number of reasons. Then I started running out of steam and getting slower, but I didn't have any trouble getting home at the end of 38.

But as soon as I got off the bike I was super-nauseous and freezing cold (ambient temperature about 65F outside, 69 in the house, and I was really slightly overdressed for the ride). I actually had to get in a hot bath, not what my muscles needed at all.

That took care of the chill, but all day I've just been really nauseous, I've been trying to force down as much water and juice as I can. It's staying down, I haven't had any more diarrhea and I am urinating so I guess I'm absorbing the fluids, but I can't imagine eating solid food. I've only managed a couple of glasses of juice but I figure I need some kind of calories.

Is this the bonk? Should I do anything different?

[lettyedge]

Hello I'm new to the forum...I would say you have a bug. Although I have bonked a few times I usually can pull out of them by getting fluids and especially some carbs-sugar back into my system. I would say that it seriously sucks to bonk...especially when you start the whole diarrhea stuff. If it lasts longer than one day after getting food back in you. I would say it's a bug.
That's my two cents.

[mimitabby]

hey letty, welcome to TE

I'd say it was a bug too.

[KnottedYet]

I vote bug.

Bonk is usually more low-blood-sugar related.

[smilingcat]

+1 on bug.

Bonk is where you literally become stupid and your IQ drops to about 50. And you have no strength, no coordination. All you want, is to lie down and eat chocolate. A hostess ho-hos or twinkies will do.

Well drop in my IQ and wanting chocolate is just my personal reaction to bonk and may not happen to you.

smilingcat

[rocknrollgirl]

The same bug hit me last thursday night after my run, came home and was shaking with chills and fever. Had bad stomach pains. It was down for about 24 hours and then just tired for a day or so,

BUG!!!!!

[sundial]

Oakleaf, I can tell when I'm coming down with a stomach bug when I can't stand the sight of coffee. Strange I know.

[indigoiis]

Sounds like a bug to me...

A bonk seems to carry with it some emotional symptoms as well - weepy or angry or tempermental (like, I'm-gonna-throw-the-bike-into-the-ravine tempermental) mixed with a general lassitude.

You know what's funny about us healthy bicycle gals? When we get sick, it's like, we get personally offended. Like, How dare you invade my body? I take very good care of me! Get the hell outa here!

[OakLeaf]

Yep, a virus it was, or possibly food poisoning (though not as bad as food poisoning I've had in the past).

Worst nausea I've ever had, felt like a whole tribe of watermelons was trying to force its way up out of my stomach, plus a screaming headache. You're right, indigo, I do take it personally when I get sick

Much better today (just ate my first solid food ), thanks.


ETA:

the bonk symptoms you describe sound like a combination of what I get with dehydration (nausea and diarrhea that will last as many days as it takes for me to figure it out and slam three or four liters of sports drink because I can't absorb plain water) and hypoglycemia (weepy, shaky, snippy, unable to make even the simplest decision). So if I get it I'll know

[KnottedYet]

and hypoglycemia (weepy, shaky, snippy, unable to make even the simplest decision).

Oooh, baby, do I know that one!

[emily_in_nc]

Oakleaf, I can tell when I'm coming down with a stomach bug when I can't stand the sight of coffee. Strange I know.

+1

(and I love coffee!)

Feel better soon!

Emily

[aicabsolut]

Did you take your temperature? Maybe you had a fever.

[OakLeaf]

I did get a little fever after I'd posted. By later on in the afternoon it was very obvious that it was NOT the bonk! I'm still not sure if it was food poisoning or a virus though - and I'm actually still not completely recovered. Yuk.