I'm BACK!!!! (I think)

[Jiffer]

Hey guys,

I used to hang around this forum quite a bit until a little over a year ago when my health took a turn and I had to quit riding due to fatigue and dizziness. I could do 30 minute super easy rides, eventually even that seemed to worsen my symptoms.

I had (have) adrenal fatigue and worked with a nutritionist for 10 months with no improvement to show for it. I switched to a naturopathic doctor, who confirmed adrenal fatigue, but also diagnosed sub-clinical hypothyroidism and candida, as well as low hormones across the board.

Candida is a yeast overgrowth in my body that is probably an underlying cause to everything else, and if I can get that under control, my doctor is hoping that will help with the rest of my issues.

I have been on the very strict candida diet for five weeks, along with a vast array of supplements, etc. I'll probably be on the diet for many months, if not more than a year before I'm fully recovered, but about a week and a half ago I finally started to see some hope of improvement. I wasn't quite as fatigued as I had been. I decided to try an easy ride. I did three in a row over a five day period (always at least one day off between) and for the first time in a long time I didn't feel "worse" after that series of rides. I have done another couple of rides since and finally feel like I might actually be able to slowly build my fitness back up. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm still riding like a snail compared to where I was pre-health issues, but just feeling like it's "ok" to get on my bike and to feel like I'm pretty sure it's not "hindering" my health is a huge thing. My doctor seemed puzzled when I'd explain how my symptoms worsened after a few easy rides or even super easy walks. She said I should be able to exercise and SHOULD exercise. So . . . now it appears I can and while I still need to take it easy for a while, I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and can't wait until I can do a group ride with my cycling club (am I still a member?! Hmmm!) . . . and just ride with my best buddy.

So here's to full health and riding really, really FAST again . . . some day!!! Haha!!!

[OakLeaf]

Yay! Welcome back Jiffer! Hope everything continues to improve and that you're 100% sooner than later!

[lph]

hey, welcome back!

[Owlie]

I was wondering where/how you were recently. Funny how that works.

Welcome back!

[emily_in_nc]

Welcome back, jiffer!

Hope your health continues to improve. Good on ya!

[Jo-n-NY]

Welcome back Jiffer. Sorry to hear of your health problems but glad to hear you are improving and headed for recovery.

[smilingcat]

Welcome back and I wish you a complete recovery so you can get back to riding 100% !!