Tham-Tham

Just an update on my health status: I have been resting and have not done any physical activity since my post in September 2019. There's a bit of improvement in my condition as I no longer get tired from walking nor have breathing problems. I decided to try an easy session on the indoor trainer 2 weeks ago and my heart rate was concerningly high (175BPM average) based on the low workout intensity. The session was at 55W (my FTP was 205W before contracting the virus), small chainring, legs spinning at moderate cadence. My HR was consistently above 160BPM throughout the duration of the workout. So it's back to resting for me unfortunately! I will try walking as a form of exercise - I hate walking I must say!!

Thank you ChrisF for the well wishes. I pray and hope my recovery isn’t going to be too long????????. Wishing you many happy miles and years of safe riding! EYEMAN: your experience with the virus is very encouraging. Thanks for sharing your story. I have been resting completely for 3 weeks now and counting!! Wishing you good health and many more podium finishes! V12man: deleting my Strava account and staying off cycling related group chats has helped me deal with the psychological distress. I’m going to focus on getting better and try to stress less. J Wakefield: I’m currently treated by Dr Jarrad Van Zuydam. He made the diagnosis. I will be seeing him again for follow up tests So sorry SHANE SCHREIBER, don’t lose hope!!

I have just been diagnosed with Coxsackie B3 & B6 virus and I must say finding this forum has just made me realise I need to stop wallowing in self-pity and start getting help to deal with my depressed state of my mind, as it seems the recovery process is going to be a very long and challenging journey. Past few weeks I have been living with false hope telling myself I should be fine in a couple of weeks and should be able to get back on the bike and train for 947, DC, a few tours I was planning to join etc. but thank goodness I found this forum, it just saved me from spending money on race and tour entries I was not going to be able to join. My symptoms (mostly fatigue, irregular heartbeat, breathing problems) have been on and off since the 10th of June. I would exercise when feeling well, two weeks later I would be so tired even lifting my arms would leave me breathless. I had an appointment with a Sports Physician on the 3rd of September. Physical exams showed I was as healthy as a horse but I felt like crap. My resting HR was normal (48BPM) but would have difficulty breathing as soon as I step on the bike. Had a 2nd appointment with the Sports Physician for comprehensive physical tests including lung function, resting & stress ECG tests and results were normal and showed I have a perfectly functioning set of lungs and heart. Did blood tests which detected Coxsackie B3 & B6 virus. I have been told to rest, and am waiting to repeat the tests in a week or so. I find it hard to deal with this. Not being able to do any physical activity is so upsetting..... getting upset triggers breathing related symptoms and bring about strain on the heart, which is not good! The tricky part is, I need to free my mind from stress in order to aid recovery. How can I not stress when my life, as I know it, has been turned upside down????